Were taking in part of the practice week so leaving on Tues 29th and returning on Tues 5th from Liverpool.
We go same dates every year, Thursday night midnight gets us there early Friday morning. Always go to creg ny ba just before roads close, have dinner and watch practise from there. Good to see them on the run down from Sarah's. Also easy to get back home when roads reopen. Then obviously get 3 great race days before home at 3am Thursday. Always talk about staying for senior but never do. Really looking forward to it this year. Hope Higgins is there again in the subaru.....he was impressive last year.
Mistake in last post......d'oh...the run down from Kate's, not Sarah's, always get the 2 mixed up, Sarah's is out of glen Helen just b4 cronkyvoddy.
Just b careful u don't get stuck if your leaving mid afternoon on 6th as that's a race day. It's a bolox tryin 2 get 2 terminal using the underpass bcoz of congestion etc. It always feels like every1 wants 2 use it when ur in a panic 2 get 2 boat
I have heard a rumour that bikes going on the ferry have to have fuel removed from the tank due to fire hazards in case of a tip over...? Any one heard this? Apparently if the ferry people remove the fuel for you, its gone for good. And the first petrol station you come to island side is chock full busy with bikes waiting to pay hilarious prices for after ferry fuel. A cunning plan.
Buy the petrol station and live happily ever after on the island, making a mint from traveling bikers! :wink:
Yes the fuel scam was back in the old days, well before my time, when the workers at the ports had free petrol for a month in the name of safety, gladly no more. Fuel will probably be more expensive on the Island during TT than most of the year, but prices are not that far behind over here, and I will be walking to work before I go to the TT without a bike.
Bikes fall over whilst on the ferry? Wait until you see how many are wedged in, it's a physical impossibility for them to move let alone fall over. Don't worry about the horror stories you've heard, the Steam Packet are good at turning bikes into sardines and not doing too much damage.
ferry and bike for me Don`t leave your bike till tied down. Make sure nothing rubbing on or touching your bike. First gear. I take a tie for front brake. I take and have for ten years camping mat cut to shape for seat and side panels.(you do get rags now tho) heysham ferry iom
If you go via Liverpool, you can have loads of fun with a full loaded top heavy bike trying to negotiate the ridiculous check-in booths - whose smart idea was it to use cobble block paving on a 180 deg bend used by bikes? ...oh, and the ramp from the booths to the landing stage can be fun if it's low tide & raining
Went race week last year and had a blast. Camped at the Glenlough campsite just up the hill from Union Mills which was ok apart from the mega queues for the showers. Was right by the race track which was ok until about 5.30am when everone started riding the track. Managed about 10 laps over the week (each lap about 37 miles), so long as you stick to the speed limits through the villages and coned areas you are free to go as fast as you like but be careful, saw a lad sadly perish on the ride up the mountain about 20 bikes in front of me (didn't make a corner) I could not tell what bike he was riding as it was distroyed. On a lighter note there is no place like the Isle of Man to watch racing (even though it's a time trial really) bikes passing you a couple of feet away doing 190mph!! When the racing is not on the Island is also a great place to explore Peel has a nice harbour and sandy beach the Calf of Man and the Laxey wheel are worth a visit or take the electric tram to the top of the mountain where there is a decent cafe. On the way to the Calf of Man Campsite, beer and so called mates This was agreat spot had the place to ourselves This was not my photo but a photographer camping with us. This was at the Creg nee Bar pub just as you come down the mountain also a very good place to watch; there are grandstands there but tink you have to pay to enter.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=54.235647,-4.612858&spn=0.002166,0.004436&t=h&z=18 That photo was at Cronk-y-voddy, we parked the bikes at the side of the old barns top right of the map (if the link works) only the TT marshals and us were there. Just beware that once you cross the road where we were sitting and racing starts you are stuck there untill the marshals allow you to cross back. May have a short vid shot from here with Micheal Rutter flying by on the Ducati.........
For anyone looking forward to a blast round the course, I have this information from a friend on the Island today. Apart from the Mountain section of the TT course, there is less than 2 miles which is not subject to a 50mph or less restriction. Looks like the fun police have won. This could be my 18th and last visit to the TT races.
no way thats sh#t could be my last time will have to see and the mountain is not going to be a safe place to ride when open that is.:frown:
