And some seed fell on barren ground!
Every year since the club was formed in 1995 the chairman asked if any members would be interested in a trip to the continent (travelling by motorcycle of course). Up to and including the year 2000 there were no takers was it ever going to happen?

And some seed fell on fertile land!
Unexpectedly, in the year of 2001, a lone voice from the club said "Yes I'll definitely go with you next year"; and from this, the seed of the club's first continental trip was born, proving perseverance pays off.

You're not going to the continent! Not without us you're not!
The original concept of two club members heading off to a continental Grand Prix via some twisty mountain roads and sunny climates while the wives and families held the home front was never to see the light of day.

You have to go for two weeks - no less!
Being good, unselfish, understanding (and eventually financially embarrassed) husbands it was decided to seek a Spanish Villa for two weeks during the summer and investigate costs etc. of return flights to & from Spain for the two wives plus the two children. This meant that the motorcycling trip was still on but included the annual family holidays.

Plans within plans!
The date for the big trip and the holiday was agreed to be sometime during July 2002, so it was just a coincidence during the planning stage that it was decided to book the villa from Saturday 29th June to Saturday 13th July.
Flights were booked for four persons to fly out from Dublin to Alicante on 29th June and return from Alicante to Dublin on 13th July. A car (people carrier) was booked for the two weeks and was to be collected upon arrival at Alicante Airport.
The riders decided to leave home (Lisburn) the day before the wives i.e. on Friday 28th June and also leave the villa (Moraira) the day before the wives' return date i.e. on Friday 12th July.
These arrangements meant that the motorcyclists were scheduled (by coincidence) to be in England on July 14th which was the day of the British Grand Prix. As it would have been rude (both to Rossi and the other racers) not to take a day out of journey home and attend Donington, two tickets for the British Grand Prix were quickly ordered.
Ferries were booked to cover the return sailing from Larne to Cairnryan and from Portsmouth to Le Havre. As the English Channel crossings would both be night sailing's, two berth en suite cabins, with sea view, were also booked. The ferries and cabins were booked with P&O as they provided the most suitable crossings (time-wise), the price based on land bridge rate was also competitive.
A Bed and Breakfast establishment close to the Donington Circuit was sourced through the Internet and two single en suite rooms' c/w full English breakfast booked for Sunday evening of July 14th.
This additional bonus meant that the club members' trip plus the holiday would last eighteen days -- plans completed!
(Who used to say -- "I love it when a plan comes together")! Route! The initial routes were planned and a day was allocated to get from Lisburn (home) to Portsmouth, another day to travel to the south of France while a third day to travel though Spain to the villa 'La Caretilla' in Moraira, Costa Blanca.
As complete novices with no experience regarding planning and driving on the continent, it was accepted that these plans would be flexible and if a fourth day was required to reach the villa so be it.
It was hoped that the return journey would be of similar time scale i.e. a day for Spain, a day for France and a day for England / Scotland (although there would be the break for the race). The return route was to be different than the outward route thus enabling different scenery and roads to be enjoyed.
A third club member (Keith), who had Autoroute software on his computer, kindly, volunteered to plot out detailed routes for the outward and return journeys. This kind offer was taken up and soon detailed instructions and maps were made available.
Now ready to go, route-wise.

Auxiliaries!

• Passports were searched out, their expiry dates checked and found okay.
• Spare bulb sets were purchased for both the TL and SP1 also Ireland stickers purchased (NB apparently Northern Ireland stickers are not legal on continent).
• The two Insurance Companies were contacted and documentation (for driving on the continent) requested, note -- one insurance company charged £26 for this service.
• It had been advised that the bike logbooks should be carried while riding on the continent, so logbooks were made ready.
• AA European cover was purchased, at a cost of £54.45, for the duration of the trip. Tyres were checked for wear and renewed as required.
• Duct tape was put around the paintwork on both bikes to prevent scratches from the luggage and ties. All systems were go and countdown could now begin!

The Big Day!

