Isle of Man: Famous for the TT Races and Railroads

TT racer on the Isle of Man
TT racer on the Isle of Man

Isle of Man is an island off the coast of Liverpool, but it’s not part of England. It is its own country, and the people speak their own language as well as proper English.

Max Hartshorne recently returned from a visit to the Isle of Man, and enjoyed riding the electric tram, touring the 37-mile route of the TT motorcycle races, and climbed up into Peel Castle on the west coast of the island.

The Isle of Man was once the premier beachside vacation favored by the Brits during Victorian times. As Brighton beach and other mainland UK attractions eclipsed the island, it became less popular.

In 1907, the world realized that there was a place on earth with no speed limits, that would be this 37 mile island, and the idea of the Tourist Trophy races was hatched. No speed is too fast for these super bikes, and the deaths mounted but still people loved watching the races.

Here is an excerpt from the GoNOMAD story about the Isle of Man.

“I visited the Isle of Man in November 2019, happy to add such an eclectic and storied isle to my destinations list.

Like many travelers, the TT–Tourist Trophy– races were the reason Man got on my radar, a man in New Zealand had waxed so exuberant about the fun he had watching these races made me need to see it.

Today many other motorsport enthusiasts come to the Isle to attend and race in road rallies, over the same course used by the TT Races that take place every spring.

I was not disappointed.

We drove the length of the 37-mile course, over regular island roads, with Andy Cowie, who has competed in the dangerous race for several years.

As we approached each hairpin turn or vast straightaway, he told me about what it felt like to ride this course on a motorcycle, approaching speeds of 200 mph in some places.