Best way to get to Isle of Man?

[servicerifle]

I might be able to go to the IoM races in 2008.  If so, what's the best method of going, considering I'd have about two weeks for the whole trip (planning to see about 4 days of racing)?  Should I rent in mainland Europe and hit some good roads there on the way to/from IoM or rent in the UK/Ireland and spend my time mainly there?  I found one place in England that has reasonable weekly rental rates, but can't see the ones in France from the office.  My French is no French at all, but I can do ok with Spanish, so I could rent there again and ride up.

If I stayed in the UK the whole time, are there enough great roads there to keep me happy the whole time?

What do you guys think?

[Orson]

My friend Bill runs Bike Tours-UK. He runs trips to the TT every year and may have space on his 2008 trip. He can help arrange a hotel, ferry crossing & even a rental bike.

Even if his trip is sold out, he might still be able to offer you some tips. If everything is sold out, don't despair. When I went in 2002, I searched the message board at IOMTT.com and met Bill, who happened to have a last minute cancellation available.

The big bottleneck is ferry bookings. They sell out well in advance! Hotels charge an arm & a leg. They make or break their year during the TT. Plan on spending at least $1000 a week for a room that would usually go for $200 a week.

Many Brits say screw that and camp. The only problem with that is that you have to be prepared to camp in the rain  

The UK is one of my favorite places to ride in Europe. Nice roads, friendly people. Wales has some of the best motorcycling roads I've ever ridden   Scotland is stunning. The Yorkshire Dales and the Cotswolds are idyllic.

you won't be sorry  

[Ant]

Wales has some of the best motorcycling roads I've ever ridden   Scotland is stunning. The Yorkshire Dales and the Cotswolds are idyllic.

And it's always damp  

[Orson]

And it's always damp  

ermmm...yah...I forgot that part  

UK weather, as they like to say with their usual penchant for understatement is "changeable". You can ride through a Biblical downpour, and have sunshine 30 minutes later. In any event, you prepare for rain every day. That way if you have a nice day, it's considered a bonus  

As far as having enough roads to ride...Scotland alone would take 2 full weeks to explore   With the narrow, twisty backroads, 200 miles is a long day in the saddle.

[Nyarlathotep]

Hello folks I've just joined and thought I'd start by offering my view on visiting the TT.
I live on the Isle of Man and therefore get to appreciate the place year-round. I ride my motorcycle whenever I can (including for work as a community nurse) but leave it parked up when the TT is on.
The quality of riding by visiting bikers is, more often than not, dangerous, and the population of the Island doubles, making things rather busy.
However the TT and the atmosphere surrounding it is well worth the visit.
If I were you I'd actually forget about the bike for a short while and fly over for say 3 days during race week then fly back and rent a bike for a week and a half around Scotland, which has better roads and more dramatic scenery. Bringing a bike to the Island during TT is hell with a poor and over-subscribed ferry service.
I'd re-iterate the advice of others in booking accomodation early too

[greench440]

What's the best way to get there?  In a Bently.  

[servicerifle]

Thanks for the info, all of you.  Orson, I'm in contact with Bill already.

Nyarlathotep and others:
I have heard that you can ride the course (on your own bike) early in the morning or after the races in the evening.  Is this still true?  I'm envisioning this trip as "one in a lifetime" so I would really like to have a bike there if I could ride the route.  How do you go about it?

Thanks again,
Steve

[Orson]

I have heard that you can ride the course (on your own bike) early in the morning or after the races in the evening.  Is this still true?

The course uses some of the main roads on the island, so they have to open it to traffic just to let people get around. They close it only for practice sessions and races.

Mad Sunday is the Sunday in the middle of the TT fortnight, where they make the mountain section of the course one way only. As Nyarlathotep said, lots of nutters about. I saw several bikes wadded up and abandoned on the roadside.

I woke up at the crack of dawn one day & rode the circuit by myself  

There's lots of small, single track roads through the middle of the island that you can use to get around once they close the circuit for racing.

[Nyarlathotep]

As the course is run entirely on public roads (closed of course during the races!), you simply get on the road and ride.
In the Isle of Man there are certain areas with no speed limit, including the mountain road between Ramsey and Douglas
(although a temporary 50mph limit is added at either end of this section during TT).
During this years TT the mountain road was made one way for the entire fortnight, which seemed to work well and I imagine
will be repeated in 2008. In race week, only the bravest (or silliest) locals will venture up here in their cars!

The rest of the course, apart from the mountain section, is largely a mix of residential (30mph) and unrestricted areas which
are worth doing for the sake of completion, but not nearly as much fun due to traffic and less overtaking opportunities - remember
people are using these roads to go about their daily lives also.

If you are planning on doing the TT on a bike, I'd guess you would be better hiring one in England (as far as I'm aware there is little
facility for bike hire here) and sailing over from either Heysham or Liverpool. Ferries are run by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company:
http://www.steam-packet.com

The ferries get booked up very early, and there is only the one operator, so you'll be wanting to reseve a place ASAP.

