Well I got back from the Isle of Man TT yesterday, and boy what a TT it was too. The first thing that surprised everyone, was that for 2 weeks the Island had almost no rain at all, for the practise week or the racing itself. There was a brief shower and that was it. I didn't even look at my wet suit let alone get it out.
I'd booked a small cabin for a bargain £22.50 each ( I went with my mate ) for 10 nights, on a campsite that was on the TT course. Even the ferry wasn't as expensive as I'd expected. It was full to the brim of bikes mind, and a few cars, but the bikes had the numbers. We left Lincolnshire on the Thursday and made our way to Kirkby Lonsdale, for an overnight stay in a really nice B&B, and boy was the breakfast big too, a full English breakfast was on the plate and was consumed accordingly. The crossing itself was very smooth on the catamaran, it only took 2.75 hours, that thing shifts for sure. We got to our cabin, and began to unpack our gear. The cabin was very basic, but it did have a kettle, so without further ado it was called into service. So after a cupper we rode into Douglas to see what was going on, well there was a big fun fair along the promenade, and lots of bikes going up and down the main road. I took a few photo's as is the norm for me. Then we had something to eat, Fish and Chips, well it'd be rude not to really. Then back to base for another cupper then off to bed. ( Separate ones I might add )
Mad Sunday, when they close the mountain circuit, and make it one way, came and went. I have no desire to get wiped out by some mad motorcyclists who thinks that they can ride the TT course faster than Michael Dunlop. So we went to the Peel Mad Sunday motorcycle day, and whilst there went into a very small museum, not that many bikes, but it was worth going in to get a few pictures. From there we then went to the Calf of Man, this is a nature reserve, the weather was fantastic, with unbroken sunshine. I even saw a basking shark in the water close to the edge.
Next stop was to Murry's Motorcycle Museum, now this place is an absolute must if you ever go to the TT, it's a display like no other, the walls are covered in bike things big and small, and from years gone by too. People leave messages on the woodwork, and the different selection of bike to see is brilliant. It costs £5.00 to get in, and you get a free cup or tea or coffee and a bit of cake or biscuit, and a free lanyard as well. In my book that's a bargain.
Off then to the Grandstand to take a few more pictures of the bikes in the pits and sometimes the racers themselves. Then up to Joey Dunlops memorial at the Bungalow.
Next day came and so did the racing, my God those guys shift on that course, and lets be serious here, if you come off you have to be Robin Hood to be able to hit the protection barriers. Dan Kneen a local rider was killed there 3 days before we arrived. These guys deserve respect for what they do, they know as well as anyone else the risks involved with such racing.We situated ourselves at Ginger Hall.
The next day came and I'd arranged to meet a guy who flew in from British Columbia with his Goldwing to see the TT, it was a short visit, as we both had things to see and do, which brings me to my next stop at the ARE motorcycle museum in Kirkmicheal, and this was a lot smaller, but when you see the pictures, there are some bikes in there that maybe some of you have never heard of, and are priceless to boot too.
My mate went to visit a long lost friend on the Island, so I set off on my own and did a bit of touring myself. If you get off the beaten track the Isle of Man is simply stunning, again, as you'll see from the pictures. There aren't many pictures of the races themselves as they go so fast, it's pot luck if I caught them, I did some videoing which was the better option to catch the action. I had to video the RAF Red Arrows too, their display lasted 20 Min's over Douglas. The seafront was packed to see the worlds best display team, and when you see what they pull off, you know why they are regarded as the best in the world, and I'd go along with that 100%, they really are second to none.
Off to the Laxy Wheel, where 28 years ago I asked Pat to marry me at the top, and 28 years later we're still together.
Next then it was back to the Grandstand to look at more bikes and to enjoy the sunshine, and the atmosphere.
Peel castle was another destination, this castle was built in the 14th century. Then the Peel motorcycle show after the castle, all in glorious sunshine.
The Senior race on the Friday, was viewed by me from the Grandstand, I decided to buy a ticket, only £67.50, what the heck, it's not like you go to the TT every year is it. Whilst sitting there I met people from all over the world, Canada Australia, New Zealand USA, and from all over Europe too. This event is a truly global attraction. The money that is spent ( and I manged to off load £300 in one week ) at the TT must run into millions.
After the Senior race was over I went to see the trophy's that they are awarded, they're big.
The last full day on the Island, was spent taking a slow ride round the TT course, it took over 2 hours, so I don't think that Micheal Dunlop has anything to fear from me just yet. One thing that you don't do on the Isle of Man is speed, if the sign says 30, 40, 50, 60 MPH that's what you do. Someone told me it's an on the spot fine of £250, they'll take you to the cash machine for the money, and if you can't pay, well your bike will do nicely till you can pay.
The other thing you don't do it walk on the road when it's closed for racing. One muppet decided to give the Marshall's some grief, he wouldn't get off the road, so the called the Police. He was fined £500, 4 weeks in jail and banned from the Island for 5 years.
All in all a great 10 days, in unbroken sunshine.
If you're thinking of doing the TT, you'll have to book up a year in advance, and there's no guarantee you'll get a sailing, but give it ago, you'll not be disappointed.
The TT is unique and when the suns out, it can't be beaten.
