Group of motorcyclists based in South Wales UK. Adventures on motorcycles: motorcycle touring, ride outs, and trips. Dragon Ravens tour of Scotland and NC500 2021.
So.... Mad Sunday was called that because it was the only day the mountain section was one way to the public, and there was no racing ( unless the previous day was postponed) and it use to be carnage. There were also numerous head on collisions on the mountain circuit at other times. There were also some head on collisions on Mad Sunday when it was suppose to be one way, but people forgot. One the last involving an Ambulance hitting a bike head on. I know this for a fact, as the Ambulance just missed me, and hit the bike a few hundred yard behind me. There was no cones anywhere. There was one year, 1997 I think when 13 bikers were killed, two of them being the boss and the Finance Directors wife of Phoenix Distribution the then UK importers of Arai. Not long after, the Mountain was made one way for the duration of the TT. Final nail in 'Mad Sundays' traditional coffin, was putting the racing on Sunday, but to be honest, them putting the 30mph limit up to the Hairpin, then 50mph, up to the Gooseneck, the cones at the Veranda/Bungalow, and then the cones from Kates to the Creg have killed the proper experience of riding the Mountain section fast. One of the best bits was going flat out down to the Creg, and popping a wheelie on the crest half way down, peeling at the Creg, and pinning it again flat out down to Brandish before it was opened up, then again down to Hillbery flat, before cooling down going into Cronk Y Mona.
Thanks for that. I must admit I had been a bit confused about the whole Mad Sunday thing. In the 80s my mate used to come back with tales of Mad Sunday - so going for the first time in 2022 we were struggling to see how Mad Sunday was any different to any other non-racing day. Obviously now it is called Superbike Sunday with the first Superbike race of the week on the middle sunday so Mad Sunday is gone for good.- which is a great shame but I guess the TT has to be seen to be moving forward and putting safety first. But will always be greteful that at least we rode the mountain (allbeit with all the extra cones etc) on the last ever Mad Sunday. Thanks again for your comments.
i went to IoM for the first time this year. When we went over the mountain, the clouds were blowing up and over us and the visibility was less than 50m. Not fun.
Great footage lads. Looks like a blast!. I'm doing a tour of Ireland in September. Out of interest what kind of mileage did you do each day?. Cheers, Al.
Thanks for the kind words. We are sure that you will enjoy your trip in Sept. We were trying to keep the mileage down after overdoing it on our previous trip to Scotland. I think (from memory) that we were trying to keep it under 150 miles a day. Even that was quite committed. We did make a few stop offs but the roads are quite slow along the WAW route being mainly coast roads - so you have to allow extra time for that.
@@v70z650 Thanks for getting back to me. Your help is very much appreciated. We are looking around 150 a day other than a blast up from Cork to Dublin on the last day in Ireland. If we have half as good a time as you lot we will be fine! 😀
Thanks for the comment. That is probably worth bearing in mind as the ferry crossings can sell out very quickly especially for the most popular times. We went out on the middle saturday this year and returned on the sunday after the senior TT and the ferries were rammed. Thanks again for the tip.
i all started with my mate going over in the 80s too and coming back with stories of the racing, mad sunday and partying - was on the bucket list for a long time but we finally got there - and were going back in less than 2 weeks time! glad you enjoyed the vid!
Love the video of your tour; I'm planning to ride some of the Wild Atlantic Way this year. What month was this filmed, asking to judge weather conditions 😳 🤔
thanks for the kind words - always gratifying to know that people enjoy the vids - we did the trip in early June 2023 - we actually had pretty good weather (with a few clouds and just a bit if rain) - pretty warm the whole time - although the locals did keep saying that was unusual! - hope that helps!
Nice video mate seen you have a lot of amazing roads on the trip . Your videos are helping me a lot on the planning of the trip as I am doing with our group for 6 days around whole wild Atlantic way . Just quick question when did you did the trip as weather seen to be cold ? How you found speed cámaras and vans around the trip ?
Thanks for the comment and glad that you enjoyed the videos. We went in early June. The weather was actually pretty warm overall. I cant say that we had any trouble with speed cameras / speed traps anywhere on the route - I dont remember seeing any really. Hope you have a great trip.
