So, where's you folks favourite spots to watch? I've a few,over the years i think I've been just about everywhere but below is my go to spots. In no particular order.... Top of barregarrow (food and toilet in farm on inside of course, can move to brandywell) Glen duff council yard (trapped all day, chairs and brew machine in council canteen) Bungalow (move to sulby crossroads if wanted and pick through back lanes) 11th milestone (park at cronk y voddy on outside, walk down, trapped all day if on inside) Church in union mills (food, toilet in church, can move and pick up link road) Glen trammen (take supplies, mostly trapped) Gorse lea (can move on back lanes and get out to anywhere on outside of course, toilet and food at farm house). Field back from Glen Helen, double left (trapped all day, park at Glen Helen and walk along riverside path, take provisions). Sarah's cottage (trapped, get there early, take provisions). conker fields and k tree (astonishing, park on small road that loops round, avoid the field you pay now but worth it. Burger van usually) Other stand out places that I've been to in the past.... Rhencullen and kirkmichael (easy parking, petrol station for provisions) Bottom of barregarrow (spectacular, crowded, limited view,walk down field from crossroads) Kate's cottage (walk up the boggy field from the creg, good view on flat plateau at apex) School yard at top of bray hill (blue railings, park in school yard, easy to move, get there early). st ninians, but not the crossroads or the large church gardens, go further back, follow the wall back until you're under the tannoys and in front of the single story church building (food, drink, toilet and chairs at the church) I've been to many many more though, too many to list. At the TT I prefer to get out in the hedgerows with butties and radio. At the manx, it's much more relaxed. If you want the best view, you've got to get there early, arrive late and expect to be looking over heads and shoulders. Roll on Friday morning
Don't forget your Midge/Mossie spray, especially vital if proceedings go on into the evening when they will come out to dine on you.
Usually tuesday nights....usually on the RSV4 but not possible this year.... At MH Racing after work earlier on.....took about 30 mins to set the zed up.....Nitron R3 on the rear and Pro cartridges on the front.....feels like a new bike! - fitting the supercorsa's tomorrow.
Has anybody read or heard any info on the italian bike night in port erin? As we know, it's usually Tuesday night but that's a race day and i can't find any info whatsoever. I went last year and the turn out was poor but past years it's been great. If i ear nothing, I'll just pop down after the racing and have a nosey.
The places we have watched include Bray Hill - a must at least once Braddan Church - great food, teas coffee etc and toilets Balacraine Kirk Michael Cronk y voddy - a must to see the speed Grandstand I’m sure we watched from mountain near the rail crossing. finding somewhere with facilities is important, paying a few quid for a comfortable spot is well worth it. Getting your spot early is worth while. Being on the outside of the circuit gives you options to move if you want and get away before the roads reopen.
Supercorsa's fitted, akra tail repacked, clutch cable flushed through, various cleaning, greasing checking carried out...
Free practice kicked off. First qualy in an hour an half ish. Great weather, which (fingers crossed) looks set to last.
I’m good thanks. Sadly sold hyper as I wasn’t using it enough (too pretty to take out in wet) so bought a pikes peak which I take out rain or shine and commute on a little. Should have kept both really but I’ve far too many toys and not enough time to play so…
Hope the weather stays good for you lot going to the TT. I went, just the once, and found the foreign 'nutters' a bit much! Wheelying down the main roads of Onchan is not my idea of 'fun' (Then again I am a bit old! LOL) I go to the Classic/Manx and absolutely love it!! Going again in August. As regards places to watch I can recommend Signpost. Martin, the owner, lets his garden be used, free, with toilets provided, lots of seating and a great tea/coffee/burger bar. To get there you have to go up Hillberry Road, turn into Highfield Crescent, take the first left (still Highfield Cres) down to Sunnybank Ave. On hitting Sunnybank you should see a load of bikes and signs showing the way through Martin's garden to the front. I found this a few years back and it's a great place to watch. What I also found is that, wherever you are on the course, it can be frustrating to watch over people's heads. Even the marshalls are in the way sometimes! So my solution was, become a marshall! It's dead easy and your doing your bit to help the TT/Manx/Classic to continue. (They always need marshalls). If you're interested go to the marshalls tent in the paddock and they will talk you through it. Anyway, enjoy the TT, say 'hello' to the fairies, keep safe and give my love to the Island! I'll be marshalling at Signpost in August. Can't wait!!
Most of my favourite Places to watch from over the last 25 TT Race years have been covered above, but one place not mentioned is the 32nd. I used to park at Brandywell and cross the road at closing time and walk down towards the Marshall's hut. The marshall at Brandywell used to let me cross back just before roads open, but last time, quite a few years ago, the copper on duty there would not permit it, so I had to wait nearly half an hour for the traffic to thin out enough to get back over. It would be Interesting to see if the fastest men these days use more of the road than previously. As I rarely saw any of the top men cross the centre line at the 32nd. Having travelled with female company since 2008 I have been restricted to places with more creature comforts, but I may well have a day or two on my own on the mountain if the weather is good. I did manage to have a day at Kate's Cottage last year, which is always entertaining. You can even see the bikes go round Brandish, Hillberry and Cronk ny Mona from there.
@Jon916 do your homestay hosts take race day visitors? I am in a homestay just up the road in Tromode Park and would love to watch a race or two on that side of Bray Hill. Feel free to respond by PM if you don't want to start a stampede
I will definitely go back, maybe the Manx instead of the TT, probably on my own or with a mate, camping well away from the circuit. Walking distance from Peel would be ideal. I’m jealous of those of you going this year. come on Hicky !
I’m actually just off Bray Hill so no good for viewing, apparently you can see the racing from the house but not where you would choose to view from. It’s the first time I’ve stayed there so I’ll let you know, I’m there from Friday
I’ve never been but am contemplating going next year. I or rather we would probably be looking at going in a van with a bike in the back and sleeping in the van. What sort of costs are involved for ferry and sites where you can park up for a few nights? Or are ferries and places already full well in advance that you need to book more than a year up front? Is the island generally expensive once there for groceries and provisions?
