How the Isle of Man led to motorcycle rides in America

“More ‘tt’ memories”
OR
How the Isle of Man led to motorcycle rides in America.

“Its Neil here Jim the i.o.m trip is off for me this year” You will never know how important Neil and his long wheelbase panel van was to the i.o.m 1996 ‘tt’ races. Because of the exorbitant prices to transport yourself and motorcycle to the island by the” steam packet ferry company” for 1996 we had decided to transport  a few bikes in the van, saving vast amounts of cash that could be spent on petrol(gas) to blast around the tt race course- or on beer-- or both!
“oh hell Neil what’s happened- is it illness, bankruptcy or won’t Margaret let you go
    you wimp!”
it was none of these reasons- Neil who was about 46 at this time had never met his dad or even knew where he lived. Suddenly that week neils wife Margaret whilst reading the local paper said “ay up Neil sithi thi das atter findin thi git ont phone lad”--- that’s Yorkshire twang for “Neil your dad is trying to trace you quick ring this phone number”
well that was it Neil got in touch with his long lost dad so the ‘tt’ was off--and Neil was off too------to Canada! Well that would cause all sorts of problems about our annual trip to the island- but we all understood- “go for it Neil we will sort something out”
well I know I shouldn’t say it but it’s time to get on with it and get the bike over the Irish sea as soon as possible and sod the rest of the lads! The problem is 40,000 to 50,000 motorcyclists all wanting to get on the island for the races in about 7 days prior to race fortnight. The steam packet company have a hell of a time coping----- to be fair they have only been trying to get things working properly since 1907 the year of the first ‘tt’ races. So it could all run smoothly one year! Some of the things the steam packet have done to motorcyclists over the years are unbelievable- but we are as they say ‘a captive audience’- it’s the only way to get to the i.o.m with a bike. They have no competition so its ‘pay up’ or don’t go!! So we pay up and do go. For the last few years we have been paying £20 up front as a deposit to try and get a sailing that suits us! But beware if the sailing they give you doesn’t fit in with your work schedule- hard luck no refund- goodbye to your £20 ($35). bike and rider in 2005 was £288 return- why do we put up with this treatment- because------- all together now
        “we love tt week and the isle of man” so we will just go one more time!!

Back to 1996 the only way I could see to overcome the problem of not being able to get a sailing close to the first week in June (‘tt’ week) was “jean sorry I will have to go early this year”…. “how soon love?” said jean---- well not really---she actually said-  “ what’s the excuse this time? Why don’t you just go and live there,--- bloody i.o.m”. we have always had this friendly banter around ‘tt’ time- it used to get quite heated when jean was left with 2 little active daughters as daddy blasted up the road for the Liverpool ferry (happy days!).
But this time jean accepted my excuse of Neil being reunited with his long lost dad. So that was how I arrived dockside at a place called heysham another place you could sail to the island also run by the steam packet about 60 miles north of Liverpool. Instead of sailing at the start of June I would have to sail at the beginning of may 4 weeks early and suffer 3days and more laps of the island course and--- i.o.m beer- leaving the bike in mo’s garage( the very best bed & breakfast we would ever have—from 1990 until poor Maureen passed away in 2002) and return home for 4 weeks- earn some more cash and return as a foot passenger------ simple really--- isn’t it jean!
 Heysham docks.
While I sat at the top of the concrete ramp watching the ship rise and fall, anticipating the slippery metal cheverond plates wet with rain as you drive onto the ferry-- you know that buttock clenching feeling--- big powerful ---fully loaded bike) that year it was a Suzuki 1995 model gsx1100g- great bike big naked retro shaft drive 125bhp,--- just made for slippery ferry ramps!
Whilst I was lost in thoughts of a spinning --sparking and a dis- assembling Suzuki sliding out of control and bouncing off the ship into the Irish sea, suddenly a strong Scottish accent said “hello there it looks  a bit iffy down that ramp”… “too right mate”  Jim said—“ and even after 36 ‘tt’ visits it always gets to me when the ramps are wet”
The scotch guy was riding a Kawasaki zzr1100 so we agreed to pick one another up if it all went wrong. I’d just met angus wing (great name) from Aberdeen. Well we got both bikes safely on and headed for the bar, it turned out we were both having to take the bikes over and leave them and return later for the races. But angus was having his first visit and made the mistake of asking me to join him for a drink and talk about 36 years of ‘tt’ visits. The crossing is generally 4 hours but as all  you BMW MOVer motorcyclists know the next best thing to riding your bike is talking bikes. Well those 4 hours just flew by, not only did we talk the i.o.m ‘tt’ races but---- great stuff---- angus spent a lot of his working life in the usa and was trying hard to visit every state over the following years by motorcycle. He wanted all the ‘tt’ tales and I wanted all his motorcycle stories in America. I had been desperate for a motorcycle ride in the states since I read Ted Simons book called ‘Jupiter’s travels’- it’s a story of teds 36,000 ride round the world. The chapter I remember most is his ride up or was it down( I should remember it’s a book I read every couple of years) the pacific coast scenic route 1. so it is his fault for writing such a great chapter on California and creating this urge for some motorcycling in America ( I still need to ride the pacific coast)
Just before we went our separate ways we went down to the car deck to collect our bikes. there parked by our insignificant mass produced jap crap(as some people call it ) was a “powder blue” Vauxhall 4/4 unmarked and blindingly clean with a ”powder blue” 2 bike trailer attached and two bikes hidden under fitted “powder blue” covers. I was tempted to peek under to see if the bikes were “powder blue”—sure to be!!!!
                         “I wonder who that belongs too angus”
in that wonderful broad Scottish accent “och I here they come its------ Ken & Barbie”
sure enough striding towards us in “powder blue”—designer denims –two visions in beautifully tailored clothing-knife edge creases in their jeans. not a hair out of place and I know you will not believe it-but its true-“powder blue” eyes
   I’m afraid they never noticed either of us as they slipped onto the “powder blue” leather seats—adjusted their “powder blue” shades and cruised majestically of the boat onto the sea front—I hope the sea was the right shade of blue when they parked!!!!
Angus made another remark--- but it was lost in the roar of his zzr 1100”s exhaust!!
I saw the later going over the mountain course but the bikes were still on the trailer but with the “powder blue” covers removed and yes the bikes were “powder blue”

