My IOM TT 2008

**-=JK=-** · 05 Jun 08, 06:24 PM

Ok,

Had an absolute ball over at the TT. It was my first time, and me & two mates stayed overnight in Morecombe (a hole), so that we could catch the early ferry over on Mad Sunday.

We arrived & quickly found the Quarterbridge campsite, pitched the tents & went out to explore the madness that is "Mad Sunday".

I wasn't initially that impressed. It was VERY busy, and the 30mph & 40 mph in lots of bike traffic meant it was a bit of a chore. The first part of the course had been shut due to an accident, so we found another way to go north to Ramsey.

It started raining, and i saw a few bikes that had come unstuck on the coast road up to Ramsey. As i was on Supercorsa's (not exactly known for their wet grip), i took things extra easy.

Ramsey was pretty cool, with lots of bikes in Parliament Square, and the ex-Gladiator lady doing lots of chatting to the bikers. A few burnouts, etc, and the Police were pretty good at looking the other way.

We called it a day & headed into Douglas, finding a £7 a head carvery, followed by a lot of beers. There was a stunt show running outside Bushey's beer tent, so we watched that for a while & then did the 20 minute stagger back to the campsite.

Monday was a raceday, and we went to Bradden Bridge, a short walk from the campsite. This was very cool, and was great to see Guy Martin etc, fly through. Again, the atmosphere was great, with lots of chatty regulars who were happy to share their knowledge with the first timers.

We then walked to Bray Hill. OMFG. That place looks absolutely nuts! Sportsbikes flat in 6th heading downhill through suburbia. I took some pics & video of this place, which i'll try & link on here later. MENTAL.

By now, the weather was excellent, and i was itching to ride the course. After the racing, we went out, and i then discovered "The Mountain". This year, it's all one way from Ramsey to Douglas. Everything suddenly made sense. Totally de-restricted road, so you go as quick as you feel comfortable. It felt strange at first, but i soon settled into a quick pace. We stopped at the top to absorb what we'd just experienced. It was amazing.

From there, it was down to the creg na bar pub for a drink (it is 37.5 miles a lap, so we deserved it), and then back to the campsite.

That night, back to Douglas for more drinks, and the best pub band EVER in Jaq's on the seafront.

The next day was spent under a bluebird sky circulating the course to Ramsey for a run-what-ya-brung spring on the seafront. A big cross-section of bikes from mopeds to nitrous'd Hayabusa's.

From there, we tried to circulate another couple of laps, but there had been a number of nasty accidents, and there were a lot of sections were closed. We found our way from Balluch up to The Bungalow on the Mountain course for a quick blast, then headed back for our last night out.

Up at 6am for the packing & on the 7.30am boat home.

Everyone we met was friendly, and i didn't see one drunk or aggressive person.

The locals did seem keen to race the bikes over the mountain course, but i scalped a few to keep the scores up. WHY do drivers think they can compete?

My 916 was just perfect, and looked & sounded the absolute dogs. I now love it more than ever.

If you've not been, give the TT a try. I didn't want to leave.

Costs?

£150 return on the ferry (very good at safely securing the bikes)

£35 Quarterbridge Campsite for three nights(a rugby club. crude, but effective at keeping you clean, watered & fed)

£ - Petrol

£ - Food & drink.

Flickr Photo Download: rider-bray

Flickr Photo Download: rider

Flickr Photo Download: 916-snaefell

Flickr Photo Download: 916-qbridge

**stevel** · 05 Jun 08, 06:30 PM

Nice write up JK, sounds a hoot. What are the bags on the bike btw? Any comments on how they fit, capacity, stability etc
TIA

**-=JK=-** · 05 Jun 08, 06:37 PM

Hi Steve,

The bags are Oxford luggage, which zip out to give more capacity.

They have 3 velcro straps, which i sat over the top of some of that rubber web stuff that you can buy in cheapo shops. This stops it all moving around & protects the paint. The bags have two straps that i put through the pillion peg hangers.

Tested to the national speed limit & a bit, and didn't move an inch.

I took 4 days clothing, rain suit, a sleeping bag, toiletries & loads of other bits & pieces. My camera & other valuables lived in a small rucksack. Job done :-)

My mate took the tent on his bike for me, but i could have put it in a bigger rucksack had i needed to.

I thought the 916 would be a nightmare re the luggage, but it was just fine

**stevel** · 05 Jun 08, 06:42 PM

Smashing, thanks. I've weighed a few up, but nothing looked an easy fit, must take a look at those in case I ever get beyond beer talks about a trip away and actually doing it! Cheers

**stretta** · 05 Jun 08, 06:44 PM

Sounds like you had a great time.

I'm TT virgin, but I hope to lose my virginity next year!

**-=JK=-** · 05 Jun 08, 07:12 PM

Stretta,

Do it, bud.

It's all i expected & more. The Mountain is both the best & the scariest thing i've ever done. It's a real buzz.

**Pedro1098** · 05 Jun 08, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the write up JK - sounds like a great trip!

