Road of the grey hill, Isle of man

 

Riding on the Isle of Man

 Home is the Isle of Man that little rock  in the Irish sea the world forgets about until the TT comes along. 

There are plenty of roads to ride other than the TT course. 

The Triumph GT Pro review

 I thought I would give my opinion of the Triumph 900 Gt Pro now I have owned it for a couple of months and ridden it for over two thousand miles.

Firstly it is a great bike to ride, all day comfortable (I have put a Cool Cover on the rider seat). Its nimble through the flicky bits and enough grunt to make overtaking a pleasure. 

The Brembo brakes are excellent, The wing mirrors are the best I have ever had on a bike. The centre stand makes chain maintenance and rear wheel cleaning easier.

As for all the electronic malarky that is fitted to it - I'm still sitting on the fence, in as much as I'm not sure that some of it is needed ( by me ).

ABS - is the only electronic gizmo I am used too and is good to have. 

Traction control & cornering ABS If this system has helped my riding in anyway I have never noticed.

Electronically adjusted rear suspension- I'm used to doing my set up manually in my garage just the once . I don't need to fiddle with it when I'm on a ride.

Rider modes - I changed from dry to rain a few times on my LE trip if it was helping in anyway I couldn't tell.

Heated grips and seat - I haven't used yet but will be great on chilly rides.

TFT display - good and clear, I would like the engine temperature reading  on the start up display and not have to flick through the menus to find it, the same with the odometer which is only read in the service menu.

 

Quick Shifter & Blipper. I very rarely use as I keep forgetting it exists, my left hand automatically pulls on the clutch lever when ever my boot moves the gear lever up or down.

My favourite electronic gizmo is the self cancelling indicators, reassuring to know it's there for those forgetful times. 

All in all its a fantastic bike and I'm really pleased I opted for the 900 GT Pro tiger, but if I had my time over again I would have got the GT version without the quick shifter and electronic suspension and saved myself a bit of cash.

Joey Dunlop laps

 At this years TT races it was the 25th anniversary of  the Joey Dunlop lap of honour. 

A lap that i did on my old Yamaha Fazer. Roll on 25years and I'm here again doing it on the Triumph.

Joey's memorial on the mountain.

2025, I'm on the second bike in this photo, setting off from the Grandstand.

2000 I'm about half way up on the left. About another 5000 bikes are unseen around the corner.

Ferry home

 I didn't need to be at the ferry terminal until 18:30 for the 19:15 sailing to Douglas. It was another dry day. So it was a quiet slow ride stopping off at a biker cafe in Mold on the way.

Return journey to Machynlleth

 No need for wets today hooray!

Williton, where I have been staying the last two nights is a pretty Somerset village, plenty of thatched homes line the main street, It has two pubs a Co-op and a chip shop what more could any village need.

 

I rolled out of Williton early morning under a blue sky, a quick stop for fuel and  I was off through the hedgerow walled twisting roads. 

I planned a 5.5 hour scenic route instead of the 3.5 direct route. Once in Wales this took me through  Wye valley, Brecon,  Black Mountains  and the Cambrian hills.  

Lands End

 

Took the morning ferry to Liverpool. A 2.5 hour ride to an overnight stop in Machynlleth  Wales . 

Following morning it was full wet weather gear for a 3.5 hour ride to Williton in Somerset with one rest stop at a Roadhouse for burger,  coffee and a chat with fellow bikers.

I'd booked an Airbnb for two nights in an old Toll House. 

Set of the following morning at 09:00 in showery conditions stopping for pancakes & bacon during another 3.5 hour ride to the bottom of England. 

As my time of island was limited, I took a direct route this included a boring 30mile stretch on the M5 followed by a monotonous 100mile  on the A30. 

Picture took and a nice cup of tea, I dipped into Newlyn for a cold drink in the Swordfish (zero alcohol)

Time was getting on when I headed back to my digs, I arrived back at 18:15.

LE & JOG  have now both been ticked of my motorcycling bucket list.