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Well the first week and a half has flown by. Had a good flight over but damn is it long. Arrived in London and after checking in at the hotel went to the local pub. Then feeling like we should do some tourist stuff we jumped on the tube down to Trafalgar Square and had a wander around, then thought stuff the tourist bit and went for another drink. Eventually it started to get dim and we turned in for the night.

Next morning was up just after 5 a.m., which for those that know me would realise is very unusual. however it was already past sunrise and no way I was getting back to sleep. So got up and went for a walk before going for breakfast, full english no less. Today we planned to head out to Thruxton to catch the British Super Bike round, after finding out where Thruxton was we jumped on the tube to Victoria Station to get the national rail train. These are a fairly quick train with the GPS reading about 90 mph.

I am travelling with two friends from Adelaide, who are with a road race club there. They knew a few riders competing at Thruxton and one of them got us some tickets in, including paddock access. After watching some warm up laps we went into the paddock to say hello to a few of the riders that Chris and Rob knew. As race time drew near the British weather did not disappoint, it began to rain. This proved a bit of a bonus for one Aussie, Paul Young, who took out a win in the supersport on board the Triumph 675 Daytona. A fitting win with Thruxton the home of Triumph for many years. It was also the first win for some time for Youngy so he was very happy at the end of the meet.

A quick trip back to the station (the young cabbie outpacing the trains) and it was a return to London. This was our last night in London so we finished up with a curry across the road from the hotel. Maybe not a brilliant idea as the three of us were sharing a room that night.

Next morning was an early start (again, damn that jet lag) to go and pick up the bikes. Rob had his already so it was a race across London top gear style, with Rob on the bike and Chris and I on the tube. Happy to say the bike won, but not by much. Rob has a Honda CBF600, Chris a Bandit 650 and I have a Bandit 1250. The little bikes are a bit tired but mine is still fairly new and working well.

Nothing like jumping in boots and all and it was a mid morning dash across London from East end to West to get to the Ace Cafe, a resurrected 60's era cafe that was home to the rockers and "ton-up" boys that gave rise to the cafe racer style of bike. We had a feed and drink there and took a few pics before heading back across London. The plan had been to follow Rob as a group but that is easier said than done in the London traffic. In not much time it was me and Chris and no idea where Rob was. We pulled over and gave him a call and he was able to find us with the GPS. We then rode as group toward Woodbridge, about 80 miles out of London to meet up with the fourth member of our group for trip over to Isle of Man.

Once again we got separated, but all knew the fairly simple directions and we met up again at the first pub in Woodbridge. We called Gav and he met us to guide us back to his place where we were to stay the night. After dropping bags and sorting beds we headed back into town on foot for fish and chip dinners in the pub then a few pints through some of the other pubs in the town, including one that was about 12th oldest operating pub in England.

Next morning was clear blue skies, which was excellent as we had around 250 miles to ride to Liverpool to get the ferry, and you cannot afford to be late. We took the A roads first, which are freeway type but have large roundabouts at the junctions. Not too bad and knocks off the miles pretty quick but not the scenic route. Then it was onto the M6 motorway, even less scenic but quick. Speed limit here was 70 mph, but it seemed everyone just went a little quicker. We had to pull over a few times for various things, Gav needed to take a leak and one of Chris' side panniers popped a lid (losing one shoe). Pulling back out into a fairly constant stream of traffic doing 70 mph is a bit of a challenge!

We arrived into Liverpool in good time and found the ferry, it was not too hard as there were already a few bikes parked there ready to go. No ferry though as it was still a few hours away. We had just enough time to find the Cavern club for a pint before heading back to board. There was someone singing a Beatles tune as we left the club, which is a few floors down from street level. Emerging from the club onto the street there was a busker also doing Beatles tunes. Not unexpected, except it was the same song as the guy downstairs was doing.

Now time for ferry boarding, the usual hurry up and wait. Despite being near one another we all got separated on boarding, as you get directed to railings which they tie your bike to. Then it is leave the bike and go upstairs to the passenger lounge. With an hour to go before leaving and a two and a half hour crossing you can guess what we did, straight to the bar for a few pints.

We set sail, very uneventful and not too rough but the boat did sway a little which made you think if it was the boat or the the pints. Eventually we could see the Isle of Man in the distance and soon we were pulling into port. At last we were there, quite a moment really. We rode off the boat and regrouped, then felt our way through town to find where we were staying. A quick tour of the house, throw the stuff inside and it was off to the promenade, this time on foot. A heap of people and bikes around and the feeling the party was just beginning.

More to follow.

