ULTIMATE BIKER'S HOLIDAY GUIDE
A trip to the Isle of Man is always a special one, and for those who find the thrill of motorsport runs through their veins, the Classic TT offers perhaps the best option for high octane motorsport action and laid back family holidays to magic destinations.
While the two weeks at the end of May and beginning of June for the TT ticks the motorsport box and then some, the Classic TT offers similar but with the added bonus of being more relaxed in nature. The fewer numbers of people on the Isle of Man alone provide a much more open feel, and with that comes greater access and, arguably, a stronger connection to those competing on the track.
A less crowded paddock gives you more opportunities to get up close to the riders and their machines before they head up onto the startline. While you also are afforded that little extra time to prepare in the mornings before an on-track session begins, you’ll still want to get there early, you won’t be needing to prepare two-to-three hours ahead of time if you want to head out to the bottom of Barregarrow or on the run out of the Creg-ny-Baa and up towards Hillberry.
The relaxed paddock atmosphere gives fans the chance to get up close to legendary machines and the riders who race them.
Choosing where to watch is just the beginning of what makes the Classic TT so appealing, though, as once roads are closed, the bikes you’ll be seeing fly past you are effectively a moving museum. Some of the most iconic, celebrated and worshipped bikes dating back to the 1950s and 1960s will be put through their paces - and these are not mere parade laps, either. These bikes are ridden as hard today as they were when they were the contemporary bikes chasing victory in that year’s Senior TT.
Head out to some of the iconic locations around the Mountain Course - of which there’s too many to suggest - and you’ll be treated to accurate depictions of what it was like to see Hailwood, Agostini and Surtees charge their way to victory when the Isle of Man hosted rounds of the Grand Prix World Championship.
Simply getting to these locations is a reason the Classic TT sits firmly in the Ultimate Biker’s Holiday Guide. Being less crowded is not a feature limited to just the paddock and viewing areas, with the roads also quieter across the August fortnight. The Isle of Man is not just home to the greatest racing circuit of all time, but some of the best riding roads you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Classic racing machines from motorcycling's golden era still tackle the Mountain Course at full speed.
With 13 days of action scheduled across both the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT, there’s plenty of options to visit as many viewing spots and ride as many routes across the island as possible, and it’s worth arriving with a plan in mind. These plans will, of course, be determined by where you’re staying, but with time on your hands and the freedom of the Island before you, whichever direction you set off you know you’re going to be treated to something special.
Some of the best riding roads include the coast roads from Peel to Kirk Michael, a perfect way to prepare for seeing historic motorcycles blast past around Douglas Road Corner and on through the centre of Kirk Michael village, or Ramsey to Douglas, taking in one of the most popular sights on the Isle of Man - Great Laxey Wheel - on your way to the Grandstand and paddock.
Bring your own bike and discover why the Isle of Man's roads are as memorable as the racing itself.
Of course there’s much more than just the Mountain Course on offer when enjoying some of the Manx roads. Port St Mary to The Sound at the foot of the island is particularly impressive in terms of scenery, while a ride up to the north of the Island towards Bride, the most northerly point, can see you catch a glimpse of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on a clear day. While in the north, it’s also worth factoring in a trip to Jurby and the Motor Museum - there’s also a kart track if you fancy swapping two wheels for four.
One great advantage of having the extra time on the Isle of Man throughout Classic TT fortnight is that you don’t have to ride everywhere and can easily take the weight off your feet thanks to the Island’s strong public transport links. On a clear day, there’s few trips better than taking the Manx Electric Railway to Laxey and hopping across to the Snaefell Mountain Railway for a trip up to the summit.
The Sound is one of the Isle of Man's must-visit viewpoints, offering spectacular coastal scenery between races.
If travelling by rail is your thing, then there’s four additional trips to consider; the Isle of Man Steam Railway from Douglas to Port Erin, the Douglas Horse Tram along the Promenade, the Groudle Glen Railway found within Groudle Glen offering trips up to Sea Lion Rocks and the Laxey Mine Railway. These railways, particularly the Groudle Glen and Laxey Mine, only open on select days, so it’s important to plan ahead to ensure trains are running before you arrive.
While you’re making plans across your stay, you’ll also want to ensure you consider where you’re going to eat. No trip to the Isle of Man is complete without sampling some Queenies, and Manx Kippers are celebrated the world over. For those looking for something more comforting should Manannan’s cloak descend, then you can’t get much more hearty than a portion of chips, cheese and gravy, the Isle of Man’s unofficial national dish, so beloved it even has a day devoted to it in January.
Simply put, there’s something on the Isle of Man for everyone during the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT. From legendary motorcycles competing on an iconic circuit to world class food amid fantastical scenery, for bikers searching for the ultimate summer holiday, there’s no place better.
More information on what's happening at the Grandstand during the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT will be available soon, with details of entertainment, exhibitions, rider appearances and off-track attractions set to be confirmed. Keep an eye out for updates as plans for this year's event continue to take shape.