The Friday morning of June 28th had finally arrived, the wives kissed and the bikes fired-up (they had been loaded with luggage and petrol the previous evening). Low and behold Limetree Lodge & Cairnmore Park were then enriched with the sound of two 1000cc Vee twins coming to life and driving off at 4:45 a.m. (Surely the neighbours appreciated this musical duet!)
The morning was cool but dry, just brilliant to start the motorcycling holiday of a lifetime. The first part of the journey took in the M1 and M2, then the A8 on the way to the P&O Terminal at Larne Harbour for the 6:00 a.m. ferry to Cairnryan. The Irish Sea crossing was good with a calm sea and no delays, on board it was decided that waterproofs would be worn (to reduce the wind chill factor) for the journey through Scotland and part of England.
Also on board the ferry were another motorcyclist and his pillion girlfriend. They were heading for the Lake District on their way to their first motorcycling holiday and after a few words about bikes (as bikers do) both parties parted company while wishing each other bon voyage.

Travelling along the A75 towards Dumfries was pleasant, the waterproofs deflecting the cool morning wind, the timing was well chosen, as traffic was minimal. The first petrol stop was made at 8:35a.m. at the Shell Station just past Dumfries, things were looking good, --- through Scotland and no rain - definitely a first.
The next part of the journey was to travel almost the whole length of the M6 down England but at Birmingham change onto the M5, and continue travelling south to junction 11a, then head east on the A417 / A419. The second petrol stop was made at 11:16 a.m. at one of the M6 service stations i.e. Lancaster South where waterproofs were removed (the sun was shining and it felt like summer) and refreshments taken. The third stop was at Chiseldon, Wiltshire, where refreshments and a fine meal were enjoyed at Graham's local and home respectively.
After the meal and good craic, goodbyes were said, bikes refuelled at Chiseldon at 7:05 p.m. and the final part of day's one journey got underway. The weather was still brilliant and the journey to P&O Terminal at Portsmouth Harbour was completed in good time. Upon checking in at the terminal office it was discovered that the ferry was running approximately three-quarters of an hour late. Queued up along with many other bikes and car drivers and awaited the call to board ferry.

First Driving on the wrong side of road!

First lesson learned was not to wait until it was announced, over the ship's speaker system, that the car decks were open to drivers and riders. By the time this is announced all other bikers have luggage loaded and are ready to go: therefore for future reference get down early and load up bike thus ensuring other bikers are not held up waiting to get past.
Although ferry was late in departing Portsmouth it still arrived on schedule at Le Havre, so onto the roads for the very first time on a motorbike. Weather was dry with a little mist but nothing to put off two enthusiastic Trinity Members.

Not far outside Le Havre the first toll road was encountered, the half dozen bikers who arrived at the same time were allowed on free (maybe there was no charge for motorbikes or maybe the female operator was feeling generous -- don't know). This toll road lead onto a large, long bridge -- not good for anyone who doesn't like heights.
Continued riding in the direction of Paris along the A13 and then took a south turn for the N154 which was non-toll and went to Orleans. Along the N154 the scenery was fairly plain, nothing spectacular, but the road was in good condition.
Getting through Orleans was a bit slow but not overly so, the route continued taking in the N20 to Vierzon from where the A20 was joined. This toll road was taken to just outside Montauban where road roads forced a diversion onto the N20. The N20 was followed until Toulouse where it was decided to look for a hotel.

Of the two hotels near the L'Union Airport the Hotel Ibis was chosen as it had en-suite rooms (the Formule 1 didn't have any en-suite rooms). Unfortunately after booking in it was discovered that the hotel's restaurant was under major renovation and the only meal available was that more suited as aeroplane food. However the first day's driving on the continent had been completed successfully and in good weather. It must be noted that the toll roads were well surfaced and well serviced (i.e. with regular service stations and picnic areas); good mileage was possible on these roads.

Third Day - Andorra and the Green Meanie!

