By Dan Keyport
A tiny percentage of Americans dream of one day traveling to the Isle of Man in the northern Irish Sea. The rest of us would be hard-pressed to find it on a map.
The Isle of Man has many interesting characteristics.
History buffs may know it is home to the world’s oldest continuously-functioning Parliament (founded by the Vikings in 979 AD).
Cat lovers may know it as the home of the Manx Cat (famous for being both tailless and friendly). Golf lovers may know it as a hidden gem golf destination, as host to eight 18-hole golf courses, which shouldn’t be a surprise, as it is a close neighbor to both Ireland and Scotland.
Rail enthusiasts may be familiar with the Isle of Man Steam Railway, which runs between Douglas and Port Erin with links to the Ronaldsway Airport.
All of that is merely frosting on the cake if you are a motorcycle nut, because the Isle of Man hosts the greatest motorcycle race in the world — the Tourist Trophy (more commonly known as the TT), which runs annually starting in late May.
Isle of Man is not very big. It is only 33 miles long and 14 miles wide, with a population of 84,000 people. That population swells by more than 40,000 visitors during the two-week early-summer TT race event. As you might imagine, ferries, bars and restaurants are full (and expensive) during racing season. Hotels are booked a year in advance. Many visitors ferry in their own motorcycles so they can ride the circuit themselves.
The race is 37.73 miles long with more than 200 turns on a route that circumnavigates the island on public roads, passing through small villages and along winding mountain roads. Spectators line both sides of the road in villages and the countryside.
Riders must navigate sharp turns, stone walls and other obstacles at speeds reaching up to 200 miles per hour. This makes it an extremely dangerous course for both riders and spectators.
The race has a history of more than 260 fatalities since it began in 1907. The race is livestreamed, and YouTube videos of past events abound, each one more outrageous than the last.
Racers must qualify to compete; races are run in a time-trial format at 10-second intervals. The race program includes motorcycle categories ranging from heavyweight superbikes to lightweight supertwins and even two-passenger sidecars.
If you travel to the Isle of Man during the off-season, one of the top things to do is to take a tour, or rent a car or a motorcycle and drive the TT course yourself. Speed limits aren’t really a thing there, so if you are brave and a little reckless, you can get a sense of what TT racers experience.
The Isle of Man is located in the northern Irish Sea, roughly equidistant between Belfast, Dublin and Liverpool. You can either take a ferry or fly into Ronaldsway Airport from England or Ireland.
It is a “British Crown Dependency,” meaning it has its own laws and taxes but depends on Great Britain for defense and international relations. Plus, it has one of the coolest national flags, featuring an image of three armored legs in a wheel, symbolizing that whatever the world throws at them, they will always land on their feet.
The Isle of Man is small enough to navigate and absorb easily. While you are there, be sure to visit Tynwald, the parliament building and go see Castle Rushen, the Port of Ayer Lighthouse, the Great Laxey Wheel (the largest surviving original waterwheel) and hike the scenic coastal landscapes.
If you love motorcycle racing—or history, or cats, or golf—plan your visit now. The Isle of Man may be hard to find, but if you are lucky enough to take in the TT, it is impossible to forget.
(Dan Keyport is a CCLN board member and former Chaska business owner, now retired. For more than 30 years, his home base for international travel has been Chaska.)
