The Isle of Man is stooped in a history of racing, from two wheels to four, engine or pedal powered, slick tyres to nobbles. The Manx folk are renowned for their uncanny ability to test themselves against their rivals in whatever racing discipline they choose; thoroughbred racers with a different mindset to most. Their island has its own government, one that mostly welcomes racing in all its different forms. Connected by a massive network of off-road trails, having seen so many dirtbikes over the years, things are on the change a little now, with the dirt tracks now welcoming MTB’s way more than their petrol-powered cousins.

Our guide for the week, Al, an all round nice guy, one of the islands main trail builders and fast as hell!
Our guide for the week, Al, an all round nice guy, one of the islands main trail builders and fast as hell!
The riding is very special on this unique island, climbs can be very tough, but mega rewarding.
The riding is very special on this unique island, climbs can be very tough, but mega rewarding.
The Manx folk are a fiercely proud and patriotic race, this is very noticeable all around the island.
The Manx folk are a fiercely proud and patriotic race, this is very noticeable all around the island.
Al knows this island well, be it plantation riding or out for some coastal path XC.
Al knows this island well, be it plantation riding or out for some coastal path XC.

We chose to visit the island during the infamous Tourist Trophy (TT) fortnight, one of the most dangerous road racing circuits in the world, one where the track is 60.6 km long, where the top racers are now averaging a terrifying 215.6 Km/h around it. These are not wide open closed circuit tracks, these are the gnarliest of narrow roads through house littered streets and big open mountain passes. These are racing gladiators in the purest form, fearless fast and famous throughout the world. It’s hard to get to some of the best spots in a vehicle or upon one of the 40,000 motorcycles that visit for the fortnight, but upon an MTB it’s a whole different story.

The king of all TT's, Joey Dunlop unfortunately died racing bikes, but his legendary status is still so strong on the island.
The king of all TT’s, Joey Dunlop, unfortunately, died racing bikes, but his legendary status is still so strong on the island.
The view from Al’s place, I suppose that’s better than a block of flats in the city!
The view from Al’s place, I suppose that’s better than a block of flats in the city!
Lots of things are different on this island!
Lots of things are different on this island!
The weapons of gladiators, set for one hell of a dangerous battle, this year five of these brave men lost their lives doing what they love; respect!
The weapons of gladiators, set for one hell of a dangerous battle, this year five of these brave men lost their lives doing what they love; respect!

On a recent trip to Muc-Off HQ Here we were made aware of their involvement with the sport of motorcycle road racing, being one of the big sponsors of Bournemouth Kawasaki rider, James Hillier, Hillier now being one of the regular podium finishers. Much-Off had given us the golden ticket, the pit-pass, the shiny bit of plastic that hangs around your neck that probably 99% of the visiting 50,000 people would kill for, so along with wanting to ride the island we wanted to see just how involved this very MTB routed company was in this, the craziest of sports.

Bournemouth Kawasaki team boss, Pete Extance, his brother Mick once an avid UK top DH racer back in the day.
Bournemouth Kawasaki team boss, Pete Extance, his brother Mick once an avid UK top DH racer back in the day.
Rider James Hillier, this guy's fast, and like many a rider, loves the MTB-ing, his mechanic being an avid UK Enduro racer. James podium'ed again this year.
Rider James Hillier, this guy’s fast, and like many a rider, loves the MTB-ing, his mechanic being an avid UK Enduro racer. James podium’ed again this year.
Muc-Off, strange to see it be used so profusely at an event other than a mountain bike race!
Muc-Off, strange to see it be used so profusely at an event other than a mountain bike race!
We thought we’d show them a proper green rocket!
We thought we’d show them a proper green rocket!
Lubing up a chain that shifts a tad quicker than ours!
Lubing up a chain that shifts a tad quicker than ours!
At least we don't have to get on our knees to do it!
At least we don’t have to get on our knees to do it!
The bike had to be gleaming before its pits visit!
The bike had to be gleaming before its pits visit!

