| Author | Message | ||
     Ebear |
It's time to start planning for the IOMTT for 2007.I've been talking with UK Bike Tours over the last 6 months about arrangements and probably just before or immediately after(mid-June)he'll be asking for deposits...So anyone interested in this info please email me your e-mail address and I'll forward all info or pull his info off the forwarded mail and contact them directly. So far i'm forwarding to Ferris,Travis(Tbear)Al(American Sport Bike)and Nelson and Barb and my sister April Barrows.My e-mail is eobarrows@beckman.com | ||
| Davegess |
You can see some TT pictures here http://www.davegess.com click on the TT picture. I hope to have some updated stuff soon. | ||
| Ebear |
Awesome Dave...I've seen your site before and hope to add to it late June of '07!!!Pic's of you and the little lady and all the revelry that we can absorb!!Good on'ya mate!! | ||
| Ebear |
OK...Come on ya people!!!DON'T miss this one...you only live ONCE so make the plans and come along!!----- Forwarded by Eric O Barrows/BII on 02/09/2006 12:45 PM ----- "Bill Roughton" <bill@biketours-uk.com> 11/02/2005 01:33 PM To eobarrows@beckman.com cc Subject TT 2007 Standard info below Eric, but it's relevant background info. TT 2007 people I haven't forgotten you all! This long note doesn't tell you much about 2007, but it does outline my plans for 2006, and I'm 90% certain the 2007 trip will be just the same. There are about 20 people who've asked for TT 2007 places - and I have tickets for about 33, so we're OK. You are all placed safely in a 2007 folder. I was at the Motorcycle Show yesterday, chatting to the man from the Steam Packet. He was taking ferry bookings for 2006 and 2007. The daytime weekend tickets (like mine) are already sold out for 2007. They are just filling mid-week and night time slots now. This is just an update which I sent to guy today...... Hi Mark, I'm glad you read my background information in the spirit it was intended. It isn't intended as a serious criticism of anybody, although there's some mild digs at Harley riders in there!!!! It's just supposed to try and describe how it is. "Hell, man, I didn't know we'd be carving turns" Quote from HD riding customer in 2004. I was at the Motorcycle Show yesterday - I booked a test ride on a Harley!!!!!! (well, a Buell actually), so I do try and be a little bit open minded! The ?200 GBP deposit is the same, no matter were you stay. It roughly equates to the cost of the ferry ticket. So, if people cancel, I don't lose money on the ticket cost. To be honest with you, I don't really want to take any money for the 2007 TT races yet. I don't want the money on this year's turnover. My ferry tickets for 2007 are already bought and I've already reserved the Laxey House again, but I don't really need the effort of dealing with customers yet!!!! I'd rather take the deposits after April 2006 - which is into the next tax year, not this one. However - some people are eager to secure their places and want to send money early. I've modified the wording a bit now - as one American guy took offence and cancelled when he read it!!!! What I'm trying to say is, we all ride at different speeds - those who ride at a similar pace to myself (which I consider "normal" but some think is quick) are welcome to join me for the ride to the ferry port, via 1 or 2 of our National Parks. But, if it's a large group, there's no way we're all going to ride in convoy. It just gets really messy, and some people think we should ALL travel at the pace of the slowest rider - I disagree. I'd rather offer guests the opportunity to ride to the ferry ports at their own pace (with speed and terrain they are happy with) rather than trying to hold a large disparate group together. Some of you have been guests of mine before - you already know the score. It comes as a shock to some!!! Truthfully - I really cannot know every single detail for 2007 yet. I have the ferry tickets and I have some accommodation set aside. I've paid deposits on all my 2007 ferry tickets, so they arew secure bookings. But, I've no idea what the final cost of boat tickets or accommodation will be. I don't even know the final price of 2006 tickets yet. Again, deposits have been paid, but boat prices don't get announced until Jan 2006. Anyway - just for interest really, he's the plan for 2006. The itinerary should be exactly the same for 2007, although the dates will be one day different. I can't say what pricing will be. I'm not going to double it or anything, but if boat prices or accommodation costs spiral upwards, I'll have to pass this on to guests I'm afraid. The 2006 prices