Friday, 1 June 2012
Shed Envy
Arrival at Mecca
It is hard to describe the excitement as the Ferry draws close to Douglas on this bright and sunny Saturday. Riders and drivers are called to the vehicle deck and we unlash and prepare the Gray Ghost for take- off. The ships ramp lowers, engines fire and we are off onto the hallowed tarmac of the Isle of Man. This is an almost religious pilgrimage for many returning for their 20th or 30th time. The record goes to one chap who has not missed a TT since 1947.
This is our second trip to the Island and that initial virginal uncertainty has been replaced by a more mature knowledge of what is to come. The goose-bumps are still there as we head west through legendary TT landmarks Braddan Bridge, Union Mills, Ballagarey, Crosby, Greeba Castle and Ballacraine. Our home for the next 16 days is just north of Peel on the west coast. We are returning to our original homestay hosts from 2010 with whom we have kept contact. We are greeted as warmly as relatives at Christmas. We share life stories from the past 2 years and settle comfortably into familiar surrounds.
It is nigh impossible to describe in words what the IOM is like at TT time. The island is dripping in its own history from Viking times but for these 2 weeks motorcycling and the 105 year history of the TT will be told and retold a thousand times in pubs, cafes and roadside as people from all over the world are drawn to this little island in the Irish Sea for the world's greatest motorcycle race.
We don’t waste time in doing our first circuit of the’ Mountain Course’ as it is known. This public road is 37.75 miles in length, contains over 220 bends and ascends Snaefell the highest mountain on the Island. Outside of the villages the open road has no speed limit and for TT fortnight the section across the mountain is restricted to one-way traffic. This is the fastest section of the course. When the road is closed for racing it is impossible to get from the north to the south of the island so for TT fortnight the lives of the locals are dictated by the TT. This is accepted without complaint such is the power of the TT at the IOM. In recent years all of the major sections of the course have been identified with bright orange signs showing the direction of the bends.
We head own to Castletown in the south for a pre TT classic bike race meeting on a 4 mile closed road circuit. The bellowing megaphone exhausts from Nortons’ and Triumphs’ start to tune our ears for the assault of the next fortnight.
This is our second trip to the Island and that initial virginal uncertainty has been replaced by a more mature knowledge of what is to come. The goose-bumps are still there as we head west through legendary TT landmarks Braddan Bridge, Union Mills, Ballagarey, Crosby, Greeba Castle and Ballacraine. Our home for the next 16 days is just north of Peel on the west coast. We are returning to our original homestay hosts from 2010 with whom we have kept contact. We are greeted as warmly as relatives at Christmas. We share life stories from the past 2 years and settle comfortably into familiar surrounds.
It is nigh impossible to describe in words what the IOM is like at TT time. The island is dripping in its own history from Viking times but for these 2 weeks motorcycling and the 105 year history of the TT will be told and retold a thousand times in pubs, cafes and roadside as people from all over the world are drawn to this little island in the Irish Sea for the world's greatest motorcycle race.
We don’t waste time in doing our first circuit of the’ Mountain Course’ as it is known. This public road is 37.75 miles in length, contains over 220 bends and ascends Snaefell the highest mountain on the Island. Outside of the villages the open road has no speed limit and for TT fortnight the section across the mountain is restricted to one-way traffic. This is the fastest section of the course. When the road is closed for racing it is impossible to get from the north to the south of the island so for TT fortnight the lives of the locals are dictated by the TT. This is accepted without complaint such is the power of the TT at the IOM. In recent years all of the major sections of the course have been identified with bright orange signs showing the direction of the bends.
We head own to Castletown in the south for a pre TT classic bike race meeting on a 4 mile closed road circuit. The bellowing megaphone exhausts from Nortons’ and Triumphs’ start to tune our ears for the assault of the next fortnight.
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Heading to the Isle of Man
We called into the Historic City of Chester on our run north. If you are into Tudor buildings then this place is for you. Whole city blocks have been preserved with these striking black/white fronted buildings. The city cathedral and city gates are also well worth a look. We were however being drawn to Liverpool so our time was short. Liverpool did not disappoint. The name itself conjours images from shipping & industry to Architecture, football to Rock & Roll. We tried to fit as much as possible into the time we had available and were very fortunate in having local friends who kindly shepherded us around the main city features. The 'Three Graces' on Albert Dock, the Gothic styled Anglican and contemporary styled Catholic Cathedrals (incidentally nicknamed 'Paddy's Wigwam') and the ornate Philharmonic Bar are several fine Architectural examples.
Being teenagers in the sixties the Cavern and memories of the Beatles early years formed our main images of Liverpool. The Cavern has been rebuilt mostly in its original location and with the same bricks forming the famous vaults. It is still a live music venue and bar so it was great sipping on a pint and listening to live music - Beatles renditions of course.
Saturday 26 May had long been flagged in our calender as Isle of Man crossing day. It is hard to describe the excitement this conjours - remember sitting in a packed grandstand waiting for the players to run out onto the field in a Rugby Test, State of Origin League game or AFL final ? Well the feeling is similar. You wake up like a kid at Christmas. Time passes slowly, you are packed early. Down to Albert Docks and join the line of bikes. Stories are exchanged and all the time the excitement is building.
The massive Mannanan Ferry (built in Tasmania) arrives in the Mersey and backs up to the dock and lowers its 'boomgate' to discharge the returning passengers. Slowly the lines of bikes are directed on board. Then it is our turn. Easy does it on the wet steelwork. Not the place to drop your bike. Get the bike into its slot. Engage gear, rest on side stand and she gets lashed to a cushioned rail. We are told that the Steam Packet Ferry Co (a monopoly to the IOM) have 11,200 bikes booked to be taken to the IOM in 2012 - a recent record. The seas are benign and the sun bright, we are on our way. Farewell Liverpool, you have been great.
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