The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
really taking the piss. We're going...

....to the Isle of Man :-)
(if you want to, of course)

Last May I was sat at the bar in Belgium (or was it France? It was
very close to the border, either way), chatting to Cab and the subject
turned to what we would do next year. Somehow I ended up being the
DFV to bring it to the IoM. Drink had been taken..

I'm still sorting out costs, options etc, but wanted to put a marker
down, so people could put it in their diaries, and I can guage
interest

Dates
- outbound 3/5/24, Liverpool-> Douglas, 11:15am
- inbound 5/5/24, Douglas->Liverpool, 15:00
(given mileage will be much reduced, for obvious reasons, I'm also
getting options to return on Bank Holiday Monday, 6/5/24)

Costs
I'm looking at 3 hotels at the mo, and 2 nights B&B for a shared room
ranges from £160 to £200 per person. Single room supplement ranges
upwards from £60 (to £155!)
Extra night, Sunday 5th, ranges from £45 to £65
Evening meal may well have to be costed separately, and gives us the
option to eat elsewhere anyway.
Cost of the bike on the ferry is looking like £80 (but may be more,
for ...reasons....)

So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
nights. Are people interested?
Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
to act a guide :-) Not sure if that's much of a selling point...

Lemme know what you think
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

Champ wrote:

> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
> really taking the piss. We're going...
>
> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
> (if you want to, of course)
>
> Last May I was sat at the bar in Belgium (or was it France? It was
> very close to the border, either way), chatting to Cab and the subject
> turned to what we would do next year. Somehow I ended up being the
> DFV to bring it to the IoM. Drink had been taken..
>
> I'm still sorting out costs, options etc, but wanted to put a marker
> down, so people could put it in their diaries, and I can guage
> interest
>
> Dates
> - outbound 3/5/24, Liverpool-> Douglas, 11:15am
> - inbound 5/5/24, Douglas->Liverpool, 15:00
> (given mileage will be much reduced, for obvious reasons, I'm also
> getting options to return on Bank Holiday Monday, 6/5/24)
>
> Costs
> I'm looking at 3 hotels at the mo, and 2 nights B&B for a shared room
> ranges from £160 to £200 per person. Single room supplement ranges
> upwards from £60 (to £155!)
> Extra night, Sunday 5th, ranges from £45 to £65
> Evening meal may well have to be costed separately, and gives us the
> option to eat elsewhere anyway.
> Cost of the bike on the ferry is looking like £80 (but may be more,
> for ...reasons....)
>
> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
> nights. Are people interested?
> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
> to act a guide :-) Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>
> Lemme know what you think

Yeah, put me down for that! I fancy having a blatt on UK motorways up
to the ferry, not worrying about speed cameras. :-)

--
--
Cab

On Sun, 17 Dec 2023 17:08:26 +0000, "Cab" <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>Champ wrote:
>
>> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
>> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
>> really taking the piss. We're going...
>>
>> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
>> (if you want to, of course)
<snip>
>> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
>> nights. Are people interested?
>> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
>> to act a guide :-) Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>>
>> Lemme know what you think
>
>Yeah, put me down for that! I fancy having a blatt on UK motorways up
>to the ferry, not worrying about speed cameras. :-)

We'd be up for it, although we'd probably choose different days and
ferries! Well, there's always one, isn't there?

--
Colin Irvine
R1250RS

On 12/17/2023 5:54 AM, Champ wrote:
> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
> really taking the piss. We're going...

I wish.

> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
> (if you want to, of course)

Of course I want to.
>
> Lemme know what you think

It's tragic. I have only been out of my county for less than an hour
this year. Dunno what I can manage next year.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS & ST1100 (in memoriam)

