Well its nearly May, and that means the countdown to the TT. I have noticed that quite a few members are going to the island for the first time and I remember how confusing it was when I first went........ Especially with the chemicals Now as a group, we have a great deal of shared knowledge, so I thought that it would be a good idea to pass this on. It may be your favourite place to watch, great campsite/B&B, best chippy, fantastic road, best pub, best day out... whatever! I will start this off with one of my favourite spectating spots, Braddon Bridge. There are a couple places where you can watch for just a couple of quid, (which goes to the church.) There is plenty of free parking, but take a puck or similar because some spots are on soft ground. The bikes have to slow down quite a bit for the corner, especially when they have just pitted for fuel, so its a great place for photographers to get a close-up. The viewing area has benches, but its still a good idea to take a rubber mat etc in case its wet. There are toilets and a catering unit that does brews, bacon buts and burgers etc. Remember to take or buy an AM radio so that you get the commentary for the race - If you take a loud radio you will instantly have lots of friends So what's your best tip?
watch the racing get pissed and make friends with loud radios !! I'm watching the senior from creg ny baa this time can't see guy martin binning it again but you never know
OK, I will add to this fountain of knowledge with: Get pissed at Bushys beer tent. Its on the prom at Douglas. They sell Bushys beer. If you drink enough you will get pissed.
Now that was a strange crash. We were in the grandstand at the Creg and he just seemed to "Forget" to turn! I am convinced he could have made it round if he went for the apex. He was well pissed off with the marshals when they wouldn't let him carry on - talk about spitting his dummy out.
Take A LOT of money Unlock your fone and get a Manx sim (IOM is roaming and VERY EXPENSIVE) DO NOT speed in speed limit areas-the police will flog you super quick There are 'national speed limits' this is not 'any speed' The only Place there is no speed limit is the mountain. If you want to go there for the craic-go race week If you want speed over the mountain-go practice week or get up at 5am Come race week the mountain is FULL of Germans/Italians/Brits (and finny) throwing themselves at the scenery so the mountain can sometimes be closed for long periods. Get up early and get a good spot at balligary. It's bloody awesome! Here's some tips off Conor cummins http://www.iomtt.com/News/2012/04/27/Tyco-Suzuki-star-Conor-Cummins-talks-about-where-to-watch-the-2012-TT.aspx
Explore the rest of the isle when the mountain is shut coz there are some lovely roads and fantastic scenery around the place. Try the queenies at the craig. Try mechanical bull riding and break your wrist on the first day! (sorry daz)
That is one fine road! Just before Glen Helen turn left towards Peel. After about half a mile the Switchback road is on the right. It is dead straight but goes up hill with crest after crest. It's a great laugh, but maybe not for pillions, the front tyre doesn't get used much
cant believe nobody has mentioned the green laning..... some of the best off roading on the isle.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-TDTR0iI0s theres 100s of miles of off road trails - legal!! last few times ive been there ive just riden off road and its been ace! give juan a ring for a hire bike... 01624898454 more info HERE
I don’t camp when at the TT .... much prefer a roof over my head & a hot shower whenever I want, so as for camping sites, can’t really comment. As for the best place to eat, well that depends on budget .... there's a little Chinese stall outside the hotels down by the Hydro that does awesome food for £5 for sweet & sour, rice & spring rolls or something similar. Can’t remember the name of the place but it's a bit like TGI Fridays in Douglas high street that's nice (no bar though), does lovely burgers & isn’t expensive. Outside of Douglas, the pub by the Laxey Wheel is a nice place to eat as well. As previous posts, the back road to Peel is fantastic & there's always the photographers taking snaps which you can see the day after in the paddock. Where to watch all depends on what you want to see .... high speed roads, slow corners, jumps, wheelies etc. One of my personal favourites is Tower Bends, park the bike at the Gooseneck & walk down to peer over the wall. Your then at eye level as the front wheel zooms passed you. Sulby is good, but I’d park inside the circuit & watch from the church so that you can take the back road up to the Bungalow if you fancy a change .... plus the church does lovely cakes. Again, Crosby is another high speed place which is fab & they do a lovely BBQ. I watched practice once last year from Hillberry & am certainly going to watch again from there this year, as you can tell the big boys from those trying as the top lads don’t lift, others lift & drop a gear !! Erm .... I've watched the last 2 Senior races from Signpost, there's a bungalow which opens it's garden as the lady who owned it did it for years & years & since she passed away her family have carried on with it, you pay couple of £'s, but have use of the toilet & it's a fab place to sit, you can hear the bikes coming all the way down from Kate’s Cottage & when there's a couple of them, it's last of the late brakers to see who can tip it in for Signpost & on a few occasions, a couple of the top riders have been very close not to make it !! Everyone’s got their own favourite place to watch, so it's just about getting about & finding random places, that’s how I found Tower Bends !! General help, get a Manx sim card if you don’t have international calls in your phone package. Take a full tank cause petrol is expensive over there. Don’t start your bike engine when getting off the ferry until the last possible moment otherwise you'll gas everyone behind you. Don’t think your John McGuinness when going over the mountain for the 1st time as it'll catch you out .... no matter how many times you've watched onboard footage & TT Closer to the Edge, a couple of those corners are very deceiving !! If you don’t fancy carrying all your luggage over with you on the ferry, you can DHL it over if you know someone over there that can bring it to wherever your staying. The local plod can be very strict in places, so whatever the speed limit is ... try & stick to it otherwise you'll be landed with a hefty fine .... unless your on the certain areas of the mountain (not all the mountain is unrestricted) On the day you arrive, go to the ferry booking office & book next years tickets for a £20 deposit .... yeah its a year in advance & you don’t know if your going but it's best to book ahead & get a booking that you can change than not get one at all. Oh & most importantly of all ....... Enjoy it loads & on the ferry home be thinking of all the excuses in the world to tell your partner why you MUST go again next year !!
It is! Can't stop laughing when you ride it mate I thought Switchback Road was a nick-name because it is just ike a roller-coaster, but that is the actual name of the road. Loads of laughs, happy days!
Ride like a tw*t and don't fall off. Fav spot for viewing racing is at Gooseneck, you get to see them coming round Waterworks and it's a good ovetaking spot on the brakes into Gooseneck corner.
Glen Helen is great too, you can watch at road level or up on the bank over the commentary point. There is also a pub there
Depends .. If you plan on spending most evenings in Douglas In Bushy's then you'll easily go through that .. i was there for 10 nights last year & same this year, i don't tend to do a budget but spent last year about £300, but i don't drink, so my money was spent on petrol, souvenirs, more petrol & some food !!
