Hi guys, as promised a joint thread that both Bats and myself will contribute with pictures and little happenings over *our weekend away with 7 other Guys.* Enjoy.* Friday 20th April 2012.* After lots of looking at weather forecasts and speculation regarding rain we awoke to this. * We were set to meet at Planet Blackpool for 08.00hrs. All going to plan as the bikes started to appear.* Here are the names and their ride for the weekend.* Grayman 07 Yamaha R1 Rodders & Raskol Yamaha XJR1300 Bats needs no introduction* Windy. GSXR1000 K5 Here we got Garyb needs no introduction.* Squeaky with his CBR600 Josh Suzuki Bandit 600* Christopher was backup. And chief baggage handler.* With the sunshine we thought we would have a little warm up on the way to Heysham Via one of our favourite routes, over Queernmoor to Caton, for breakfast.* Caton Lay by. Can you spot what's going on here? *
Yes, that old hugger issue has raised it's ugly head again.* After a quick munch we head for the boat. Still in glorious sunshine.* Loaded up and away we go.* Bye Bye Heysham.* Bats tries out his new anti Barf wrist bands. And they worked. 2 Hours at sea and there she is bathed in sunshine, with a hint of cloud.* I.O.M. You Beauty.* Off the Boat and away we go to our digs. Sulby Glen Hotel. Mint gaff.*
Friday afternoon and we decide not to waste what's left of the sunshine so we think nows as good a time to go and get the pictures out of the way.* First stop.* The Bungalow, and let's go and pay our respects to one of the TT's greatest. Yer Maan! Gives us a lift.* We have a look round the old building at the top. Bats has found his new winter project.* Over looking the Bungalow.* Continue to* Then onto Park Ferme.* The Boyz lined up for a game of dominoes.* []
Shame not to.* The pit crew grow restless.* So to sum up. We left Park Ferme went back to the digs. And had a few pints of beer.* Night night. See what tomorrow brings? Oh,and we put the bikes to bed. How could I forget the bikes! They had their own little party in the marquee.* Saturday 21st April 2012.* As usual I'm up at the crack of Dawn. So, instead of disturbing everyone I decide to get out for an early morning 8mile walk. *Not looking good? Saw this and thought of Dan.* Run away Girls.* Scenery.*
Random carvings in the middle of nowhere.* Back to the digs where the troops will hopefully be rising? A shower and one of these.* With the morning weather now looking like this We decided we better get out and make the most of it.* We set off for a run over the mountain, and a regroup at Park Ferme.* Sadly Josh, can't follow signposts and was lost for over an hour. While his dad, and Windy took turns to go and look for him we just stood around talking B###ocks.* Josh found, we decide to ride over to Castletown and have a quick blast around the Southern 100 course.* Hope Bats will have some pics here? What a mint course. 4.75miles consisting of four right turns. A cracking mix of straights and twisting roads.* Guess what. josh got lost. Again.* But a good excuse to go round again. * We head out to Douglas meet up by the harbour,the cloud is starting to build and we are starting to get a few spots of rain. ** We leave Douglas, and head back to the digs, for more food and beer, the day is but over, for motorbikes.* []
Sunday 22nd April 2012 We had a few drops of rain early on, it cleared up by dinner time so we just thought we would have a chill day, we broke into two groups, some went on a little jaunt around the coast, whilst Bats, Windy & Gaz decide to go round the course taking pictures of all the signs.* I'm sure these will appear soon, Bats took them on his camera.* This turned out to be a cracking afternoons fun.* We leave Sulby Straight and head for Ramsey clicking away, we get pulled in for an informative "chat" at the Ramsey Hair Pin about road safety. During our chat, Mr policeman then Announces that the nice man from VOSA will have a little look at our bikes to make sure they are nice and safe.* As you would expect Mr VOSA man takes a sideways look at the bikes and announces to all that can hear, "Not much to look at, they are mint!" Makes us Happy.* Windy snaps me having a decidedly gay walk.* Just before we throw our legs over to continue, we finish our chat and the topic of how fast have you managed over the mountain section was mentioned by the boys in blue.* Windy. Err,Err 72mph officer Me, ooh I reckon I've done 70 ish.* Bats. 1st run I managed 137mph and them two lying mofo's were with me! So we continue our photography and decide our next stop will be Ballaugh Bridge. * Got talking to a lad whilst there, and he invited us along with his mates when they turn up for a couple of quick laps around the course. * One of his mates turns up.* []