[servicerifle]

OK, question:

Bill does his TT package in an 8 night set so you can see Mad Sunday and the Senior Race too.  I'd rather not use 2/3rds of my vacation in one place, even for racing.  So, if I go for 4 or 5 nights instead, which would you guys recommend, the Mad Sunday end of the week, or Senior Race?  Bill recommended Mad Sunday, but I'm not even sure if I completely understand it.  Any help is appreciated.

[Orson]

Bill recommended Mad Sunday, but I'm not even sure if I completely understand it.  Any help is appreciated.

Remember in the movie On Any Sunday, when they filmed a desert race? They used to light some tires on fire and everyone would race WFO towards the smoke.

That's kinda what Mad Sunday is like but instead of a desert, it's on a two-lane mountain road  

Really, it's not as scary as it sounds. Just realize that there are nutters going a whole lot faster than you are so stay well over to the left (left lane is the slow lane in the UK).

As far as the races, they have the Senior TT and then they have a production class earlier in the week. If I recall, the year I went, David Jefferies lap times on his full blown race bike were scarcely faster than his lap times on his production bike. So the Senior TT doesn't quite have the marquee value that it used to have.

I think they also have the classic bikes do a lap of honour on Mad Sunday. Lots to do and see other than the races. Just walking down the main drag in Douglas and ogling all the different types of bikes is a treat. I'd take Bill's recommendation.

Bill can show you the best viewing places too  

During this years TT the mountain road was made one way for the entire fortnight, which seemed to work well and I imagine will be repeated in 2008.

Since Nyarlathotep says the mountain section was made one way for the entire fortnight, this might reduce the urgency of Mad Sunday and reduce the amount of nutters who felt Mad Sunday was their one big chance to be just like Joey Dunlop. This might make Mad Sunday a little more sane  

[Nyarlathotep]

4-5 nights at the Mad Sunday end of the week would indeed be the better option - there are more events and better atmosphere at that end of the week (my opinion only, of course). Plus, it isn't unknown for senior race to be delayed by a whole day due to bad weather, thus buggering up your viewing of it.
Also in the first half of the week you have more chance of seeing the side car races, which I actually find more interesting to watch.

[Shastarider]

The cheapest and fastest way on the island from the states is by way of Dublin.  Jump on Aer Arann and you are on the Island.  Since you are a bit east look for Aer Ryan to Dublin then over.  That is unless you do bring a bike over.  You do not need a tour group.  Just get on line and find a private stay house.  There are loads of people who will rent out there homes rooms at a very reasonable rate. Just stay in Douglas so you can walk down to the prom each night and just sit and watch the bikes.  Also here is one of the things I liked a bunch.  Just down from the start line is the first major four intersection across from St.Ninians Church.  There is a mini mart/gas station there.  After each race day when they open up the course the bike traffic is incredible to watch.  I just jumped on a hay bail, after buying a large Labatts Blue for 75p at mini market,  and sat there with my beer and  just watched bikes there for hours.  Think of it as Sturgis for performance bikes.

If you do go on a bike make sure you double and triple check with Steam Packet that your reservations are accurate.  There were a couple of foul-ups last year.  I saw some Germans who were ass out off the island which screwed them on the ferry from England to Holland.  If you ride over, just watch your ass.  People are familiar with the race casualties but every event sees several race spectators eat it.

You cant really miss when you go.  After Mad Sunday you will see a drop in the crowds.  I agree with the others that you need to plan on your viewing each day.  For me I really liked Bray Hill.  The first time I was there it was amazing to just see the Marshalls fly by.  From there you can,t go wrong with any of the more popular spots.  Just make sure you plan on getting to your spot at least one hour before the scheduled start.  Then be prepared to wait, wait and wait if the weather is not good.  You can easily wait fro two hours for the fog to lift on the mountain.  Even though you may be in the sun, another part of the island may be socked in.  Be prepared for any weather in the same day.  If you do not bring a bike, get a bus pass for your stay.  Plenty of sight seeing to be had on the off days.  If you plan to go near the end there is race after the TT.  Its the Southern 100.  Closed 7 mile course.  Line them up and go.  Real road racing.  Not the TT but is still fantastic.

Its a beautiful place.  You will have a blast and will NEVER forget the trip!!!!!!!

[notarian]

I agree with just about everything posted here - all are great tips and ideas. I can only add to Orson's post on riding the UK while here.

It's in line with your idea of spending 4 days at the TT rather than 8 and using up most of your holiday in the country.

Book accommodation for the TT on line and well in advance. Book the ferry in advance. Don't take a vehicle - do buy the bus pass. Stay in Douglas.

Rent a bike on return to England from the TT and ride north - it's a one day, ALL day shot/slog from Southern England to Glasgow.

