THE Armoy Road Races Bike Week gets underway in just a few days, with a packed programme and it promises to offer something for everyone.
The week kicks off on Sunday 20th July with the popular annual Bike Run and Barbeque, which will begin at Tilly Molloy’s in the heart of Armoy village. Last year, over 100 riders signed on for this now very popular tour of the beautiful Antrim coast.
This year, the route will head off to Glenarm via Ballycastle and Waterfoot, stopping at Carnlough before arriving at Glenarm for a quick photo shoot outside the Castle walls. On then to Larne and the Battery Inn to take in the views before returning via Broughshane, Clough and Cloughmills, and then on to Armoy for a couple of laps of the circuit. Then it is back to Tilly Molloy’s for a Barbeque on the decking overlooking the River Bush and all for £10.
Bill Kennedy, Clerk of the Course, said, “Bike week is a great opportunity to bring people to Armoy and see all that is great about the area and the races.
“During the week we’ve various activities including the local Ballymoney Cycling Club racing around our circuit on Tuesday evening. They’ll be completing a total of nine laps, 27 miles in total with presentation and refreshments in Tilly Molloy’s.
“Wednesday sees a classic car display which just about brings Armoy to a standstill but is well worth waiting for. Each year it just gets bigger and bigger and the cars are just beautiful classic cars.
Thursday celebrates our racing heritage with a gathering of the Coleraine Motorcycle Club and Japanese Vintage Club bikes from our racing past, all before our very own Garth Brooks (aka Jason Hughes) takes to the stage later that evening. There really is no need to go to Dublin – we’ve our own country music star in Armoy!”
“Then we are straight into Practice and Race days on Friday and Saturday, where road racing begins in earnest in Armoy. This year we’ll have the first of our road races on Friday night –a Supersport 600cc race (1) sponsored by Parker Transport of Ballycastle and I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to them and welcome them on board as a new sponsor at Armoy in 2014.
“Of course I shouldn’t forget about the renowned Miss Armoy Competition in St Olcan’s Hall on the Friday evening where you’ll see a host of ladies vying for the enviable role and title of Miss Armoy, with entertainment from Phoenix Rising.
“Young and old, fans and family just come along to the Armoy Race Bike week -there’s something there for you all to enjoy!”