Isle of Man

Thanks to Lou from Isle of Man for reminding me about the greatest road race on Earth. Yep, big call there. But a road that encircles an entire island which is ridden flat out for two weeks of the year – WOW. Up hill and down dale, through farmlets and villages, across blustery hill tops and around blind sweeping corners where an off results in making new friends with rock walls, or a rather large pub. Seriously fast riders take on this monumental road in an effort to… ummm, well to see who can go the fastest. Duh!
Since 1911 motorcyclist from all around the world have travelled to the Isle of Man to compete in the Tourist Trophy (TT). The earliest races took over 4 hrs to complete and the riders had to open and shut the gates for the farmers. Now most riders complete the 4 lap course in 1 hour 20, averaging over 120 mph (190 kmh). All on very close to standard 1000 cc production bikes.
The best part about the race is the spectators can camp out all day in grandstands, near one of several pubs, or out on the hillsides. There you can watch bike after bike, rider after rider, compete against each other and the clock for supremacy and the title of Isle of Man Champion.
So thanks Lou, wish I could see you there next year for the 100th anniversary of the mountain course.
IN the mean time, go for a quick trip around a part of the Isle on the back of Michael Dunlop’s superbike.