Here are a few pictures for you, I'll put the rest in the albums section.
All the photos can be seen here - Ride Outs and Day Trips
I'd booked a small cabin for a bargain £22.50 each ( I went with my mate ) for 10 nights, on a campsite that was on the TT course. Even the ferry wasn't as expensive as I'd expected. It was full to the brim of bikes mind, and a few cars, but the bikes had the numbers. We left Lincolnshire on the Thursday and made our way to Kirkby Lonsdale, for an overnight stay in a really nice B&B, and boy was the breakfast big too, a full English breakfast was on the plate and was consumed accordingly. The crossing itself was very smooth on the catamaran, it only took 2.75 hours, that thing shifts for sure. We got to our cabin, and began to unpack our gear. The cabin was very basic, but it did have a kettle, so without further ado it was called into service. So after a cupper we rode into Douglas to see what was going on, well there was a big fun fair along the promenade, and lots of bikes going up and down the main road. I took a few photo's as is the norm for me. Then we had something to eat, Fish and Chips, well it'd be rude not to really. Then back to base for another cupper then off to bed. ( Separate ones I might add )
Mad Sunday, when they close the mountain circuit, and make it one way, came and went. I have no desire to get wiped out by some mad motorcyclists who thinks that they can ride the TT course faster than Michael Dunlop. So we went to the Peel Mad Sunday motorcycle day, and whilst there went into a very small museum, not that many bikes, but it was worth going in to get a few pictures. From there we then went to the Calf of Man, this is a nature reserve, the weather was fantastic, with unbroken sunshine. I even saw a basking shark in the water close to the edge.
Next stop was to Murry's Motorcycle Museum, now this place is an absolute must if you ever go to the TT, it's a display like no other, the walls are covered in bike things big and small, and from years gone by too. People leave messages on the woodwork, and the different selection of bike to see is brilliant. It costs £5.00 to get in, and you get a free cup or tea or coffee and a bit of cake or biscuit, and a free lanyard as well. In my book that's a bargain.
Off then to the Grandstand to take a few more pictures of the bikes in the pits and sometimes the racers themselves. Then up to Joey Dunlops memorial at the Bungalow.
Next day came and so did the racing, my God those guys shift on that course, and lets be serious here, if you come off you have to be Robin Hood to be able to hit the protection barriers. Dan Kneen a local rider was killed there 3 days before we arrived. These guys deserve respect for what they do, they know as well as anyone else the risks involved with such racing.We situated ourselves at Ginger Hall.
The next day came and I'd arranged to meet a guy who flew in from British Columbia with his Goldwing to see the TT, it was a short visit, as we both had things to see and do, which brings me to my next stop at the ARE motorcycle museum in Kirkmicheal, and this was a lot smaller, but when you see the pictures, there are some bikes in there that maybe some of you have never heard of, and are priceless to boot too.
My mate went to visit a long lost friend on the Island, so I set off on my own and did a bit of touring myself. If you get off the beaten track the Isle of Man is simply stunning, again, as you'll see from the pictures. There aren't many pictures of the races themselves as they go so fast, it's pot luck if I caught them, I did some videoing which was the better option to catch the action. I had to video the RAF Red Arrows too, their display lasted 20 Min's over Douglas. The seafront was packed to see the worlds best display team, and when you see what they pull off, you know why they are regarded as the best in the world, and I'd go along with that 100%, they really are second to none.
Off to the Laxy Wheel, where 28 years ago I asked Pat to marry me at the top, and 28 years later we're still together.
Next then it was back to the Grandstand to look at more bikes and to enjoy the sunshine, and the atmosphere.
Peel castle was another destination, this castle was built in the 14th century. Then the Peel motorcycle show after the castle, all in glorious sunshine.
The Senior race on the Friday, was viewed by me from the Grandstand, I decided to buy a ticket, only £67.50, what the heck, it's not like you go to the TT every year is it. Whilst sitting there I met people from all over the world, Canada Australia, New Zealand USA, and from all over Europe too. This event is a truly global attraction. The money that is spent ( and I manged to off load £300 in one week ) at the TT must run into millions.
After the Senior race was over I went to see the trophy's that they are awarded, they're big.
The last full day on the Island, was spent taking a slow ride round the TT course, it took over 2 hours, so I don't think that Micheal Dunlop has anything to fear from me just yet. One thing that you don't do on the Isle of Man is speed, if the sign says 30, 40, 50, 60 MPH that's what you do. Someone told me it's an on the spot fine of £250, they'll take you to the cash machine for the money, and if you can't pay, well your bike will do nicely till you can pay.
The other thing you don't do it walk on the road when it's closed for racing. One muppet decided to give the Marshall's some grief, he wouldn't get off the road, so the called the Police. He was fined £500, 4 weeks in jail and banned from the Island for 5 years.
All in all a great 10 days, in unbroken sunshine.
If you're thinking of doing the TT, you'll have to book up a year in advance, and there's no guarantee you'll get a sailing, but give it ago, you'll not be disappointed.
The TT is unique and when the suns out, it can't be beaten.
Here are a few pictures for you, I'll put the rest in the albums section.
All the photos can be seen here - Ride Outs and Day Trips
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what a trip!!!
