2 weeks ---low bucks 2019 Brit. Bikes Museums/Isle of Mann "bucket list" Tour

[SPARKY]

If one had 2 weeks to tour museums, bike factorys and spend a few days at the IoM TT what would ones schedule look like?

[Malcolm UK]

The easy part of the fantasy is picking days on the Isle of Man between 25th May and 7th June and because there are only two mainstream bike makers you just have to go when they are working (weekdays).

The museum choice depends on what your interests may be. Britain is good at all sorts of places from Industrial to scientific to art to history to motorsport, including a pencil museum in Cumbria. [Yes, those devices you can write with and draw with - 'lead' inside wood - have a museum all to themselves!]

You may get more enjoyment at a speed motor sport event but many other bike events generally avoid the TT period, unless you go to the Ramsey Sprint on the sea front during the TT period (an 1/8th mile event). Would you want to see Pendine Sands?

I notice that you have used 'low bucks' in the topic title.  At £1.00 equal to $1.33 at the moment - you do get value, but nowhere is likely to be 'cheap'.





 



 

 

[Stainless1]

Accommodations at the IoM are tougher than Bonneville.... I don't think they have casinos.    I have been told start now for next year.... I think they have killed a couple in practice and injured several... it is crazy...

[Jack Gifford]

... I think they have killed a couple in practice...

Do you mean recently?

[Peter Jack]

... I think they have killed a couple in practice...

Do you mean recently?

During the last two weeks. That is serious racing with normal road flaws, trees and rock walls to contend with.


Pete

[TrickyDicky]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-44334611

[SPARKY]

I am inquiring for a racing buddy  Al Eshenbaugh who is a present and old time nitro guy: his driving,cars and motors have him in:


Az Drag racing hall of fame
NHRA Lifetime accomplishment award
Manzonita Az Motorsports Hall of fame (circle track)
B'Ville 200 MPH Club
El Mirage Record holder
Az Pioneering Award

He has been following the TT for over 20 years and would like to hook up with folks in merry old'e Eng. who share his pre 70 English Bikes and ect intrest.

[Malcolm UK]

He has been following the TT for over 20 years and would like to hook up with folks in merry old'e Eng.

Use social media (facebook) and link up with the Straighliners organisation, who run the Ramsey Sprint during the TT meeting. Some of them have old bikes. Start with asking for a response from multiple World and National m/c speed record holder, Trevor Duckworth.

[bubruins]

I just got back from 2 days at IOMTT as a part of a 2 week Europe trip with my wife. It was awesome! Having been to Bonneville, El Mirage, and Pikes Peak, IOMTT was "on the list" and I'm glad I got to see what I did of it. We went for two practice days (31st and 1st) thinking it would empty like Pikes Peak practice days, but found that the crowds are there in force for every practice session and it's nearly as good as the race days. Much like LSR, I think the best part of my experience was getting to speak directly with competitors in the paddock about their builds and how they got there. Most are willing to talk when they have a chance, reminding me a lot of Bonneville. It's a wide range from top tier teams with millions invested to privateers with less than $10k in the game. Spectator rides are also out of this world compared to what you'll normally see. Ever seen five RD350's roaming the street as a pack? Here's your chance to see that kind of stuff in the wild. Stainless is right about the 2 fatalities so far this year, as well as one bad injury. That's just the published figures for race competitors. The spectators riding GSXR1000's on the mountain section at 160mph do not exactly get reported the same way.

As others have said, you already have your dates you can pick from. Most people are not on the Isle for 2 whole weeks. I think 4 days of spectating would give you a good mix and allow you to get to neat locations. I'd definitely advise for more than 2 days if at all possible, but that's about all I could negotiate for - and could get a hotel room for! We booked a hotel in December of 2017 and there were only about 5 hotels available -we booked the least expensive at 175 euro/night for the only night they had available. You can also rent a pre-errected tent but most have 5 day minimums and can be a real buzzkill if it winds up raining much while you're there. Transportation for the days you can get a hotel for is the next hurdle and should be booked at the same time as hotel booking. Assuming you will not be taking a vehicle over and going only as foot passengers like we did, I'd advise for a flight like Aer Lingus on a turbo prop or something like that. It looked like flights from Ireland = turbo prop and flights from England = jets.These are available out of Dublin or Great Britain. You an also take a ferry as a foot passenger. When we booked 6 months out - these options were already nearly impossible to find. Consequently, we took an Aer Lingus flight out of Dublin and then a ferry to Heysham and then a train down to London (granted, we wanted a point to point trip and we got to see a lot of Ireland and England in 2 weeks this way). Book now for less hassle later.

I took my camera to Braddan Bridge. Here's a link with the pictures: [url][https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Wfg4iOMO9y1oZBqWxgco8Apq001a6ecY/url]

[SPARKY]

Thanks  guys  --- this is the kind of info I am sure he is looking for

[Jack Gifford]

... That is serious racing with normal road flaws, trees and rock walls to contend with...

Total fatalities on IOM circuit since 1907 is now over 250...

The old Joey Dunlop helmet-cam video is eye-opening. Alternately bright/shady views are nasty, especially when damp in the shade. And using curbstones while cornering borders on insanity.

[comet]

There is another option for the IOM, in August they hold the Manx Grand Prix. Granted the big names might not be there, but it is still a great few days with some full on road racing. Here is a link to the website http://www.manxgrandprix.org/MGP/About-the-MGP
Accommodation tends to be cheaper and easier to find.
The ferry from the mainland is always hugely expensive and flying from Ireland or England can be cost effective if you can sort transport on the island out. There are lots of places to see on the island and quite a bit to do.

Seafood down in Peel. Peel Castle. (Have you seen the little microcar the Peel P50? It comes from the Island.)
Lots of wildlife viewing including Basking Sharks, I believe August is a good time of year. The Sound is a great viewing area for dolphins etc.
There is a couple of motor museums on the Island, one of them I think has a Bonneville bike on show.

There are lots of campsites on the island, and the number probably increases 10 fold during TT week ( by farmers opening up fields so "facilities" can vary widely), but it does get wet over there. Bring lots of clothing changes, it really does get wet!
There are some fantastic pubs away from the bigger towns and some stunning scenery all around especially in the southern part and behind the mountain. Just go out and explore.
During TT week, and the MGP week whilst practice and racing is on a lot of roads are closed and it can mean travelling around the island can get difficult for a couple of hours each day.

It is a great little island and your friend will have a great ( if a little wet) time. We were there in 2007 and it rained, rained and rained again.But I still had a blast and rode my sidecar all around the place.


 

[Malcolm UK]

The dates for 2019 for the Manx GP period are 17th to 30th August.

[comet]

Someone mentioned to me last night a museum up in the Lake District. Lakeland Motor Museum. I was told is has a fairly good collection of cars, motorbikes, pushbikes, caravans etc. Some replicas of Donald and Malcolms Bluebird cars and boats. The museum is a little under 1 hour north of Heysham.

[wobblywalrus]

The Barnes & Noble bookstore chain in our area has issues of "Classic Racer", "Classic Bike", "Classic Bike Journal", and "Classic Motorcycle."  All are British monthly or semi monthly magazines with lots of info about events.  There might be a B & N store in your area.