This day commenced with a cold breakfast at the restaurant-less hotel and the roads to Foix and then Andorra taken. Riding up through the Pyrenees in the mist was a real experience; the twisty roads were awesome, the road surface frightening particularly when smack in the middle of sharp bends. Andorra was above the mist and the sun was shining, the place was bristling with people, with cars, with coaches, with trial bikes, with two Vee twins and also buzzing with atmosphere. A hot snack was enjoyed here in the sunshine and a motorcycle accessory shop visited before heading onto Andorra La Vella.

(NB the prices of helmets etc. were not that much lower than back home, although the electronic equipment spotted in a shop next door was a lot less expensive).Getting to Andorra La Vella was a slow drag because of the heavy traffic but nothing compared to riding through the town itself. This turned out to be a real nightmare with maximum speeds no more than a snail's pace plus an abundance of forced stops.

Riding to the border was again very slow because of heavy traffic -- the lesson learned here was that to never, but never, visit Andorra on a Sunday, as everyone within a two hundred miles radius seemed to descend on the place. (Andorra is tax-free). Upon entering Spain the traffic was still very heavy and with narrow twisty and unknown roads it was difficult to overtake. Having said this, a Kawasaki rider was spotted coming in the opposite direction at an unbelievable speed towards a bend -- "he'll never get round that was the immediate thought, alert the medics "; but guess what "he did" -- obviously trying to do a Gregory i.e. get the knee down. Thankfully at a junction along this road (N260 / C1313) the most of the traffic headed for Barcelona leaving fairly clear roads ahead. As a lot of time had been taken up getting through Andorra it was decided that at the first opportunity a toll road heading south should be taken.

Just outside the Spanish town of Lleida the A2, a toll road, was joined and thus the journey southeastwards, towards Tarragona and the coast commenced. From Tarragona the main toll road, (A7) running south and parallel with the coast was followed. This road was enjoyed in great sunshine, passed Valencia and headed towards Alicante. At exit 63 of the A7 local roads were taken to complete the journey to the villa and families. The third day had been successfully completed arriving at the villa at around 8:15 p.m.

Naturally now the two riders were appropriately pampered --- what a day -- what a journey -- absolutely brilliant! First Day of Return Journey!

The two fabulous weeks in the sun, sand and sea with the families flew by and it was time to leave the villa and families to start the journey home. The alarms came abruptly to life at 5:00 a.m. on Friday the 12th July, showers were taken, breakfast eaten, bikes loaded up, wives kissed and by 7:00a.m. it was time to leave. The two wives stood on the villa veranda in the peaceful warm morning air and listened to the majestic sound of the two twins as Moraira was circumvented.After travelling the local roads (and at one stage under the watchful eye of the Spanish traffic branch) the A7 was joined and the route north began.

Good progress was made travelling at speeds no less than 110mph up to Valencia, at the outskirts of which petrol stations suddenly became like hen's teeth (very hard to find). Several detours off the A7 were made before petrol was found -- time was lost on this unscheduled deviation to plan. The toll road (A7) was exited just past Valencia and the inland route along the N234 / N330 taken. These roads were wide, well surfaced, a pleasure to ride with bends which could be taken at fast speeds with the bikes leaned well over (all this plus brilliant weather was bikers' paradise). The village of Teruel was passed with Zaragoza as the next milestone, the good road continued, sometimes containing three lanes where the middle lane was for the use of northbound traffic on some occasions and southbound traffic on others. This varying lane use was a good idea but the rider needed to keep alert to this fact.

Zaragoza was a large busy town with numerous traffic lights that had very short distances between them and as such very slow to navigate. While travelling very slowly down into town the alarms of some parked cars started to sound, after a time it was thought that maybe, just maybe the Vee twins were activating these (most likely the TL). While stopped at one of the many traffic lights a young-man, of unkempt appearance, approached with magazines in his arm (probably the Spanish version of the Issue). He approached the SP1 first, stuck out his hand to shake hands (his hand was very unsteady) and then with a broad smiling and an admiring look gave the thumbs up to both bikes,surprisingly he didn't even try to sell his magazine!-- Obviously a bike connoisseur!

