Experience sought: Isle of Man weekend hoon
Discussion
In these dark, grey and damp winter days my thoughts are turning to this years fun and setting a few fun weekend agendas.
Closer to home for many of my mates than the Nurburgring, I promised them I would organise a weekend trip to the UK's own motoring nirvana the Isle of Man. Our intent is to cross by ferry on a Fri night, and spend two days driving the much-praised roads and enjoying the local fare and vistas. Only trouble is, I have never been so need some advice for organising...
For those of you who have been there before, I would very much appreciate your counsel on the must-drive roads, and the best places to break up the driving for lunches, dinners and the best places to stay - not talking the most expensive, but the best all round venues.
I'd also appreciate your views on the best time of year to visit to maximise the driving experiences, and potentially to coincide with any other events - not just the TT.
Thanks for your help!
Closer to home for many of my mates than the Nurburgring, I promised them I would organise a weekend trip to the UK's own motoring nirvana the Isle of Man. Our intent is to cross by ferry on a Fri night, and spend two days driving the much-praised roads and enjoying the local fare and vistas. Only trouble is, I have never been so need some advice for organising...
For those of you who have been there before, I would very much appreciate your counsel on the must-drive roads, and the best places to break up the driving for lunches, dinners and the best places to stay - not talking the most expensive, but the best all round venues.
I'd also appreciate your views on the best time of year to visit to maximise the driving experiences, and potentially to coincide with any other events - not just the TT.
Thanks for your help!
The Isle of Man is not big. In a weekend you will be able to drive right the way around it. Twice.
You MUST drive the TT circuit including the mountain road.
You should drive around the coast.
I seem to remember the out of town golf hotel was about the nicest...
http://www.mountmurrayhotel.com
You could easily spend longer there taking in the walking, beautiful scenery, museums etc you won't lack for stuff to do. Going for a weekend, though, you just want the edited highlights.
I'll also add that Douglas doesn't hold much attraction for most...
You MUST drive the TT circuit including the mountain road.
You should drive around the coast.
I seem to remember the out of town golf hotel was about the nicest...
http://www.mountmurrayhotel.com
You could easily spend longer there taking in the walking, beautiful scenery, museums etc you won't lack for stuff to do. Going for a weekend, though, you just want the edited highlights.
I'll also add that Douglas doesn't hold much attraction for most...
I've just organised a trip to the Isle of Man for the Mitsubishi Lancer Register
2 Nights B&B in the Hilton Hotel, Douglas
Return ferry travel from either Heysham or Liverpool
£129 per person, based on 2 people per car and room.
Bargain if you ask me!
Contact the guys below and see what they have to offer
www.steam-packet.com
2 Nights B&B in the Hilton Hotel, Douglas
Return ferry travel from either Heysham or Liverpool
£129 per person, based on 2 people per car and room.
Bargain if you ask me!
Contact the guys below and see what they have to offer
www.steam-packet.com
Went in 2006 with the club, awesome place http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/gallery/gallery.asp?d...
The Hilton is a nice place to stay, get some chips, they're lovely!
You've got to do the mountain route, at least 5 times
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/Videos/iom%20mountain...
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/gallery/gallery.asp?d...The Hilton is a nice place to stay, get some chips, they're lovely!
You've got to do the mountain route, at least 5 times
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/Videos/iom%20mountain...
Edited by cw42 on Saturday 24th January 13:40
cw42 said:
Went in 2006 with the club, awesome place http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/gallery/gallery.asp?d...
The Hilton is a nice place to stay, get some chips, they're lovely!
You've got to do the mountain route, at least 5 times
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/Videos/iom%20mountain...
I really can't wait to go mate http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/gallery/gallery.asp?d...The Hilton is a nice place to stay, get some chips, they're lovely!
You've got to do the mountain route, at least 5 times
http://www.scoobysmacs.co.uk/Videos/iom%20mountain...
Edited by cw42 on Saturday 24th January 13:40
We were told the Hilton would be the best place for us to stop as a group... Circa 20 Evos
can't remember how many were in our group, but it was quite a few, and we all stayed in the Hilton that weekend. Place was very nice, and a great spot to start any drive from.
Get out early morning if you can, while the roads are quiet, do the whole circuit as a group, then head out on your own or just with a few in convoy. I found it surreal at first going over a ton on those mountain sections, safe in the knowledge that the police wouldn't throw the book at you.
But be aware:
We had 2 young porche drivers in old 911's in our group, and while they could drive, they were cocks. They were very nearly escorted off the island on the last night of our stay for dangerous driving, reported by a local. Just because the police don't see you on the roads, doesn't mean that the locals wont report you.
have a great time Kosta, send us the link on mlr and I'll keep up with your plans
Edited to add: found the thread
Get out early morning if you can, while the roads are quiet, do the whole circuit as a group, then head out on your own or just with a few in convoy. I found it surreal at first going over a ton on those mountain sections, safe in the knowledge that the police wouldn't throw the book at you.
But be aware:
We had 2 young porche drivers in old 911's in our group, and while they could drive, they were cocks. They were very nearly escorted off the island on the last night of our stay for dangerous driving, reported by a local. Just because the police don't see you on the roads, doesn't mean that the locals wont report you.
have a great time Kosta, send us the link on mlr and I'll keep up with your plans
Edited to add: found the thread
Edited by cw42 on Saturday 24th January 22:47
end of August is the Manx GP
Think of it as the TT for historics and amatures but much calmer and more civilised and way less crowded.
