Isle of Man 2011

[ThePadd]

Didnt mention it here before but..........

Next year I'm officially an old duffer, so I'm organising a trip to the Island for TT week.

I want to ride the mountain course on Mad Sunday AND enter the Ramsay Sprint, so I can tick those little suckers off my list.

I have a few old mates who've said yes already, so I'm going over this Mayday bank holiday to reccy the place, then TRY to get commitments for next year before this year's TT, so accomodation is sorted.

Does anyone else fancy the idea. or shall I just update what I know on here, so you can make yyour own plans?

[turboCharger]

I went in 2002 and it was awesome! I would however,recommend staying in or very near Douglas or Ramsey. I stayed at a rented house right on the 18 mile marker about a mile from Ballaugh, great house but bloody miles form any shops/pubs/fun.

Mad Sunday is crazy, the local boys dive up the inside of you at well over a ton across the mountain ( my cousin did a good impression of a bird due to one of the nutters and wrecked his CBR600)

Oh how we laughed!

He even got a "I survived Mad Sunday" Tee shirt given to him, the only one of us who actually earned one

I'd love to do it again, but realistically it's not going to happen for a few years

[Gonk]

Hi

I go every two years and we are booked up to go next year. We are camping at a site down near Castletown, decent facilities and there are pubs in walking distance in Castletown plus nominated driver to take us in to Douglas. The high light of the week is the course crawl, half a pint in every pub on the course. starting and ending at Quarter bridge for us. We do the last pub twice because one on the course has closed. The we go out in town..lol

We are sailing on the 3am Friday morning, it's easier to get everyone on and you get a decent 5 hours kip and an extra day on the island. We return on the Saturday 8pm siling after the last race.

Points to remember:

1. you are unlikely to get hotels over Mad Sunday weekend now or get into the campsites local to Douglas. Get booking if you want to be here.
2. Get your ferry tickets reserved, it's £20 each non-returnable booking fee so you don't loose much of you dip out.
3. You are welcome to hook up with us, currently 12 going. We are taking a couple of Transits and a a converted long wheelbase Merc van with cooking facilities. I will be taking my Turbo and RD400.

I have been 5 times now, most others have been at least 3 times.

Mad sunday is now one way over the mountain, much safer. The Germans are the worst. Don't be a hero, you will not be the slowest over the mountain. Stay safe and have fun.

There are LOADS of speed camera's in the villages, stick to the limits as fines are very heavy. Also when going up onto the mountain the road filters into one lane as you prepare for the unlimited. The coned area is a 30mph limit, then 50mph. There is a speed camera position at Ramsey hairpin in the cones so stick to the limit. One of our guys got £380 for 48mph up there on his ZZR1100. I was 5 mins behind on my RD350LC but I was behind a fireblade rider who obviously knew so we were at 30mph much to my frustration, and then joy..lol. He had to go pay his fine in the middle of the racing on Monday and we got to rag him all week

If you do get nicked, go to court say yes sir no sir and pay yer bill. My mate was before some Spanish guy who argued and insulted the court, 39 in the 30 limit, same place, he got £1000....inc costs..

AND get an ordinance survey map, that'll help you find the best viewing spots or hook up with some guys who know their way round.

Places to go, Ramsey spring and Laskey bike show. Look out for club meets and there are numerous shows all over the place. Plus you will not believe haw fast they race ont eh island..it is 'kin awesome...

Downsides, everything is expensive but wiorth it

Have fun

Dale

[ThePadd]

Cool Gonk, we'll have to hook up. There's seven of us going and for me its a first time. Have booked a cheap hotel in Douglas.

Thanks for the tips about Mad Sunday, thats the only reason I'm going, oh and Ramsey Sprint, but will take in as much as I can, especially the liquid variety.

[Gonk]

The mountain is unlimited throughout. The course is very busy and restricted. Quickest way to circulate is to do the montain then go back up the Onchan/cost road (turn left half way down bray hill.

Lucky getting a hotel in Douglas. We just went for vans to carry bikes beers and luxuries.

The island is awesome, I have done the TT and the Manx. TT in a BMW 330Ci Sport which was a blast over the mountain chasing the bikes. Then 3 times on bike. Manx in the BMW and the Manx in my AK Cobra (BMW was sold for the Cobra) We were doing Dougy prom to Ramsey and beck each evening when the traffic died down (2 way over there at the Manx) 32 miles and over 4 gallons thrashing the tits of a 300bhp (now tuned to 350bhp) 1200kg car....took my mates girlfriend over one night and she decribed it as knee trembling fun..

Err that's 6 times lol..7 is next year..

Dale (AKA gonk)

[JezZedexE1]

I will hopefully be there as well. Planning on finding a place to stay in Douglas for a week or so. Just still deciding how to get there and what to take. A possible turbo clan gathering..... :idea:

[ThePadd]

try and get a crossing first, I was a week late booking it and they were nearly all gone!

Accomodation is also at a premium so get organising now, or you may be too late!

[Gonk]

Yup book it now..you will probably get on the overnight ferry though.

Getting a hotel on Douglas is tough for the full week, even camping down Blackberry lane will be difficult as many people rebook for the nerxt year while they are on the island.

I plan to completely strip and rebuild my Turbo over winter to powder coat the frame and repaint. With luck it'll be at the Lasky show with my RD400.

Dale

[JezZedexE1]

Does anybody know what sort of price the ferry will be? What it cost this year will be a rough guide.

I have the choice of taking my van with the bikes and a caravan. I have seen the website for Ballmoar Camp site, seems OK. It would work out quite a bit less than hotels and although a distance from Douglas I will have transport. Otherwise do a hotel in Douglas which would be a lot of beer money.

[ThePadd]

call the steam packet company, I think its about £200 for a bike and rider. For a van and caravan, probably six million quid!

[JezZedexE1]

They really should have a different name.

Costs a Packet Co.

For the van with 2 passengers and caravan it will be at least £600.00. I suppose there is some good news. I can put a bike or two in the back at no extra cost. Seems rather expensive, but if a bike and rider is about £200, it doesn't seem so bad.