Road signs appeared to be in short supply within the town hence it was necessary to stop, refer to the well used map and ask for directions to travel north out of town. Once on the northern side of town it was decide to stop for lunch, which was taken in very hot sunshine. During this break the morning's progress was discussed and it was agreed that greater mileage had been expected by this time.

The N330 / N260 roads were followed north towards the Pyrenees, again these roads were good with little traffic and fairly high speeds were maintained. At a Huesca bypass and at a map referral stop a local motorcyclist rode past only to come back a few minutes later to check if he could assist. This rider took the lead for a few miles and then parted company pointing the way north and waving goodbye.

Soon the Pyrenees were easily visible and the trek north continued, this time there was no mist and from the mountain roads altitude was abundantly obvious. Riding through the mountain tunnels, some of which very long, was a cooling and unusual experience. Views in the mountains were breathtaking and beautiful mountain villages were a must to see.
Riding through this section of the Pyrenees was slow because of both the narrow twisty rough-surfaced (on some occasions) roads and the amount of tourist traffic (cars, coaches and also walkers). Riding through these mountains the border between Spain and France was crossed.

---

Tip --- don't spend too much time looking at the mountain scenery while riding as the mountain roads demand 100% concentration.

---

Once off the mountains it was decided to take a more major road to Pau to try and claw back some time. Pau was a larger than expected French town and on a Friday evening peak time very busy. From Pau the Toll road A64 was taken as far as Tarbes where the A21 was then taken towards Auch.

A Campsite too far!

The plan for this first day of the return journey was to make it to Keith's campsite near Belves in the Dordogne Region of France and book into a hotel in this area. According to calculations made using the Autoroute software this journey, from Moraira to Belves at 645miles, was doable in one day.
After riding through Auch, which again was another busy town, and upon reaching its outskirts it was decided to consult the map to check the distance plus the type of roads left to navigate in order to get to the campsite. It was soon discovered that a further one hundred miles would need to be covered before the campsite could be reached.
As it was 7:00 p.m. (i.e. twelve hours since starting the journey) a unanimous decision was made to seek a hotel at Auch and travel no further this day. Although there was an element of disappointment in not being able to reach Keith's campsite (spirit willing but flesh weak) it was felt the decision was the right one. Lesson learned here was not to set too high an average speed when planning routes especially when local and or mountain roads are to be travelled. A few miles backtracking found an Ibis Hotel (this time with a working restaurant) in which two weary bikers claimed a fine room and welcome showers. After the clean up, the restaurant food was tested and found to be good as well as reasonably priced. The hotel receptionist very kindly suggested that the bikes be parked just outside of the main entrance where they could be easily seen from reception which was manned (or womanised) twenty four hours. What a day, the roads had been great, the weather sunny and hot, the views breathtaking, the locals friendly, the two bikes performed at their usual high standards and a good hotel with a working restaurant at the end of it all-- what more could a body want?

Through France and will the Wine Flow! Second Day of Return Journey!

After a continental style breakfast (the working restaurant wasn't working) it was once again time to load (in glorious sunshine) the luggage onto the bikes. During this procedure a male hotel employee came over and it transpired (sign language was required as neither party could speak the other's language) that he also owned a TL and was obviously very proud of the fact -- you can't keep these Suzuki men down even in France.

Le Havre was the day's final destination and as it was important to catch the ferry (missed ferry meant no Grand Prix, no Rossi, no RCV, no Baggi, no McWilliams, --- unthinkable!) the decision was made to use toll roads as much as possible this day to ensure high mileage.

The French TL owner was bid goodbye and local roads (good surfaces, good bends, very enjoyable) taken which lead to Bordeaux to pick up the A10 toll road heading north to Paris. The toll road was very busy (maybe because it was a Saturday) but good progress was still possible. The service areas on the A10 were plentiful and it was at the lunchtime stop at one of these areas when a local man carrying his young son came over to admire the SP1. A conversation ensued (broken English, broken French and a lot of sign language)and it was discovered that this man was also a biker who had done some club racing.