On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
> really taking the piss. We're going...
>
> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
> (if you want to, of course)
>
> Last May I was sat at the bar in Belgium (or was it France? It was
> very close to the border, either way), chatting to Cab and the subject
> turned to what we would do next year. Somehow I ended up being the
> DFV to bring it to the IoM. Drink had been taken..
>
> I'm still sorting out costs, options etc, but wanted to put a marker
> down, so people could put it in their diaries, and I can guage
> interest
>
> Dates
> - outbound 3/5/24, Liverpool-> Douglas, 11:15am
> - inbound 5/5/24, Douglas->Liverpool, 15:00
> (given mileage will be much reduced, for obvious reasons, I'm also
> getting options to return on Bank Holiday Monday, 6/5/24)
>
> Costs
> I'm looking at 3 hotels at the mo, and 2 nights B&B for a shared room
> ranges from £160 to £200 per person. Single room supplement ranges
> upwards from £60 (to £155!)
> Extra night, Sunday 5th, ranges from £45 to £65
> Evening meal may well have to be costed separately, and gives us the
> option to eat elsewhere anyway.
> Cost of the bike on the ferry is looking like £80 (but may be more,
> for ...reasons....)
>
> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
> nights. Are people interested?
> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
> to act a guide :-) Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>
> Lemme know what you think

Tempting. I will consult my packed social diary. Might have to keep my
Pahnd Island powder dry for the MRC 50th Anniversary trip in 2025
though. Having done the Ramsey 5000 hill climb twice (1996 and 1997) at
about that time of year, I know the weather can be "variable".

Which machine to take is also an issue. The wee vee will obviously be
going in 25 (if I can still start it). The CB250RS would cope, but the
401 is the more logical choice - except for the ability to carry
luggage. Still, for just two nights I shouldn't need much. I used to
manage a week with just a tank bag and tail pack on the Saturno but that
was capable of taking my huge expanding tank bag. Liverpool via Chester
and the tunnel wouldn't be too boring on a well screwed together 400
single but may exceed my arse comfort range unless I can find a better
seat. CBA to send it off for rebuilding with Bultex foam (the seat!).

Pencil me in as a possible.

--
Moto Morini 2C/375
Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
"Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"

On 18/12/2023 03:32, Turby wrote:
> On 12/17/2023 5:54 AM, Champ wrote:
>> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
>> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium.  But next year is
>> really taking the piss.  We're going...
>
> I wish.
>
>> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
>> (if you want to, of course)
>
> Of course I want to.
>>
>> Lemme know what you think
>
> It's tragic. I have only been out of my county for less than an hour
> this year.
Mexico for drugs?

>
>

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
> really taking the piss. We're going...
>
> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
> (if you want to, of course)
< snip >
> Lemme know what you think

Hmmm, might be tempted by that. It'd be nice not to have to spend the
best part of an extra day going all the way down the A1 and back.

Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
northerners.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

Champ wrote:

> Drink had been taken..

French whiskey, IIRC!
> Lemme know what you think

Unfortunately I think I'll have to pass on this one as I have another
(non-motorcycling) trip to which I've already committed.

--
Chris

On Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:25:03 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

>Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
>northerners.

<sucks teeth>
That option *could* be provided, but I'm trying to save myself work by
keeping things simple
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 12/18/2023 2:23 AM, YTC#1 wrote:
> On 18/12/2023 03:32, Turby wrote:
>> On 12/17/2023 5:54 AM, Champ wrote:
>>> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
>>> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium.  But next year is
>>> really taking the piss.  We're going...
>>
>> I wish.
>>
>>> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
>>> (if you want to, of course)
>>
>> Of course I want to.
>>>
>>> Lemme know what you think
>>
>> It's tragic. I have only been out of my county for less than an hour
>> this year.
> Mexico for drugs?

County, not country.
And no, I don't need to go anywhere for drugs. I grow my own.

--
The erstwhile Thomas
FJR1300, R1200GS & ST1100 (in memoriam)

On 18/12/2023 20:01, Turby wrote:
> On 12/18/2023 2:23 AM, YTC#1 wrote:
>> On 18/12/2023 03:32, Turby wrote:
>>> On 12/17/2023 5:54 AM, Champ wrote:
>>>> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
>>>> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium.  But next year is
>>>> really taking the piss.  We're going...
>>>
>>> I wish.
>>>
>>>> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
>>>> (if you want to, of course)
>>>
>>> Of course I want to.
>>>>
>>>> Lemme know what you think
>>>
>>> It's tragic. I have only been out of my county for less than an hour
>>> this year.
>> Mexico for drugs?
>
> County, not country.