have actually come down a touch from some previous trips, BUT, they don't include airport pick-ups or mainland hotel rooms like the early, all-inclusive packages. This means the TT trip price is the same for Brits, Europeans, Americans or whoever. Any "extras" can be added according to need. Extras come in the form of bike rental (many do not need this you see), extra nights pre and post TT, and pick-ups / drop offs if feasible. I need to dig out my 2007 ticket reservations then amend the stuff below to customize it for 2007. If you insist on sending me money now for 2007, then I'll accept it of course. But I'd rather not take it so far in advance. Daft really - because the further in advance that people send deposits, the more chance they will cancel due to an infinite number of circumstances - and the more deposits I can keep!!!!! :-) Seriously though, I'd rather take 2007 deposits after April 5th 2006. I don't want to be paying tax on 2007 income 2 years in advance! Proposal for TT Races 2006 This note is going out to all people who have enquired about my TT races tour in 2006. I've just counted up all the people who have applied to join my TT races 2006 Tour. There are 51 people requesting places. I have 33 places. This ratio is about right. Up to 50% of these people will drop out now I ask for some money and require commitment! I suspect around 20-25 will go through with this, leaving just a handful of places to fill between now and next May. I normally have an entourage of about a dozen mates and "regulars" who always join our camp group at Union Mills. However, if all these 51 people confirm, then I'll need to buy some extra boat tickets. Please bear in mind that there is always some element of "guesstimation" in this proposed plan for next year's TT races. I have to start planning this 12 months in advance, and in the case of 2007, 24 months in advance. At this stage I really do not know the exact costs, range of rental bikes and every little detail about the trip. Ferry prices are not announced until the January (or later) of the same year's TT races (ie. next January for 2006). But, as with every previous year, I just need to press ahead with what I do know, and continue with the assumption that prices or bookings will not change significantly from previous trips. I've run this 5 times now, and each tour runs along the same lines. I can offer a fully inclusive package offering just about everything you need. However, guests join me from the UK, Europe, USA and Worldwide. Some have their own bikes, some don't. For some it's their first time in Europe, whereas for the Brits it's no big deal, but they like to join my group for the convenience and the fun element. People require different things from the trip; some require the complete package with extra accommodation on the UK mainland and lots of extra support - but others just want the TT bit from ferry out, to ferry back. To keep the deal reasonably simple, I'm just offering a basic package to the TT races here, from outward ferry to return ferry, with a support van where it's needed. This way I can offer one price for all. Some people will require "extras" but these are geared to individuals and will be discussed separately with those concerned. The "extras" may include motorcycle hire (either one of my own bikes, or through a third party), mainland accommodation pre and post TT, extensions to your tour before or after the TT races, and possible airport transfers. Costs (2006) Prices in GBP of course Full Race week on IOM (8 nights) staying in hotel or guesthouse One rider, on one bike ?740 Pillion rider ?630 This is based on 2 people per room Single room - if a genuine single (very rare) ?740 But if it's a twin, occupied as a single it's (8x40 extra ?320) ?1060 Full Race week on IOM (8 nights). Camping version Campers per head (1 bike & rider) ?340 Pillion passengers ?230 In all cases, price includes return ferries and your accommodation (including breakfasts for those Guesthouse or Hotel people), use of support van if required, and myself as "guide" if wanted (not always practicable if we're spread out). I can supply items of camping equipment if needed, and the van normally carries a mess tent, cooking gear and a barbecue. Sailing times & dates Provisional Ferry bookings for TT Races 2006 Outward Friday 2nd June, Heysham to Douglas, 14:15 (3 hour crossing). Return Saturday 10th June, Douglas to Heysham 08:45. Ref G358XXX for 25 bikes (inc 5 with pillion). Ref G358XXX for 1 support van. Note the word "provisional". Deposits have been paid for these sailings and they are firmly booked. However, the Steam Packet