Another Very Wet Isle Of Man

[mikef]

Our last trip to the IoM in April was very wet so we (2 bikers and my Westie) decided to have another go in early July. We got back last night after an enjoyable 3 days but the whole trip didn’t really get off the ground as intended.

Two weeks ago Martin (my son in law) came off his Fireblade which was written off. The heavy rain had washed some gravel across the road by a junction and the gravel didn’t agree with the Blade. He got away with a lot of bruises and a twisted knee but the Blade hit the upright of a road sign and had the forks etc ripped off and has now been declared a write off. He was gutted because he loved that bike. Anyway, he decided he would come as a passenger with me.

We were booked on the Friday ferry and the weather forecasts for both Wales and the IoM were atrocious with weather warnings etc. So having got extremely wet the last time, we chickened out and decided to go in the tin-top. The other biker had a serious family problem and had to bale out last Wednesday.

Thus, we did the IoM in a Hyundai Tucson and, trust me, going over the mountain in that compared to the Westie is like comparing Marilyn Monroe to spot welding.

Apart from Saturday, the weather was awful and the decision to go in the tin-top was justified. It wouldn’t have been fun, just an endurance test.

Those who read my thread about the difficulty of getting the Westie on and off the ferry with the low ground clearance will know that I have now raised the ride height but, Sod’s Law, I didn’t get the chance to see if it made any difference. Still, next time................................

We went to see Paul (Joeb_444) who is in the middle of his Westie build and very impressive it is too. Paul made us very welcome and hopefully his build will be complete next time we go over so that we can do the mountain together.

[IanG1]

I was over there on a bike for the TT race week, good job we weren't camping as the weather was horendous.

Only got 2 trips over the mountain, one in thick cloud and the other in rain and to top it all I only saw one day of racing due to delays and cancellations.

Story of this summer so far, lets hope we get the back end of the USA heatwave in a few weeks time LOL

[Nic Chase (NICO) - Shropshire & Mid-Wales AO]

Mike, not like the YDG 2012!! I presume sunburn wasn't a problem.

nic

[mikef]

Nic - actually Saturday wasn't too bad but the rest of the time it required waterproofing, not suncream. Oh, those halcyon days of the YDG.

IanG1 - we are debating whether or not to go over for the TT but talking to people we have been rather put off in that the island is rammed and the cost of the ferry for a car is horrendous. The Creg Ny Baa pub costs £225 for a day's viewing incuding all meals, free tea/coffee and wine - that makes for excellent viewing but an expensive week.

We are going to try and get over for the Southern Hundred next since that seems a good compromise.