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I was watching the Isle of Man TT on TV yesterday afternoon. It was a collection of clips from races earlier this year.

What completely stunned me was the speed that these guys go, and more worryingly, that it's on ordinary roads on the Isle of Man. So you've got all the street furniture like lamposts and telegraph poles, stone walls, kerbs, you name it.

So unlike Rossi falling off his bike and happily sliding around on his butt for a hundred yards or so, getting up and walking away, for these guys, crashing means amost certain serious injury if not death.

Sheesh.

J

It has to be the ultimate test - & it can extract the ultimate price.

Did I hear right? 5 deaths in TT week this year?

Jonothan,

I still recall standing along “Kate's Cottage,” and watching the bikes go by. Of course the bikes I saw run in the 60's were nothing like what's running these days. For example, the Bultaco Metrella, a 200 cc single, with a 250 cc “kit” on them; possibly 30-32 horsepower.

The TT sure changes a sleepy Honeymoon island into something else. The biker crowd is one thing I hope has not changed. I recall a civil crowd; most people being in bed by about 11:00 pm, and mostly quiet streets during the night. This is unknown at events like Daytona, Laconia, and etcetera.

In any case - I want to go back, at least once more. Who knows?

Frank

3

I guess this dates me, but I recall in the 60's, way down in South Africa, sitting whole afternoons listening to long playing records of the TT. SA only got TV in the late 70's

Those wonderfull sounds of Honda twin 50's peaking at 25,000 rpm because they got the gearing wrong, then the 125 and 250 4's etc. Then the thump of a Norton 500 Manx single with its stubby reverse megaphone exhaust in stark contrast.

The TT is certainly magic - and I guess as a rider, one pucker up after another!

Blimey - I can't think of a more miserable place to spend your honeymoon!!! (unless it's TT week and you're both keen bikers!)

FGanger - I think you'll find it's very different these days to your memories.

Ive been 4 times now N still love the place too bits but admittedly it is dangerous but no one forces them to race there.
Anoither great place is scarboro olivers mount great place

if you want info try this

http://www.flying-sparks.com

Its a forum site with allsorts of info & very interesting articles in it & some really nice people.

You can also get to it from my link @ the bottom of the page where my gallery is.

speak soon

The TT is the grand-daddy of them all, I think. It's on my life list, if I can get some time to travel that far. I put the "One Man's Island" in the player about once a month and bore the whiz out of whomever is in the room with me...

Acacia wrote:I guess this dates me, but I recall in the 60's, way down in South Africa, sitting whole afternoons listening to long playing records of the TT. SA only got TV in the late 70's ...

Ah yes, I did the same thing, with a pan of Castrol R on the stove ... Almost as good as being there.

- Martin

Funny this topic should come up,
just this afternoon i read in a bike rag( TWO or BIKE can't remember which)that rumor has it 2007 will be the last year for the TT.

Its only a rumor too the tynwald (manx gounverment) say that it deffinatly is not going to be the last TT I think that too

It's great that we still have races (although precious few) where riding/driving skills are tested on actual roads instead of closed track circuits. No run-off area and definately not for the faint of heart.