Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature

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Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
Breakers, Werel

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature

20th pictures

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Laxey Wheel aka Lady Isabella: The largest water wheel in the world is in Laxey.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Treat yourself to the Isle of Man: landscape, people and the Tourist Trophy. An addictive motorcycle trip on the island.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Touring: captivating glimpses of the Calf Sound at Cregneish. Race: wild 280 km / h duels at Glen Vine.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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TT spectators: strong individuals, all walks of life.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Sports touring: TT feeling on the course at Creg-ny-Baa.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Tradition: times and round cuts are noted by hand on the grandstand.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Start of the light weight TT. The revived class is dominated in 2012 by tuned Kawasaki ER 6 and Suzuki SV 650 engines.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Width on the Snaefell.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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An ale in peel: Nothing can upset this TT veteran and his triumph.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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The start: a bike every ten seconds.

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Pit stop: Suzuki SV 650 tuned to 115 hp in the low-budget Supertwin class. Here, too, every second counts, every move is right.

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Fog clears over Port Erin. The Isle of Man has fallen out of time.

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
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Everything at a glance: barely tangible speed in Glen Vine.

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John McGuinness and his Fireblade on their way to TT victory jumping over Ballaugh Bridge.

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Technical inspection at the Grandstand in Douglas before each race.

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Wind-ruffled trees on Injebreck Hill.

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Lively life: all generations of bikers and machines meet on the island.

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Here at the pub in Peel. Entrance to Douglas.

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The 2012 lightweight supertwin class winners: James Hillier second, Ryan Farquhar winner, Michael Rutter third.

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Lighthouse on the Isle of Man.

to travel

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature

Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature
The venue of the oldest motorcycle race in the world is inviting

As a passionate motorcyclist, you should treat yourself to the Isle of Man once in a lifetime: the landscape, the people and the Tourist Trophy, the oldest and most famous motorcycle race in the world, are also addictive to racing buffs. We accompanied John McGuinness, the most successful living TT pilot, and we strongly advise you to book now for next year.

Markus Biebricher

09/13/2012

Douglas, Glencrutchery Road. John is on the grid at the Grandstand. The four-cylinder Fireblade warms up under him, he feels the tingling sensation all over his body. Will he be on the ferry back to England the day after tomorrow? When the ambulance helicopters take off, John thinks: “Shit, its really happening again.” Then he thinks nothing more, his Honda is released. At last he is alone with himself, no one can talk him into it anymore. Now he’s doing what he does best. Bangs Bray Hill down and 300 km / h on the speedometer as he passes the dip. Intervertebral discs and spring elements are brutally compressed. John could touch the audience, they are so close to the track. It can be carried far outside in front of Braddan Bridge, like most full-time professionals. These guys are the toughest racing drivers in the world. Your stage: an enchanted island in the Irish Sea.

Steep cliffs, wild bays, romantic sandy beaches, rough gorges, gentle meadow hills, cultivated gardens, thrown rocks, windswept mountains. The Isle of Man is a small continent that casts a spell over every visitor with its irrepressible nature. At least once a year, the weather-beaten island becomes a Mecca for all motorcyclists. Then the Tourist Trophy makes the island’s heart beat faster. Nowhere else in the world can you get so close to the soul of motorcycle racing, of driving itself.

Countless reports have been written, many will still be written in the future, but nobody can really explain why everyone who lands here falls for this piece of earth, its people and the races. Why motorcycles have been ridden for better or for worse on a 60-kilometer country road course for over a hundred years. Tradition, atmosphere, honor? It can’t be because of the comparatively modest prize money, but rather because of the recognition of the audience, who are always close at hand. There is no elitist attitude here, nobodies stand next to Nobel Prize winners, the atmosphere is relaxed, solemn, enthusiastic. This TT is more puristic, more terrifying than any other motorcycle race in the world. People die every year, but it’s like an accolade to give everything here. An inner necessity to master this bad country road as precisely and quickly as humanly possible, to throw one’s whole life in the balance for a good cut.

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John lets the blade fly. Full throttle through the town of Crosby, then dive through The Highlander, 330 things, at Greeba Castle full in the irons. Right, left, a little further the left curve at Greeba Bridge in fourth gear. Hedges, stone walls, house walls, sidewalks, steel railings, all of this hammers past John’s helmet within the first five minutes. Perhaps an exciting environment for young hotties who are competing on their mopeds for the first time. For a 230 hp superbike with a 340 tip, this is a scenario that is only inadequately described with insanity.