> And no, I don't need to go anywhere for drugs. I grow my own.
>
>

:-)

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 18/12/2023 18:59, Champ wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:25:03 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>
>> Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
>> northerners.
>
> <sucks teeth>
> That option *could* be provided, but I'm trying to save myself work by
> keeping things simple

Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:52:44 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

>On 18/12/2023 18:59, Champ wrote:
>> On Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:25:03 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
>>> northerners.
>>
>> <sucks teeth>
>> That option *could* be provided, but I'm trying to save myself work by
>> keeping things simple
>
>Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
>to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.

No discount would be enough to make us travel all the way to
Liverpool! If we go we'll probably aim to catch the 14:15 ferry on
Thursday 2nd May, and the 8:45 back on the Sunday.

--
Colin Irvine
R1250RS

On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:52:44 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:

>On 18/12/2023 18:59, Champ wrote:
>> On Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:25:03 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
>>> northerners.
>>
>> <sucks teeth>
>> That option *could* be provided, but I'm trying to save myself work by
>> keeping things simple

>Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
>to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.

Having just checked the listed crossing prices on
www.steam-packet.com, it's fair to say that the discounts are
significant! But they will also apply to Heysham too,

I'm dealing with Steam Packet Holidays, for the first time, and I
don't know what magic they apply / restrictions they have for their
prices and discounts.

Anyway, I shall ask if we (as a group) can use crossings from both
Heysham and Liverpool

--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:32:29 +0000, Colin Irvine
<look@colinandpat.co.uk> wrote:

>>Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
>>to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.
>
>No discount would be enough to make us travel all the way to
>Liverpool!

All the way to Liverpool! <checks map> It's 70 miles...

>If we go we'll probably aim to catch the 14:15 ferry on
>Thursday 2nd May, and the 8:45 back on the Sunday.

See my reply to Eddie. The apparent discounts I'm getting from Steam
Packet Holidays are not trivial
--
Champ
neal at champ dot org dot uk

I don't know, but I been told
You never slow down, you never grow old

On 19/12/2023 13:09, Champ wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:52:44 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>
>> Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
>> to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.
>
> Having just checked the listed crossing prices on
> www.steam-packet.com, it's fair to say that the discounts are
> significant! But they will also apply to Heysham too,

Nice.

> I'm dealing with Steam Packet Holidays, for the first time, and I
> don't know what magic they apply / restrictions they have for their
> prices and discounts.
>
> Anyway, I shall ask if we (as a group) can use crossings from both
> Heysham and Liverpool

Much appreciated.

--
Eddie eddie@deguello.org

On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 13:10:32 +0000, Champ <neal@champ.org.uk> wrote:

>On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:32:29 +0000, Colin Irvine
><look@colinandpat.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>>Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
>>>to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.
>>
>>No discount would be enough to make us travel all the way to
>>Liverpool!
>
>All the way to Liverpool! <checks map> It's 70 miles...

I was being lazy in my reply. I should have added that the ferry times
using Heysham are much more convenient, as we we can travel to and
from home comfortably the same days as the ferries.

--
Colin Irvine
R1250RS

On 19/12/2023 08:52, Eddie wrote:
> On 18/12/2023 18:59, Champ wrote:
>> On Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:25:03 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
>>> northerners.
>>
>> <sucks teeth>
>> That option *could* be provided, but I'm trying to save myself work by
>> keeping things simple
>
> Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
> to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.
>
Not exactly a trip for us "mid" northerners.
I'll be more likely to go on the push bike[1].

[1] Again

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On 19/12/2023 09:32, Colin Irvine wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:52:44 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>
>> On 18/12/2023 18:59, Champ wrote:
>>> On Mon, 18 Dec 2023 14:25:03 +0000, Eddie <eddie@deguello.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Going via Heysham would probably be more convenient for us proper
>>>> northerners.
>>>
>>> <sucks teeth>
>>> That option *could* be provided, but I'm trying to save myself work by
>>> keeping things simple
>>
>> Yeah, absolutely. I'd be happy to book it myself, unless you're managing
>> to negotiate a massive discount with the block booking from Liverpool.
>
> No discount would be enough to make us travel all the way to
> Liverpool!

Good sentiment.

--
Bruce Porter
"The internet is a huge and diverse community but mainly friendly"
http://ytc1.blogspot.co.uk/
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 8:54:38 AM UTC-5, Champ wrote:
> Lemme know what you think

Tempted. Specially if you have a bike of mine at your place. But it's a bit close to my kids' birthday. Plus I'm still not giving up on the idea of tomfoolery with Hargreaves.

