Isle of man trip, info wanted from Phers who have been there
Discussion
Myself and the girlfriend are considering taking the Elise to the Isle of man sometime later this year and I was wondering from and Phers that have been.
- Is it worth going?
- Where should we stay? (reasonable comfort at a reasonable price)
- What should we see?
- What should we not bother seeing?
- How long is long enough on the island without being too long?
- Best time of year to go (apart from TT)
- Are the roads generally in good condition?
All info gratefully recieved
- Is it worth going?
- Where should we stay? (reasonable comfort at a reasonable price)
- What should we see?
- What should we not bother seeing?
- How long is long enough on the island without being too long?
- Best time of year to go (apart from TT)
- Are the roads generally in good condition?
All info gratefully recieved
patmahe said:
Myself and the girlfriend are considering taking the Elise to the Isle of man sometime later this year and I was wondering from and Phers that have been.
- Is it worth going?
- Where should we stay? (reasonable comfort at a reasonable price)
- What should we see?
- What should we not bother seeing?
- How long is long enough on the island without being too long?
- Best time of year to go (apart from TT)
- Are the roads generally in good condition?
All info gratefully recieved
Went last year over Easter weekend and i'd say that was perfect, plenty long enough.- Is it worth going?
- Where should we stay? (reasonable comfort at a reasonable price)
- What should we see?
- What should we not bother seeing?
- How long is long enough on the island without being too long?
- Best time of year to go (apart from TT)
- Are the roads generally in good condition?
All info gratefully recieved
Spent a night in mid-Wales, had a great drive to the Liverpool ferry, and then three days on the island.
The ferry is expensive, but lots of hotels have deals with the ferry company so you're usually best off doing a combined offer. We stayed at the Mount Murray which was nice enough, great parking, good location.
The mountain is amazing, here's an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcPbggrlAEk
That's the best bit of the island really, the mountain section from Ramsey to Creg Ny Baa (the pub).
There are some fantastic places to visit along the coastline, as you can well imagine it's very picturesque. The west coast of the island was particularly lovely.
Weather changes on a dime, but April was nice enough when we went. Mostly sunny, not cold.
Some of the roads on the TT course are pretty good but in general it's about the same as most of the UK, once you go for the 'B' roads they're about the same as here.
Hope that helps!
KO993c4s said:
How lenient are the Police with regards to spirited driving on the mountain course?
There are no speed limits in the "NSL" zones. 
They're fine with fast, safe driving, but will come down hard on anyone speeding where there are posted limits.Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 7th January 13:16
We stayed at the Mount Murray. I have seen the other main hotels and on another occasion would definitely go back there. Downside is that you'll then want to eat there or one of you must abstain from booze.
Whilst you would not drive over the limit, anyway, be aware that the IoM cops take drink driving even more seriously than UK cops do.
The mountain road is less fast than you think because despite having no speed limit it still has corners - not that you can't hit 100mph plus in parts.
Do not speed on the Island...where there are limits these are taken seriously - not least because out on the open road there is no limit.
Driving like a tosser will get you stopped. Driving fast in appropriate locations will not.
I loved the place and would go back simply for the hiking!
Whilst you would not drive over the limit, anyway, be aware that the IoM cops take drink driving even more seriously than UK cops do.
The mountain road is less fast than you think because despite having no speed limit it still has corners - not that you can't hit 100mph plus in parts.
Do not speed on the Island...where there are limits these are taken seriously - not least because out on the open road there is no limit.
Driving like a tosser will get you stopped. Driving fast in appropriate locations will not.
I loved the place and would go back simply for the hiking!
Stayed in a few places on the Isle over the years. Mount Murray as already suggested is probably the best of the bunch. Bit out of Douglas but not that far.
I've only ever been on Manx International weekend so can't really comment on any other time / when is best to go. Rally weekend isn't bad, usually wet on the stages, with it being dry in Douglas.
Castletown stage standing outside the Pub (Glue Pot) drinking whilst watching the cars run through the town was always a highlight!
I've only ever been on Manx International weekend so can't really comment on any other time / when is best to go. Rally weekend isn't bad, usually wet on the stages, with it being dry in Douglas.