Company sometimes make changes to their sailing schedules and we are sometimes subjected to (small) changes. The sailings above are about the best you can get. I suspect these crossings are sold out now for 2006 and 2007. If any additional guests wish to join the trips, I shall try and buy extra ferry tickets, BUT, the sailings are unlikely to be as convenient as the ones above. Additional tickets are likely to be mid-week and / or night-time sailings. Variations I always try and keep things as easy as possible, and offering this standard "Race Week" trip is the best way to go. However, there are some people who can only make a half week, or a kind of "long weekend". If you're only going for a few days, I suggest the first half-week, rather than the second. This way you get Mad Sunday, as well as the first main races, and experience some good atmosphere. A big warning though - hotels and guesthouses are very reluctant to take bookings for a just a few nights - they normally only accept 8 days minimum (or even more) as some people go for a full 14 days and include practice week. I am not going to get involved in trying to find accommodation for short term stays; it's almost impossible. Therefore, if anyone wants to join me for a "half-week", you're camping. I always camp. I have not bought any half-week ferry tickets this year, but will try to get some if there is the demand there. A good half-week would be 1st or 2nd June, through to 6th June. This way, you'd get Saturday's races, followed by Mad Sunday, Monday's races, then travel back on Tuesday 6th, which is a non-race day. I will not hire a bike for a part week at TT. Bike Hire Not many people offer bike rental in the UK. Dealers come and go. Many give up the game (too much risk, machine damage, high insurance, poor returns), but new suppliers turn up from time to time. Stock changes year on year, and so do prices and conditions. However see my own website for fairly typical prices. The cheapest bike will be in the region of ?50GBP per day (something like my old FJ1200) rising to over ?110 per day for something like a top-of-the-range BMW. I don't have enough rental bikes for everyone, so have to source them from various places in the UK. I'm not necessarily the cheapest (my insurance is fully comprehensive and costs more than some other policies) but there are some advantages in hiring a bike directly from me. You can pick up a bike directly from me and return it at any time of day. With dealers, you cannot pick-up or return your machine on Sundays or outside their opening hours. It may depend on where you fly in to. I'm in Nottingham (Midlands), but if you're flying into London, it may make sense to rent there if you can face riding on big city streets straight after a long-haul flight! Extra UK accommodation If coming from overseas I strongly recommend you arrive a day or two before you sail to the IOM. You need time to recover from the flight, get your bearings and pick up your hire bike. I suggest you will need at least two nights in England before the 2nd June sailing and at least one night after sailing back on 10th June. Each night's mainland accommodation is likely to cost you ?40 to ?80 (possibly far more in London) depending on the kind of place you stay in, and room occupancy. (for approx ?150 per head I'll pick people up from Nottingham station, help you get the bikes, supply 3 nights' hotels for you, take you out on the town, and guide you to and from the IOM) See proposed itinerary further down. If you've flown half way across the world, with maybe an expensive air ticket, maybe you'd like to extend your trip and see more of the UK or Europe. An extension into the Lake District or Western Scotland would work very well. I can help you with this if required; I know good routes and can recommend great accommodation. Again, this can be set up and tailored to your needs if you want me to. Isle of Man Accommodation - camp, guesthouse, or hotel Camping speaks for itself. We camp on a lively site, right on the race circuit, at Union Mills. It's not plush, (it's a working farm) but the toilets and showers are adequate, there's a shop and cafe on site and a great pub in walking distance. It's 3 miles from Douglas, but there is a bus service for when you want a night on the pop. Hotels - I've had mixed results with these. There is a massive demand for hotel rooms in Douglas, and reservations can be problematic. I've had problems where I've booked hotel rooms 12 months in advance, but then, the hotel has changed hands mid-year and I've lost my reservations! Standards vary greatly, and some places are shabby and overcrowded