On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
> The venerabe UKRM trip overseas in early May has been misnamed several
> times, when, for example, we've been to Belgium. But next year is
> really taking the piss. We're going...
>
> ...to the Isle of Man :-)
> (if you want to, of course)
>
[snip]
> Lemme know what you think

Very tempting idea.

On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
> nights. Are people interested?
> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
> to act a guide :-) Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>
> Lemme know what you think

Tempted - only been to the Island once.

--
Pip

CHUMP #1
(CHarge Up MuPpet)

On 21/12/2023 22:20, PipL wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
>> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
>> nights.   Are people interested?
>> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
>> to act a guide :-)  Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>>
>> Lemme know what you think
>
>
> Tempted - only been to the Island once.
>

For the TT or MGP, or perhaps Southern 100?

It's a very different place when there is no bike racing on. Even the
cuisine has improved in recent years, with a couple of 'celebrity chef'
restaurants in Douglas. Last time I was there we though that Paparazzi's
wasn't as good as we remembered, but our homestay host recommended a
pasta and pizza place turned out to be pretty good.

A wonderful, magic, place though. I've been going on and off since 1971
and there are still little nooks I haven't visited.

I have gone so far as ordering some Aliexpress pannier supports for the
401. Just alloy plates that will stop my venerable Oxford throw over
bags from swinging in to the rear wheel spokes. They get reasonable
feedback on the FB group.

So, I suppose, that upgrades my status from possible to firmly pencilled in.
--
Moto Morini 2C/375
Gilera 175 Sport, Husqvarna 401 Svartpilen
Honda CB250RS (Not Waynetta!)
"Do not adjust your mind, there is a fault in the reality"

On 21/12/2023 22:20, PipL wrote:
> On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
>> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
>> nights.   Are people interested?
>> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
>> to act a guide :-)  Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>>
>> Lemme know what you think
>
>
> Tempted - only been to the Island once.
>
As Pete Fisher has said separately, there really is so much to see. I
would really like to go again but can't commit at the moment.

So far 'done' the TT, Southern 100, walked round the whole island[1],
walked across it in a couple of different ways[2], tracked down* lots of
railways, museums, waterfalls, wheels, errmmm...

And on the second day....

HTH

Chris
[1] See here https://www.deuchars.org.uk/iom/index.htm
[2] Millenium Way - still to do sometime.
* Its a pun - ok?
--
The Deuchars BBB#40 COFF#14
Yamaha XV750SE & Suzuki GS550t
http://www.Deuchars.org.uk

On 22/12/2023 07:23, Pete Fisher wrote:
> On 21/12/2023 22:20, PipL wrote:
>> On 17/12/2023 13:54, Champ wrote:
>>> So the bottom line is min £240 to get there and have a bed for two
>>> nights.   Are people interested?
>>> Unlike previous French trips, there's a local (me) who will be happy
>>> to act a guide :-)  Not sure if that's much of a selling point...
>>>
>>> Lemme know what you think
>>
>>
>> Tempted - only been to the Island once.
>>
>
> For the TT or MGP, or perhaps Southern 100?

Long weekend for the last of the practice / first race day of the MGP.
Actually, it might have been the very last "MGP", actually.

>
> It's a very different place when there is no bike racing on. Even the
> cuisine has improved in recent years, with a couple of 'celebrity chef'
> restaurants in Douglas. Last time I was there we though that Paparazzi's
> wasn't as good as we remembered, but our homestay host recommended a
> pasta and pizza place turned out to be pretty good.

I'm not a foodie and have even eaten in McDonalds. In France, anyway.
Come to think of it, last year on the road, one of my evening meals
consisted of two cups of soup from a machine and some left over cheese
and other odds that I had packed.

> A wonderful, magic, place though. I've been going on and off since 1971
> and there are still little nooks I haven't visited.

I was staying in a small hotel opposite the airport.

I visited Douglas, the big water wheel and a disused mine - between
riding the course a few times. Glad they issued helmets at the mine: my
head hit a projecting object in the low roof with some force!

--
Pip

CHUMP #1
(CHarge Up MuPpet)