Short trip - Europe or IOM?
Discussion
Morning all. A group of us usually spend 7-8 days on a euro tour (usually France Spain) but this year due to time constraints we have only 4 days. Two idea’s are currently running.
1. Euro Tunnel and play on the Normandy Coast for a few days. We know the area fairly well and it has some good riding roads and we generally love the place.
2. Isle of Man, ride up to Liverpool from Reading early doors Friday and get midday Ferry back Monday. Of course the unrestricted parts of the Island appeal but anyone have any experience of a non TT bike trip there? None of us have ever been.
Thinking of early July.
Answers on a postcard and the winner, drawn at random, gets a Kitkat.
Thanks.
1. Euro Tunnel and play on the Normandy Coast for a few days. We know the area fairly well and it has some good riding roads and we generally love the place.
2. Isle of Man, ride up to Liverpool from Reading early doors Friday and get midday Ferry back Monday. Of course the unrestricted parts of the Island appeal but anyone have any experience of a non TT bike trip there? None of us have ever been.
Thinking of early July.
Answers on a postcard and the winner, drawn at random, gets a Kitkat.
Thanks.
Yeah, ive been to IOM for a long weekend when the TT is not on. Its a lovely place to visit and have a ride around. I did feel that 3-4 days was enough sight seeing and riding about though. It is a pretty small island.
You will be surprised just how much IS going on, its not just the TT. There is some kind of motorsport or petrolhead related event going on there, from April until November. They make the most of the "circuit" and tourism is one of their biggest sources of income.....
You will be surprised just how much IS going on, its not just the TT. There is some kind of motorsport or petrolhead related event going on there, from April until November. They make the most of the "circuit" and tourism is one of their biggest sources of income.....
IoM is pretty quiet (read - almost dead!) outside of events like the TT. That said, if what you want is some nice roads and the lack of limits makes them enticing, then I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just don't expect big beer tents, ladies flashing their boobs on the promenade, wheelies and burnouts.
If, and it's a big if, the weather is kind, then the IoM would be my choice.
If, and it's a big if, the weather is kind, then the IoM would be my choice.
I moved to the Isle of Man in 2004 and haven't left yet, so am pretty pleased with the place! It is well worth a trip and the roads are actually far nicer to ride outside of the TT/Grand Prix (well, they are in good weather anyway). For a few days it certainly makes good sense. Ferry and accommodation would however be far cheaper in mainland Europe.
No contest, the quiet and varied roads of Normandy with its lovely beaches , full of WW2 history and stunning, pretty villages Vs riding around the same congested roads of the Isle of Man with its long and heavily policed 30-40MPH speed limits, the mountain section is good but unless you want to get your kicks going back and forth over it the, I find it has limited appeal.
Isle of Man is a "must" do experience but as a sportsbike riding holiday, I find the most frustrating place ever to ride a bike..and thats is the weather is good..if your going to go, an enduro bike is the way to explore it IMHO...or take the car, either way id be heading into Europe than the IoM.
Isle of Man is a "must" do experience but as a sportsbike riding holiday, I find the most frustrating place ever to ride a bike..and thats is the weather is good..if your going to go, an enduro bike is the way to explore it IMHO...or take the car, either way id be heading into Europe than the IoM.
IOM for me.
It's a special place and plenty to see and do. And a few blasts over the mountain, having been around the track even watching your speed is certainly food for thought. Basically, the max speed you will manage to hit will be less than the AVERAGE the superbikes do! A few laps will show you just how brave these lads are and how amazing it is that in this day and age of elf and safety, it still goes on.
For a few days there is loads to do and in the nice weather, there are few places as beautiful in the UK if not the world than the Island.
It's a special place, and if you've not been before, you should go!
And if you leave the bikes at the hotel, take the steam trains too the south and the horse and electric trams up Douglas and up the mountain or to Ramsey, and its a good day out. A few glens along the way, few shandies at the pubs and it is a good day out.
And if you do have an endure bike and can get it there, it's amazing!
Post Brexit, keep your money in the UK!! lol
It's a special place and plenty to see and do. And a few blasts over the mountain, having been around the track even watching your speed is certainly food for thought. Basically, the max speed you will manage to hit will be less than the AVERAGE the superbikes do! A few laps will show you just how brave these lads are and how amazing it is that in this day and age of elf and safety, it still goes on.
For a few days there is loads to do and in the nice weather, there are few places as beautiful in the UK if not the world than the Island.
It's a special place, and if you've not been before, you should go!
And if you leave the bikes at the hotel, take the steam trains too the south and the horse and electric trams up Douglas and up the mountain or to Ramsey, and its a good day out. A few glens along the way, few shandies at the pubs and it is a good day out.
And if you do have an endure bike and can get it there, it's amazing!
Post Brexit, keep your money in the UK!! lol
Frenchda said:
Renn Sport said:
Head towards the Ardennes in Belgium? Or down to the B500?
B500 a bit far for the time, what's the Ardennes like?I'll post up my 4 day route when I'm home, i stayed an extra day in cochem which made it 5 days but 4 days is perfect.
black-k1 said:
Hasn't the B500 been "ruined" by the addition of some "over reaction" speed limits and some pretty aggressive policing? 
Or did I just imagine that?
I've spent good few hours on B500 last year - didn't come across any police.Or did I just imagine that?
There was a speed camera just at the beginning of it, nearly got caught out by it - one of the cars I was overtaking signaled me to slow down
Re. speed limits - mostly 100/110kph with some sections of 70.
Mind you, I was there mid week. From a chat I had with a local guy weekends are a bit different. 200kph knee down heroes kinda different.
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