Anyone been to the TT?

Where to start! Awesome event, makes short circuit racing look like watching paint dry. Ferries and accomodation are often booked up over a year in advance.  The course is long enough that you'll always find somewhere to get within a few feet of bikes doing 200mph on public roads. The popular spots do fill up fast though.  It's actually incredible that it is still allowed in the 21st century. It might not be in future so go whilst you still can!

Visit the paddocks and grand stand, sample the beer tents and entertainment in Douglas in the evenings. Loads more to do on the island including the Manx museum, motorcycle museum, hill walking and some great mtb routes.

Is it a good event?
Do you like motorbikes?
Do you like the idea of standing a metre away from one travelling past you at 150mph.
Do you like the idea of getting your brain to accept that these are (almost) normal,everyday roads.
Do you like talking shite and telling outrageous stories to other bike enthusiasts while drinking large amounts of beer?
Do you like camping?
If the answer is yes to one or more of these questions then get yourself booked up
😆 🤣 😂

Ah - forgive me, let me add some context. 🙂 Yes, love bikes, and I'm exposing my own TT ignorance here, but just idly looking at popping over for a weekend and it seemed like there's not actually that much on-road action, so was wondering if it's worth going for that short a time, as ferries aren't cheap (assuming they're still available!). There's a campsite at Bradden Bridge that says it allows you access to move about, but if there's only two or three sessions over the weekend, I won't want to waste time moving!.

Maybe it's more a long weekend thing.... 🙂

I was there this year, and agree it is pretty epic.

Getting the ferry booked would be the priority, regardless of the sailing book an out and back. You can log in and change your booking if a slot becomes available and it's free to do so. As mentioned the popular times will be booked but in the weeks running up to it slots will become available as people chop and change or cancel. Are you taking a bike or on foot? Plenty to do if you are just based in Douglas, I'd not say it's essential to take transport. I was on the bike and had a couple of pals who are veterans so did see some of the classic spots, but I think I'd be equally as happy in Douglas. Mad Sunday wasn't all that mad and you do see a lot of incidents with bikers, over the mountain is the only bit you can give it some and whilst it's great its not really a must do. In fact rather soberingly it's closed quite often due to a spill.

It's almost taboo to say that it's not the pinnacle of motorcycle racing*, and as I said it is epic....but I enjoyed the actual racing more watching the excellent coverage via the app, too often during the race you've no real idea who is leading or what's happening. I enjoyed it immensely but I'm not going back next year or probably for a while but I would go back. I'm more likely to visit the Northwest or I'm hoping to get back to a Moto GP weekend (which I preferred).

* I'm probably not conveying what I'm trying to say here very well. The racers are 100% commited and as good as any in motorsports if not more with the risk factor. It's more the spectator format I'm taking the shine of.

I lived on the IOM for a few years in the early 2000s. The TT is a no-brainer if you love bikes. The atmosphere for the two weeks is incredible and the island is such a lovely place.

If you’re looking to enjoy the TT but want something laid back consider going over for the Manx/Classic

Not has hectic as the main event, an older crowd and a greater selection of bikes.
Been over twice and highly recommended it

If you just want a short trip maybe the NW200 or one of the other Irish road races.

Manx/classic is very good, all the atmosphere but less crowded

It's an amazing experience, have been five or six times, we'd always go for practice week and get the first weekend's races. Getting up really early for a pre-breakfast lap was fun. Go!

It’s an amazing experience. You do have to get your head round the fact that, statistically speaking, at least a couple of the people you are watching will shortly be dead.

Thanks all - got to be done, then, hasn't it... 🙂 Looks like I'm way too late for ferries for next year, so will pencil in for '24, but will have a look at the Classic or NW200 for next year (Manx ain't gonna happen, on August Bank Holiday).

True story - I was close to and completely missed two great IoM/NW200 stories. Went to the TT as a toddler in '78, way too young to have any idea what was going on or who Mike Hawthorn was, and was at the NW200 in 2008 with Mrs Pondo and her friend, but the friend was in a difficult place (thankfully she's very happy now) and we spent the few hours we were actually at the circuit in a coffee shop talking and missed literally all the racing.

I was lucky enough to have a business trip out there in practice week. Flights and hotels were available. The course is closed at 5pm (IIRC) for a while. I didn't go anywhere in particular apart from the start line, pits and that sort of area. But the speeds. The proximity. The speeds 😲

If I was to go again I think I'd do it the same way. See the tourist stuff during the day, and a brief bit of speed in the practice sessions. But I'm not really fussed about the actual racing, personalities or the busyness of race week.

Lovely island, no speed limits in certain areas, what more could you want ?

We've been on the bikes the week before practise. All the signs and straw bales etc are out on course so feels like your riding the track. Prices obviously cheaper to get across. We're north west so go for the day. But the racing, jeez. Gotta be seen.

Been to the TT in 2012 and the Manx this year, probably going back to the Manx in 24 as me & mate have a couple of old bikes & significant birthdays 🫣.
Advice would be to research in advance what's on when & where, there's plenty more than just the racing. Make sure you have access to Manx FM (old phone with wired headphones for example) to keep up to date with schedules & racing commentary. If it's good weather get yerself up to the bungalow, plenty of spots to watch there & footbridge to easily cross the circuit, there is a cafe up there which is good but quite ££, otherwise pitch up early to get a good spot. We got caught the wrong side of Sulby on a hot day - gasping for a drink but only able to watch the pub goers on the other side of the road whilst we wilted. The bus service between Peel & Douglas is good if you want to go out on the lash - worth researching the pubs though as there are a fair few that are shite (we spent one night drinking chilled newc brown 😭)

Great stuff, thanks all! 🙂

Make sure you have access to Manx FM (old phone with wired headphones for example) to keep up to date with schedules & racing commentary.

Great tip, thank you - can I share one in return? Found out my modern Android phone still does that - it doesn't show a radio app but there's one there if I search for it, and I can get FM with it if I plug headphones in. 🙂

Excuse my ignorance but what is the difference between the Manx and the regular TT, is it just privateers rather than pro’s?

Manx GP is basically a bit more ‘junior’ than the TT. Not that any racing on the IOM can really be regarded as ‘junior’! It also has a Classic race that’s well supported.

I’ve been to the TT three times, but only twice intentionally, 2008 and 2010. Rented the scout hut in Onchan just outside Douglas with some mates. We camped inside the main hall, and were able to garage our bikes at the back. Was fantastic. Dunno if they still do it, but we did book it (and ferries) a year in advance each time.

Was spectating at the bottom of Bray Hill in 2010 when Guy Martin crashed. That was an experience I’ll never forget. Everyone just going silent and hearing nothing but the TT radio.

Happened to be on the Island in 2019 for work at the same time as the TT. Flew over this time rather than ferry and didn’t have a bike with me, but still fun in Douglas. Didn’t get a huge amount of work done that week.

Go if you can, it’s amazing.