IOM TT - Reminiscing

[BART]

Reading the recent write up on the centenary of the Isle of Man TT in Aust Motorcycle News bought a lot of memories flooding back. Back in '86, (yes I know that I am showing my age) my mate & I bummed around Europe for 6 months and went to the IOM and caught the Dutch GP at Assen (Gardner won that year).

The IOM was an absolute hoot and I have never experienced any road racing like it. We stayed at Douglas and watched the racing from a different vantage point each day. Watching how fast the riders would ride a street circuit is incredible. With little or no run off and standard road stuff in their way if they came off.

We didn't have bikes with us, but that didn't stop us enjoying the excitement of the meet. The atmosphere was everywhere and it didn't matter if you were watching the racing from either the sidelines or in a pub.

The sports bikes did not have the trick bits they do today. The poms & germans love their bikes and there was a shit load of harris & spondon framed machines to look at.

The only thing I couldn't get use to was the poms eating kippers for breakfast. Not the best smell you want when you get up in the morning.

Have already made plans to get back over there when the kids are older.

I just hope the racing continues. :ayyy:

[Wiccad]

I was planing on going to see the IOM this year, but a change of job suceeded in conspiring against that so I missed out. That said, the sidecar guys that do the IOM are complete nutters. I did the side car triaing day at Oran 2 weeks ago and walked away with a broken rib (ok compound fracture, still hurts like hell though) and completely nackered after 1 10 lap session of the southern figure 8. How the hell these guys to 37+ miles at full race pace on a sidecar with virtually no suspension is beyond me, I thought I was fit when competing in triathalon but even then I think I would have struggled with any more that 2 or 3 10 lap sessions of oran. Cudous to those phcho's.

[wharn-os]

Reminiscing?

I was there 3 weekends ago :)

[jasonbw]

Lucky bugger, but yep, he wasnt reminiscing on this IOM... its was his trip back in '86. Ya both lucky buggers :)

[daz]

Didn't see any kippers being consumed this year buddy ;)