On the Road Again!

TT News - Drive To Improve Safety Performance by John Hogan I’m on the 08:05 easyJet flight from Gatwick to Ronaldsway.  It’s the end of October, but I’m still bubbling with the same kind of excitement I always get when I’m heading to the Isle of Man.  I’ve flown in to understand the new Safety Management System. It’s unlikely as a fan sitting in the hedges you’ll notice much difference, but after spending a couple of days with the team which has put it together, I’ll stick my neck out and say that what you’re about to read is also about future-proofing the oldest motorcycle race in the world… Read More... TT Safety Management System

Just when we were all hoping to be back to some normality in 2021, and then this happens. I wasn't hoping to go as I will still be employed in the education field and it is in term time. Maybe 2022? https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/2021-isle-of-man-tt-races-cancelled/

I managed to get the latest upgrade of Mapsource to work on the new laptop and work through all the Garmin files to get a better route. A week to go and the excitement builds...

Bugger. Must have jinxed Cameron Donald yesterday congratulating him on the fastest ever lap of the TT course... He fell off and dislocated a shoulder and is out of the entire week's racing!!! I'll stop whilst I am ahead and not jinx any others.

I wish we were there. Just watched ITV4's first preview of this year's TT... Awesome! Well done Cameron Donald the fastest man round the TT Circuit... and on the Relentless Suzuki by TAS!

This is the guy we saw in the Isle of man... Neil Porter DSCN9622 , originally uploaded by pauldevall . DSCN9623 , originally uploaded by pauldevall . DSCN9624 , originally uploaded by pauldevall .

Not really a TT day, as it's all over and today it is home day. We were up early and down at the sea terminal for 11am to check on the boat and found that it had been put back to 3pm from 2pm. We had a teacake in Capone's and passed a couple of hours before returning well before 1pm to start loading, only to find about 60 bikes already through the gates. I can't say I am all that enamoured with the service from the Steam Packet. Compared with P&O or Eurotunnel it is a case of amateur hour. The bike was tied up and once again I was lucky that there was no body contact with the boat. Leaning the bike against a padded rail seems primitive! But I suppose it works! I didn't see anyone complaining of damage! The crossing time was up to 2h 50m from the 2 hours on the ticket. Once back in Liverpool it was a palaver to untangle all the bikes and get off into the fresh air. It was gone 6.10pm as we emerged both by my clock and the Liver Buildings clock. Signposts seems hit ...

Not really a TT day, as it's all over and today it is home day. We were up early and down at the sea terminal for 11am to check on the boat and found that it had been put back to 3pm from 2pm. We had a teacake in Capone's and passed a couple of hours before returning well before 1pm to start loading, only to find about 60 bikes already through the gates. I can't say I am all that enamoured with the service from the Steam Packet. Compared with P&O or Eurotunnel it is a case of amateur hour. The bike was tied up and once again I was lucky that there was no body contact with the boat. Leaning the bike against a padded rail seems primitive! But I suppose it works! I didn't see anyone complaining of damage! The crossing time was up to 2h 50m from the 2 hours on the ticket. Once back in Liverpool it was a palaver to untangle all the bikes and get off into the fresh air. It was gone 6.10pm as we emerged both by my clock and the Liver Buildings clock. Signposts seems hit ...

Last full day of the holiday on the Island. So we decided to do the south and for once it meant not going to Peel! I know but there you are! Sacrifices have to be made. Firstly we went to Port Erin and stayed there for ages. The usual cup of tea (or rather coffee this time) but it was too hot. One of the locals said it was 82 degrees. Not what you expect from the weather on the Isle of Man. We had to move as the white painted walls of the cafe acted like an oven. I remember from metalwork years ago to use a corner to heat metal quicker to reflect heat back! We had a walk around the town and to the bank, then into the newsagents for a paper to read on the seafront. All very nice. Even better when the sun went in for a while. Yes, I am complaining there was too much sun! Lunch was in Cafe Roberto, with a back drop of a Vincent single. I guess it was a Comet but I am not an expert where even this level of British bike lies in the pantheon of great bikes. Across the road was a shop that...