Really enjoying the stay on the Isle so far. We spent the first few days as Marshals for the practice sessions up on the Mountain, at the end of the mountain mile. Wed was sidecars only, and Thursday was sidecars and solos. We would see them flat strap along the mile, then they disappear for a moment then around the corner and straight past you, then gone. The mountain box is a strange one as it is on the outside of the bend so the bikes are really coming straight for you. No incidents on the practice.

Friday we did the incident management course for Marshals, which covered some first aid, flags, airmed and radios. Was quite a good course and enjoyable but it did mean we were mostly inside on what has been one of the best days so far weather wise.

Saturday race we were also at the Mountain box, and it was cold and windy up there while the rest of the isle was in sunshine. Nothing much during the solos but a sidecar blew it's engine toward the end of the mile as we were on bikes it was a half mile run to where it had stopped to push it off track and then clean up the oil so they could continue with practice.

Mad Sunday for us was quiet, did not actually get out on the bikes as planned. Instead went and saw the Purple Helmets which was good and then headed to the Marshals supper where they had John McGuinness, Keith Amor, Michael Dunlop and Iain Hutchinson up on stage for a chat. As they left I managed to get a pic of me with McGuiness, now I just have to find the Marshal who took the pic to get a copy.

Monday was a change of scenery, down to Ballacrye jump, which is just down the track from Ballaugh Bridge. It does not seem much but when they hit it at speed they get airborne, which is quite a buzz when standing next to the road when they land.

Fortunately no incidents, which is good considering this was the place where a sidecar came to grief during practice with both rider and passenger killed. There was an incident up the track a bit with an Irish road racer in supersport which resulted in a fatality. RIP to all.

Today has dawned wet but cleared up, so after a bit of a walk around we decided to go for a lap. Takes some time on the road down to Ramsey as it normal two way roads, but then you get onto the mountain sections which is one way only and no limit for the whole two weeks. Absolutely brilliant ride, although you need to keep a lookout in front and behind, as there is nearly always someone faster than you. Now just kicking back with a Bushy's and will head out tonight for the Red Arrows over Douglas bay, maybe another pint or two as well.

Lucky bastard it's a wonderful 4 degrees in melb this morning

Isle of Man 1964

Hope you don't mind if I share a few memories.

Got a lift there with some mates in the Ariel club, for some reason they didn't want me to take my 250 Ariel Arrow, (2 stroke twin for you young uns) something about "all that bloomin smoke" Looking back it was probably because I was "smokin em in the corners"

Any way I was happy on the back of Daves Red Hunter (500 single) and Kieth was on his recently rebuilt Ariel Square Four (1000 Sq 4)

Ramsey was just a mass of polished chrome and leather when Keith said I could take the Squariel to get some milk - Gulp!
 
Plenty of onlookers as I gingerly backed down the steeply sloped road side towards the gutter for some angle parking. Now a squariel is one heavy mother with a rear centre stand pivoting on the axle, when I finally got it over top dead centre she plunged back and threw me onto the footpath, I can still hear em cheering now.

The next ride on the 1000 was at night when we visited the North lighthouse road. Big mob there all slipping the mufflers off and rushing up the straight road to the lighthouse and back. The square four sounded Grouse as I lifted my head off the tank to see the speedo needle dancing between 105 and 115 mph, YE-HAAA! my first TON UP RIDE.

I did a lap on Mad Sunday with the Red Hunter pulling me around for a lap of a bit over 35mph, there were a few bent bikes and coppers that combined to temper my enthusiasm, plus Dave would have strangled me for any scratches.

Sitting in Kates Cottage watching Mike Hailwood blitz the 500 race on the MV four was pretty memorable too!!

Have a ball Mat, great reporting.

Great read Matt, thanks for sharing.

Interesting read from you too Ken.

Where are the pictures Mat? I'm sure you had some pictures to go with the report didn't you!

I have a few pictures but really too busy watching and drinking to upload them. For the first four sessions we were marshalling, and cameras are not permitted, so only have a few pics from these. Have taken some video but that needs editing to cut out any boring or incriminating bits. Rob also has a Drift helmet cam that we have been trying out. That stuff is probably going to wait until later on.

Tuesday night got a bit messy, don't remember much of the later hours. Early on, after the lap and quiet one we wandered down to see the Red Arrows over Douglas bay and then the Purple Helmets again on the promenade, again with a bit of White Helmets mixed in there.

Wednesday morning, and I think a bit of Tuesday night though can't be too sure, was wet. It cleared up and we made our way up to the grandstand area as we had bought tickets for the day. We wandered around and there were announcements about delays.