at TT time. I've not given up on hotels and will continue to track down some rooms. When I use hotels they are generally modest, mid-range 2 or 3 star places. Occasionally, guests insist on 4-star accommodation (such as the Hilton). OK, if you want this I can arrange it - BUT - this type of hotel charges like a wounded buffalo. ?139 to ?179 GBP per room per night during the TT is about normal. This would add an extra ?100 to ?140 per night on top of my earlier stated prices! Guesthouses or Homestay - I've actually had better results and happier guests in recent years by using guesthouses or B&Bs. Costs work out the same as mid-range hotels (surprisingly), as Landlords can ask what they want for the TT. I've used a lovely house in Laxey, and intend using this again. The guy actually charges more than a hotel, but it's a beautiful house in a fantastic location overlooking Laxey Bay. 2005 guests were really happy here. (I can send photos) Laxey is approx 8 miles from Douglas, on the coast, but just a couple of miles from the nearest point on the race circuit, Creg-ny-Baa. The house has a secure garage for parking. Douglas or elsewhere? Many first timers want to stay in Douglas, for the nightlife. BUT - it's busy, crowded, crass and can be hard to find a parking spot for your bike. Repeat visitors tend to avoid staying Douglas, but just visit on one or two nights using public transport. There is a limited amount of self catering accommodation in Port Erin - same guests as 2005 may be using it again. Riding to IOM together Many people like to meet up at my house (possibly hiring a bike from myself, or somewhere near Nottingham) and ride over to the TT races with me. This is all very jolly. A warning however. Some guests think I ride quite quickly (most sportsbike riders do here!), and many riders from the USA for example are unaccustomed to the pace of UK traffic. This is not intended as a criticism, but it is my perception that road speeds are lower in the USA, and American riders are not always used to either our congested main roads, or tight & twisty back roads. We have relatively high driving speeds however, with speed limits set higher than in the USA, and frequently flouted. So, you may wish to avoid riding with the UK Sportsbike riders to start with, and make your own way to the ferry port at your own pace (with my maps and directions of course). We also "filter" through heavy traffic - it's perfectly legal; we do it all the time. It sometimes happens that an overseas rider just sits in the queue of traffic, while all the Brit riders filter through and disappear into the distance. So - I don't expect you ride in a different manner to the one you are used to - allow extra time and pick an easier route if needed. Note, for an early afternoon sailing from Heysham, you need to check into the docks 3 hours in advance. We need to be there not much beyond 11.00am. In the past, I used to leave Nottingham about 7:30am on the day of sailing and blast up the A50 and M6, to get there in 3 hours or less (normal UK traffic flow, 80-90mph cruising speed). The problem though is - for me, this is an easy, straightforward journey - but I've had some guests who prefer not to ride at normal UK motorway speeds, so they need an extra early morning departure...... or they'll never do this run in 3 hours and risk missing the ferry. So, I've learned from this, changed my plans, and we now ride up to somewhere near the ferry port the day before sailing. This means we only have about 30 miles to do the next day and even the steadiest riders can't fail to catch the boat. Even if you don't ride up with me, I suggest you stay somewhere within easy reach of the port on the eve of your sailing, unless you are confident in your riding ability and can handle the motorway dash on the day of sailing. There's nothing worse than a stressed dash along the grid-locked M6 in a rush to catch your ferry. The best solution is to spend the night before sailing in a beautiful village in the Yorkshire Dales. This has actually improved the whole experience to a huge degree. If you choose this "extra" and ride up with me, you will ride some of the finest roads in England and see some spectacular Karst scenery. We stay in a 16th Century Inn and have a night sampling the locally brewed Ales. This is very well received, and is a little bonus on top of the TT races trip. Depending on numbers, the weather and individual riding abilities, we sometimes also ride through the Derbyshire Peak District on the way up to the Yorkshire Dales. Suggested itinerary for 2006 This is the format I always follow - consider joining me at