We had come over to stay with our friend and future Isle of Man guide Al, the most enthusiastic and nicest of chaps you could meet, a down to earth builder with a fantastic racing history of all things two-wheeled. Al has spent the last few years digging enduro tracks down in the south of the island in the many plantations that surround his house near Ballabeg. We went over and raced their first Manx 2 Day Enduro last year and were blown away with the trails. Al had been busy again upgrading existing trails and even putting a new one in. One the North side of the island, a mere half an hours drive away are more trails in their plantations (a plantation basically being a mini forest) This time though we wanted to experience the more natural trails situated around the island, the open stuff, the natural stuff and the narrow coastal trails; this place really has it all.

Al and friend Steve Collins. Steve runs the up coming Manx Two Day Enduro on the island and is currently doing very well in the EWS Masters category.
Al and friend Steve Collins. Steve runs the upcoming Manx Two Day Enduro on the island and is currently doing very well in the EWS Masters category.
Steve is a member of the Purple Helmets, these guys do some crazy stunt shows on old Honda C90's.
Steve is a member of the Purple Helmets, these guys do some crazy stunt shows on old Honda C90’s.
These guys are pretty tapped to be fair! Often a few of them need to visit a hospital after their show!
These guys are pretty tapped to be fair! Often a few of them need to visit a hospital after their show!
They even dressed your author up and tried to get him drunk!
They even dressed your author up and tried to get him drunk!

Why Ride in the Isle of Man

This place, although only a short 25-minute flight from Liverpool or 4-hour ferry, is quite different to the UK. Although the UK’s money can be used and prices are kind of similar, there are subtle things that are noticeably different. Their flora and fauna is more suiting to a coastal region, Cordyline trees dot the island, giving the place a look more like the Mediterranean when the sun is shining. Wildlife is abundant, as unlike the UK they are devoid of predators like foxes, badgers, squirrels and snakes. The variation of terrain means it really has something for anyone, XC riders and racers will be very aware of the long-standing End To End XC Race race held there annually where 2000 competitors do battle over the 75k event.

Some visitors to the island turn up with some odd machines!
Some visitors to the island turn up with some odd machines!
Apparently this little engine came from Ebay and costs a measly €150!
Apparently, this little engine came from Ebay and costs a measly € 150!
Riding in the plantations is a real blast, Al doesn't like peddling in stages, so all stages are fast and flowing, some up to 4 minutes long!
Riding in the plantations is a real blast, Al doesn’t like pedalling in stages, so all stages are fast and flowing, some up to 4 minutes long!
Some of the views on the coastal rides are amazing.
Some of the views on the coastal rides are amazing.
Wildlife is abundant on the Isle of Man, a nature lover's haven!
Wildlife is abundant on the Isle of Man, a nature lover’s haven!

Getting To The Isle Of Man

Basically you have two options, one is to fly, where the short 25 minute flight can cost as little as £ 60 (€ 75) will cost around with Easyjet or the island runs it’s own ferry service called Steam Packet Ferries it usually costs up to £ 200 (€ 255) for a medium van, but during TT week prices will soar due to the high demand for space. We would recommend that from the UK riders would be best to team up with others, to make a van-full worth the money, as all rider kit can be bought with them.

By boat the Isle Of Man owns its own ferry company. The Steam Packet can be pricey around TT fortnight, but any other time with a van it works out ok.
By boat, the Isle Of Man owns its own ferry company. The Steam Packet can be pricey around TT fortnight, but any other time with a van it works out ok.
Whilst the TT is on, the Germans have a hell of a reputation for being the maddest road bikers on the mountain circuit, they now send out their own police!
Whilst the TT is on, the Germans have a hell of a reputation for being the maddest road bikers on the mountain circuit, they now send out their own police!
Racing is full-on, proper jaw-dropping action, never will you see racing in such a pure form!
Racing is full-on, proper jaw-dropping action, never will you see racing in such a pure form!
These guys are plain crazy, would you hang onto one of these?
These guys are plain crazy, would you hang onto one of these?
The speeds at which riders come past is just insane, you really do wonder how they can do it!
The speeds at which riders come past is just insane, you really do wonder how they can do it!

