Isle
of Man TT 2009
As you may well be aware, James Atkinson organised our little trip to the Isle of Man. What a fantastic event the Colin Nelson memorial TT was. Held by Manx Road Club, this time trial is run on the exact same course as used by the motor cycle tt and consists of a lumpy twisty circuit of 37.73 miles. The police were at junctions and all the traffic lights that could of got in our way, were switched off. Competitors enjoyed open roads and while they weren't closed to traffic, when a rider was in sight they held up the traffic. We could ride straight through junctions and right turns on the course without any problem! Top marks to Manx Road Club and the police, please take note! it can be done..... The Isle of Man can!
SOMEONE FORGET TO TELL ME THERE WAS NOT A DUAL CARRIAGE WAY IN SIGHT ON THE COURSE! JUST A SIX MILE AGONIZING CLIMB! 50.3 MPH DOWN THE MOUNTAIN INTO A HEADWIND SEEMED TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHOCK OF CLIMBING AND LACK OF DUAL CARRIAGE WAYS THOUGH!
James had a great ride after being troubled with a knee injury for some time. The tall bloke climbs really well, in fact I would say he is improved in leaps and bounds. James took seventeenth place in 1.45.32. It was a reasonable ride by myself as well, getting fithteenth place with a 1.45.19.... Even though I'm not a climber! Oh and I had all the luck of being put off number 3, what's all that about??? Even though a 30 time had been given prior to event! James girlfreind, Michelle Moris (Leeds Bradford Triathelon Club) did a cracking ride for her first open TT, knocking out a 2.20.46. She has never raced over that distance in triathlons - talk about a baptism of fire. They don't come much tougher events than this. Andy Askwith (Brid CC), our other trip taker had a storming ride in 1.42.31 for fifth place.
After the event we met lots of the other competitors who were very freindly and made us all feel welcome at there event including paralympian, Ian Sharpe who was on a tandem with Stuart Bennett. Our stay on the island was excellent at Kings guest house on Queens Promenade in Douglas, providing somewhere to store the bikes and a top breakfeast for so early in the morning. We had a fantastic time throughout, be it riding the course, traveling the island in the car, exploring some historic sights, enjoying a splendid beach and eating out in pubs. Food wherever we went was red hot, not luke warm as found in many eateries over here!
Would we do it again? YOU BET!
Well done and thank you to James for organising the trip.
Clearly forgetting there was a mountain in the middle of the course I decided to organise a Yorkies trip and with a little interest I sent off the entries for John Colman, Andy Askwith (Brid CC), Michelle Morris (Leeds/Bradford Tri) and myself. OK not exactly a Yorkies trip but still we might be classed as pioneers of our cycling generation?!!
The day of the big trip came and after warming our legs at the Tadcaster league we headed off in convoy for the midnight ferry from Heysham. Once on board we all got some kip on the 4 hour crossing but John being too giddy and excited couldn't sleep and managed about half an hour? Once on Manx soil we checked into our b&b - the Kings Guest House and feeling less than refreshed and fuelled by beans on toast and scrambled eggs we headed out to reccie the course! This settled no nerves as we were left wondering how we were going to navigate the many traffic lights and righthand turns and still have enough in the legs to climb the slopes of the mountain road - Michelle was just happy to have ridden the 420m accent without climbing off. You don't get climbs like that in most sportifs?!
Saturday was the designated day of rest - don't tell the religious types we changed it? - so we headed out to tour the islands many scenic sights by car. On the way we dropped by the islands bike shop - Bike Style. Several riders from the up and coming race popped in the shop while we were there and offered loads of good advice and plenty of banter. We even got discount on the stuff we bought which instantly makes a yorkshiremen happy (note to Woodrups - it is possible for a bike shop to give discount). Getting back to our digs early evening John decided a lighter wheel to replace the disc was needed to aid his climbing - I think laying off the ice creams during the day would have been more benefit?!? After copious amounts of pasta we hit the hay ready for breakfast at 4.30am!