Bats decides it would be a good idea to get us on video coming over the bridge. No showing off like. Just a nice smooth ride.* Haven't seen the video yet, but I decided to try and get an action shot so here goes.* That's not Bats Oh heres Bats.* Remember the no showing off.* Anyway back to the hotel to meet up with the guys and see if we are doing anything later other than having a beer.* Parked outside Sulby Glen Hotel.* Eye Eye, what this nice looking Beast? And then proceeds to Pi££ on it. Cheeky mofo.* **We decide because it's still mint weather to do the coast route what the guys did earlier, so off we went on one of the bumpiest roads I have ever known, to arrive here.* A short stop and we head into Ramsey. Now will it be right to the hotel? Or straight on for another blast over the mountain? *The mountain wins Over the mountain to Creg-Ny-Baa Someone having it large chasing down a Ford GT, which I am reliably informed use to belong to no other than top gears motormouth Jezza.* We saw some real strange stuff here. A guy breaks down on his old shitter R1 about half a mile away from the pub. So, what do you do? You put it on the side stand right. Nah. Not here, he just tossed it into the hedge. We pissed ourselves.* Some well good lads here. An experience that shall never be forgotten. Met a lad who use to race, he had a 600 Hanspre with all the toys, this guy was quick. He's got 22000 miles on the clock, and the bikes never left the island. There are some well quick lads here, I doff my hat to you all, but ladies and gents, I think you are one or two screws missing? Back to the hotel, it's starting to get decidedly chilly. We didn't go back over the mountain, I suggested we went the long way round.* I don't mind admitting what I was seeing on that section of mountain road un nerves me, and I certainly didn't want to get tangled up with that lot.* We returned to the hotel, put the bikes away.* The gods must have been pleased with us over the weekend and allowed us our play.* The heavens opened with consistent rain all evening into the early hours of the morning.* []
Monday 23rd April 2012 The roads are still wet from the previous night, and we keep getting the odd shower to top it up.* Seriously we ain't bothered. We have been very lucky with the weather considering the predictions.* Rosemary tells us we can stay in our room till midday. Mint. Only have to set off for the shops and the boats without getting wet too soon.* Some one must have got their prayer mat out? 10.30 it stopped raining, the sun came out and dried up the roads.* How lucky have we been.* All our gear packed into the BMW and it's time to head off. We get the guys memorabilia they wanted and have a quick pint down by the electric railway.* Down to the ferry.* Were moving.* ByeBye Isle Of Man Hello Birkenhead.* Mint. Looks like a wet ride home? A quick ride out of Liverpool to Blackpool.* Took us 50 minutes.* Quite justified really we dodged the rain for the whole of our break. Only to get wet 2 miles from home! I'm sure Bats will be along to add his own angle, and some pics. * Conclusion.* 368 miles.* One Bogging filthy bike.* The trip one again has been a huge success, only made possible by the mixture of people that make it.* Hope you enjoyed our trip? Roll on next year, I'm off to clean my bike. *
Absolutely Outstanding Gary. Bloody brilliant! Nearly pissed myself at you and the Bat thumbing up like kids in front of the Feds. Best thread I've read for donkeys ages. Take a look at this place. Beautiful photo books and book printing. Make your own book These pictures and words will be well worth binding up as a book. I use them all the time for my stuff.
I'm still finding funny bits. This:- "Windy. Err,Err 72mph officer Me, ooh I reckon I've done 70 ish.* Bats. 1st run I managed 137mph and them two lying mofo's were with me!" Just made me blow Cranberry Flapjack up my own nose!
Exceptiional thread Garyb, really enjoyed it and has made me want to go to the IOM even more (if that's possible) sounds like you had a great time. Love the bit about the speed over the mountain, classic, Great Garyb.
Ken If you thought the thumbs up next to the Feds was good. How do you like this one. I wanted one of him in handcuffs, other than the ones from Amsterdam of course But they declined.
