One of my work colleagues one day mentioned that the IOM is, unlike the UK, riddled with Greenlanes you can ride. So with my days off shift being mid-week, Jane allowed me the opportunity to have another mini-tour (bless her) - so I could stretch the XT's legs again. I worked my last 12 hour night shift which finished at 6.30am, got home and grabbed a couple of hours kip before Jane kindly woke me at 9.30am, to get on the road to catch the afternoon Heysham-Douglas ferry.

I arrived on the island just before 6pm, rode half of the "course" from south to north to arrive at the campsite I'd chosen at Ballaugh Bridge. Steve, the owner rides a KTM450 on the Greenroads of the island, alongside his mate, a certain Mr. David Knight, so his advice on where to ride for an off-road muppet like me was very welcome. The site has brilliant facilities and there's also a Pub (The Raven - serves good grub apparently) 200 yards down the road in the village, Spar shop just on t'other side of the main road through it.

Setting up camp


So, up the next day to a grey/damp morning. Turn left out of the campsite entrance and the trails start just 400yds away!







After riding some of the trails, I took Steve's advice and did some of the coastal roads - far better riding roads than what the course has to offer with less traffic and better scenery. Down to the south Castletown, Port Erin, then the Calf of Man.



Peel harbour......



Then back to the site after a rewarding day's ride.

Next day was also a bit of a damp one, but it didn't get in the way of the riding one iota. You always need to dress lighter off road than on, because you're working so much harder. I didn't of course and was soon taking out wet weather linings etc.








Now..... how's this for a different approach to motorcycle use of the countryside?


Greenroad down from Windy Corner on the Mountain, down towards Laxey.




and looking back.......


Had to get one of this....


more tootling on the hills....


The above picture was taken after an end-of-the-day off. Rising out of Sulby, there's a Greenroad which runs through a plantation and seems to climb to the heavens crossing numerous contour lines along the way. Making it to the top in one piece, and in one go was an achievement - frankly you do not want to stop a 170Kg bike on a slope like that. I thought the technical bit was over...... no the track became narrow and deeply rutted with wheel tracks.

Silly old I tried to cross from one to another, unsuccessfully of course, I binned it and went over the front taking my touring screen with me.


Whilst I was dismantling the nose fairing to remove some nut added behind the screws/well-nuts holding the screen on, Steve helpfully got busy with some bodge tape. Brilliant result - I needed it for the return journey.


Next day, time to go home. Brilliant weather (typical) A bit of bimbling on fantastic minor roads over the middle of the island to work my way to Douglas, lunch and gift shopping before the 1415hrs last check-in for the return to Liverpool.





Arriving in Liverpool for Friday rush hour, the route home saw the mother of all rainstorms and closed motorways due to accidents.

Got home 9pm soaked, cold (due to dressing for the good weather on the IOM) but what a trip.

I'll be revisiting that's for sure.

nice ride report, its good to see isle of man from a different angle besides the ttcup films.. sorry about the screen but since you are ok thats nothing... thank you for sharing

__________________
monkey see monkey do