Insane Isle of Man bike race

[GH85Carrera]

Wow! those guys are nuts.

[Flieger]

Yeah, I think there is a fatality there every year. There is a guy that rides the local canyons. Mark Miller is his name. He does the TT.

Here is a famous crash but he lived.

[widgeon13]

Crazy!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

crazy!

+1

[dlockhart]

There are several Americans who race there and are often seeking support for their efforts. If you want to go, and get inside the event, helping them out is a easy way to do it. Also, it takes a heck of a lot of volunteers to run the race. A few seasons ago a pal of mine went and corner worked. They moved him around the island during the week so he was able to spectate from everywhere, while having the best seat in the house, and got to be part of the behind the scenes festivities. All you have to do is show up and ask to help.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Wow! those guys are talented.

Fixed.

Takes big skill and even bigger balls to run the TT. Seriously awe-inspiring stuff.

[GH85Carrera]

I don't know how they can sit down with big balls like those.

[t951]

Have you seen the 2 seat guys? There is a guy on a sidepod that is basically a gymnast. His job is to move his weight and center of gravity around for the lap. As crazy as the driver!

Truly amazing.

[on2wheels52]

The pro teams won't let their riders race there, too dangerous.
Imagine trying to memorize the course.
Jim

[strupgolf]

Talk about living life on the edge. Wow.

[motion]

I'd do it, but I'd only ride at 80%

[Jeff Higgins]

Fatality every year? I believe they have run about 90 TT's, and have suffered about 240 fatalities. Lost another young rider this year in practice.

Damn near lost one of the best last year, Guy Martin. The fastest guy to have not yet won a TT. He crashed at damn near 200 mph and the bike exploded into a fireball, resulting in the first red flag of the TT ever, in its entire history. He was back on a bike and racing again within weeks. Here he is, guiding us around the mountain course on what was then the record lap:



Yes, he is speaking English. It takes awhile to get into his groove and begin to understand what he's saying.

The TT is certainly a different kind of race, for a different kind of man. Martin mentioned in an interview I saw a couple of years ago that several of the top riders only buy one way ferry tickets to get to the island. I saw an interview with the Americans who have ridden there for several years, wherein they said an American will never win. Not because they can't learn the 37 mile course, but because they are not as willing to die for it. This is the last race left on earth where that truly remains a factor, and not just braggadocio. Incredible.

[Flieger]

OK, I was underestimating.

I imagine this was what the Targa Florio was like in 1970 when you were racing a 908.3 with your legs as the crumple zone.

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Fatality every year? I believe they have run about 90 TT's, and have suffered about 240 fatalities. Lost another young rider this year in practice.

Damn near lost one of the best last year, Guy Martin. The fastest guy to have not yet won a TT. He crashed at damn near 200 mph and the bike exploded into a fireball, resulting in the first red flag of the TT ever, in its entire history. He was back on a bike and racing again within weeks. Here he is, guiding us around the mountain course on what was then the record lap:



Yes, he is speaking English. It takes awhile to get into his groove and begin to understand what he's saying.

The TT is certainly a different kind of race, for a different kind of man. Martin mentioned in an interview I saw a couple of years ago that several of the top riders only buy one way ferry tickets to get to the island. I saw an interview with the Americans who have ridden there for several years, wherein they said an American will never win. Not because they can't learn the 37 mile course, but because they are not as willing to die for it. This is the last race left on earth where that truly remains a factor, and not just braggadocio. Incredible.

I'm getting old...this seems crazy to me ! Is it worth risking killing yourself and maybe some spectators standing right next to the road ??

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Flieger

OK, I was underestimating.

I imagine this was what the Targa Florio was like in 1970 when you were racing a 908.3 with your legs as the crumple zone.

Flieger;
Just as you, I was thinking of the old Targa when I saw Jeff's video.

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

I'm getting old...this seems crazy to me ! Is it worth risking killing yourself and maybe some spectators standing right next to the road ??

Yet when you watch the old videos of the Targa it is cool...

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Flieger

Yet when you watch the old videos of the Targa it is cool...

Right. But the last time the "real" Targa ran, I was about 21 years old.
Back then, I thought I could do the Targa...no problem.

Now...not so much . Those old Targa videos and photos are cool to see though.

[dlockhart]

Originally Posted by wilhelm

i'm getting old...this seems crazy to me ! Is it worth risking killing yourself and maybe some spectators standing right next to the road ??

yes!

[Rick Lee]

I ran into a guy in a parking lot in UT last weekend who told me he booked a bike tour of Europe that included a trip here. He said they keep the roads closed all day there and let non-contestants ride the course after the event is over and he did it. That's the only way I could see myself doing it.

[MT930]

It's pretty awesome right in line with flying canyons in wing suites. I really enjoy watching it, great skill & big stones.

One lapse of concentration and it's clean up with a bucket of warm soapy water and a sponge.

They are main lining Adrenalin. It's your own drug !

I hope it runs forever as long as they show up.