2013 Isle of Man TT

As I sit at home waiting for my nightly dose of ITV4's TT coverage I can hear the distant roar of bikes as they climb Ago's.  I should probably get out rather than watch from the comfort of my recliner.

It's been a slow start to practice week with the weather putting paid to timed laps until tonight. The untimely death of Yoshinari Matsushita during Monday evening's session did nothing to lift the atmosphere. From the many comments posted online, a genuinely popular guy in the paddock who will be truly missed

The weather is set to hold steady for the next few days so hopefully Friday's final practice session and the next day's Superbike and sidecar races can get away on time. I'm also hoping the weather stays fine for tomorrow as it's the works TT BBQ. Due to belt tightening the event is no longer free these days but I shall try to extract value for the money from it. Brews and a view that can't be bought. Not a bad life.

    

I won't give a list of runner and riders and I'm certainly no expert on this but I am looking forward to seeing how new comer Josh Brookes gets on with his Tyco Suzuki and Gary Johnson on a MV Agusta in the Supersport races. I bumped into Gary a few years ago in a late night drinking establishment and a suggestion of "Meat on a Stick" racing was made as a homage to food served at the Laguna Seca track in California. He never got back to me.   

 

 

I've been out and about over  the last few days and taken a few snaps which I'll share below

                                                                       

                                                                               

All I need now is a dodgy burger and to hear Golden Earring's Radar Love and I'm good.

Isle of Man TT 2013

                                                                             

                                          Conor Cummins during practice 2011

Well the 2013 Isle of Man TT is a week away. Let's hope it's a good one. Hopefully the roads have been repaired following the unseasonal snow fall at the end of March. Many of the top riders have been preparing with a trip to the North West 200. From the coverage on BBC Online this preparation has mainly been wearing a rain coat and getting used to cancelled races. 
                                                                                    

                        Michael Dunlop on route to victory in the Superstock Race 2012
                                                          
I'm sure John McGuinness will win his normal quota of races with some of the usual suspects making up the numbers.  Michael Dunlop will make his presence felt if only with his outspoken views. No doubt there will be endless photos of Guy Martin's eyes through his visor. New to the circuit this year is BSB rider Josh Brookes, hard to tell how he'll go.
                                                                               

                           Josh Brookes showing the maker's name at a BSB round

For me TT is more about the social side of things. I used the visit the Bushys Beer Tent every night but age has diminished me so it's only a few trips these days. The wonders of visiting food retailers will also be tried. My place of work normally have a bit of a do but in these times of austerity this is no longer free. The only downside to this are plastic glasses. They add nothing to the taste and seem to get thinner each year which can cause spillage issues if the sides are squeezed. I've added some beer gloves to my set up this year as it normally gets a bit chilly in the evenings once the sun disappears. Beer goggles have always been worn.

Thanks to AJS Images for the photos. There's also a Facebook page.

A couple of other guys I know also take the odd TT snap so if bikes are you thing take a look at JC Images and TGF Photos as well. I'm sure they have links to Facebook and Twitter all sorted on their sites.

Lets hope that the planned 12 day bus strike doesn't have too much effect. ( I just can't stay away from bus blogs these days). Our highly paid drivers have decided that TT is the time of year that they would like off. Idiots.

Isle of Man TT Blogs Gold

With TT nearly upon us I thought I'd raid the vaults for an old TT blog. First published 23 May 2008.

The TT starts tomorrow under some what of a shadow, as seems usual these days. I was hoping to view the first practise session from my normal vantage point of outside the QB with a pint in hand. I've been advised that this area is now caged to protect the crowd. If they cancel the session due to lack of marshals perhaps we could intoduce some inpromtu cage fighting to keep the crowds happy. The junction of Quarterbridge Road and Peel Road makes a natural fighting area. The UFC followers will go mad for it. If the TT ends up disappearing for one reason or another we will have a replacement event to drop straight into the the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
With TT comes the Bushy's beer tent which is my highlight. Its just an excuse to go out more than is normal or good for me and then remember later in the evening that's despite it being late May or early June its still quite chilly in the evenings.

Finally, always remember your feedback is important to me. I might even start addressing any points that you raise. Its been a while since Mike at the Atlantic Bank got in touch.