Eventually the Arai Legends lap got underway. It was a fine collection of limps that made its way to the start area. Mick Doohan, Iain Hutchinson (last year's historic all 5 in a week winner), Nicky Hayden and Cal Crutchlow were doing a lap. Iain and Cal did not hang around and got back in fairly short time while Mick and Nicky took longer as they were waving to the crowds. Iain made some comment about people wanting to see fast bikes rather than waving.

Then it was time for the supersport race. The riders were not too happy as there were mixed reports of wet conditions on parts of the track, but the race got underway. With light rain at times in Douglas after just over 1 lap the race was red flagged. We went and had lunch and shortly after the message came through that racing had been abandoned for the day.

This gave us and early night, so for something different we ate at home and watched the on-bike laps DVD we bought. After some discussion we decided that the grandstand viewing sucked and we would try at Bradden Bridge for the rescheduled racing on Thursday. Being a popular spot we thought we should get there early.

Thursday morning dawned bright and sunny, though it did not take long for a few clouds to roll in. Summer here just means the rain is a bit warmer than in winter. We made our way down and into Kirk Bradden, where seats were set up next to the course on the church lawns. We found ourselves some seats in the very front and settled in for the racing to start.

With no rain the racing got away at the scheduled time and within a minute or two the bikes started going past. Blasting out of the corner they were literally just metres away and apart from being about 2 ft up on the retaining wall of the church lawn there is nothing between you and the bikes. Makes you a little nervous when a few got out shape a bit.

The supersport race was going well with Cam Donald in second with a good margin, though Gary Johnson was well ahead. Unfortunately on the last lap his bike expired somewhere on the mountain and there was no podium position for him.

Next race was the sidecars, quite entertaining as they really get out of shape around the right hand corner. After that was superbike final practice before the senior race tomorrow. They were all pushing hard and the noise as they went past was earsplitting. For the first time I put an earplug in as it was starting to hurt.

Decided not to stay for the electrics, as have seen them in practice. They still move along quite good and you don't hear them coming. Under yellow or red flags they actually have to have a horn sounding so it warns marshals who may need to be on track.

So now it is time to kick back with a drink and plot this evening's frivolities. Who knows, there could be some "acting the goat" going on somewhere.

Now our lap time was hard to work out, with it being about an hour or so to get to Ramsey and fill up the bikes. Coming back on the mountain section was a bit quicker, but will need to see the video to get a time on it. I am confident it will be well down on what Ken did though we did see the "ton-up". Compared to when Ken was here it would seem things are a little quieter but with the mountain one way for the two weeks Mad Sunday is now a fortnight long. Hope to get enough time sober to get a few more laps in.

TTFN.

Friday was race day for the Senior TT, on the Superbikes. The weather was fair but there were clouds about. As the race drew near a delay was announced, then another. Then the Yamaha parade lap got underway early so missed the first one but then got the rest. Some great old bikes running around, TZ 2T's etc. Got some photos and vids but they are hard to catch.

Finally the senior got underway, and they were moving. We were at a private BBQ and they were full on the throttle and moving by the time they went past. Below is John McGuinness who was first on the road (they start at 10 sec intervals) and ended up the winner, with Guy Martin 2nd and Bruce Anstey third.

(http://www.vinamtra.com.au/forum/gallery/424_13_06_11_5_48_17.jpg)

Fortunately no incidents here this year, though last year this is where Guy Martin crashed quite spectacularly at this spot in the Senior and NZ's Paul Dobbs crashed and was killed. The photo's you may have seen of the Guy Martin crash were taken from this same spot you see here.

Friday night was a big one in Douglas, so Saturday was a slow start before finally making our way to Castletown for a post TT race on the short course there, but still public road racing. After those we motored over to Port St Mary's for dinner in pub overlooking the harbour and then back to Douglas via Port St Erin and some narrow country lanes.

Sunday dawned fine but soon clouded over, never mind there was motoGP on the TV and we wandered down to a pub for the main event. A good result for Stoner and next time we will see it live at Assen.

In the afternoon we were picked up by the father of a workmate of mine and he took us to a private collection of vintage bikes that was on display for the day. Would you believe the first bike I saw there was the Ariel Square four. Took a picture of it for Ken.

We finished with a lap of the island in the car, which gave us time to actually look at the island as most times we have had to concentrate on the roads due to traffic or pace, or both.

So now we are packed up ready for the ferry back to England, and to spend a few days riding Wales before heading to the Peak district.

Holidays are tough, hope you all had a good QB weekend.

Mat.