@@v70z650 Thanks for reply I am Right now watching the last part video of your trip you seen a nice group of friends and you pal Jemmsy always smiles 😃. We doing a whole round trip around Ireland when I have the videos I will post them from my utube channel not this one and will let you know for you to check it out . Try to do the Nc500 if you can you guys will enjoyed .
Thanks for the comment: Yes - we are off to the TT for race week this year. We are going out on the Saturday in between practice and race weeks so that we can do the Memorial Ride on Mad Sunday and then staying the whole week until after the Senior - Cant wait!!
@@v70z650 no problem! And i cant wait either! At least you might get the tail end of practice week and then race week. And hopefully no lady in a range rover again 🤣😂
Thanks for the comment. I did notice Glin Caste - interesting to know that Dominic West lives there. These tours are full of interesting places that you never know about until you are there. The problem is there is never enough time to take it all in!
Hi Neil - thanks again for the comments. The Wild Atlantic Way is a great route and very well organised and signposted, with lots of viewpoints to stop and see. I think my main suggestion would be to allow time to visit some of the viewpoints and stop-offs along the route. They are often on small dead-end tracks off the main route. We didn't really have time to visit enough of them.
Thanks for the comment. I am certain you would have a fantastic time. The scenery is simply stunning - we particularly liked the first 3 peninsulas which were beautiful.
I live in Galway . I came over 35 years ago and didnt go home lol. Did you get cought out by the snow??? Nice to see you buys over here . Just wait untill you see the roads around Donegal .Wow fantastic roads . If you go to Killybegs you must try the sea food at the little sea food cabin on the sea front .The best in Ireland . Looking forwards to more streams . Just subed . 👍👍👍👍
thanks for the comment - as we only get a week at a time for our trips we split the WAW into 2 parts - completing Cork - Galway last year and aiming to do the northern half next year - so very glad to get a few tips! - thanks for the sub!
I spent several summers in Kilbaha logging rock sequences @ 08:48 for a PhD. project. I used always love to see groups of bikers pass as I'm a lifelong biker myself. Co. Clare is absolutely gorgeous and it's a pity ye didn't explore the Bridges of Ross as it's a very famous geological location. I suppose it's impossible to see everything when you're on a tight timeline. Great video.
... as with all of these trips you only find the good stuff when youre actually there and as you say there is never enough time to stop to see everything - but we had a great time and will be back for more!
yes - you can use the circuit to get to your chosen viewing spot and to move around the island before and after the racing - the road closure and reopening times are notified in advance (on social media and through many other channels) - this can be quite flexible if the race schedule changes (and it often does) - the most important thing is that the closures are enforced ridgidly so give yourself plenty of time to get to where you want to go as once the roads close you will be diverted off the circuit wherever you are - hope that helps - thanks for the question
I would say that it is definitely advisable to pre-book the camping at the rugby club - from our experience in 2022 there may have been a few free tent spaces but not many - most of the spaces were full and all of the pre-erected tents etc were definitely sold out - hope that helps
10:17 Schull is pronounced Skull. Lolz. 14:25 is Barleycove. I live in Co. Cork myself and never tire of these views. I try to get there once or twice at least each year. West Cork and West Kerry are heaven on earth......when the sun shines.😊
thanks for the comment and the pronouncation - apologies for that! we were blown away by the scenery - simply spectacular! have done the west coast of scotland - which is amazing - but south west ireland may just take the crown! enjoy!
just watching now ...i live in Clare and i still haven't done the trip myself...only bits here and there.....but during the summer after the TT i'll be getting my s..t together and get more done...by the way at 9.50 its an irish name and is pronounced as"skull" lol.....
Awesome little TT playlist. I went in 23 on mates dad’s boat and booked a ferry to return with my bike in 24. Watching the TT playlist has just added to my excitement to return
Ok, for when you go back, let me pass on a recommendation I got from the guy at my bike rental place. On the north east coast, seek out the "Torr - Cushendun" road. It's a little off the beaten path but worth the effort, especially on the clear blue sky day I had. Again, what a beautiful country. Cheers.
