We have been four times, crossing through Heysham and Liverpool the only complaint I would have is muppet riders starting their bikes far too early. The guys tying the bikes do a great job, just be friendly with them. Our first crossing was on an old boat and it was the worst sea crossing I have ever endured, the toilets and gangways were awash with vomit, the crew were so busy they couldn't mop it up quick enough and used a powder substance to keep the smell at bay. Most people were sat on the floor and hardly anyone was walking about. I feared the worst when we got into Douglas harbour but didn't see or hear of any damage to the bikes. I have not seen any bikes tied down without a towel or some other protection but it certainly couldn't hurt to take a piece. If your going from Heysham I would top up at Lancaster Services. Are you staying at St Johns ?
Try the harbour lights restaurant down by the beachfront for breakfast, there is also a really nice restaurant in Peel where we sat next to Cameron Donald, Troy Corser and someone else famous last year. It could have been Filbeys Bistro, we eat upstairs and had to book. There is one chinese and Indian in Peel, neither are fantastic but OK. You can catch the bus into and back from Douglas the last one is a bit of a mess as you can imagine. Good bar snacks at The Hawthorn, which is on the circuit going back towards Greeba castle from St Johns. Are you having a pre-erected tent ? We sent most of our stuff over by Interlink or TNT
Same for us too.... Although I'm 50/50 right now as my old man has just gone into intensive care.....so I may have to bail.... We're supposed to be leaving tomorrow afternoon...
Tipping down with rain here now, not good. Rode the course earlier, mountain completely shrouded so played follow the bike in front as visibility so bad...
Back at St. John's. New people turned up next to us with an 848 evo, multi and a hyper. There certainly are some knobby knobcheeses around overtaking on the wrong side of the road on left bends. Accident delayed the race earlier at conked trees...
Guy Martins front axle wheel nut dropped off apparently. Incredible that a marshal spotted that. Just found out it was the spectators that saw the wheel nut drop off and made it known to the marshals!
Amongst all the amazing things I saw at this years T.T was a little kid of indeterminable age; due to his face being scarred with some dreadful skin condition, wearing a suit similar to what racing car drivers wear to protect his skin, sporting a punk haircut and hanging out at Parc ferme autograph hunting. At 3' height he was dwarfed by all the adults in the crowd. Connor Cummings walked through Parc ferme gate and the little kid fought his way though the crowd clutching a small white T shirt and a blue felt tip pen shouting out "Conor, Conor". I initially thought he wouldn't be heard over the noise of the bikes, but Conor heard him, and stopped and carefully took the kids T shirt and signed it perfectly. I had to walk away as I was so choked up!