Last full day of the holiday on the Island. So we decided to do the south and for once it meant not going to Peel! I know but there you are! Sacrifices have to be made. Firstly we went to Port Erin and stayed there for ages. The usual cup of tea (or rather coffee this time) but it was too hot. One of the locals said it was 82 degrees. Not what you expect from the weather on the Isle of Man. We had to move as the white painted walls of the cafe acted like an oven. I remember from metalwork years ago to use a corner to heat metal quicker to reflect heat back! We had a walk around the town and to the bank, then into the newsagents for a paper to read on the seafront. All very nice. Even better when the sun went in for a while. Yes, I am complaining there was too much sun! Lunch was in Cafe Roberto, with a back drop of a Vincent single. I guess it was a Comet but I am not an expert where even this level of British bike lies in the pantheon of great bikes. Across the road wa...

No more racing to occupy our days. So today was spent travelling around the Island. Firstly, we went into Douglas and avoided the town centre but by the grandstand to let Claire see it. Then on to Laxey and the Lady Isabella Wheel. Then we needed a cup of tea and so went down into Old Laxey. Old Laxey is quiet and like the beach places we used to go to years ago. After a pot of tea we set off again for Snaefell. Sadly the museum and cafe was closed. You might get the idea that our trips revolve around tea. You may be right! From Snaefell we dropped down to Tholt Y Will and the Wheat Free Bakery. Time for lunch? A roast pork bap and another tea later and we were Peel bound. Continuing down to Sulby and on to the track, but going against the race direction. It was very quiet going our way, but there were still loads of loonies bombing around the track as though they are Mini-Me John McGuinness's! We were in Peel for hours. Walking in the sun and of course eating. This time another of...

No more racing to occupy our days. So today was spent travelling around the Island. Firstly, we went into Douglas and avoided the town centre but by the grandstand to let Claire see it. Then on to Laxey and the Lady Isabella Wheel. Then we needed a cup of tea and so went down into Old Laxey. Old Laxey is quiet and like the beach places we used to go to years ago. After a pot of tea we set off again for Snaefell. Sadly the museum and cafe was closed. You might get the idea that our trips revolve around tea. You may be right! From Snaefell we dropped down to Tholt Y Will and the Wheat Free Bakery. Time for lunch? A roast pork bap and another tea later and we were Peel bound. Continuing down to Sulby and on to the track, but going against the race direction. It was very quiet going our way, but there were still loads of loonies bombing around the track as though they are Mini-Me John McGuinness's! We were in Peel for hours. Walking in the sun and of course eating. This time another of...

Moving day. Packed and paid Sarah Everest and set off south to new B&B at Foxdale - Clag Mooar . As it seemed too early we stopped in Peel for a coffee and a walk round,then rode down to Foxdale . Good job we did as they were getting ready to set off to Castletown and the Southern 100 Club's Billown road races. We dumped the luggage and changed into lighter clothing. We set off as well towards Castletown to where the road was closed. We arrived in time for the practice for all three races and found a good viewing place, right by a convenient tea bar! I took a few pics, but as with the Senior TT , the camera's shutter speed is too slow. By the time it decides to take the pic, the subject has left the viewer! In the end I started to anticipate and press early! After practice the road was opened and we decided to head off back to Peel for a walk and perhaps a paddle. In the end we had one of Davison's excellent ice creams. Gorgeous! Later on we found that where we ha...

Moving day. Packed and paid Sarah Everest and set off south to new B&B at Foxdale - Clag Mooar . As it seemed too early we stopped in Peel for a coffee and a walk round,then rode down to Foxdale . Good job we did as they were getting ready to set off to Castletown and the Southern 100 Club's Billown road races. We dumped the luggage and changed into lighter clothing. We set off as well towards Castletown to where the road was closed. We arrived in time for the practice for all three races and found a good viewing place, right by a convenient tea bar! I took a few pics, but as with the Senior TT , the camera's shutter speed is too slow. By the time it decides to take the pic, the subject has left the viewer! In the end I started to anticipate and press early! After practice the road was opened and we decided to head off back to Peel for a walk and perhaps a paddle. In the end we had one of Davison's excellent ice creams. Gorgeous! Later on we found that where we ha...