Castletown stage standing outside the Pub (Glue Pot) drinking whilst watching the cars run through the town was always a highlight!
Phil and I were lucky enough to go there with the TG crew http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It's a fantastic experience driving at speed over the mountain section without the threat of being pulled over, although as others have said, be careful through the villages and other limited areas.
It might be worth you contacting Dave (F308 MAN) as he lives there and is full of valuable insights into where to stay etc., although I haven't seen him post for some time.
It's a fantastic experience driving at speed over the mountain section without the threat of being pulled over, although as others have said, be careful through the villages and other limited areas.
It might be worth you contacting Dave (F308 MAN) as he lives there and is full of valuable insights into where to stay etc., although I haven't seen him post for some time.
Hi. We have been going over since 2002 but only for the TT. Have stayed on after a couple of times and the island with virtually no tourists is like going back 20 years. The TT course roads are very well maintained but I would not take our gallardo over there and use any of the side roads. A lot are very narrow and not that well maintained. A visit to the Calf is a must, very quiet, grassy banks to just sit and watch the seals etc. Nice restaurant there too. Have only camped at Glen Lough so have no experience with hotels. Enjoy whenever you choose to go
Sounds a little like what I did in the summer,
I went in july. Yeh the ferry is expensive, but they are the only IOM ferry service so no competition.
I would say if you want to do it, you need to do it. I took my Monaro over and had a great time. But I wouldn't do it again. Only because I felt a little restricted as to where I could take it, or where I was prepaired to take it. You should not have as many issues as me in a Lotus... not as wide and shorter wheel base. I did take my astra over about 3 years ago and explored a lot more, maybe cos i didn't care as much about it.
My first black mark came when i grounded out getting up the ramp to the ferry at liverpool. Then i was worrying about doing the same on the way back all week. In the end it was fine, you need to hit the apex at 45 degrees so your opposite corner wheels take you over the point.
Like it has already been said, the TT Course is well maintained and is so nice to fly along on a nice day. The other roads on the island can be a little bumpy.
I don't know about accomodation as i have family over there.
I would say a week is long enough to see the island. But like most places it is so much nicer when the sun is out.
I can post some pics of some nice places if you like.
The IOM tourist board have a website with the events on the island.
Hope my drivell hasn't bored you too much.
feel free to email me if you want some places to take nice pics.
I went in july. Yeh the ferry is expensive, but they are the only IOM ferry service so no competition.
I would say if you want to do it, you need to do it. I took my Monaro over and had a great time. But I wouldn't do it again. Only because I felt a little restricted as to where I could take it, or where I was prepaired to take it. You should not have as many issues as me in a Lotus... not as wide and shorter wheel base. I did take my astra over about 3 years ago and explored a lot more, maybe cos i didn't care as much about it.
My first black mark came when i grounded out getting up the ramp to the ferry at liverpool. Then i was worrying about doing the same on the way back all week. In the end it was fine, you need to hit the apex at 45 degrees so your opposite corner wheels take you over the point.
Like it has already been said, the TT Course is well maintained and is so nice to fly along on a nice day. The other roads on the island can be a little bumpy.
I don't know about accomodation as i have family over there.
I would say a week is long enough to see the island. But like most places it is so much nicer when the sun is out.
I can post some pics of some nice places if you like.
The IOM tourist board have a website with the events on the island.
Hope my drivell hasn't bored you too much.
feel free to email me if you want some places to take nice pics.
The Mrs & I go once a year or so, and we nearly bought property there as we liked it soo much.
Can't speak of hotels as we always do the self catering thing.
As for the roads, as many have said, drive wise and don't be a t
t, even in the no limit zones, and obey the limits in towns/villages etc.
The plod over there are great (if you behave). There's nothing like being waved past by the BiB and being asked to put your foot down in the process!
We usually spend a week to two weeks there each year and tbh, it's easy to do (if you like the outdoors etc) as there are loads of walks, beaches etc. If you have access to a boat you'll have a great time too.
Call the IOM Ferry Company to enquire about which ferry is best for low cars (can't remember which it is atm) as one is better than the other. It also (iirc) departs from Heysham iirc.
Have fun!
