Posted by From Friday 27th to Sunday 29th June 2025, Lockshar and I set off on what’s easily been my most memorable trip on two wheels so far — a three-day adventure from Annan to the Giant’s Causeway via Auchenmalg, Larne, and a brilliant stretch of the Northern Irish coast. With dodgy weather, good weather, ferry crossings, blisters, whiskey, and nonstop scenic roads, this one had it all.
Day One: Annan to Auchenmalg (with a Chinese and a side of wind)
We set off from Annan around 6pm on Friday evening. The weather earlier in the day had been horrific — hammering rain and gusty winds — but by the time we hit the road, it had cleared to windy and dry-ish, which felt like a win.
We made a food stop in Newton Stewart, picking up a Chinese takeaway on the way to my Mum’s in Auchenmalg. By the time we arrived, it had gone cold (as takeaway tends to do in a top box), so we had to give it a blast in the microwave before tucking in.
The evening was spot on — good food, a couple of glasses of wine, and a chilled start to what would be a big couple of days ahead.
Day Two: Across the Sea and Up the Coast
Saturday morning we rode to Cairnryan and boarded the 0800 ferry to Larne, Northern Ireland. The crossing was smooth, and once we landed, we hit the Antrim coast road heading north — and wow, what a road it is.
We stopped at Madman’s Window, snapped a few photos, and carried on with several scenic pauses along the way. By mid-afternoon we reached the Giant’s Causeway, parked up, and walked down to the legendary basalt columns.
Unfortunately, I’d made the mistake of wearing brand new biking boots, and I was soon nursing painful blisters. Thankfully, a quick stop at the nearby hotel for a Guinness 0.0 helped sort me out.
With some time to kill before check-in, we cruised around the area for an hour or so, enjoying the views and the roads. Eventually, we made our way to the Causeway Guest House in Bushmills — an incredibly modern, comfortable spot that felt more like a stylish apartment than a B&B.
That night, we headed into Bushmills for a few beers, some Bushmills whiskey, and a cracking dinner. I had the Irish stew, and it was exactly what I needed after the day’s miles. A bottle of wine from Centra and a short taxi ride back to the guest house wrapped up a perfect second day.
Day Three: Coffee, Coastlines & The Long Way Round
We started Sunday with an amazing breakfast at the guest house at 7:30am, then hit the road shortly after 8am. We had a bit of a directional wobble at first, but found our way toward the Magilligan to Greencastle ferry. Riding the bikes onto the little ferry was one of those unexpected joys of the trip — quiet, scenic, and just a brilliant experience.
After the crossing, we headed through Londonderry, then looped back up along the coast — passing the Giant’s Causeway again, and continuing along the full northern coastline. It was a long but absolutely stunning route — scenic roads, big skies, and those wide coastal bends that just feel made for riding.
Eventually, we made it back to the ferry port at Larne, and this time it was buzzing — loads of bikes lined up waiting to board. It was great to see so many other riders out on adventures of their own, swapping nods, and sharing that quiet sense of “we get it.”
After another slightly embarrassing boarding moment (I still can’t quite work the straps!), we finally got underway. We enjoyed a nice tea of chicken pie and mash on board while watching the sea roll by. When we docked back in Scotland, the bikes took off all crazy-like, with riders roaring away in every direction — it was a little daunting as a new rider, but also kind of exhilarating to be part of it all.
We then headed home to Annan. The roads were really busy with ferry traffic at first but calmed down after a petrol stop in Newton Stewart. We finally rolled back into Annan at around 8:30 PM — tired but happy after an incredible weekend.
Wrapping Up
This three-day ride had it all: coastal beauty, ferry crossings, a few mishaps, sore feet, and some of the best roads I’ve ever ridden. Northern Ireland was a surprise hit — warm welcomes, incredible scenery, and roads that just beg to be explored on two wheels.
Lessons learned? Don’t break in new boots on a walking-heavy day. Carry a backup plan for food. And don’t underestimate how much a good breakfast and a strong coffee can power a day’s riding.
In total, we covered 499 miles over the weekend — a huge achievement for me as a beginner rider and a testament to how much fun you can have with a bit of planning and good company.
If you’re a beginner like me and looking to push your comfort zone a little — this kind of trip is 100% worth it. The mix of riding, scenery, and adventure makes it something you’ll never forget.
Sounds awesome and good lessons learned! Got the LWR reference in too! 😉
Thanks for the comments. Was a cracking trip.