Isle of Man TT Course

Rouge Penguin
Rouge Penguin Posts: 347
edited July 2010 in Training, fitness and health
Anyone riden it, is it worth the hassle of getting the bike over there?

*Obviously not when there is any type of event on

Comments

  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,464
    Yes, I've ridden it. There used to be Isle of Man International week and the first day was a time trial round the TT circuit. The final event was 3 separate road races with the pros / top amateurs doing 3 laps, the 2/3 race was 2 laps and the 3/J race was one lap. I did the TT and the junior road race.

    It is a pleasant ride and the mountain offers a decent challenge, not particularly steep other than the first section but quite long. All the races in that week were on complletely closed circuits so in the road race I got my highest ever speed on the descent (reached the max 55 it displayed while still accelerating).

    Is it worth the hassle? I guess it depends on how far you are travelling and whether you intend combining it with a break in the IoM. I would travel over there just to ride the course as there are probably similar routes in many parts of the country when you aren't benefitting from the closed roads.
  • 3legs
    3legs Posts: 30
    I've ridden it quite a lot, but then I live here :)

    One thing to bear in mind is that the TT course is a magnet for bikers and boy racers who want to ride/drive like maniacs. The mountain section is unrestricted in terms of speed limits, so if you have your heart set on a trip then you would be better off making sure it was during the week when the road will be quiet.

    Seems like a lot of hassle to me to come over just to ride the TT course, but if you were to combine it with a longer break then the cycling opportunities are good. Apart from the mountain road, traffic is relatively quiet and (for the most part) courteous towards cyclists. There are plenty of hills which is great if you like that kind of thing.

    Edited to add:

    PS - what's this got to do with training ;)
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    IoM is great cycling country - if you are going to ride the TT course, ride against the direction of traffic and besides the descent into Ramsay is the best bit! A great loop is up from Sulby Glen, turn left at the top past the Bungalow and down to Ramsay and then loop back around the top of the Island.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • steponahen
    steponahen Posts: 35
    Probably not worth coming to the island just for that, but well worth coming for two or three days of riding.

    Here's a desription of the course, worth searching this site for other cycling routes on the island: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/routes/n ... naugh.html

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