    I believe its called –style—but I don’t think they were really motorcyclists-DO YOU!
When we finally docked at the princess pier on Douglas harbor I thought angus would have had enough of the ‘tt’ nut from Yorkshire- but oh no there he was on the return trip 2 days later in the bar on board ship with 2 pints of ‘bushys beer”  isle of man local brew waiting for more tales and I felt just the same wanting more American info. After 4 more hours on the return trip it was time to say goodbye to angus after exchanging our details.

                                           Fast forward to the year 2000
“ hi angus you are an expert on all things American compared to me- have you been to Sarasota in Florida?” … “why Jim?”… “well ive just seen a great deal for a fly drive to Orlando, and a great spot on the beach at long boat key”… angus “have you ever heard the expression oh lucky Jim--- Jim?”… “why angus”… “well your luck is in Jim my Harley Electra glide is in ‘classic cycles’ Sarasota, I rode to sturgess for the rally a couple of weeks ago and it came back in a truck. I’ll ask them to service it before you arrive. Get your ass round there and enjoy it”

there it stood parked outside classic cycles an electra glide limited edition Harley in the sun – all shiny in metallic bronze and brown waiting for us! I don’t care what you feel about Harleys you have to admit they look magic in the sun!!!! Classic cycles had been set up inside to look like a 1950’s bike shop---- petrol pump--- juke box--- leaky old Harleys and some great looking prints on the walls The best and biggest one I can remember was a scene showing a steam train being raced across the desert by a stage coach and motor cycle and sidecar all three covered in clouds of sand and the bike riders in leather helmets and old style goggles- a magic picture.
Whilst jean was getting on that big fat seat made for a big fat arse( not that jean has a big fat arse!) I was aware of all the traffic on high 72 by classic cycles car park! But within moments of pulling onto the highway I realized how easy that big ol Harley was to ride even two up in reasonably heavy traffic- on the wrong side of the road (for someone who always drove on the left) first stop the petrol station (gas) I cant remember how much gas was in 2000 but I know it was bloody cheap compared to the uk. We now pay approx $12 per gallon in 2005
I know some of you will think its silly but jean and I were just loving it---- no helmet--- no gloves--- no leathers--- no sense---- some would say! But we were wearing good strong sensible shoes so our feet would be ok if something went wrong ha ha!!. We hadn’t rode without helmets since 1973 when they became compulsory in the uk. It was at least 95 degrees and it felt just great the wind blowing through what was left of my hair.
I could see jean in the mirror on that big fat seat made for a big fat arse (not that jean has a big fat arse), with the 95 degree wind blowing through her hair- lots of it- wind and hair! I can remember thinking that Suzuki back home will not do anymore it hasn’t got a big fat seat for ----------- you get the idea!
The electra glide must be great in chilly or cold weather and is fine as long as you keep moving- but at traffic lights in 90degress with those 2 exhaust pipes poking out one side-----  if you will excuse me----- my trousers hadn’t been that hot for years not since I was 20 I suppose!!
I can’t remember how many miles we did on the Harley---- 2 tanks of gas perhaps. But something I do remember is riding over the bridge from Bradenton and Ann Marie island towards long boat key. As we looked over into the bay I could see kids swimming and fishing---- power boats---- wet bikes---- sail boats---- families picnicking – blue cloudless sky. the sun was reflecting off the sea and our Harley and--- unfortunately my head nowadays!
Why wasn’t I born here instead of rainy Yorkshire I would have made a great surfer (to be fair Yorkshire is great we just need more sunshine and less cars on the road)
    “ jean ring Sarasota airport – it sounds great over there get me a ticket quick!”
Another vivid memory is that feeling that the whole world is shaking as you press the starter button on the Harley. I loved that bike and I will always be grateful to neils dad for contacting Neil because he indirectly put me in touch with angus wing! Thanks angus for a memorable holiday.
Does anyone want to know about my san- Francisco bike ride that started in the i.o.m.
            I’m sorry all you bmw mov bikers but if Muriel keeps on encouraging me there are lots more “tt memories to come”