Always wanted to do the TT, each year I do one or two MotoGP rounds (plus BSB & occasional WSB) & although a great spectacle I fancy something else...

You may have just provided some inspiration!! Thanks mate...

**-=JK=-** · 05 Jun 08, 11:03 PM

Hi Pedro,

The TT is so much more than going to races at circuits. I like circuit racing, but its very different to the IOM.

Didn't see a single speed trap in 4 days, and as long as you don't go mental, i think the Police would take a balanced view.

I have never see so many bikes on the road. During daylight, you wouldn't go for more than 20 seconds without either catching one up, or seeing one going the other way.

Saw my first Desmosedici too, on italian plates. Sounded lovely.

There was also a supercharged testastretta in the ramsey sprint that was going well.

If you imagine the best bike meet you've been to, multiplied by 10, with derestricted one-way roads, a great atmosphere, Police that keep a low profile & a big effort made to keep everyone entertained on the days the racing wasn't on, you'd be close

There were a couple of 1098's listed in the program, and my only slight disappointment was that they didn't get out on the course for some reason. Apart from that, it was mint.

**-=JK=-** · 06 Jun 08, 03:04 PM

+ YouTube Video

There you go, top of Bray Hill looking towards the Total garage.

Mentalists

**jay748** · 07 Jun 08, 05:33 PM

sound blimmin top time had by all j.k. .. nice vid there not hanging about are they ..

i must get over there one year . your 916 looks tasty to mate ..

**Matty** · 11 Jun 08, 09:19 PM

Didnt see you there buddy, i was there for a week from fri to sat after the senior, im glad you had a good time. Im going next year again for sure for the umpteenth time, so lets sort a few from the forum meeting up.

**Ghost** · 11 Jun 08, 09:41 PM

You were lucky with the speed traps then. I've been going on and off for 30 years. often twice as I go to the Southern 100 in July.

I've often seen 2 lots of vascars in the same village, first one very visible so when you pass them you think your safe. Wind it on and the next one gets you.

There is rarely any bother the ones that get too obnoxious get escorted to the ferry terminal and a big wave, Bye Bye.

Glad you enjoyed it, the weather helps as it can be a miserable place when its constantly wet.

**Matty** · 12 Jun 08, 09:05 AM

Quote:

There were a couple of 1098's listed in the program, and my only slight disappointment was that they didn't get out on the course for some reason. Apart from that, it was mint.

There was a 1098 in the superbike and senior race, didnt do too well tho, i believe he was lapped in both!
Would be nice to see a top rider on one next year.

I wonder if a private team might consider entering the desmosedici next year?

**Mr.R** · 12 Jun 08, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty

There was a 1098 in the superbike and senior race, didnt do too well tho, i believe he was lapped in both!
Would be nice to see a top rider on one next year.

I wonder if a private team might consider entering the desmosedici next year?

The Ducati 1098 was box stock standard and raced under the Ducati Berlin banner, there was another due to be raced but the rider dropped it at the Waterorks in practice and couldn't get the parts in time to qualify so he raced a 675 Triumph.
There was one VERY top line racer who begged Ducati for a bike to race he even offered to buy the bike out of his own pocket but The factory said NO WAY!
I won't say who he is as I don't want to drop him in the sh*t...
This isn't a rumour he told me about it personally and said that he was really gutted.
The Desmosedici rode in the Ducati only parade by Alan Jackson clocked 169mph on the Sulby straight, the factory Honda Fireblades clocking around 196mph during the race later that day.
IMO the mountain section has been completely ruined now, the one way system sounds fine but the coned off sections over the top and the drop down to the Creg have slowed the experience sooo much that I didn't bother.
In the past when the mountain was one way on Mad Sunday you could use all of the road from the Gooseneck to the Creg.
I also noticed lots of speed traps during the 8 days that I was over, I saw them at Union Mills, Kirk Micheal, Ballacraine and Ballaugh every time I rode around the circuit, also quite a few off of the circuit.
I had a great time as usual but the riding experience is a pale reflection of what it used to be.

Steve

**Matty** · 12 Jun 08, 08:06 PM

Quote:

I had a great time as usual but the riding experience is a pale reflection of what it used to be

Agreed, i was there in 2002 and it was far (looser) if you get what i mean. There was some more entertaining night life on offer in Douglas

, and the riding was much less restricted. The coned off sections at the begining of the mountain were ok i felt, but in the middle of the mountain were a pain in the back side. I still enjoyed riding the section tho.
I also witnessed many speed traps, but in my opinion with so many sections of superb non limited roads to play with and the added number of people around, one is firstly stupid to speed, and secondly stupid to get caught.
The thing i found frustrating was every time, and i mean every time i went to have a blast around the mountain, the road was shut due to an accident and i either had to turn back, or wait for an age in Ramsey.

That said, the atmosphere was amazing, the banter and friendship was top, and i had an amazing time. Meeting a fantastic lady friend

on the last night in the camp site just topped off an awesome week.

Thoroughly recommend the TT as an event to witness.