A beginners guide to the TT
Discussion
I've finally made the decision to go to the IOMTT, either next year or 2025. I've never been or know anyone who's actually been in recent years.
Has anyone been recently who could give me a few tips?
I'm thinking about putting bike in a van and driving onto the island, but don't know if taking the bike is a nice thought, but the reality is it gets too busy to ride it once your there?
How expensive can drinks and meals be?
Can you spend the nights away from the TT course and travel over to spectate during the day. How closed off does the island get?
Just any tips would be great.
Has anyone been recently who could give me a few tips?
I'm thinking about putting bike in a van and driving onto the island, but don't know if taking the bike is a nice thought, but the reality is it gets too busy to ride it once your there?
How expensive can drinks and meals be?
Can you spend the nights away from the TT course and travel over to spectate during the day. How closed off does the island get?
Just any tips would be great.
If you can get a ticket to take the bike in a van, go for it, they are harder to come by though and cost more than a bike one. That said you should be able to take lots of stuff to make your time there more comfortable.
It's not too busy to ride once you're there, using a bike to get around is much easier as bike parking is free and abundant. Just stick to the speed limits, especially as you go through the hairpin going onto the mountain section, plod is always there with a speed gun.
Drinks and meals are OK, depending on what you want really. Burger van food etc is usually naff and expensive. But if you go into town and get a booking at a restaurant, its standard UK prices really. We had a mixture of meals out and easy food cooked at the campsite which keeps costs down. Drinks wise, you're better of going to Tesco and getting some beers in. Beers in the pub is nice, but they get very busy on race days.
You can spend time away from the TT course. The island is beautiful and there's loads of nice places to see and visit, especially on non-racing days. You can jsut about get around the island on race days, but you're better off getting to your spot early and staying there for the day. I like to stay near the course anyways as its nicer for evening beers & entertainment (you'll see lots of the riders out in the evenings)
As for tips. Prepare for naff weather. It can be glorious sunshine on the mainland and wet and freezing on the island. This can also delay and move race-days so dont bother making concrete plans for what you want to do on each day, it can and will change.
Take a decent camping chair and if possible, a top box with picnic food in. Get a nice comfy spot and enjoy some food while watching bikes fly by at daft speeds
If you're there for a week or so, try out some different spots, Creg-Ny-Baa, Crosby leap and Sulby straight are some of my favourites.
It's not too busy to ride once you're there, using a bike to get around is much easier as bike parking is free and abundant. Just stick to the speed limits, especially as you go through the hairpin going onto the mountain section, plod is always there with a speed gun.
Drinks and meals are OK, depending on what you want really. Burger van food etc is usually naff and expensive. But if you go into town and get a booking at a restaurant, its standard UK prices really. We had a mixture of meals out and easy food cooked at the campsite which keeps costs down. Drinks wise, you're better of going to Tesco and getting some beers in. Beers in the pub is nice, but they get very busy on race days.
You can spend time away from the TT course. The island is beautiful and there's loads of nice places to see and visit, especially on non-racing days. You can jsut about get around the island on race days, but you're better off getting to your spot early and staying there for the day. I like to stay near the course anyways as its nicer for evening beers & entertainment (you'll see lots of the riders out in the evenings)
As for tips. Prepare for naff weather. It can be glorious sunshine on the mainland and wet and freezing on the island. This can also delay and move race-days so dont bother making concrete plans for what you want to do on each day, it can and will change.
Take a decent camping chair and if possible, a top box with picnic food in. Get a nice comfy spot and enjoy some food while watching bikes fly by at daft speeds
If you're there for a week or so, try out some different spots, Creg-Ny-Baa, Crosby leap and Sulby straight are some of my favourites. I went this year for the first time, my brother and I rode up to Heysham from Bournemouth on 90s sports bikes as we really wanted to take bikes with us.
The riding once over there was quite disappointing, the mountain the only derestricted part of the track and constantly shut due to crashes, I did have one clear run over which was great fun. Away from the course there are some fun roads which are still derestricted although everywhere is pretty busy.
Still worth taking a bike to explore the rest of the island as its beautiful.
We stayed at Douglas Rugby club which was a cracking campsite. Nice flat pitches, not toooo much of a party atmosphere, bar, a few food stalls, good showers and toilets and not cramped. Also can walk to some places to spectate however when the roads are closed you need to walk through a river if you want to get out to the outside of the track!
Overall, an experience you should definitely do, it was amazing. I think next time we are going to take adventure/enduro bikes to open up a bit more of the island when the roads are closed.
