Thousands of bikers sail into Belfast for North West 200

This year's North West 200 motorcycle spectacular is tipped to the biggest yet with over 2000 bikers and motorcycle racing enthusiasts sailing into Belfast on the Stena HSS over the next few days.

On Friday morning alone, Stena are expecting more than 400 bikes to be travelling on the 10:00am sailing from Stranraer to Belfast, with a further 300 following them on the 2:45pm sailing into the city.

Following the cancellation of last year's race due to the foot-and-mouth crisis, Stena Line has announced that motorcycle volumes are back on track for Ireland's biggest sporting event.

"The atmosphere on board is always fantastic," says Stena Line Head of Marketing Paul Grant.

"The bikers are usually in great form and with more than 400 travelling on certain sailings, they brighten up the journey for everyone.

"As they drive off the Stena HSS, lorrys sound their horns and the bikers rev their engines in response, creating a great atmosphere and a real sense of occasion.

"It's a wonderful event, famous all over the world, and importantly a great tourism boost for Northern Ireland and the Coleraine area in particular."

After the event, more than 500 bikes and their riders are expected to travel back to Scotland on the 1220hrs Stena HSS sailing out of Belfast on Sunday.

(GMcG)