Apparently he had damaged his shoulder in a get-off and had given up racing, it also transpired that he was a Suzuki man (are their any Honda men in France?).A little later after some serious perusing over the SP1 hands were shook, goodbyes said and he went over to his car where his wife and other children were waiting. After putting his young son into the car he reached in to the back of the car and brought out a bottle of red wine, surprisingly he came back and gave over the wine. He said/signalled that it was a good wine and that it was from a vineyard within the Bordeaux area ---- thus proving bikers are friendly, kind, wonderful, handsome people who make great husbands, great fathers, great lovers, all round good guys (overstating a little? - nah never!).
As both the tail packs were full to their limits the decision had to be made whether to carry the wine inside ones leather jacket (dangerous or what?) or to drink it (pleasant but also dangerous when driving)-- decisions - decisions! --- NB leaving it was not an option!
The journey was restarted and after passing the town of Orleans the local N154 road was taken to proceed in a Northwest direction. The N154, which was covered much speedier than the outward journey, lead back to the A13 and A131 toll roads which in turn lead to the tall long bridge and Le Havre.
On the A13 while the TL and SP1 were travelling at the respectable speed of 120mph a Kawasaki 600 flashed between the two bikes and went into the distance like a scalded cat. The rider was wringing the neck off the 600 and was obviously flat out -- good these toll roads no traffic branch!
The P&O ferry terminal at Le Havre was reached with hours to spare and after parking the two bikes it was time to have a yarn with two other bikers (one on a BMW the other on a Yamaha). They were returning home to England after spending a holiday in France with their wives (the wives had travelled by plane - sound familiar?). The place they had rented was reasonably close to a racetrack, they said they had booked a track day and it had been brilliant. They showed their home video to give an idea of the track etc. and after this interesting interlude it was decided to remount the Vee twins and head into town for a meal. After the meal, back to the terminal and eventually onto the ferry which set sail on time at 11:00 p.m.

Au Revoir France - another brilliant day - great weather, great roads great people!

Will we make the Races? Will Rossi & the RCV211 Rule? -- Third day of Return Journey

Lesson learned from outward journey and applied; bikes loaded with luggage before the announcement made over ship's tannoy that the car decks were open. The ferry anchored at Portsmouth in good time thus allowing disembarkation at 6:00 a.m. -- now back in

The journey up to Donington via good main roads & motorways was great; little traffic on the roads, only when Birmingham was reached did the traffic start to get heavy. There was a one way system, which was well operated by the Police, into Donington Park. The weather had got even better with Mediterranean like sunshine; so the bikes were parked on hard ground, tickets produced and entrance gained into the track. Met up with Graham and Diane (who was seven months pregnant) and found a good home for the bottle of Bordeaux wine.

Later on, went round to the Esses to meet up with Ernie, Alex, Darren and Ashleigh who were starting off their French holiday with a visit to the GP. The day only got better with great atmosphere, great weather, great company, great sounds (V5's etc. -- glorious) and great racing. After the racing was finished it was time to find the B&B; exiting Donington Park was slow, very warm work especially with 1000cc Vee-twin engines doing their best to help the sun melt leathers. After a slight unscheduled detour around the English countryside, and some friendly help from an exhausted traffic warden, the B&B was found. The B&B turned out to be very good, the landlady very welcoming, rooms well equipped and were the showers enjoyed -- you bet! Graham and Diane eventually made their way to the B&B and upon the recommendation of the landlady the local public house was visited and great meals were enjoyed. What a day -- unexpected, but much appreciated brilliant weather, great racing -- Rossi & the RCV Rule -- the plan within a plan had bore fruit BIG TIME.

You Know It Might be Nice to See the Wives! Fourth & Final Day of Return Journey!

