Manx GP Day 5 2 Sept 10

That's it then, the holiday is nearly over. Packed up the mountain of gear I had lumbered myself with and off to the ferry. So, what were the good and bad bits ? Good was the Khyam Biker Tent, it pitched easily, was well ventilated and did everything it said on the tin. The Ruff Stuff 4 season sleeping bag was super warm but the crash zips can jam both ways. It is really bulky - I'll be looking to trade in all 3 current bags for a non mummy 4 season all down bag next. Good too all the people you meet, spent yesterday evening nattering to some Finns with the tattyest 1953 Panther on the planet. Good, make that stunning, is the TT circuit. Did another lap yesterday evening. Where else can you ride the track as much as you like ? Good bits, start to Ballacraine, nasty bits Kerrowmoar, Keppel Gate, great bits Quarry Bends and over the mountain. Easiest place to fall off ? Ramsey Hairpin. It is dead slow and very tight, I finally felt ok by holding the back brake on with the throttle open at the same time to keep it tight going round. More good bits. The scenery, the bike tolerant drivers and friendly locals, loads to do and see, the weather, a truly unique, magic place.
Bad bits ? The terrible catastrophe yesterday when 2 riders lost their lives in the same incident at flat out Alpine Cottage. I rode through later and the 2 yellow incident paint lines crissed crossed for hundreds of yards all the way down the road and in and out of the verges. I was speaking , sorry to name drop, with Nick Jefferies up at Windy Corner whem fellow Gabfester Lynton put the red flag out. I mentioned how sorry I was that his nephew the great David Jefferies had lost his life back in 2003, on unsighted dropped fluid from another bike as he attempted the entry to Crosby flat in top, to be given the response - that's racing, shit happens.
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Manx GP Day 4 1st Sept 10

Another stunning day weatherwise so it's off to Windy Corner for the day. Great start when loadsa blokes turned up across country on greenlaners. Cor that looks good I said to the owner of a Yamaha Serow - here you are he said throwing over the keys, take it for a run then. Great fun blatting down a rocky track and back - a grin all the way.
Racing started with a 120mph lap record on the first lap but promptly was red flagged for a serious incident at Alpine Cottage. An amusing incident followed. 2 racers pulled up and leant their bikes against the gate. A bloke spoke to one of them and upon sitting on the bike gave him advice on set up. He turned out to be 122mph TT winner Nick Jefferies. We all stooged around waiting to see what would happen next so I joined Frenchmen Claud and Stephane for lunch. Nick Jefferies heard us talking in French and we all ended up having a go in French. Comic that the French ate sandwiches whilst I cooked pasta. Anyway, stop press, Nick Jefferies is making a Manx GP comeback next year on an ER6 and a 750 classic.
Sadly racing was then cancelled for the day so it was literally home for an early shower.
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