As we forced some cereal down we looked out over Douglas bay which appeared almost mirror like - not an once of wind! Was this the calm before the storm?! We made our way up to the start at the grandstand just after 6am to find the event organisers Jim Cottier and his wife camped out on the line - that dedication for you I'm sure Roy Castle would have been impressed? We met up with my uncle and our designated cameraman for the day Kenneth Stokes. His photography efforts were to include video footage which consisted of a camcorder mounted in a cardboard box duct taped to the back of his motorbike. It turned out to be mostly an indepth documentery on bubble wrap but still some good footage was captured of our efforts over the mountain.
John was first man off out of the us 7.03am - he had Jerry Cross (the only other foreigner in the event) of Manchester Wheelers to chase down. 8 minutes later Michelle took to the road on her first ever open time trial! At 7.15am I was pushed off followed by Andy 2 minutes later. Almost straight away I was up to 45mph as the course decends down Bray Hill to Quarter Bridge. The road then undulates heading towards Crosby and Union Mills. I seemed to be able to keep the speed up the hills above 25mph - I'd caught my minute man at 3 miles and a gaggle of other riders including Michelle at 5 miles - did the locals know something I didn't and had a gone out too fast?? I kept the pace up and hit the first real climb up Cregwilley's Hill from Glen Helen. The top of the climb marks the 10 mile point which I reached at just over 28mins then started the twisty decent down to Kirk Michael hitting 35-40mph at times. It wasn't long before I was over Ballaugh Bridge and on to the Sulby straights, the motorbikes hit 200mph along here but I was happy with 25mph! This is where Andy caught me for 2 minutes but resisted to make chase and took on an energy gel not really knowing how much mountain would bite. Especially Andy who had to climb it on his 54 ring! I made it to Parliment Square Ramsey in approx 58 mins and from there the course starts to gently rise. Once round the hairpin it kicks in and I settled into a nice rhythm catching a couple more riders at the Gooseneck. Andy was in sight and thinking I might be able to catch him the course then gives you one final kick in the knackers, the 27 mile point the road ramped up at Guthrie's Memorial. If you dared to look back you get one amazing view of the Ramsey coastline. The climb continued but less servere allowing me back in the big ring again up to Black Hut and the first bit of flat for a while along the Verandah. Although it was calm down below a strong head wind blew across the tops heading to Bungalow and across the tram lines. I reached the highest point on the course at Hailwood Heights - 422m - with just over 1hr 30min on the clock. The legs still had plenty to do as the gentle decent started, I caught a good gust of wind on the aptly named Windy Corner. I quickly forgot about all pain of the climb as the decent from Kates Cottage down through Creg-ny-Baa at 50+mph made up for it. The quick climb up to Signpost Corner followed the descent to test the legs further before another 45mph drop to Governor's. A hairpin bend into a piece of road closed for 50 weeks of the year - a bit dicey with a good covering of tree juice. Out of Governor's Bridge and straight across the roundabout I somehow found the energy for an out of saddle sprint. The drag back to the grandstand is a long one to finish the 37.73 miles!
Back at the finish the catering staff had put on bacon and sausage sandwiches with tea or hot chocolate. All the local riders were quick to congratulate everyone and made us feel very welcome. We all sucked our ice cream bellies in for pictures and interviews for the Manx TT magazine and Cycling Plus, we were treated like minor celebrates. Nowhere else would they switch off the traffic lights and have policemen at every junction! Awesome event, awesome people made it one awesome weekend!
As the sun shone we headed off to the beach again for a good roast dinner and yet more ice cream......
Results
1st Graeme Hatcher - 1:34:48 - Winner
5th Andy Askwith - 1:42:31 - 1st Vet
15th John Colman - 1:45:19
17th James Atkinson - 1:45:32
62nd Michelle Morris - 2:20:46
Top rides by all, Andy for his all out effort into the unknown with his 54 ring and John not renowned for his climbing and being sent off no3 still turned out a strong strong ride. And not forgetting Michelle in her first open time trial, massive achievement! Stoopid or brave we'll let you decide. Either way we will definitely be back to do it again!!!