Bikers arriving in Larne by ferry will want to make this road a part of an onward journey. Or try and make a point of doing it another time, maybe after visiting the Joey Dunlop Memorial Garden in Ballymoney or his grave at Garryduff Presbyterian Church graveyard - on the B16 Dunloy Road a few miles south
east of Ballymoney.

Signposted as the Antrim Coastal Route, this run is a scenic marvel, pillion riders can feast their eyes while bikers savour the twists and turns of a road which is often right on the sea's edge, skipping in and out of picturesque fishing villages staring across the sea to Scotland.

Mind you, there are places, notably between Ballycastle and Cushendun via Moorlough Bay and Torr Head where a high level of biking skill is needed if your pillion is to be able to appreciate the scenery. Bike passengers cannot focus on views while being thrown about by sudden, too-late braking, unexpected tight turns or chugging transmissions.


It takes serious skill to ride well here without making the kinds of mistake which can only be dealt with by extreme braking, revving or turning. Solo riders can laugh and put the glitches down to experience, the same journey for a pillion can be a nightmare.



In high season, traffic is heavier here than on many other roads in Northern Ireland. That, plus the scarcity of places where cars can overtake, means that bikers need to be especially careful in case impulsive drivers pull out without warning or brake suddenly to sample the views.

The spine is the A2 Antrim Coast Road from Larne to Ballycastle and is about 40 miles. Include the Glens and Torr Bay and the distance is more like 80 miles. Do both, one way on the spine and the other taking in the Glens and you have a good day’s holiday on 2 wheels covering 120 miles with many chances to stop, snack and snap. These are roads and views to be savoured – so plan to make the run more than once.

From the waterfront in Ballycastle this run follows the A2 towards Cushendun, branching off at Ballyvoy for Torr Head and the coast road. The road surface is not the best here. That, plus the rise and fall of the road, the corners, and the temptation to lift your eyes to the sea and Scotland mean that you could miss a patch of the dark, slippery stuff dropped off by a farmer or farm animal. Beware! There are signposts to Moorlough Bay and Torr Head, ideal picnic spots but note that you will need to bring your own refreshments. Award yourself five stars if you can take a pillion on these little digressions and have them talk only about the scenery afterwards.

From Cushendun through Cushendall, Carnlough, Glenarm through to Larne this is a glorious ride on smooth but narrowish roads bounded by low stone walls and cliffside. In light traffic, it is a run to be savoured and repeated. The map shows two clockwise digressions into Glenarm and Glenballyemon – a combination of quietish country roads with mountain scenery giving way to views over the sea to Scotland. Keep one eye open for sheep, though. Joey Dunlop country, Armoy and Ballymoney are not far off to the west. Ballymena has several bike dealers.