Getting Around The Isle Of Man

The Isle of man, although quite sparsely inhabited outside of the towns, isn’t too remote. You could do the whole island easily on a mountain bike, but don’t expect short easy climbs; lots of climbs are big lung busting steep ones if on a big XC loop. A great way to experience the island’s riding could be to stay at many of the campsites listed in the Official Isle of Man Visitor Site. We would also highly recommend a road bike too, as the tarmac roads are kept in excellent condition on the main TT course (we certainly wouldn’t recommend riding this during the TT!) and also there is a huge network of fantastic country lanes too.

The sea is never too far from view on the Island.
The sea is never too far from view on the Island.
We could have spent the whole trip in these here small forests, they hide so many track delights.
We could have spent the whole trip in these here small forests, they hide so many track delights.
It's amazing how far some of these guys travelled to get to this famous little island!
It’s amazing how far some of these guys travelled to get to this famous little island!
Certain places change for the TT, here a church opens up as a cafe for the tourists.
Certain places change for the TT, here a church opens up as a cafe for the tourists.
A racers breakfast, no riding for at least an hour after this English (not Manx!) breakfast!
A racers breakfast, no riding for at least an hour after this English (not Manx!) breakfast!

What Bike To Take To The Isle Of Man

Well, this really would depend on your intensions, if you were to compete at the End to End then we would suggest an XC bike or short travel marathon style rig. But for the types of riding we were doing in the plantations or around the islands many green lanes or off-piste single-tracks then we’d suggest anything from a short travel trail bike and even up to a big hitting 160 mm full enduro weapon for the rougher stuff up in the plantations. Although to be honest would say the ultimate do-it-all bike for such a place would actually be a 140 mm slack 29er!

An enduro bike is a great choice for the island, although a short travel 29er would have everything covered!
An enduro bike is a great choice for the island, although a short travel 29er would have everything covered!
Some of the views really are breath-taking.
Some of the views really are breath-taking.
Just don't go forwards!
Just don’t go forwards!
The history of the 108 year old TT is noticeable everywhere you go.
The history of the 108-year-old TT is noticeable everywhere you go.
TT Zero Bikes, all electric, but no E-bike restrictions here, these are now averaging 190kph (118mph) around the circuit for one lap!
TT Zero Bikes, all electric, but no E-bike restrictions here, these are now averaging 190 Km/h around the circuit for one lap!

What Else Can Be Done On The Isle Of Man

On the tourism side of things, there are loads of beautiful sandy beaches for sunny days, incredible restaurants, pubs and of course there are lots of competitive two or four-wheeled events all year round on the island. There are lots of Other things to do on the Isle Of Man as well on the Isle Of Man, including a visit to the steam railways, fishing, trekking, Art Exhibitions, Diving, Climbing, Golf (or an angry walk as we call it!).

The Prodigy's Keith Flint runs a team for the TT, what a legend.
The Prodigy’s Keith Flint runs a team for the TT, what a legend.
This race is big-time on the TV!
This race is big-time on the TV!
Riders head off for their massive and scary race.
Riders head off for their massive and scary race.
John McGuiness, current most popular favourite racer, folk love this down to earth guy.
John McGuiness, current most popular favourite racer, folk love this down to earth guy.
There are all sorts of shows on every evening.
There are all sorts of shows on every evening.
These are great to watch whilst sinking a beer.
These are great to watch whilst sinking a beer.
These guys have the trials bike skills to pay the bills.
These guys have the trials bike skills to pay the bills.
This guy was so close to crashing, great entertainment!
This guy was so close to crashing, great entertainment!
UK freestyle champion puts on a stunning show.
UK freestyle champion puts on a stunning show.
If you know your British films, you'll know this guy Andrew Shim off This Is England, he was buzzing at his first time at the TT.
If you know your British films, you’ll know this guy Andrew Shim off This Is England, he was buzzing at his first time at the TT.

For more info on future guiding in The Isle of Man contact Al on alheginbotham@manx.net


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