It is nuts, that's for sure. I've watched some of the races on netflix, or something. Unbelievable.
I guess that's why it's Isle of Man, not Isle of Pansy, or Isle of I'm-a-big-chicken-no-way-in-Hades-am-I-doing-that.
I would be the latter, by the way....
The TT is my favorite motorsports event. I absolutely love this e36m3. This event is on my list of things that I simply Must do.
Maybe it would be safer on something like a go kart...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=20&v=MOYjQpEO0RM
Just insane.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNXCJt7K3Q
In reply to Ian F:
Just imagine if you had to hold that or greater levels of concentration for 100+. minutes and nearly 228 miles. TT riders are freakish athletes in their own right.
In reply to yamaha:
Absolutely. DH racers are crazy. IoM TT racers are insane.
Ian F wrote: In reply to Joe Gearin: Skiing, yes - also impressive, although it sometimes loses the sense of speed, since it's so wide open. But what I do is downhill mountain bike racing. Examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBgqBglSWL4 Not the steepest of roughest course, but gives a good sense of the speeds they can go. Here's another one (same racer) at a crazy-long race in Whistler, B.C. (most W.C. races are around 4 or 5 min. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf3Ls2di1oQ How he can maintain that level of concentration for 13 minutes just blows my mind. And the strength required to keep the bike under you... And he's just one of the top pros (although still hasn't won a World Cup yet). There are at least a dozen more who are just as fast. Our top US pro is a Cali guy Aaron Gwin (who happens to be leading in the World Cup standings right now after two races with a 1st and a 2nd). This is his race run at a NJ mtn local to me on trails I've ridden on. Some of these sections are so much rougher than he makes them look. For half the run, I just sit here going, "how the hell did he not hit that tree?"... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3cw9j0Nitk
Damn! That's mighty impressive. Mountain bikes have come a long way since I used to ride. It's amazing how fast he can go over the rough stuff. Big skills!
In reply to Joe Gearin:
And a lot of them are doing jumps that would make most amateur moto riders think twice. It's pretty amazing.
Hi all. Long time lurker, just joined to post and say "thanks" for the excellent posts especially the projects.
How about doing the TT course in a production car and averaging 100+mph?
Harvey wrote: Just insane. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmNXCJt7K3Q
This is the best of the on-bikes I've seen.
The Isle of Man is probably my favorite event. No way do I have big enough attachments to do that however. The pit stops with the tire changes are also very impressive.
GameboyRMH wrote:Joe Gearin wrote: the speeds are mind-numbing"Mind-numbing" means boring, you're looking for "mind-blowing" or "mind-shattering." Please don't make this mistake, I cringe every time I see it on Speedhunters. Tell the other writers, thanks
Actually, no. Don't try to play word games with those of us that write for a living.
Mind numbing actually means "so extreme or intense as to prevent normal thought."
In reply to z31maniac:
He's ferrin and forgets the US doesn't actually speak English. 
OK,
I was watching the sidecars at IOM several nights ago.....
Somebody talk to me about the strength and fitness level of the passenger on the sidecars.....
I was never a fan of bar fights, but I sure wouldn't wanna run into one of those guys when he had an attitude....
Velocity is different than Speed channel, but IOM is a welcome addition.
Rog
As a young man I would left for the IOM with 3 minutes notice, at 52 I don't think so as I'm sure I'd scare my self silly. Before I started racing I rode at triple digit speeds on twisty roads lined with posts and brick walls and routinely got airborne across six lane intersections.
I've known a couple of guys who've done it on 50cc and 125cc GP bikes, keep in mind even those will do 120 to 145 mph respectively. They spent lots of time learning the course.
There are several multi time winners who actually resent the "death defying" and "giant stones" hyperbole. They say is ditracts from the amount of effort they put into the events and somehow insinuates they are riding on guts and not skill. What they will say is the margin for error is very thin so you must know every inch of the course and your preparation must be absolute.
It's a tremendous spectacle and I love it but I think people do it despite the danger not because of it.
Tom
In reply to Tom1200:
That's pretty much what runs through my mind through an entire POV run: "how do they learn such a long course?"
And I fully realize how much skill it takes to concentrate solely on that pin-point spot in the distance that isn't flying by at 180 mph. I have trouble doing it at a fraction of those speeds.
doc_speeder wrote: Yeah I'm not sure how I feel about the IOM. I'm firmly in the camp that says our world has become too sterile, and that a certain element of danger is indeed part of the thrill of motorsport and in fact life in general. But there have been a lot of "brave" young men killed at the IOM. Say what you will about how they died doing what they loved bla bla bla. They're still dead. The risks seem too great to justify this in my mind.
