Manx GP ramblings
Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:20 pm
Just back from a few days on the Isle of Man, for the Manx GP practice week. Thought I'd bore you with some ramblings.
It was my first time back since 1998 and I was looking forward to seeing how / if the Island had changed since my last visit.
First off, it's still not cheap to get there. Race week would have cost me approx. £190 for a bike & rider, return. The practice week price of £90 seemed a bargain in comparison. But it's always exciting to start/end a trip with a ferry, even the 'Steam Racket', and it makes it seem like a 'proper' trip. And the view of Douglas Bay from the sea is magnificent.
It was disappointing that the Island has chavs and 'yoofs' just like the mainland, White Van Man is alive and well over there and, according to the local paper, it seems the place is run by as big a bunch of 'Blairs' as we are. It was also strange to see so many Poles around - I thought the Island had tight labour laws for incomers? Compared to the continent, the place seemed a little jaded, a little tired.
Riding around on the bike isn't as great as it should be. A lot of people in a small space, creeping speed limits around the TT course, and the very bumpy back roads, make the Mountain section the only section for comfortable and sustained fast riding. Nothing like the roads around the Nurburgring, for example.
But the racing makes you forgive everything. Standing on the side of the course, feeling the bikes go past, the noise, the speed. Wow. Every time I see it, nothing but admiration for those guys. And the great thing about the Manx is the classic racing. Old singles with open megaphone cans, down Bray Hill with the noise bouncing off the walls. You can feel the ground shake! Fantastic. The other great thing about the Manx, over the TT, is the 2-strokes, 'proper' race bikes! And so quick in the right hands.
Despite the negatives, I enjoyed the trip. I feel people should definately go if they haven't been before but, once been a couple of times, Irish road racing or Continental trips offer better value for money and variety. Of course, the ideal would be to have trips to Ireland, the Continent, AND the IOM all in the same year!!
By the way, it was my first trip on my R1200S and, needless to say, it was a very enjoyable ride in sports-touring guise. It's fast enough for me and handles better than I do and, with the Remus headers (eliminating the cat) sounded like a proper bike. It was very comfortable on the bumps and on the M6 to/from Liverpool docks and got admiring looks from everyone, including the B&B's postman!
Hope you're still awake,
John
p.s. A warning if you go, and you use your mobile to phone home, check the charges first - it appears C&W are running a sting operation and fleecing the unsuspecting tourist.
It was my first time back since 1998 and I was looking forward to seeing how / if the Island had changed since my last visit.
First off, it's still not cheap to get there. Race week would have cost me approx. £190 for a bike & rider, return. The practice week price of £90 seemed a bargain in comparison. But it's always exciting to start/end a trip with a ferry, even the 'Steam Racket', and it makes it seem like a 'proper' trip. And the view of Douglas Bay from the sea is magnificent.
It was disappointing that the Island has chavs and 'yoofs' just like the mainland, White Van Man is alive and well over there and, according to the local paper, it seems the place is run by as big a bunch of 'Blairs' as we are. It was also strange to see so many Poles around - I thought the Island had tight labour laws for incomers? Compared to the continent, the place seemed a little jaded, a little tired.
Riding around on the bike isn't as great as it should be. A lot of people in a small space, creeping speed limits around the TT course, and the very bumpy back roads, make the Mountain section the only section for comfortable and sustained fast riding. Nothing like the roads around the Nurburgring, for example.
But the racing makes you forgive everything. Standing on the side of the course, feeling the bikes go past, the noise, the speed. Wow. Every time I see it, nothing but admiration for those guys. And the great thing about the Manx is the classic racing. Old singles with open megaphone cans, down Bray Hill with the noise bouncing off the walls. You can feel the ground shake! Fantastic. The other great thing about the Manx, over the TT, is the 2-strokes, 'proper' race bikes! And so quick in the right hands.
Despite the negatives, I enjoyed the trip. I feel people should definately go if they haven't been before but, once been a couple of times, Irish road racing or Continental trips offer better value for money and variety. Of course, the ideal would be to have trips to Ireland, the Continent, AND the IOM all in the same year!!
By the way, it was my first trip on my R1200S and, needless to say, it was a very enjoyable ride in sports-touring guise. It's fast enough for me and handles better than I do and, with the Remus headers (eliminating the cat) sounded like a proper bike. It was very comfortable on the bumps and on the M6 to/from Liverpool docks and got admiring looks from everyone, including the B&B's postman!
Hope you're still awake,
John
p.s. A warning if you go, and you use your mobile to phone home, check the charges first - it appears C&W are running a sting operation and fleecing the unsuspecting tourist.
