Day 14 - 4th June 2022
It was a wet ride to Liverpool to the docks to catch the ferry to the Isle of Man. The ferry didn't leave until 3:30 am so there was a lot of waiting around in the rain.
Finally, we boarded the ferry, there were hundreds of bikes, all makes and models, styles and types. It was a calm 2-hour 45-minute crossing to Douglas, the capital. Once we had docked it was a leisurely ride to Braddan Bridge camping. The camping is at the rugby club, all vehicles had to left in the car park so it was quite a walk to the field with all my camping gear. I pitched up, set up camp and went for a sleep.
In the afternoon I watched the last practice session for the Isle of Man TT standing at Brays Hill, impressive stuff.
It was a wet ride to Liverpool to the docks to catch the ferry to the Isle of Man. The ferry didn't leave until 3:30 am so there was a lot of waiting around in the rain.
Finally, we boarded the ferry, there were hundreds of bikes, all makes and models, styles and types. It was a calm 2-hour 45-minute crossing to Douglas, the capital. Once we had docked it was a leisurely ride to Braddan Bridge camping. The camping is at the rugby club, all vehicles had to left in the car park so it was quite a walk to the field with all my camping gear. I pitched up, set up camp and went for a sleep.
In the afternoon I watched the last practice session for the Isle of Man TT standing at Brays Hill, impressive stuff.
It's a wet old night!!
Along wait in the rain to board the ferry
Douglas the capital of the Isle of Man
Typical Isle of Man house
Control tower at the start/finish line
Bray Hill
Day 15 - 5th June 2022
Today it was the first race day. The Superbikes and sidecars were up today. Peter Hickman won the Superbikes setting a new lap record. The side cars were red flagged and racing called off. No news of what happened yet but presumably a death.
Today it was the first race day. The Superbikes and sidecars were up today. Peter Hickman won the Superbikes setting a new lap record. The side cars were red flagged and racing called off. No news of what happened yet but presumably a death.
Day 17 - 7th June 2022
Yesterday there was no practice. Today is race week and today is the first day of racing. Races are planned for every other day in case there are problems.
I jumped on the bike and headed to Creg-Ny- Barr. The bikes scream down the hill here before turning into a right-hand corner. The bikes ride so close that you are hit with gusts of air. You are so close you could touch the bikes as they fly past.
Today the Super sport (600cc) was won by Michael Dunlop, sidecars won by Ben and Tom Birchall and the superstock (1000) won by Peter Hickman who has won all superstock so far.
Yesterday there was no practice. Today is race week and today is the first day of racing. Races are planned for every other day in case there are problems.
I jumped on the bike and headed to Creg-Ny- Barr. The bikes scream down the hill here before turning into a right-hand corner. The bikes ride so close that you are hit with gusts of air. You are so close you could touch the bikes as they fly past.
Today the Super sport (600cc) was won by Michael Dunlop, sidecars won by Ben and Tom Birchall and the superstock (1000) won by Peter Hickman who has won all superstock so far.
Day 18 - 8th June 2022
No racing today so I decided to do my laundry. I headed into Douglas, which is the capital of the Isle of Man, to find a launderette. I found two. One would only let you drop off and collect, minimum charge £15 (NZD$30) too tight to pay that, the second launderette charged the same or you could use the washer for £10 (NZD$20) and £1 (NZD$2) for 5 minutes in the drier. As i only have a small quantity of clothes i would do a hand wash.
I decided I would go for a ride around the race circuit, no chance, the road had been closed due to an accident. I went back to camp and did my hand washing and pegged out in the sunshine.
In the evening the red arrows (RAF display team) flew over and gave a great display to mark the Queens Jubilee.
No racing today so I decided to do my laundry. I headed into Douglas, which is the capital of the Isle of Man, to find a launderette. I found two. One would only let you drop off and collect, minimum charge £15 (NZD$30) too tight to pay that, the second launderette charged the same or you could use the washer for £10 (NZD$20) and £1 (NZD$2) for 5 minutes in the drier. As i only have a small quantity of clothes i would do a hand wash.
I decided I would go for a ride around the race circuit, no chance, the road had been closed due to an accident. I went back to camp and did my hand washing and pegged out in the sunshine.
In the evening the red arrows (RAF display team) flew over and gave a great display to mark the Queens Jubilee.
The RAF Red Arrows celebrating the Queens Diamond Jubilee
Day 21 - 11th June 2022
Racing abandoned today after another sidecar crash.
Michael Dunlop won the final super sport (600cc) race.
It’s been windy today. When I got back to camp there were a few downed and ripped tents
Racing abandoned today after another sidecar crash.
Michael Dunlop won the final super sport (600cc) race.
It’s been windy today. When I got back to camp there were a few downed and ripped tents
A few beers with the lads at camp last night
James Hilliar’s R6
Peter Hickman’s winning BMW.
Peter Hickman’s winning BMW.
An unfaired sidecar. High quality components
Douglas down by the seafront
The ferry terminal
Douglas seafront
Shredded tent
More Shredded tents
Day 22 - 12th June 2022
It was the senior TT today, won by Peter Hickman. That wraps up the IOM TT for 2022.
It’s been a great experience, lots of lap records, various viewing points, too many to see all.
The downside 5 deaths, three from sidecars.
It’s great that people can still challenge themselves and live on the edge while fulfilling a dream. Everyone knows the risk. Long live the TT
It was the senior TT today, won by Peter Hickman. That wraps up the IOM TT for 2022.
It’s been a great experience, lots of lap records, various viewing points, too many to see all.
The downside 5 deaths, three from sidecars.
It’s great that people can still challenge themselves and live on the edge while fulfilling a dream. Everyone knows the risk. Long live the TT
Braddan Hill.
Braddan Hill grandstand
James waiting for the last race of the TT
Day 23 - 13th June 2022
Today I wanted to see as many sites around the Isle of Man. Most of my time here has been focused on the racing. Most people have headed off the island and headed home, so a great opportunity to see the places minus the crowds.
It was also the last day the mountain has no speed limits. Basically, you ride the mountain track as fast as you like. Great to cane it past the GS’s !!!!!!
Today I wanted to see as many sites around the Isle of Man. Most of my time here has been focused on the racing. Most people have headed off the island and headed home, so a great opportunity to see the places minus the crowds.
It was also the last day the mountain has no speed limits. Basically, you ride the mountain track as fast as you like. Great to cane it past the GS’s !!!!!!
Murray’s motorcycle museum. Well worth a look.
Joey Dunlop's bike.
Paul Dobbs's bike. Known as Dobsy, the New Zealand was killed while competing in the TT Supersport race 2 in 2010
Manx Norton
Calf Sound with a strong current.
Look at the colours. They grow wild down lots of lanes.
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