The riding once over there was quite disappointing, the mountain the only derestricted part of the track and constantly shut due to crashes, I did have one clear run over which was great fun. Away from the course there are some fun roads which are still derestricted although everywhere is pretty busy.
Still worth taking a bike to explore the rest of the island as its beautiful.
We stayed at Douglas Rugby club which was a cracking campsite. Nice flat pitches, not toooo much of a party atmosphere, bar, a few food stalls, good showers and toilets and not cramped. Also can walk to some places to spectate however when the roads are closed you need to walk through a river if you want to get out to the outside of the track!
Overall, an experience you should definitely do, it was amazing. I think next time we are going to take adventure/enduro bikes to open up a bit more of the island when the roads are closed.
i would take bike in a van. You can get to plenty of places on the course whilst the racing is on if you know where to go. Goose Neck, Hillberry, Gorse lea and bungalow to name a few. Some amazing places on the island to visit. So worth going out and about plus plenty to do with stuff going on.
Good replies from all, many thanks.
I'm so excited for going.
Couple of other thoughts. I presume there isn't much to compare about the ferries, costs and timings. When do the release dates for 2025?
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
I'm so excited for going.
Couple of other thoughts. I presume there isn't much to compare about the ferries, costs and timings. When do the release dates for 2025?
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
Flame Grilled said:
Good replies from all, many thanks.
I'm so excited for going.
Couple of other thoughts. I presume there isn't much to compare about the ferries, costs and timings. When do the release dates for 2025?
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
There's a lot more viewing restrictions now than there was, but, given it's a 37 mile circuit there's still loads to choose from. I'm sure there is a very long document somewhere on the TT page which details the restricted spectator access bits. I'm so excited for going.
Couple of other thoughts. I presume there isn't much to compare about the ferries, costs and timings. When do the release dates for 2025?
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
towser44 said:
Flame Grilled said:
Good replies from all, many thanks.
I'm so excited for going.
Couple of other thoughts. I presume there isn't much to compare about the ferries, costs and timings. When do the release dates for 2025?
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
There's a lot more viewing restrictions now than there was, but, given it's a 37 mile circuit there's still loads to choose from. I'm sure there is a very long document somewhere on the TT page which details the restricted spectator access bits. I'm so excited for going.
Couple of other thoughts. I presume there isn't much to compare about the ferries, costs and timings. When do the release dates for 2025?
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
https://www.iomtt.com/tt-info/where-to-watch
It's a few years since I was at the TT, but we went over last year visiting friends and had a good mooch about.
All I would add to the previous comments is to try and base yourself outside of the circuit otherwise you're pretty much trapped on race days.
There are lost of places to go and things to see on the IOM, but it's not actually that good for riding. Best bet is to put your tourist, bimbling about head on and don't expect it to be a track day, you'll enjoy yourself a lot more.
All I would add to the previous comments is to try and base yourself outside of the circuit otherwise you're pretty much trapped on race days.
There are lost of places to go and things to see on the IOM, but it's not actually that good for riding. Best bet is to put your tourist, bimbling about head on and don't expect it to be a track day, you'll enjoy yourself a lot more.
Flame Grilled said:
Anyone know about release dates?
It's usually on the weekend before practice week the year before. It used to be the Monday morning of practice week but I'm sure it was earlier last year. At that point you pay a deposit, then they tell you how much it actually will be later in the year and you have to pay the balance by February.ETA: There are groups on Facebook where people resell tickets (IOM TT Swap and Sale or some such), that's probably your best bet for next year.
I went for the first ever time this year.
I didnt find it much of an issue getting around.
Watched from Crosby, then the next day went to the start of Sulby Straight - this allows you to ride up Sulby Glen to the bungalow during the races or as we did move to the bungalow for the next race.
you cant get past Kirk Michael (that I could find) on the bike while the roads are closed - walking or cycling yes, vehicle No.
you can get almost everywhere else during the racing if you look at a map and use the back-roads outside the circuit - it WILL be slow-going though.
Id honestly recomend picking a spot and staying there for the entire race - we ended up at the Bungalow mostly - but Id like to try the Creg at somepoint next year.
some Irish guys we met at the bungalow had brought their bikes over in a van 3 weeks before the TT and left them there - and came as foot passengers - this was so much cheaper as it missed the TT price increase on the ferrys.
Im planning on going again next year for the whole week, all depends on my pal having his boat in Peel Marina again.
I didnt find it much of an issue getting around.