Behind Ballacraine the road becomes even narrower, trees come close. Light, shadow, light, shadow, no normal mortal can stand it at this speed. The Honda stays precisely on the racing line, although in some corners it loses contact with both tires. In other places, for example at Laurel Bank, the chassis works at the absolute limit. Twists like hell, the tires whale. Not only on the steep, angular ascent to Sarah’s Cottage, John directs the blade along all physical limits. Where does he get his nerve from??


Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature


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Pit stop: Suzuki SV 650 tuned to 115 hp in the low-budget Supertwin class. Here, too, every second counts, every move is perfect.

At Glen Helen the route is beautifully landscaped, but there are places all over the island that you absolutely have to see at your own pace. Far beyond the racetrack, you drive in cruising mode down narrow streets to the coast, the fog clears like on the first day of creation. Or you can let your heart and mind free from the stress of everyday life on the wind-swept mountains. Enjoy the absolute silence in the depths of the woods, the trolls (small people) pay their respects at the Fairy Bridge, that is pure Isle of Man relaxation.

Which John certainly doesn’t have in the race. At Botton of Barregarow, the road surface is so uneven that it almost shakes the drivers’ brains out. The Mountain Course is first and foremost a country road and only secondarily a race track.

Kirk Michael village road, 270 km / h, Guy Martin and Ryan Farquhar attack. Michael Dunlop, one of the sons of Joey Dunlop (with 26 victories the most successful TT driver of all time), hangs in the slipstream. The boys stay on the gas, the road becomes slippery, the right lurks in the center of the village. John gives in, there is no room for all four of them, chivalrously he lets the young colleagues go.

Rhencullen, Bishopscourt, Alpine Cottage. The way of driving has changed noticeably over the years. It’s been a long time since it looked as if motorcyclists were racing down a country road. Nowadays it looks more like motocross with 230 hp. The drivers have become too fast for the bumpy country roads of the Mountain Course, they had to develop new driving techniques that have more to do with cross racing than with classic road racing. For more than 70 percent of the distance, they stop and lift the front with sheer power over the bumps in the road instead of avoiding obstacles. The motorcycle can work better this way, the riders are more likely to cope with the enormous impacts of the ground, but mistakes are fatal.

Every generation of drivers develops a new driving style. The calm, steady demeanor of blessed Joey Dunlop would hardly work these days, even if John McGuinness is the closest. His Fireblade is moody on the Mountain Course, he has to force it into the window in which it works reasonably. Especially here, in front of Alpine Cottage, where he is trying to catch up with his competitors, that is extremely difficult. “Basically you should let the bike do what it wants, but at the crucial points I have to show it consistently who the boss is. The superbike wants to go straight and it wants to hurt you, ”says John.


Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature


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An ale in peel: Nothing can upset this TT veteran and his triumph.

After jumping over Ballaugh Bridge, the former bricklayer -McGuinness also shows Messrs Martin and Dunlop who’s the boss. From Sulby Straight to Ramsey, the superbikes are more aircraft than vehicles, then it goes up into the mountains, driving and scenic a pleasure. If only it weren’t for the unpredictable weather. Fog appearing all of a sudden, rain around the next bend are normal in the TT. Shortly before the 90-degree late brake turn of Cregny-Baa, John also grabs Ryan Farquhar, who steals the lead from him a few more times over the next few laps. Tire changes and refueling stops at the Grandstand in Douglas throw the boys backwards, on lap six Michael Dunlop sticks to John’s rear wheel, and Guy Martin’s Suzuki or Ryan Farquhar’s Kawa won’t tear off either. John’s fuel warning light glows in the mountains, he is nervous and saves the lead at the finish line. There the second-placed Michael Dunlop says in frustration: “If he would finally piss off, the rest of us might also have a chance.” But John, successor to “The King of the Mountain” Joey Dunlop, does not think about it. He doesn’t know what else to do, TT is part of his life.

There it is again, the magic of this island. This is not only the “racing capital of the world”, but also presents us with the most beautiful motorcycle hiking trails. And with a rich history: It was not only influenced by the Celts and Vikings, but also by the most famous racing drivers and those poor dogs who never win but keep coming back because they have lost their hearts. Those who have been starting in the small racing classes on a mini budget for years. What drives them all, the fastest and the slowest? Longing for death, longing for life? The constant proximity of death is always an intense attitude towards life, but measured by how insane these warhorses drive, there are relatively few fatal accidents. “Honor” is carelessly hyped up as the meaning of life?


Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature


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Here at the pub in Peel. Entrance to Douglas.