any point! Tuesday 30th May Possible arrival of overseas guests, flying in to London, Birmingham or Manchester. Wednesday 31st May Guests riding up with me, or needing to hire a bike in or around Nottingham, must arrive by mid-day. Pick up rental bike, possible short ride. Evening - visit to local pub, or the Oldest Inn in England (built 1189AD) Maybe load the support van this evening. One night accommodation in Nottingham. (optional) Thursday 1st June Final preparations for departure - do last minute hire paperwork if not already completed, (load the support van if not done already), aim to leave late morning / lunchtime for fairly leisurely 140-190 mile ride up to Yorkshire Dales. If it's raining (like 2005) we'll take a fairly direct route, but if weather is good, we take devious, twisty fun roads! Enjoy a really good meal and several pints in one of the finest village pubs in England. (Sun Inn, Dent, pictured somewhere on my website) One night accommodation in Dent. (optional extra) Friday 2nd June Leisurely start to the day. No need to rush. Leaving at 10:00am leaves loads of time to cruise through the Dales, visit Devil's Bridge for a stop and a coffee, and make our way to the Docks at Heysham - arriving 11:30 ish for 14:15 sailing. Meet other guests at the docks and hand over tickets if they haven't been posted out. Dock in Douglas about 17:30 / 18:00. Host from Laxey meets and greets guesthouse people, Bill takes campers to Union Mills. If you're staying somewhere "odd", Bill will give you directions to get there. Campers - please note, we may not be able to gain immediate access to campsite if evening practice session is still running. In which case, we wait in pub garden and watch race bikes whiz by, until they re-open the roads. Sat 3rd June Race Day Sun 4th June Mad Sunday Mon 5th June Race Day Tue 6th June tour around day - sprints, classics etc. Wed 7th June Race Day Thurs 8th June look around day - explore island etc. Fri 9th June final Race Day Sat 10th June very early rise needed for 08:45 sailing back to Heysham (remember, you need to check in 2-3 hours beforehand) Arrive back in Heysham (midday) UK guests will simply ride home, some overseas guests may choose to visit Lake District (just 30 miles away!) for several days or even go North to Scotland. Many will ride back 3.5 hours direct m/way route to Nottingham (with me?) to return rental bikes. Optional last night in Nottingham with hotel, or travel onward. Sun 11th June Most overseas guests will fly out of the UK today, unless they are extending their stay. Point to note - if you've hired a bike from London, you will be very hard pressed to get back to London before 17:30 when most shops close. Note, they are also closed Sundays, as far as I know. You may just make London in 4.5 hours from Heysham, but it's tight - about 200 miles to ride - use the motorway and ride like the wind. Remaining Actions; Confirm who is definitely signing up for this. Note - for 2006 and 2007, requests have been coming in for many months (sometimes 3 years in advance!). All emails are dated, and priority will be given to the early enquiries. If demand exceeds my 25 boat tickets (quite likely - I had 55 people on my 2005 trip), I'll buy an extra batch of tickets, although sailing times will almost certainly differ from this first batch of 25. Accept non-refundable deposits - ?150 per head for campers, ?200 for guesthouse people. Start to compile a list of who wants to stay where on IOM. Assign people to specific rooms. Find more rooms if needed. Find out who needs motorcycle hire, what their preference would be, and from which supplier. (I'll send a separate note on the options) Find out who wants the extra 3 nights accommodation on UK mainland (Nottingham & Dent) and begin to plan this. (I'm in Dent myself, with friends next weekend Oct 7th-9th 2006 - rooms reserved at both Inns) Compile a distribution list of all confirmed guests. 20 bike plus rider ferry tickets (19 guests plus me), 5 bike rider & pillion (10 guests), 1 van (Stuart, ladyfriend again? Plus one possible guest seat). Places for 33 guests in total. Keep in touch with guests and send them "newsletters" Deal with the stress when people change their plans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What you need to do now Confirm that you want a place on this tour. Confirm what kind of accommodation you prefer - Laxey Guesthouse, Guesthouse in Farnhill (suburb of Douglas), self-catering flat, or hotel (none pre-booked yet), or camping. State whether you need a rental bike, and if given the choice, what it would be. If using your own bike, let me know make, model