Watched from Crosby, then the next day went to the start of Sulby Straight - this allows you to ride up Sulby Glen to the bungalow during the races or as we did move to the bungalow for the next race.
you cant get past Kirk Michael (that I could find) on the bike while the roads are closed - walking or cycling yes, vehicle No.
you can get almost everywhere else during the racing if you look at a map and use the back-roads outside the circuit - it WILL be slow-going though.
Id honestly recomend picking a spot and staying there for the entire race - we ended up at the Bungalow mostly - but Id like to try the Creg at somepoint next year.
some Irish guys we met at the bungalow had brought their bikes over in a van 3 weeks before the TT and left them there - and came as foot passengers - this was so much cheaper as it missed the TT price increase on the ferrys.
Im planning on going again next year for the whole week, all depends on my pal having his boat in Peel Marina again.
Alex@POD said:
Flame Grilled said:
Anyone know about release dates?
It's usually on the weekend before practice week the year before. It used to be the Monday morning of practice week but I'm sure it was earlier last year. At that point you pay a deposit, then they tell you how much it actually will be later in the year and you have to pay the balance by February.ETA: There are groups on Facebook where people resell tickets (IOM TT Swap and Sale or some such), that's probably your best bet for next year.
I'll have to lookout for the Facebook groups.
Cheers
Mrtee said:
some Irish guys we met at the bungalow had brought their bikes over in a van 3 weeks before the TT and left them there - and came as foot passengers - this was so much cheaper as it missed the TT price increase on the ferry.
Cheers for your post.That's very interesting way of doing it, I wonder how much they saved to do it that way round?
If you don't mind me asking how much was your ferry last year?
As a local I can confirm that the advice on here is spot on. As far as travel goes then anything you can do to miss the mayhem of the two week festival period is a good thing. Assuming you can manage without them for a little while then pop the bikes in a van or ride them over at least a week before practice week, drop them into storage (lots of places here) then go straight home. Fly over for the festival whenever you like, it’s much quicker and cheaper to fly during race week. Over the last few years there have been many new temporary speed limits introduced specifically for the TT fortnight. Many of our best driving roads are now capped at 50MPH during the fortnight. Which rather spoils the fun of living here. With the exception of the Mountain Road section, which is a one way derestricted free for all during the fortnight, the rest of our roads are best enjoyed away from the festival. So when you pop back to collect the bikes stay a few days and enjoy the freedom.
After over 20 years of living here I still cannot quite believe that I can drive my car to Ramsey hairpin very early on a sunny morning in June and then drive the next few miles like an absolute screaming bellend as fast as I possibly can until I get to Kates and it’s all legal. Which in the case of my GT4 RS is quite bloody fast
It has to be done at least once just to celebrate the sheer madness of it all.
After over 20 years of living here I still cannot quite believe that I can drive my car to Ramsey hairpin very early on a sunny morning in June and then drive the next few miles like an absolute screaming bellend as fast as I possibly can until I get to Kates and it’s all legal. Which in the case of my GT4 RS is quite bloody fast
It has to be done at least once just to celebrate the sheer madness of it all.
Flame Grilled said:
What's it like getting a spot to view from, in the more rural areas? Is it as much of a free for all as it seems on t.v? Or are there lots restrictions on where you can park and view from?
Best way is to ride/drive out during the morning and find a spot, then check for parking issues, viewing issues etc. The number of times you see men dressed in leather, on all fours leaning out of a hedge, will amaze you.Few suggestions. Park at top of Barregarrow by crossroads, either in the field or down by the church, be inside track, view from there and all way down to the bottom of Barregarrow on the bridge. Park at Creg, view from there, walk all way up to Kates on outside of track. Park at Gooseneck in field, view from there but walk all way up to 32nd and Guthries, takes a while, worth the walk. Park at Bungalow in train car park, view from Bungalow, walk all way up Hailwoods, and other way to Verandah.
I like places where you aren't crammed in with other people in your way, or worried they're going to nick your sandwiches. I always have a car so have to find parking for that which is bit more awkward. In the hour before roads close though if you find a spot, ask a marshall as they might know sneaky places to leave a bike. Also worth watching onboards as you always see people in places you don't expect them to be, like the entry to Glen Helen behind a wall. Some places ask for donations, some just charge a fee, Signpost is good, park on Sunnybank and walk through owners garden, donate to air ambulance and grab seat on the banking, White House in Kirk Michael is a classic spot, also Rhencullen just after that during practice week we use the TV scaffold. Also opposite Silly Moss park at K tree, long stretch of viewing under trees.
And don't forget to do Bradden Bridge, Crosby jump, Black Dub, Bray Hill, Hillberry, Ballaugh, Cronk Y Voddy,....the list goes on.
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