Scotland and the west coast highlands. Like Orson wrote, Scotland could easily be 2 weeks alone. For me, Wales can be too crowded and cops there are really down on bikes and bikers. Speed cameras and speed traps everywhere.

As for Scotland, north of Glasgow and Edinburgh, I've done dozens of 2-8 day trips and most of the roads - enough that I don't bother taking a map. But, I advise one to set an day's itinerary of 200-300 miles. A good base for 3 days is Ullapool, check the map and just ride where your nose leads you. Basically, you will find that nothing is really very far in Scotland (or Britain for that matter).

There is very little police presence north of Ft. William, but be aware there are a few unmarked police motorcyclists and they are very good. One in particular is fast Mutha and occasionally patrols Inverness to Durness - he rides a standard coloured, unmarked 'Blade.

The Lake District in North England is beautiful indeed, but alas, very, very crowded.

By far the best is Scotland beginning just north of Glasgow. Fine roads, incredible scenery, fast A-roads, twisty B-roads and plenty of single track with only you on it and, generally rider aware and biker friendly motorists. Take your waterproofs, it rains. But, when the sun is shining there is, perhaps no finer place than Scotland for biking. Google 'Undiscovered Scotland' and do the time on the site to get a feel for the country and places. There are some outstanding youth hostels in the highlands that cost peanuts for what you get, plus B&B's are not the outrageous prices of the US B&B's and are everywhere.

Food variety and cooking in general has come on leaps and bounds in the past 20 years. Scotland offers some superb foods and pub lunches in England and Scotland are the best on the planet. Then, there's the whisky for the evening!

Renting a bike in Britain is expensive, check around. If you don't mind riding from London, probably the best prices are there. A 650SV goes for about £45/day, while a Blackbird will set you back nearer £100. Maybe Orson's pal, Bill can help with this.

By the way, there's a brilliant ride north from Bernard Castle through Alston and onto Gretna that breaks the motorway journey and is worthwhile when going north to Glasgow. I'm sure there are many outstanding routes going north, but I can only recommend this one. I don't ride much south of the border = too many damn people.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll enjoy every bit.

[Guzzipat]

ermmm...yah...I forgot that part  

UK weather, as they like to say with their usual penchant for understatement is "changeable". You can ride through a Biblical downpour, and have sunshine 30 minutes later. In any event, you prepare for rain every day. That way if you have a nice day, it's considered a bonus  

As far as having enough roads to ride...Scotland alone would take 2 full weeks to explore   With the narrow, twisty backroads, 200 miles is a long day in the saddle.

Scotland is great, I had a week riding round it last year. That just made me want more, I have a rally near Perth this May, I will do some more touring there afterwards.

[Cpl Punishment]

Well, checking out bike rental shops in the UK (not counting Ireland), this is what I came up with:

http://www.rentamotorcycle.co.uk/  Based in Scotland.

http://www.raceways.net/index2.php Based in London

http://www.newhorizonsbikehire.co.uk/ based near Manchester.

http://www.rental-motorcycle.com/europe/uk/uk_rental.html Several rental places.

http://www.2wheeltravel.com/Motorcycle%20Hire/ukhire.htm London again.

http://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/hire.html London again.

http://www.cornwallmotorcyclehire.co.uk/  In Cornwall.

http://classicmotorcyclerental.com/index.html for classics.

http://www.bugad.com/ classics again. Based in the New Forest, Hampshire. Recommended on another site.

Check out the links here for more:

http://www.ridetheworld.com/ukmotorcyclerentalandtours.html

http://www.ukmotoringdirectory.co.uk/motoring.php?id=371

[tenbears]

Nice little list of resources there CP.

Great to meet up today, we had perfect conditions with blue skies & sunshine.
We'll do it again when I get my zx12r rolling... All the very best m8!  

[Ant]

Nice little list of resources there CP.

Great to meet up today, we had perfect conditions with blue skies & sunshine.
We'll do it again when I get my zx12r rolling... All the very best m8!  

Grrrr, this sunny weather and you guys with bikes that work make me angry  
Now someone tell me why I'm not getting anything out of the HT leads on my bike!!

[tenbears]

No spark?  

Have you refitted your battery?  

[Cpl Punishment]

Nice little list of resources there CP.

Great to meet up today, we had perfect conditions with blue skies & sunshine.
We'll do it again when I get my zx12r rolling... All the very best m8!  

Nice to see you too, Ralph.  

Met a lot of old friends as a result of today-saw Hobbit, then Benge and Mark later. Haven't seen those two for twenty years. Mark's HD is stoopid-it is putting out 150BHP at the back wheel...

I'll add the pics into Geography Homework.  

[Cpl Punishment]

Grrrr, this sunny weather and you guys with bikes that work make me angry  
Now someone tell me why I'm not getting anything out of the HT leads on my bike!!

Get a Triumph.  

[tenbears]

Bonus! Good day all round then!  

There were some lovely old vintage machines out today.... always nice to see.