Can't speak of hotels as we always do the self catering thing.
As for the roads, as many have said, drive wise and don't be a t
t, even in the no limit zones, and obey the limits in towns/villages etc.The plod over there are great (if you behave). There's nothing like being waved past by the BiB and being asked to put your foot down in the process!
We usually spend a week to two weeks there each year and tbh, it's easy to do (if you like the outdoors etc) as there are loads of walks, beaches etc. If you have access to a boat you'll have a great time too.
Call the IOM Ferry Company to enquire about which ferry is best for low cars (can't remember which it is atm) as one is better than the other. It also (iirc) departs from Heysham iirc.
Have fun!
VerySideways said:
And most of the cops seem to drive Focus STs, and know how to use them...
...by following us around it would appear 
To the OP - I went last year with a trip organised in the TVR forum. Fantastic weekend, and its happening again this year. I plan to go but this time in my 'new' Elise
Why don't you join us? We went two years ago on the PH trip (lots of pics here: http://www.pbase.com/byker28i/isleofman2008)
Despite raining a lot we had great fun and can't wait to get back. Overtaking the copper on the Pan European and hitting 120+ on the mountain stage was fun.
This time I'd like to see more of the island.
Despite raining a lot we had great fun and can't wait to get back. Overtaking the copper on the Pan European and hitting 120+ on the mountain stage was fun.
This time I'd like to see more of the island.
KO993c4s said:
How lenient are the Police with regards to spirited driving on the mountain course?
Pull up a chair and I'll tell you a story.....On the TVR trip in 2008 that Byker mentions myself and a couple of others broke away from the main group and had quite a spirited drive down one side of the mountain. Almost at the bottom I noticed a police motorbike right on my tail. "Uh oh" thinks I. The others saw him too so we all sheepishly pulled over into a layby and he pulls in behind us. Sitting there, brakes smoking, fearing the worst as the copper starts to inspect our cars, he passes round compliments on the TVRs. Then he asks us where we are going. Someone mentions we are supposed to be meeting the rest of the group at The Bungalow on top of the mountain.
The policeman informs us he was heading up there and would show us where it was. I cheekily and in jest say to him "I'll race you to the top"
Copper replies "you can try"
Off we go, full bore
Obviously he knew the road very well and I didnt stand a chance but my it was fun. To top it off, his bike broke down at the Bungalow so a whole herd of TVR owners ended up trying to bump start him. Oh how we laughed
FUBAR said:
KO993c4s said:
How lenient are the Police with regards to spirited driving on the mountain course?
Pull up a chair and I'll tell you a story.....On the TVR trip in 2008 that Byker mentions myself and a couple of others broke away from the main group and had quite a spirited drive down one side of the mountain. Almost at the bottom I noticed a police motorbike right on my tail. "Uh oh" thinks I. The others saw him too so we all sheepishly pulled over into a layby and he pulls in behind us. Sitting there, brakes smoking, fearing the worst as the copper starts to inspect our cars, he passes round compliments on the TVRs. Then he asks us where we are going. Someone mentions we are supposed to be meeting the rest of the group at The Bungalow on top of the mountain.
The policeman informs us he was heading up there and would show us where it was. I cheekily and in jest say to him "I'll race you to the top"
Copper replies "you can try"
Off we go, full bore
Obviously he knew the road very well and I didnt stand a chance but my it was fun. To top it off, his bike broke down at the Bungalow so a whole herd of TVR owners ended up trying to bump start him. Oh how we laughed
patmahe said:
Myself and the girlfriend are considering taking the Elise to the Isle of man sometime later this year and I was wondering from and Phers that have been.
- Is it worth going?
- Where should we stay? (reasonable comfort at a reasonable price)
- What should we see?
- What should we not bother seeing?
- How long is long enough on the island without being too long?
- Best time of year to go (apart from TT)
- Are the roads generally in good condition?
All info gratefully recieved
Pat you have an email- Is it worth going?
- Where should we stay? (reasonable comfort at a reasonable price)
- What should we see?
- What should we not bother seeing?
- How long is long enough on the island without being too long?
- Best time of year to go (apart from TT)
- Are the roads generally in good condition?
All info gratefully recieved
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