I have a feeling that for a certain breed, without such outlets as this, they would just be "Dead" for a longer time on earth.To some people, life is more than breathing in and out.
z31maniac wrote:GameboyRMH wrote:Actually, no. Don't try to play word games with those of us that write for a living. Mind numbing actually means "so extreme or intense as to prevent normal thought."Joe Gearin wrote: the speeds are mind-numbing"Mind-numbing" means boring, you're looking for "mind-blowing" or "mind-shattering." Please don't make this mistake, I cringe every time I see it on Speedhunters. Tell the other writers, thanks
Joe Gearin pulled up the same definition, with a usage example:
Joe Gearin wrote: I got this through the Googles.....so it has to be correct: mind-numb·ing adjective so extreme or intense as to prevent normal thought. "the jury sat through hours of mind-numbing testimony"
I wouldn't compare Isle of Man TT to jury duty, but that's just me...I might be on the losing side of a definition war, but I'll go down fighting
Edit: Here are a few more definitions:
https://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/mind-numbing
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/mind-numbing
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind-numbing
https://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/mind-numbing
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mind-numbing
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mind-numbing
If "mind-numbing" has nearly opposite meanings in British and American English, I can live with that, but I'll have even less respect for American English
Ironic what took out Schumacher! Especially after his comments about Indy. (changes there have been as good as the safety improvements in F1)
IOM is on my bucket list, I'm too fat & old to race it but is would be a hoot to witness. Like Indy though probably better watched on TV unless you have a Helicopter.
Pikes Peak is another fantastic venue, bucket list....
In reply to GameboyRMH:
I would have used mind-boggling.
I have a feeling that for a certain breed, without such outlets as this, they would just be "Dead" for a longer time on earth.To some people, life is more than breathing in and out.
Quoted for truth. And maybe a new .sig. Not that I think I can hang with the likes of Martin and Dunlop, I'm just a hack rallykar crasher but still quoted for truth...
NOHOME wrote:doc_speeder wrote: Yeah I'm not sure how I feel about the IOM. I'm firmly in the camp that says our world has become too sterile, and that a certain element of danger is indeed part of the thrill of motorsport and in fact life in general. But there have been a lot of "brave" young men killed at the IOM. Say what you will about how they died doing what they loved bla bla bla. They're still dead. The risks seem too great to justify this in my mind.I have a feeling that for a certain breed, without such outlets as this, they would just be "Dead" for a longer time on earth.To some people, life is more than breathing in and out.
I think a successful people need a certain number among them who are thoughtful risk takers. At some point, someone needs to test that supersonic jet, be the first one out of the plane with the new chute design, or charge a machine gun nest against bad odds to move progress along.
The fact that the flying squirrel suits and the IoM exist are because for a certain demographic defying death is living life and the productive outlets for it are few and far between. I don't fly that close to the edge myself ... but I won't call you nuts if you want to run the TT or take up base jumping. Because I kindof get it - I have never felt more alive than when I've cheated death just a little.
GameboyRMH wrote: If "mind-numbing" has nearly opposite meanings in British and American English, I can live with that, but I'll have even less respect for American English
Pfft. How can we trust you now? We speak American in this country, not English.
Duh.
A friend raced there as a privateer. Without sponsorship it was a big financial reach for a young guy from California. But as it happens, a local family on the island let him stay in their house, use their garage, et cetera. I don't know if the locals are always so hospitable - I imagine that many resent the races. But it's a big financial shot in the arm for the local economy, and my friend found them to be very accommodating. That said, one of his mates didn't come back. Was flat out in the nether reaches of the island, and a strong gust of wind send him into something hard at 180 MPH.....
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I think a successful people need a certain number among them who are thoughtful risk takers. At some point, someone needs to test that supersonic jet, be the first one out of the plane with the new chute design, or charge a machine gun nest against bad odds to move progress along. The fact that the flying squirrel suits and the IoM exist are because for a certain demographic defying death is living life and the productive outlets for it are few and far between. I don't fly that close to the edge myself ... but I won't call you nuts if you want to run the TT or take up base jumping. Because I kindof get it - I have never felt more alive than when I've cheated death just a little.
Add one more to your "list"
"Drive Race Cars"
Dave Despain said it best many years ago with the passing of a race car driver.
That’s what he would have wanted.
That’s what I would have wanted.
Are those just words of comfort? Or words that justify our love of a sport?
No!
I think that somewhere behind those words you will find a basic division within the human family.
Over there the vast majority fear death above all else. Avoid its risk above all else, and pray they die in their sleep. Never looking the inevitable in the eye.
But over here the arena is reserved for those special few, For those who climb mountains, Fight wars, And drive racecars.
Those special few, That except death is the inevitable result of living.
We refuse to hide from the inevitable.
We concur our fear.
We live our life to the fullest!
Let’s take a moment to prepare our selves.
A quiet moment before the engines roars.
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