After a fine breakfast and a mini photo-shoot it was time to head up the A6 to the M1, travel north to Scotch Corner, then turn

Both the M1 and the A66 had heavy traffic, although it was still possible to make fair progress, the weather being good also helped in this. As Scotland approached the first clouds of the two journeys were spotted. Just prior to Dumfries, at the petrol station where the first petrol stop had been made over two weeks previously, it was necessary to put on waterproofs as well as fill up the bikes. The journey, along the A75, for the three riders (one of Ernie's mates on his new 1200cc Kawasaki had joined in at the Dumfries petrol station) to Cairnryan (Ernie's mate went on to Stranraer) was undertaken in damp conditions and wet roads although the ride was still enjoyable. The P&O ferry was reached with just minutes to spare but the embarkation and sailing went without a hitch.

Off the ferry and back on home soil, just the journey from Larne to Lisburn and the big adventure would be over -- but at home what would be waiting - hugs and kisses? The total trip mileage was just less than 3,300 miles averaging 550miles per day!

The trip in its entirety had been a great success -- would we do it again -- would a cat sup milk?

---

Footnote
Unknown at the time by the two bikers, prayers from family members and from the Club's Chaplain, for the riders' safekeeping, had been offered up to our Heavenly Father. Prayers had been answered and blessings given by our Heavenly Father.
Praise be to God!

---

Outward Journey

• Start:   Lisburn, County Antrim
• Destination: Moraira, Alicante, Spain

Friday 28th June 2002	First Leg	Lisburn to Portsmouth
Town	Road	Remarks
Lisburn, County Antrim	M1 & M2	Little traffic, cool morning
Larne	P&O 06:00 Fast Ferry (1hr)	Land-bridge rate
Cairnryan	Irish Sea
Dumfries	A75	1st Petrol Stop
Carlisle	A74 / A74 / M6	Bypassed town
Penrith	M6	Bypassed town
Birmingham	M6	Bypassed town
Gloucester	M5	Bypassed town
Cirencester	A417	Bypassed town
Swindon	A419	Bypassed town
Chiseldon	A346	Stopped at Graham's for meal
		Drinks at local. Re-fuel.
Hungerford	B4192
Newbury	A4	Bypassed town
Winchester	A34	Bypassed town
Southampton	M3 / M27 / M275	Bypassed town
Portsmouth	Ferry Terminal	Busy terminal
P&O 22:15 ferry across	English Channel to France	Two berth cabin with view
Ferry delayed approx. 3/4 hr	7 1/2 hr Crossing.	Cabin c/w en suite good
Saturday 29th June 2002	Second Leg	Le Havre to Toulouse
Town	Road	Remarks
Le Havre	A131 / A13	Towards Paris then turn right
	First Toll Road but operator	let bikes through free.
Evreux	N154
Chartres	N154
Orleans	N154
Vierzon	N20	Toll Road 5.30 Euro
Chateauroux	A20	Bypassed town
Limoges	A20	Bypassed town
Brive-la-Gaillarde	A20	Bypassed town
Montauban	A20	Motorway ceased here
Toulouse	N20	Toll Road
Toulouse L'Union Airport	A61	Ibis Hotel at Airport
Ibis Accor Hotel, Toulouse	NB: Hotel had no restaurant	Twin room en suite, one
light evening meal and light	breakfast - - - total cost =	87.55 Euro
Sunday 30th June 2002	Third Leg	Toulouse to Moraira
Town	Road	Remarks
Toulouse L'Union Airport	A64 / N20
Foix	N20	Toll Road
Tarascon-sur-Ariege	N20
Ax-les-Thermes	N20
Andorra	N22	Very busy, twisty roads
Andorra La Vella	N145 / N260	Very busy town, very slow
Adrall, Spain	C1313	Busy Road
Lleida	A2	Toll Road
Tarragona	A7	Toll Road. Bypassed town
Valencia	A7	Bypassed town
Towards Alicante	A7 off at exit 63
Teulada	Local roads
Moraira	Local roads narrow & uneven	Villa brilliant!

