A Newbie's Guide to the Isle of Man TT: Episode 2 - Mad Sunday and Riding the Mountain Course

Raven's Ride Outs: Isle of Man TT 2022.
A newbie's guide to the Isle of Man TT by a bunch of newbies going to the island for the first time in 2022.
Episode 2: Mad Sunday and Riding the Mountain Course
Motorcycle trip to the Isle of Man TT 2022 race week.

[@TessaTickle]

i went to IoM for the first time this year. When we went over the mountain, the clouds were blowing up and over us and the visibility was less than 50m. Not fun.

[@v70z650]

sorry you didnt have a great time - the weather wasnt brilliant this year - we were up at the bungalow this year when the horrizontal downpour hit - as you say - not fun - but enjoyed the rest of the trip

[@myponyzuli]

We live here and none of us have heard anything about it being two way next year and restricted 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@v70z650]

really hope that youre right!!

[@myponyzuli]

@@v70z650 dont get me wrong, two way would be more convenient for the commute because that coast road really is tedious lol

[@allanhughes7859]

Sorry to put a negative in but lets not forget the cost these days ?? I have now not been to this fantastic fantastic bloody fantastic event for over 4 years because I just can not afford it !! In my humble opinion the boat companies rip you off In the towns the food and booze folk rip you off a burger in the town cost a great deal more than one out in the sticks Camping out in the sticks costs a lot less and usually much more friendly I love the I.O.M. I love the people I love the T.T. but like all things when monies takes over then that is the end this is sadly the case in any sport you would like to mention Even moto G.P. is on its knees is it not ?? F1 has lost its way I might end up just watching bowls or table tennis or sheep shearing Lawn mower racing anything just anything that does not cost an arm and a leg !!!!!!!!!! Hope I have not pissed on your chips Looks like you had a great time so thats all that really matters I gues ??

[@v70z650]

Hi Allan - the point of making these vids was to give a little information for those that hadnt been to the TT before - as we hadnt prior to this trip - so its all appreciated and you make some very valid points (also speaking as an F1 fan) on the cost of going to these evens i have to say however that we found it all pretty reasonable - we camped at douglas rugby club for £10 each per night - the food and the beer in the club house were very reasonably priced and even the external caterers that they bought in for the even were very reasonably priced and excellent quaily - obviously you have to pay for the crossing but once youre there at the TT you dont have to pay any entry fees unless you want to be in the grandstands etc - even the merchadise was pretty cheap - paid about £14 for a mad sunday t-shirt! i guess it depends where you stay and what level of experience you want but we certainly found it all pretty good value

[@mikebbikesb1800]

So.... Mad Sunday was called that because it was the only day the mountain section was one way to the public, and there was no racing ( unless the previous day was postponed) and it use to be carnage. There were also numerous head on collisions on the mountain circuit at other times. There were also some head on collisions on Mad Sunday when it was suppose to be one way, but people forgot. One the last involving an Ambulance hitting a bike head on. I know this for a fact, as the Ambulance just missed me, and hit the bike a few hundred yard behind me. There was no cones anywhere. There was one year, 1997 I think when 13 bikers were killed, two of them being the boss and the Finance Directors wife of Phoenix Distribution the then UK importers of Arai. Not long after, the Mountain was made one way for the duration of the TT. Final nail in 'Mad Sundays' traditional coffin, was putting the racing on Sunday, but to be honest, them putting the 30mph limit up to the Hairpin, then 50mph, up to the Gooseneck, the cones at the Veranda/Bungalow, and then the cones from Kates to the Creg have killed the proper experience of riding the Mountain section fast. One of the best bits was going flat out down to the Creg, and popping a wheelie on the crest half way down, peeling at the Creg, and pinning it again flat out down to Brandish before it was opened up, then again down to Hillbery flat, before cooling down going into Cronk Y Mona.

[@v70z650]

Thanks for that. I must admit I had been a bit confused about the whole Mad Sunday thing. In the 80s my mate used to come back with tales of Mad Sunday - so going for the first time in 2022 we were struggling to see how Mad Sunday was any different to any other non-racing day. Obviously now it is called Superbike Sunday with the first Superbike race of the week on the middle sunday so Mad Sunday is gone for good.- which is a great shame but I guess the TT has to be seen to be moving forward and putting safety first. But will always be greteful that at least we rode the mountain (allbeit with all the extra cones etc) on the last ever Mad Sunday. Thanks again for your comments.