Tour de l’Irlande prévue en 2025 avec une MOTO GUZZI V85TT et une HONDA NTV en 19 jours. Pour 2024 en 19 jours également ce sera le tour de la Corse. Salutations motarde et bonjour de France.✌🏍
thanks for the comment - you will love Ireland - hope you have the west coast on your itinerary - im sure corsica will be pretty special too - we have the pyranese scheduled for 2025
@@v70z650 Oh yes. First day : Orléans - Cherbourg Second and third day : Dublin Fourth day : Dublin - Bray head - cascade powercourt - black castle -brownshill portal tomb - Kilkenny Fifth day : Kilkenny - Hore Abbey - Cork Sixth day : Cork - hold head of kingsale - timoleague abbey friary - cromlech of dromberg - mizen head - Kenmare seventh day : Kenmare - healy pass - dursey island - Kenmare eighth day : Kenmare - troc water fall - gap of dunloe - black valley - library point - Ross castle ninth day : kennmare - connor pass - Tralee tenth day : Tralee Tarbert Doolin eleventh day : doolin twelfth day : Doolin - Galway - derrada west - sky road and lower skyroad thirteenth day : hiking fourteenth day : hinking (diamond hill) - aasleagh falls - newport fifteenth day : newport - keem beach - bangor erris - Sligo sixteenth : Sligo - glencar waterfall - gleniff horseshoe - donegal - sleave league - malin beg - Donegal seventeenth : Donegal - Maghera beach - assaranca waterfal - col de glengesh - Donegal eighteenth day : Donegal - Dublin - ferry nineteenth day : Cherbourg - Orléans ✌🏍
Thanks for the great memories. I did a solo counterclockwise version of your trip last year over 8 days on a rented bike, starting and finishing near Belfast. I've ridden in lots of countries around the world (I live in California) but for some reason that trip is one of my all time favorites. What a beautiful country. I look forward to the next episode. Thanks again.
Thanks Peter We loved this trip and found the scenery to be spectacular. We only did half of the route, as far as Galway (over 5 days) but plan to return to complete the northern half. Working on Ep 2 right now...
thanks for the question: it could indeed be an option but from everything that I have heard, rental accommodation is in high demand during race week especially, with many places being booked up to a year in advance - so I would recommend booking as early as possible
so glad you enjoyed the video - music is from a stock library - its the one thing that does get some negative comments - obviously not everyone appreciates my selection of tracks - thanks for the comment
Brilliant video. I’m sorry to hear about your friend who passed way to early. I’ve had similar. Your mate James over the cattle grid!! Haha absolute legend!! Hope he’s ok. These vids are brill mate
thanks for the kind words - really nice to hear that people enjoy the videos - jamesie was fine and soon recovered but he always seems to be the one having the mishaps on tour!
thanks for the kind words - always appreciated - we will be back in 2024 too - cant wait - just so you know: the ferry crossings for 2024 go on sale this monday (22nd May 2023) - you can book crossings with an £80 deposit
@@v70z650 thanks, ye I’ve already set an alarm to book the ferry, the problem I have now is the misses is looking at pillion and luggage friendly bikes (Bmw gsa, duke multistrada etc) as she doesn’t want to ride all the way from Bristol on the back of a the R6 or the speed triple 😂 looks like one of them will have to go at the end of the season…
it was pretty wild being on a ferry with so many bikes - especially landing in douglas at 3:00 am and all rolling off onto the island - hope you enjoyed the vids!
This content is gold, 2022 was also my first TT and I spent a fortune going with DUKE travel with grandstand tickets etc, I didn’t realise you could do it on the cheap. We did get a coach tour around the circuit with Phil McCallen doing commentary which was a great experience. I am already planning a proper trip over there for 2024
glad you liked the videos - i know that the TT can be pretty expensive through the package providers - even on our campsite some people had paid a small fortune booking through other providers - we booked everything direct and it worked out pretty well - also looking forward to going back in 2024!
This is a dream trip for me being a Yank. Done Daytona which a drinking party and Sturgis 6 times biggest biker event great riding scenery. And smokies ten times I need to see the Isle of Mann looks so cool.
@@v70z650 I booked the ferry and campsite yesterday for next year and I can’t wait, really underestimated how booked up it gets, having to go the 4th to the 6th because there’s no ferries left to get back from the Isle of Man until the Wednesday after the event 😱 but it’s gonna be mine and my mates first time and it’s a year away and I can’t wait
I’ve booked direct too, would have been around £600 per person for the campsite etc through Dukes and so far it’s £500ish for us both for ferry and glamping, just see how much is left to pay for the ferry in Jan when they release the remaining amount