Return Journey

• Start:   Moraira, Alicante, Spain
• Destination: Lisburn, County Antrim

Friday 12th July 2002	Fourth Leg of Journey	Moraira, to Auch (France)
Town	Road	Remarks
Moraira	Local roads	Started at 06:40am
Teulada	Local roads / A7 @ Jnct 63
Valencia	A7 / N234 / N334	Toll Road. Bypassed town
Teruel	N234 / N330
Zaragoza	N330	Very busy, hot and slow
Huesca	N260
Biescas	C136
Laruns	D934
Pau (France)	A64	Very busy, hot and slow
Tarbes	N21	At outskirts very busy
Auch	N21	Ibis Hotel for overnight stop
Ibis, Accor Hotels, Auch	Twin room en suite, two	evening meals, plus two
breakfasts.	Total cost =102.05 Euro	NB Better facilities at
this Hotel. - Bikes parked	outside in front of reception
Saturday 13th July 2002	Fifth Leg of Journey	Auch to Le Havre
Town	Road	Remarks
Auch, France	N21
Agen	A62 - west	Bypassed town
Bordeaux	A10	Toll Road. Bypassed town
Niort	A10
Poitiers	A10
Tours	A10
Orleans	A10
Chartres	N154
Dreux	N154
Evreux	N154
Louviers	A13 / A131	Toll Road.
Le Havre / P&O 23:00 ferry	English Channel to England	Two Berth cabin with view
Sunday 14th July 2002	Sixth Leg of Journey	Portsmouth to Hathern
Town	Road	Remarks
Portsmouth	M275 / M27	Arrived at 06:00 hrs
Southampton	M3	Bypassed town
Winchester	Exit M3 at jnct. 9	Bypassed town
Newbury	A34	Bypassed town
Oxford	A34	Bypassed town
Banbury	M40 join at jnct 9	Bypassed town
Birmingham	M42 north	Bypassed town
Castle Donington	A42	Outskirts of village
Donington Park	A453 / Local roads	At British Grand Prix
Feasted on a Great Grand	Prix --- weather glorious!	The Doctor Ruled!!!
Leave Donington Park	Local Roads	Traffic slow out of Race
Diseworth	Local Road
Long Whatton	Local road
Hathern	A6 south	B&B on the A6
Stayed overnight in Orchard	House B&B - 01509842462	£25 single en suite room VG
Had evening meal & drinks	At Anchor Inn -- food etc.	good, price reasonable.
Monday 15th July 2002	Seventh & Final Journey Leg	Hathern to Lisburn
Town	Road	Remarks
Leave Hathern	A6 north	Land lady took photos
Towards Nottingham	Joined M1 north at jnct 24	Traffic heavy but moving
Towards Sheffield	M1 north
Towards Leeds	M1 north	Bypassed Leeds to link A1
Wetherby	A1 north
Scotch Corner
Penrith	A66	Good road, traffic heavy
Carlisle	M6 north
Gretna	A74 north	Met 1st rain of journey here
Dumfries	A75 west / A751 / A77	Last fuel stop of journey.
		Met up with Ernie's mate on
		his new ZX12R, rode the
		A75 together
Cairnryan	P&O Irish Sea 14:30 Ferry	Fast Ferry 1 hr crossing
Larne	A8
Lisburn, County Antrim

Some Costing Details.
Return Ferries for bikes + riders from N. Ireland to France (includes two twin en suite upper deck cabins)	£188.00 each
Hotel at Toulouse (France) (includes one light evening meal - aircraft type food - plus two light breakfasts)	£57.72 (i.e.£28.86 each)
Hotel at Auch (France), one twin en suite room (includes evening meal and breakfast)	£67.28 (i.e.£33.64 each)
Tickets for British GP at Donington	£57.75 (i.e. £28.87 each)
B&B at Hathern, England (near Donington) (includes single en suite rooms plus full English breakfast)	£25 each
Petrol for the 'TL1000S' - (£68.75 + 202.78 Euro) (assumed exchange rate as £1=1.51Euro)	£203.04
Costs of Toll Roads	Not logged.