[@allanhughes7859]

OH NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS THIS THE BEGINING OF THE END ?????????????????????????????

[@triskelworkshop2855]

The manufacturor of those traffic cones must be a verry happy guy

[@CNSTAdventures]

Do you need an in country drivers license? Or will my American license work?

[@v70z650]

thanks for the comment but im afraid that is outside my paygrade! - not sure on that one...

[@CNSTAdventures]

@@v70z650 lol thanks anyway , not sure if I’d be able to drive on wrong side of the road 😂

[@gggggggg3542]

The most shocking thing about "Mad Sunday" is, it's not just bikes than can go fast....... I'm not a biker (I just haven't the balls to ride a bike - - and I freely admit that), but I have driven it as fast as I could in a 6.2 ltr V8 AMG Merc (my previous car)......... I thought I was something special going up the Mountain Mile at 140, until a few bikes shot past, f**k knows how fast they were going........... so I'll just spectate now

[@v70z650]

thanks for the comment - made me laugh - that's a great story!

[@Nick-Emery]

This content is gold, 2022 was also my first TT and I spent a fortune going with DUKE travel with grandstand tickets etc, I didn’t realise you could do it on the cheap. We did get a coach tour around the circuit with Phil McCallen doing commentary which was a great experience. I am already planning a proper trip over there for 2024

[@v70z650]

glad you liked the videos - i know that the TT can be pretty expensive through the package providers - even on our campsite some people had paid a small fortune booking through other providers - we booked everything direct and it worked out pretty well - also looking forward to going back in 2024!

[@JohnCunningham-sy5ug]

This is a dream trip for me being a Yank. Done Daytona which a drinking party and Sturgis 6 times biggest biker event great riding scenery. And smokies ten times I need to see the Isle of Mann looks so cool.

[@v70z650]

@@JohnCunningham-sy5ug it is totally unique - nothing in the world like it - hope you make it one day

[@binners15]

@@v70z650 I booked the ferry and campsite yesterday for next year and I can’t wait, really underestimated how booked up it gets, having to go the 4th to the 6th because there’s no ferries left to get back from the Isle of Man until the Wednesday after the event 😱 but it’s gonna be mine and my mates first time and it’s a year away and I can’t wait

[@binners15]

I’ve booked direct too, would have been around £600 per person for the campsite etc through Dukes and so far it’s £500ish for us both for ferry and glamping, just see how much is left to pay for the ferry in Jan when they release the remaining amount

[@philswann1912]

great video guys, who plays the music?

[@v70z650]

so glad you enjoyed the video - music is from a stock library - its the one thing that does get some negative comments - obviously not everyone appreciates my selection of tracks - thanks for the comment

[@nodtripRS]

A magical place.. Then the racing starts. Fabulous an fantastic at the same time.

[@v70z650]

totally agree - an absolutely unique experience! - biker heaven!

[@TheYorkie1954]

it was mad 50 yrs ago, no speed cameras and not many police

[@v70z650]

would have liked to have seen that! my mate used to go over in the 80s and come back with storied of crazy antics over the mountain!

[@edwardwest5035]

I'm glad you got to do that because that was the last one. Starting next year the Mountain road will be two way, 50 MPH limit and heavily policed. Regards Edward.

[@v70z650]

Thanks Edward - That's a real shame - I hadnt heard that! Riding the mountain course was a truly unique experience and one that I wont forget!

[@edwardwest5035]

@@v70z650 It's yet to be formally announced. Apparently it is to do with the new race schedules which will not allow enough time for the removal and replacement of the traffic cones on the mountain section.

[@v70z650]

@@edwardwest5035 That makes sense - I had seen a news article that said that there would be racing on the middle Sunday from 2023 onwards - so no more Mad Sunday!

[@edwardwest5035]

@@geoffreynoonan4334 Goefffrey, our Manx constabulary have recently announced it will remain one way this year but have said nothing about speed limits.

[@edwardwest5035]

@@geoffreynoonan4334 Hi Geoffrey, our Manx constabulary have recently announced the Mountain Road will remain one way this year but have made no mention of any speed limit. The new race schedule raised concerns about the time available to remove and replace all the hundreds of traffic cones. Hopefully it will remain so.

[@Brainwashedmorons69]

Would love to attend before I die.

[@v70z650]

its an absolute must!

[@Brainwashedmorons69]

@@v70z650 $$$