OK girls, who’s up for a bit of Diggertours in 2011?
I’ve run trips to the TT and the NW200 for 20+ years now, and last year introduced a few folks to the Manx Grand Prix. Because of the recession and the shite weather, it was a bit of a dead haddock, so this year I was happy to follow CJ wherever he went.
Next year I’m seriously looking at doing one of the Irish National Championship road races, and I thought the Cookstown 100 would be a good place to start.
The race is always in April, and I’m waiting for the exact dates as soon as the fixtures are, er, fixed. I already have it on very good authority that it won’t coincide with any CJ event, in fact I seriously hope CJ & JJ will join us
Having toured the area during NW200 trips, I can delight you with some stunning rides through the Sperrin Mountains, which are very close to Orritor where the race takes place. It’s also very close to Norm’s favourite road, the delicious Lough Fea run from Cookstown to Draperstown. I’m looking at basing the trip in the Omagh area, and have earmarked a few ideas for a place to stay.
So, let’s make it a big old Diggertours success, like some of the wonderful NW200 trips we enjoyed a few years back. 27 bikes one the 2004 trip, that was a corker.
Right. Some important stuff before we go any further.
All rides will be organised at a steady pace, with no-one being asked to ride outside their comfort zone.
Anyone wanting an extra bit of hooning will have plenty of opportunity to do that on their own.
All hotel/guest house and ferry bookings will be the individual responsibility of each participant, although I will co-ordinate and advise where needed.
Singles, couples, Buells and non-Buells are all exceedingly welcome.
Guinness is best served at room temperature.
The organiser’s word will be final.
May contain nuts.
Who’s interested?
Edited to show Booking Information, announced 25 Oct:
OK folks, this is the important bit. Logistics details are now sorted, it is now time to make your booking. There are pitifully few hotels in the area, and one or two beds are already booked for the nights of Fri & Sat, so you must act now.
We will be basing the trip at the Royal Hotel, Cookstown, a hotel which often sponsors the race.
Alternative accommodation is the Belfast House guest house, the Greenvale Hotel and the [url=www.avondalebb.co.uk]Avondale
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Or, if you want to be really exclusive, or you snore as loudly as Goldy, you could stay here, 10 mins walk away, apparently
Double / Twin rooms should simply be booked direct with the hotels, as quickly as possible! Please mention the “Diggertours” group when booking.
Those requiring singles, or wishing to share twins or family rooms, please post here so we can arrange the optimum sharing arrangement to get everyone together and minimise costs.
Cookstown is about an hour’s ride from Belfast, or two hours from Dublin.
The main trip will arrive in Cookstown on Wednesday pm, and will leave on Monday morning. (Monday is a public holiday in UK. If you want to shorten the trip, you can arrive Thursday or Friday (Thurs we’ll be riding in the Sperrin Mts, Friday is Race Practice) or you could leave on Sunday (Sunday we’ll be riding over to Donegal)
Here are your ferry options :
From the North
My first choice is always Cairnryan – Larne with P&O on the Fast Cat crossings. I expect to be on the 15:00 sailing on Wednesday 27th April, returning on the 12:55 on Monday 2nd May.. Ten sailings a day to choose from, fast cat & conventional.
Stena Line run from Stranraer to Larne, again with Fast cat or conventional ferries.
From the South
From the south-west or Wales, Holyhead – Dublin is the clear choice – you have a choice of Irish Ferries or Stena Line
If you’re coming from mainland Europe or you’ve a long ride in the UK to get to the Irish Sea, I strongly recommend the P&O overnight crossing from Liverpool to Dublin. I used it earlier this year & it’s superb. Dinner & a cabin thrown in, and it saves booking a hotel. Play at being a pretend trucker for the night.
Where's the Kilimanjaro thread then 
