IOM TT!!

[Dan Filetti]

Hey Folks,

Long time no post...  Life, you know...

Anyway, a buddy of mine is getting married in Scotland on June 12 -in a castle no less.  So naturally, I'm thinking it's ~close enough to mount a bachelor party ~ 10 dudes, at the IOM TT on the ~9th, 10th ish time frame.  (It's been a bucket list item for he and me for a long time.)  

I'm looking for intel, suggestions, input on what to do/ not do from any lister that might care to share:  Where to stay, the best places to watch the race, any information/ inside information? that anyone has, would be most helpful. I have a particular eye on things that sell out early/ become pricey as the race gets close.  I suspect there is already some unobtanium locations/ hotels/ events... So I want to get a jump on it ASAP.  

Thanks in advance, hope folks are well.

Primer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRWp9rhfS_0

Dan  

[Millietant]

Hey Folks,

Long time no post...  Life, you know...

Anyway, a buddy of mine is getting married in Scotland on June 12 -in a castle no less.  So naturally, I'm thinking it's ~close enough to mount a bachelor party ~ 10 dudes, at the IOM TT on the ~9th, 10th ish time frame.  (It's been a bucket list item for he and me for a long time.)  

I'm looking for intel, suggestions, input on what to do/ not do from any lister that might care to share:  Where to stay, the best places to watch the race, any information/ inside information? that anyone has, would be most helpful. I have a particular eye on things that sell out early/ become pricey as the race gets close.  I suspect there is already some unobtanium locations/ hotels/ events... So I want to get a jump on it ASAP.  

Thanks in advance, hope folks are well.

Primer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRWp9rhfS_0

Dan  

Hey Dan - good luck for the IOM next year - the best advice I can give you is to book everything NOW - things don't get booked up as the race gets nearer, they start get booked up as soon as the current years race is over !! The main Douglas Promenade hotels are likely already booked up and Douglas is the place to stay, if you want to experience the "out of race" shenanigans that go one all through TT week - we stayed at the Palace Hotel and Casino the week after TT week and the staff told us they'd already had every room booked up (by one organisation) for next year. There are lots of small Bed and Breakfast places in Douglas, we've stayed at a few over the years, but in TT week they are ridiculously expensive, but available, with variable quality and they also get booked up pretty quickly. Eating at restaurants on an evening can be a nightmare for groups as the place gets so packed, so again, make your choices and reservations early, if possible (it's not always).

Not sure how you're all travelling there, or where you're coming from, but the ferries also get booked up pretty quickly, especially if you're taking a car or motorbike. I've never travelled from Ireland (either the North or the South), but I've heard that it's easier to find ferry places coming that way than coming from England. Book as soon as their (Isle of Man Steam Packet Company) systems allow you to !

For me, viewing is best done on the climb out of Ramsey (from the bottom hairpin all the way up to about Joey's), plenty of corners and some great viewing points (if you get there early enough) - on most of the rest of the course, the bikes have been and gone in the blink of an eye, except for at the Start/Finish - but getting places there ain't easy, unless you're well connected. If you can get yourself a viewing spot at Creg Ny Baa, that's also a great place to view (they serve great local cider )

I've done the Promenade night-life a couple of times before and it's not for me these days (I recover too slowly !), so I'd look to stay in Ramsey. I've also camped during TT week and that is not an experience I'd want to have again (small island in the Irish Sea, with big hills in the middle equals lots of rain and campsite quagmires).

If you're looking to get around on the Island, having a trail/enduro bike at your disposal might be a good idea as there are off-road trails that help you get across the island when the course is closed and you can use the bikes to potter around the course when the roads are open, I'd hesitate to go mad there, as even outside of TT week there are plenty of seriously fast (and totally loony) bike riders and car drivers, as well as wannabe TT Racers pushing themselves beyond what is normally safe. There are the train/bus systems, up the east coast and up to Snaefell, but they're pretty slow and again, expensive for what they are.

We try to go to cycle the TT Circuit every couple of years  - and it's a great way to see the Island and understand the course, but I wouldn't recommend that during TT week (but definitely once the crowds have gone home).

So, in summary, book everything early, don't stay in a tent, and decide on your accommodation location based on what's more important to your group (I think you'll likely prefer Douglas with a group of 10 dudes ). Once on the Island, practice getting up early to travel to your chosen viewing point....and again, personally, I'd use a trail bike for getting about and exploring the more "off the beaten path" beauty of the Island.

Oh..and just make sure that even if you're not staying in Douglas......for at least one night, you get to spend it on the Promenade watching the mayhem.

[PaulG]

I was there in 1990.  We rented bikes out of London and rode there.  Here's some memorable brewing/viewing spots that I remember.  Keep in mind that many viewing spots are closed in for the race days. Once your in, your stuck there til the aft., while others can be linked by secondary roads.

The Mitre Pub in Kirkmichael - have a pint and stand by the stone wall and watch them blast by +130mph within arms reach.

Braddon Bridge is great for sidecars. Slower part and you get to see them switch through the esses.  Most of the viewing is from a churchyard, (but no pub  )

Parliament Square again has several pubs for libation/food while they scream down the straight mashing it down to 1st gear.

There are dozens of places where you can walk to and stick your head through a hedge.  Pack some food to sustain you also.

Racing was usually every other day. In between there are a ton of things to do from the Ramsey Sprints (is a 1/8th mile in 5.7s fast?),  and Beach Racing in various locales, trials competitions, or you can just discover the island by riding where no one else goes, like I did. You can't get lost. Theres always a pub within walking distance  .

Heed the advice above. Reserve everything asap, especially ferries.  DO NOT bank on getting standby tickets, you'll end up on the dock til the next day... don't ask    and waiting days to get off the island after it's over.  There are packages you can get if you're unsure of what's available https://www.iomtt.com/travel (no affilliation)

Also the weather is fickle.  Take all the gear.  I camped just outside Kirkmichael in a glen of ferns with dozens of other people.  The Germans were a blast, ("Zee British don't know how to make koffee, it tastes like brawhn vahta!") the Swiss kinda snooty. You'll meet people from all over the world.  It was a great time from what I remember, mind you I was 26 at the time (and don't remember much between 17-30)

Back in 1990  there was no speed limit in between towns/villages, but zero tolerance once within their limits. Don't know if that's still the case. So as a newbie you gave to keep your wits about you.  I was still getting used to driving on the left, when we arrived on Mad Sunday.

Whatever you end up doing you'll want to go back. Theres nothing like it.  This should be on everyone's bucket list.