IoM visit - best time of year?
Discussion
I would just book it at short notice when you can see the long term weather forecast looks pretty good. I did this for the IoM Classic/MGP a few years ago. Waited right up until Wednesday the week before and once I could see the weather was ok for next week I was still able to book return ferry tickets and a nice Airbnb for the next week.
It's great when dry and pretty miserable on a bike if you get a week in the rain, but rain is more likely than not (a bit like Scotlad/Ireland).
Why risk it by booking a long time in advance? You might pay a bit more for the tickets but at least you'll have a good time.
It's great when dry and pretty miserable on a bike if you get a week in the rain, but rain is more likely than not (a bit like Scotlad/Ireland).
Why risk it by booking a long time in advance? You might pay a bit more for the tickets but at least you'll have a good time.
carinaman said:
44 Teeth had some glorious weather when they were there.
Exactly what made me think a non-TT visit was in order!A993LAD said:
Why risk it by booking a long time in advance? You might pay a bit more for the tickets but at least you'll have a good time.
Because I'm a cheapskate 
You're quite right I suppose.We've been over before when their annual 3 hill climb event was running (cars) and it was quite a nice trip, roads clear and not many about. End of April 2022
https://www.manxmotorracing.com/index.php/events
https://www.manxmotorracing.com/index.php/events
Just be careful where you stay if you go in summer. Most of the Douglas sea front hotels for example are almost unbearable facing the sun all day and very few have aircon, and most have windows that don’t open properly, ie protected window latches etc.
The island is beautiful and well worth a visit ‘ off season’. But there is nothing like first day of TT week. It’s soooo exciting!
The island is beautiful and well worth a visit ‘ off season’. But there is nothing like first day of TT week. It’s soooo exciting!
One thing you can count on is that you can't count on the weather on the IoM.
As A933 said, check the forecast and leave it to the last minute before you book if you can.
Having said that, if you do get the weather it is a beautiful island.
The Southern 100 is far less manic than the TT, as is The Manx GP/ Classic if you fancy watching some racing.
Accomodation wise there is a new Premier Inn behind M&S in Douglas.
The view isn't great but it is clean and tidy (and cheap). Some of The Promenade hotels could be better and need upgrading.
As A933 said, check the forecast and leave it to the last minute before you book if you can.
Having said that, if you do get the weather it is a beautiful island.
The Southern 100 is far less manic than the TT, as is The Manx GP/ Classic if you fancy watching some racing.
Accomodation wise there is a new Premier Inn behind M&S in Douglas.
The view isn't great but it is clean and tidy (and cheap). Some of The Promenade hotels could be better and need upgrading.
My sister and her husband go over every year for the proper TT so they have no choice book a year ahead. She reckons they can pretty much count on a 4 year cycle of:
1 TT being brilliant with great weather for almost the entire fortnight and practically no weather interruptions to the racing schedule.
1 TT being a weather disaster with much rain across the 2 weeks, many interruptions and rescheduling of the racing and horrible periods spent stuck in viewing zones waiting for roads to dry and fog to clear on the mountain!
2 TT's that are mixed weather but the good outweighs the bad.
That's why I've never been to the TT, I just can't bear the prospect of giving up a weeks holiday to be stuck on a rainy island with a bike as my only transport.
Booking at short notice for the Classic in August once I knew it would be a dry forecast meant my IoM experience was a thoroughly pleasant one.
1 TT being brilliant with great weather for almost the entire fortnight and practically no weather interruptions to the racing schedule.
1 TT being a weather disaster with much rain across the 2 weeks, many interruptions and rescheduling of the racing and horrible periods spent stuck in viewing zones waiting for roads to dry and fog to clear on the mountain!
2 TT's that are mixed weather but the good outweighs the bad.
That's why I've never been to the TT, I just can't bear the prospect of giving up a weeks holiday to be stuck on a rainy island with a bike as my only transport.
Booking at short notice for the Classic in August once I knew it would be a dry forecast meant my IoM experience was a thoroughly pleasant one.
Like all the British Isles, predicting the weather for any time of the year is impossible. The only thing that can be said is that the rain is generally warmer in the summer months. 
What I can say is that having been on the island immediately after the TT (and I assume it's the same for the Manx GP) the place is deserted, and noticeably more so than during a "normal" week. If what you are most interested in is riding empty roads and exploring the island then those may be good weeks to consider.
What I can say is that having been on the island immediately after the TT (and I assume it's the same for the Manx GP) the place is deserted, and noticeably more so than during a "normal" week. If what you are most interested in is riding empty roads and exploring the island then those may be good weeks to consider.
Be warned, just because the Classic TT and Manx GP are in August, that the weather will be great.
Four out of the last five years have been awful weather wise, lots of rain, wind and very cold.
2018 was the first time in five years that it was warm enough to don shorts and a t-shirt.
it was so cold in 2017, my wife bought a sheepskin duffle coat from a charity shop in Douglas and wore it every day, along with a hat, scarf and gloves, the weather was so bad, they were cancelling ferries back to the mainland.
Four out of the last five years have been awful weather wise, lots of rain, wind and very cold.
2018 was the first time in five years that it was warm enough to don shorts and a t-shirt.
it was so cold in 2017, my wife bought a sheepskin duffle coat from a charity shop in Douglas and wore it every day, along with a hat, scarf and gloves, the weather was so bad, they were cancelling ferries back to the mainland.
A993LAD said:
My sister and her husband go over every year for the proper TT so they have no choice book a year ahead. She reckons they can pretty much count on a 4 year cycle of:
1 TT being brilliant with great weather for almost the entire fortnight and practically no weather interruptions to the racing schedule.
1 TT being a weather disaster with much rain across the 2 weeks, many interruptions and rescheduling of the racing and horrible periods spent stuck in viewing zones waiting for roads to dry and fog to clear on the mountain!
2 TT's that are mixed weather but the good outweighs the bad.
That's why I've never been to the TT, I just can't bear the prospect of giving up a weeks holiday to be stuck on a rainy island with a bike as my only transport.
Booking at short notice for the Classic in August once I knew it would be a dry forecast meant my IoM experience was a thoroughly pleasant one.
That’s about right regarding the weather. As regards transportation and not wishing to use the bike whilst it’s wet, there is an excellent bus service on the IOM. 1 TT being brilliant with great weather for almost the entire fortnight and practically no weather interruptions to the racing schedule.
1 TT being a weather disaster with much rain across the 2 weeks, many interruptions and rescheduling of the racing and horrible periods spent stuck in viewing zones waiting for roads to dry and fog to clear on the mountain!
2 TT's that are mixed weather but the good outweighs the bad.
That's why I've never been to the TT, I just can't bear the prospect of giving up a weeks holiday to be stuck on a rainy island with a bike as my only transport.
Booking at short notice for the Classic in August once I knew it would be a dry forecast meant my IoM experience was a thoroughly pleasant one.
Rob 131 Sport said:
There is an excellent bus service on the IOM.
And an excellent train service.Providing you like a steam train that will rattle your fillings out (Douglas to Port Erin) and the antiquity that is "The electric railway" - ancient tram (Douglas to Ramsey).
I agree though, the bus service is very good.
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