It is definitely the highest art to drive these blatant roads so fast. These changes of light that make you blind. Everyone has their own secret recipe. John McGuinness greets his twelve dead friends. During the race, he lifts his finger at twelve points on the Mountain Course and greets them. He doesn’t know if they are angels or whatever, but he feels that they protect him, approve of his mission. If that is not a reason to celebrate.

Info


Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature


Werel

Travel time: five days. Distance covered: 800 kilometers.

The magical island has two sides: the crazy TT and the diverse nature for relaxation. The road network ensures driving pleasure and unforgettable views, and the people are in a good mood.

General:
The Isle of Man is a crown fief of Great Britain with a special status: the island has its own parliament (Tynwald, the oldest continuously convened in the world), largely its own legislation, its own currency (the rate is linked to the British pound, is not outside the island accepted) and own stamps. The Isle of Man is not a member of the EU. In 1881 it was the first country in the world to introduce women’s suffrage. The legacy of the Celts and Vikings can still be felt on the island in language and stone symbols, the locals call themselves and their island “Manx”. Three legs on a red background are the motif of their national flag: “No matter how you throw it, it will stand.” A suitable motto for the stability of the islanders. They have crime and unemployment under control, the Tourist Trophy made their bizarre island world famous.

They run:
The TT, which traditionally takes place at the end of May / beginning of June, had World Cup status until 1976. In its 105-year history, it has seen the world’s best racing drivers. Today it is an anachronism, the pilots have to adapt to the conditions of the route despite all progress and not the other way around. Unique. The races are held in different performance classes, e-bikes and sidecars are among them, two-stroke and single-cylinder are extinct. It starts individually every ten seconds. A TT lap is 60.66 kilometers long, includes 240 bends, and the longest race is six laps. At the end of August / beginning of September, the Manx Grand Prix is ​​an alternative event for amateurs and classic cars. Both TT and Grand Prix last two weeks each.

Framework program:
Not only TT and Manx Grand Prix attract motor sports enthusiasts to the island. With the Billown Circuit, Southern 100, Jurby Airfield and other events, a whole series of smaller races have established themselves that do not lack any flavor. There are also parties, festivals and demonstrations all over the island during the TT. The stunt show of the Purple Helmets or the aerobatics program of the Red Arrows are permanent fixtures.


Isle of Man: Tourist Trophy, people, nature


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Laxey Wheel aka Lady Isabella: The largest water wheel in the world is in Laxey.

Sightseeing features:
A selection: the TT course as such (while professionals are through in under 18 minutes, tourists need around 45 minutes), Marine Drive near Douglas (wild coastal landscape), Rushen Abbey, Castle Rushen, Castletown, the museum village of Cregneish, Fleshwick Bay , Niarbyl Bay, Peel with castle, harbor, House of Mannanan (ingenious museum) and Kippers House (fish production). Tynwald Hill (Parliament), the highest mountain Snaefell (621 meters), Laxey Wheel or Murrays Motorcycle Museum at the bungalow (TT rarities). All over the island fascinating nature, sheep, bizarre types, moody pubs, things to be amazed at, to pause for a moment.

Getting there:
If you want to experience the TT, you should book ferries and accommodation now because the island is getting full (www.letsbookhotel.com). All roads lead via England: Either you take the ferry from Holland, Belgium, France or the tunnel. Then England is crossed to catch the second ferry in Liverpool or Heysham to Douglas. Other alternatives: flying or booking an all-inclusive package.

Action Team:
The MOTORRAD action team offers from 31.5. Until 9 June 2013, an IoM special will be offered at the TT, which will cover ferries, hotels, highlights and be completed on your own motorcycles under the guidance of capable tour guides. Costs: driver € 2390, pillion € 1990. Telephone: 07 11/1 82/19 77 or www.actionteam.de

Honda TT Legends:
Racing team initiated by Honda Europe and managed in England, which is successful in the TT, endurance world championship and many other races: www.hondattlegends.com.

Literature / addresses:
The best motorcycle travel guide for ten years comes from Michael Allner and Klaus Herder: “Isle of Man Tourist Trophy. Everything about the biker island ”, Edition Unterwegs, Motorbuch Verlag. Antiquarian can still be ordered via Amazon. For all the latest information about the TT, racing classes, drivers, results, the best spectator spots: www.iomtt.com. Mandatory film: “TT-Hart at the limit with Guy Martin” (Amazon). Ferries: www.dfdsseaways.de

Isle of Man
Capital: Douglas
Area: 572 km2
Foundation: 1765 autonomous
Currency: Man / GB pound
Population: 84,497

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