TT2004.

I’ve had a busy year and the TDM has only moved since last year’s TT to get an MOT. I changed the oil, lubricated the chain and checked it over, the front callipers had semi-seized so they needed a bit of attention, and the bike was ready to be thrashed northward. I checked out my bike clothing, the leather jeans felt a bit tight. They must have shrunk!

On the Wednesday of practice week I clipped on the Givis, looked at the weather forecast and set off for Liverpool to catch the Super SeaCat. I had a lovely run up. Sunshine all the way up the M40 onto the M42 and joined the M6, switched to reserve at 120 miles and arrived at Hilton Park services at 132 miles. I got a bank loan and had a pot of tea and a sandwich. With me and the bike refuelled I continued north up the M6 to the M62 and straight though Liverpool to the ferry terminal. The Cat was on time and I had a calm crossing, all in all a good trip to the Island.

I got to the Sea View Hotel and claimed my bed. I share a room with Derrick Rowe and he doesn’t arrive until Friday night so I get the double bed and he gets the single bed next to the draughty window.

After a lie-in and the Full Monty Manx breakfast I went down to the ferry terminal to book next year’s ferry for Del and me. The ideal Saturday 13.30 return was all ready fully booked and the options left were 03.00 or 21.45, so either one means a sleepless night on the road. Well done IoM Steam Racket.

Friday I went for a ride over to Bride to check out the opening times of TT Tea

Rooms. This venue is well worth a visit or several, the leader of the pack is the Rev Peter Upton-Jones but the Ladies of Bride led by Mrs Vicky Upton-Jones do all the work with assistance of their children. All the sandwiches, scones, cakes and lemon meringue pie are home made and the profits all go to the local church of course.

The racing and the weather were great, with lap records broken every day. For those who didn’t make it, either watch it on Men and Motors or buy the Video/DVD and book a ticket for next year.

It only rained one day, and that was the Thursday of The 59 Club BBQ at the Queen’s Hotel in Laxey. The 59 Club attendance was lower this year due to Harriet and Steph taking GCSEs, and so no Dick, Yvonne, Steve, Heather and Robin. The Manx Government were concerned that the Island’s cash flow would drop to dangerous levels without them.

Derrick, Wendy and myself waded across the car park to erect the club flag that Sandra Hall had posted over along with leaflets and membership forms. It’s amazing what you can make from ‘papier mache’ 

Many members attended despite the weather and some, who had been seen around the Island, did not. Thanks to Jim the Landlord for the use of his swimming pool/car park, thanks to the Moddy Dhoo motorcycle club and members for running the BBQ and thanks to Johnny Ace for the music. I hadn’t seen water cooled speakers before.

Let’s do it all again next year,