and registration number, then I can assign you a specific ferry ticket. Let me know if you are carrying a pillion passenger, as these ferry tickets are different and the pillion needs declaring (I only have 5 bike/rider/pillion tickets at present). Confirm your full names, contact details and addresses if not done so already. Send me a deposit to reserve your place. ?150 per head for campers, ?200 for guesthouse people. You can send this by cheque (GBP or USD or Euros - but typical bank charges of about ?25 GBP will be charged back to you) or you can make a direct transfer. If you make a direct transfer, please email when you've done it, and tell me if you've given the payment a reference; something like "Fred Jones, TT2006 deposit" is ideal. Sometime I get payments with simply a reference number, and it's a nightmare trying to work out who it came from, and for what! Obviously I will deduct the deposit from your final invoice, which I'll sent out 4-6 weeks before the trip. Payments should be made to this account... please request account details if you are certain to be booking a place on this tour and want to make a direct transfer as a deposit If sending payment by cheque, it should be made payable to "Bike Tours UK", although cheques made out to W.G.Roughton or Bill Roughton, can also be accepted for this account. Post to my address, which is, Bill Roughton Bike Tours UK 83 Main Road Wilford Village Nottingham NG11 7AP England So, that's it. Send your deposit and you are on the trip (2006 people). I'm sorry but I hold little faith in verbal commitments any more. Many times people have said "Yes" for definite, and I've booked an extra ticket, reserved a room, and I've even gone out and bought a motorcycle for them to hire on one occasion, then they've cancelled. I don't act until I get deposits now. I think this missive covers most things, but shout up if you have a question. Certain sections of my website give lots of detail on what to expect. See the testimonials section, plus all the sub-sections in this area, <http://www.biketours-uk.com/catman/subcat/6/86/index.cms> all itinerary details and prices are actually for 2005 on the website still, but pretty much everything else is the same. Bill Roughton October 2005 | ||
| Ebear |
----- Forwarded by Eric O Barrows/BII on 02/09/2006 12:32 PM ----- mail@iomTT.com 02/05/2006 01:01 AM To eobarrows@beckman.com cc Subject Latest TT & Road Racing News, plus New Competitions for February Here’s the latest News items from iomtt.com, the Official Site of the Isle of Man TT 04/02/06 Honorary degrees for both Dunlop’s The University of Ulster is to honour the Dunlop brothers this summer. Full Story. 02/02/06 Davidson continues in same vein for 2006 Ballymena's Barry Davidson will continue to compete in both the 600cc and 250cc classes for 2006. Full Story. Lougher Claims 2005 International Road Racer Award Duke Road Race Rankings Winner, Ian Lougher collects his third award of the year! Full Story. 01/02/06 Melandri tops time sheets on opening day of Phillip Island test MotoGP 2006 pre-season testing moved to phase two with the majority of teams continuing their race preparations in Australia. Full Story. Ducati Marlboro Team men at work down under Loris Capirossi returns to the track where he had a spectacular crash in 2005 while Sete Gibernau continues his familiarisation with the new Desmosedici at Phillip Island. Full Story. 31/01/06 Free Entries to riders at TT 2006 TT06 Regulations and Entry Forms released. Full Story. 29/01/06 TT Rivals not happy about loss of 600cc Race TT Rivals not happy about loss of 600cc Race at 2006 TT. Full Story. 28/01/06 Michael Laverty takes major award British Superbike Championship rider, Michael Laverty has been acclaimed Irish Racer Magazine, Irish Motorcyclist of the Year. Full Story. 27/01/06 TT stars for MCN London Motorcycle Show Two of the TT’s biggest stars will be at the MCN London Motorcycle Show at Alexandra Palace next week. Full Story. Duke Road Race Rankings 2006 2006 Rounds confimed. Full Story. Duke February Competition New competition for February, plus January winners Full Story. Haynes November - December Book Competition Winners Announced Full Story. Redline Books February Book Competition New Competition for February, plus winners for January. Full Story. | ||
| Ebear |
OOPs...links didn't show up..... | ||
| Bad_karma |
Ebear Not this time but this trip is a dream of mine. Joe | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Any of you people decide to go, let me know first & I'll see you there, I'm already booked to go with a French gang, mostly HD & Buell riders. |