Visit
Castletown
Peel ( Castle and Kippers)
Point of Ayre (sp)
Laxy Wheel
Do drive the TT circuit.
Do observe speed limits where posted (esp Sulby straight
They are enforced by BiB in dayglo jackets so fair play )
Do Ramsey Sprint on the sea front
Do say hello to the Fairies when you go over their bridge, for good luck!
Loads of eating places on the Douglas Prom
Pleanty of holiday cottages etc available on the island
Enjoy it, its a great place!
Think of it as the TT for historics and amatures but much calmer and more civilised and way less crowded.
Visit
Castletown
Peel ( Castle and Kippers)
Point of Ayre (sp)
Laxy Wheel
Do drive the TT circuit.
Do observe speed limits where posted (esp Sulby straight
They are enforced by BiB in dayglo jackets so fair play )Do Ramsey Sprint on the sea front
Do say hello to the Fairies when you go over their bridge, for good luck!
Loads of eating places on the Douglas Prom
Pleanty of holiday cottages etc available on the island
Enjoy it, its a great place!
cw42 said:
can't remember how many were in our group, but it was quite a few, and we all stayed in the Hilton that weekend. Place was very nice, and a great spot to start any drive from.
Get out early morning if you can, while the roads are quiet, do the whole circuit as a group, then head out on your own or just with a few in convoy. I found it surreal at first going over a ton on those mountain sections, safe in the knowledge that the police wouldn't throw the book at you.
But be aware:
We had 2 young porche drivers in old 911's in our group, and while they could drive, they were cocks. They were very nearly escorted off the island on the last night of our stay for dangerous driving, reported by a local. Just because the police don't see you on the roads, doesn't mean that the locals wont report you.
have a great time Kosta, send us the link on mlr and I'll keep up with your plans
Edited to add: found the thread
Fortunately we have a few members on the island who will be our tour guides!Get out early morning if you can, while the roads are quiet, do the whole circuit as a group, then head out on your own or just with a few in convoy. I found it surreal at first going over a ton on those mountain sections, safe in the knowledge that the police wouldn't throw the book at you.
But be aware:
We had 2 young porche drivers in old 911's in our group, and while they could drive, they were cocks. They were very nearly escorted off the island on the last night of our stay for dangerous driving, reported by a local. Just because the police don't see you on the roads, doesn't mean that the locals wont report you.
have a great time Kosta, send us the link on mlr and I'll keep up with your plans
Edited to add: found the thread
Edited by cw42 on Saturday 24th January 22:47
I know about the police thing, some lads i know went over early last year. One of them had a Classic WRX and threw it down an embankment. The Police basically confined them all to foot travel for the rest of their stay.
I'd go over for TT race fortnight.....and the main reason.....
....the mountain road is one way from Ramsey hairpin to Creg. It's coned to one lane entering the hairpin and then it's limitless. Goes to one lane at Bungalow and then opens up until Creg.
I got pulled in the Vette 2 years back on Mad Sunday when I let the tail out on the hairpin. The traffic cop followed to Creg, pulled us in, had a chat and let us go. He was just concerned we'd ditch it in the mist. Very fair policing.
Over the mountain the one way system makes it a lot safer and easier. Just keep an eye on the 2 wheel bullets in the mirror.
....the mountain road is one way from Ramsey hairpin to Creg. It's coned to one lane entering the hairpin and then it's limitless. Goes to one lane at Bungalow and then opens up until Creg.
I got pulled in the Vette 2 years back on Mad Sunday when I let the tail out on the hairpin. The traffic cop followed to Creg, pulled us in, had a chat and let us go. He was just concerned we'd ditch it in the mist. Very fair policing.
Over the mountain the one way system makes it a lot safer and easier. Just keep an eye on the 2 wheel bullets in the mirror.
*Kosta* said:
cw42 said:
can't remember how many were in our group, but it was quite a few, and we all stayed in the Hilton that weekend. Place was very nice, and a great spot to start any drive from.
Get out early morning if you can, while the roads are quiet, do the whole circuit as a group, then head out on your own or just with a few in convoy. I found it surreal at first going over a ton on those mountain sections, safe in the knowledge that the police wouldn't throw the book at you.
But be aware:
We had 2 young porche drivers in old 911's in our group, and while they could drive, they were cocks. They were very nearly escorted off the island on the last night of our stay for dangerous driving, reported by a local. Just because the police don't see you on the roads, doesn't mean that the locals wont report you.
have a great time Kosta, send us the link on mlr and I'll keep up with your plans
Edited to add: found the thread
Fortunately we have a few members on the island who will be our tour guides!Get out early morning if you can, while the roads are quiet, do the whole circuit as a group, then head out on your own or just with a few in convoy. I found it surreal at first going over a ton on those mountain sections, safe in the knowledge that the police wouldn't throw the book at you.
But be aware:
We had 2 young porche drivers in old 911's in our group, and while they could drive, they were cocks. They were very nearly escorted off the island on the last night of our stay for dangerous driving, reported by a local. Just because the police don't see you on the roads, doesn't mean that the locals wont report you.
have a great time Kosta, send us the link on mlr and I'll keep up with your plans
Edited to add: found the thread
Edited by cw42 on Saturday 24th January 22:47
I know about the police thing, some lads i know went over early last year. One of them had a Classic WRX and threw it down an embankment. The Police basically confined them all to foot travel for the rest of their stay.
The police on the island seem very fair, if you muck about they'll have you with a warning, but woe betide you if you push it too far!
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