Laps of the circuit & Senior Manx GP

Thurs 1st Sept 16

Today was a rest day from racing so time for us to do a few laps of the TT course. Full Manx breakfast to start then on our way..less traffic around today, which was good. Allowed us to pick up the pace and get a better feel of  what these guys are experiencing, even at half their speed. The run over the Mountain was almost clear.. managed to do 110mph (they would be doing 170). We arrived back in Douglas and decided to visit the famous  Murrays Motorcycle Museum on our way round a complete trip around the island.

Well what an experience Murrays turned out to be..we were greeted at the door by Mr Murray himself..old guy, ex racer.. called me a wanxxr because I came in eating a Mars bar! £5 entrance which included a cup of tea..he then said “hold out your hand”..”for your lady wife” he said and pressed a small silver Fairy into my hand, and “here’s one for your daughter”. Thanks, but why the Fairies? “You need to visit Fairy Bridge to thank the Fairies, just down the road. Joey Dunlop always used to visit before racing and again at the end to thank them for keeping him safe!” He said that one bloke who said it was a load of bollocks got 3 punctures riding home!

The museum was crammed with bikes of all sorts and ages, photos from past TTs, motorbike junk and lots of stuff. We had our tea whilst watching a road race video..all in all good value for £5.
So off to visit the Fairies we went…didn’t actually see any, but took pics just in case.

We set off for Peel for lunch..crab sandwich and cup of tea. It was rather bleak on the prom, wind blowing and spitting with rain. We rode on the coast road right to the Northern tip and then back down the East side of the island to our hotel in Douglas..raining by now and chilly.

After couple of hours off to the pub again and tonight a nice Italian meal with red wine..another day done and the last race day coming up tomorrow.

Friday 2nd Sept 16

We had decided to watch the Senior Manx GP from out on the course, at Creg ny Baa a pub on a corner at the bottom of the mountain. Great place to view, can see them coming for 1/2 mile at full chat, tipping in round the corner then accelerating to 170mph+ away down a long straight. The roads were due to be closed at 09:30 so we set off early. It had rained overnight and there were quiet  few damp patches so they delayed the road closure to 11:00 and start to 11:45. With time to kill we decided to ride the mountain in reverse up to Ramsey and then back at full tilt..for us. Still scary though!

We decided to fork out for VIP balcony tickets to watch the race, £12:50 including tea or coffee. It was a great vantage point. Just after 12:00 we heard the first bike approaching, they must be doing 150mph + and then breaking hard before tipping in for the corner and blasting off to 170+ along the straight…fantastic close viewing.

The roads opened again and we headed off to Peel for crab sandwiches again, sunny and warm by now. Back via the course and a last full out blast over the mountain and back to hotel..brilliant day!

Then off to the pub for some more of the excellent local beer. We decided to eat there and had massive portions all for £10 per head. A guy turned up to play keyboard and sing the sort of songs that bikers like..Rock & Roll 🙂 Then off to the Hooded Ram for a final pint before retiring, packing and off to bed for 5am wake up and ferry at 07:30 in the morning.