John McGuinness sets new outright lap record and race record. Damned Honda! That aside what a great winner and an exciting race to watch. When we arrived at the Bungalow it was hot and sunny. By race time it was freezing (in comparison) and the mist came and went obscuring the track way back from our bit. I managed to get a few decent photographs of the race, but having to use full digital zoom means that until you see them on the bigger computer screen you have no idea how good they actually are. The MCN Parade of Champions was held up for a while as there had been an accident on the Ramsey end of the mountain. A rider had crashed and his bike flew into some spectators. He was killed and two of them also died. The Parade was at a pretty hectic pace with Carl Fogarty off first and harrying the leading travelling marshal as they passed us. Once it was over we went back to our B&B to change and then head out to Douglas for dinner. Sadly on arrival the Austrian selling goulash had ...

John McGuinness sets new outright lap record and race record. Damned Honda! That aside what a great winner and an exciting race to watch. When we arrived at the Bungalow it was hot and sunny. By race time it was freezing (in comparison) and the mist came and went obscuring the track way back from our bit. I managed to get a few decent photographs of the race, but having to use full digital zoom means that until you see them on the bigger computer screen you have no idea how good they actually are. The MCN Parade of Champions was held up for a while as there had been an accident on the Ramsey end of the mountain. A rider had crashed and his bike flew into some spectators. He was killed and two of them also died. The Parade was at a pretty hectic pace with Carl Fogarty off first and harrying the leading travelling marshal as they passed us. Once it was over we went back to our B&B to change and then head out to Douglas for dinner. Sadly on arrival the Austrian selling goulash had ...

Up early and off up to the Bungalow. There were loads of cars and bikes already there but we were able to get a space about 200 yards from the footbridge. Everyone was so spread out we got a spot on the hill where we could see the bikes come over the Veranda and sweep down across the railway line.. Perfecto . Until the mist descended on us. Paul Devall - sent from my BlackBerry ® wireless device

Day 4 Up early and off up to the Bungalow. There were loads of cars and bikes already there but we were able to get a space about 200 yards from the footbridge. Everyone was so spread out we got a spot on the hill where we could see the bikes come over the Veranda and sweep down across the railway line.. Perfecto . Until the mist descended on us. Paul Devall - sent from my BlackBerry ® wireless device

Day 3 saw us up early and breakfasted and out to get to the Liverpool Arms for the BMW Club TT Natter Meet. When we arrived we saw that Peter Lewis, who lived on the Island, was there and had the banner up already. Gradually, people started to arrive and soon there must have been around 40 bikes parked up alongside the pub and in the car park . Thanks to Peter especially for his help on the day. We left about 1.45pm for a run into Douglas essentially for a look round and a look for Tesco . We didn't find Tesco but did buy stuff for lunch and for tomorrow when we will also need to be out early to get a good view of the Senior TT . All in all, I thought the Club meeting went off very well and I tried to natter to as many people as I could. We got back to where we are staying at about 5pm for a lie down before setting off again for dinner and to look for an optimal viewing spot for tomorrow. Pie and chips was tonight's choice from the limited Ramsey eatery list. Paul Devall - ...

Day 3 saw us up early and breakfasted and out to get to the Liverpool Arms for the BMW Club TT Natter Meet. When we arrived we saw that Peter Lewis, who lived on the Island, was there and had the banner up already. Gradually, people started to arrive and soon there must have been around 40 bikes parked up alongside the pub and in the car park . Thanks to Peter especially for his help on the day. We left about 1.45pm for a run into Douglas essentially for a look round and a look for Tesco and to look round. We didn't find Tesco but did buy stuff for lunch and for tomorrow when we will also need to be out early to get a good view of the Senior TT . All in all, I thought the Club meeting went off very well and I tried to natter to as many people as I could. We got back to where we are staying at about 5pm for a lie down before setting off again for dinner and to look for an optimal viewing spot for tomorrow. Pie and chips was tonight's choice from the limited Ramsey eatery lis...