TEAM AZ Rides Europe: England and the Isle of Man
Last Updated: February 6th, 2021
Part Three of TEAM AZ Rides Europe – CLICK HERE FOR ALL SEGMENTS
JOLLY OLD ENGLAND
I thought I’d take a moment to discuss driving and riding around England. For the most part, it is easy to get around. Major cities like London and Manchester are like driving in major US cities: not fun. Fortunately, the English do a good job of positioning themselves in the appropriate lane and understand that slow traffic stays to the outside WAY BETTER than folks in Phoenix.
Let’s analyze this small, yet valuable point. When riding/driving on the highways, Americans do a terrible job of leaving the inside most lane as a passing lane. Left lane sitters are common. This is unfortunate because I notice traffic moves much more easily when people adhere to this simple principle. What do you think is the motivation behind this behavior? Are you guilty of this habit? I’ve done it a time or three myself, but seeing how keeping that lane clear really helps traffic flow, I’ll be removing that habit from my riding.
ON YOUR LEFT?
By the time I reach the Isle, I’ve been passenger in a vehicle for a week now and have driven a car several times myself. Coming to grips with riding on the left side of the road will take some effort. Roundabouts present the biggest challenges as I have to orient myself; I boil it down to muttering to me these words as I approach a roundabout, “Look right, look right.” Slow and steady and all is well.
A few other items present challenges:
• Standard highways are everywhere in England, but smaller country roads often mean sharing a single lane with oncoming vehicles. The English are quite good at giving way and helping each other out. Being on a motorcycle helps make managing space tremendously easy.
• Gas is a bit more expensive than I anticipated. In extreme cases, I’ve paid more than $11 per gallon.
• Driving a stick shift takes a small bit of time to grasp the motor control necessary. A few trips around the block and it is easy peasy.
Time for the Isle of Man. My friends and I load up into a transit van and make our way to the ferry in Heysham, England. In three short hours we arrive at the Douglas port and our Isle of Man experience begins. What is the Isle of Man you say? Let me explain.
THAT’S A MAN’S CORNER, THAT
To the uninitiated, I’ll do my best to describe the Isle of Man TT races. Scrub that, I’ll just include a video and you can decide for yourself the kind of lunacy I’m about to embark upon.
Without a doubt, the TT races are the craziest thing I’ve ever witnessed on two wheels. The guys who decide to whip around the Isle at speeds in excess of 190 mph bewilder me. I can’t fathom how they are capable of managing these extreme speeds for such extended period of times. I’m just as amazed at how the bikes can withstand the punishment. Truly, the race is a testament to the indefatigable pursuit of excellence.
As a rider, I am floored by the skill level these riders possess. As a human being, I am perplexed as to their motivations. Death is at the doorstep, several riders and participants lose their life while I’m here. Such is life during the TT on the Isle.
The 2014 races are exceptional. Racing happened everyday which is unusual because weather typically cuts into the racing schedule; not this year. I witness a new lap record, Michael Dunlop’s domination of four races, and watch the maturation of several newcomers. The table is set for 2015. How can I possibly make it again next year?
<RiderCoach Bill finds himself UNDER the English Channel and at the mercy of a Belgian waffle!!> <CLICK HERE FOR ALL SEGMENTS>
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