South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Anybody done this? Any advice? Cos I want to ride the course would that mean it is open only at either end of the event? Anybody else thinking of giving it a go?

I would love to check out Manx GP. Let’s make it happen. No idea about any of it, I guess ferry from Wales, camp or hotel.

I might be able to pump the guy who trained me up to pass my license test for information, he goes every other year.

I think the ferry goes from Liverpool, which could mean a nice ride up through the heart of Wales to Birkenhead or somewhere. Was going to camp likewise.

I will contact that guy and see what info I can gather. Camping sounds ideal.

Ideal.

I've just come back from the TT - was over there for practice and qualifying week as it was less busy than race week. Ferry goes from Liverpool or Heysham - first is easier to get to from the SW.
We took the car but saw a lot of the island and drove the course a few times. Mountain road is one way in the TT fortnight and I'd say it'll be the same for the Manx, but expect it to be closed a few times a day as pregnant goldfishies confuse ambition with skill and slap themselves against the Manx scenery.
That section is unrestricted speed limits so you can see why.
Plenty of campsites or look at the Homestay website as it's IOM version of B&B.

Ferries are tight unless crossing from Heysham for the race weekend. I'll probably book a few days in qualifying the roads are open most of the day.

Yeah - roads are open most of the day during the week but the unrestricted mountain section gets regularly closed if there's an accident involving the public. 3 times out of 5 attempts at crossing the Mountain section we got turned back at Ramsay, as that's where the section starts.
Good fun if you get a clear run. Just be aware of anyone fast coming up behind, like a DHL driver late for deliveries or a local TT specialist

Sounds dodgy but at least deliveroo wont be cutting me up

If you are interested I have booked the ferry from LIverpool 17th to 19th August

I've done the Manx numerous times, though not since 2009 now. In some ways it's preferable to the TT - sure, it doesn't have the big names (though in recent years the event became a sort of hybrid with the Classic TT and many of the big boys partook), but the hotels, pubs and roads aren't rammed for the Manx, and there are fewer card-carrying idiots attempting to live out their own TT fantasies and encountering the Talent Gap in doing so.
On non-race days the roads are open as normal, and on race days they normally close them around 09:00 (so if you want to get to a vantage point by using the circuit, go early or get a map and take the back roads to find it) I used to get up at around 06:00 every morning and head out to do a lap with only the early commuter traffic around, then return to the hotel for a shower and brekkie ahead of the day's activities. On a clear run over the Mountain I'd see maybe mid-130s now and then - remember that although there are no speed limits over the Mountain, it is a twisty A road with traffic in both directions. It was sobering to think that the highest speed I achieved is averaged by the fast boys for an entire lap.
Don't get carried away with your speed - on the unrestricted sections there is no limit, but the Manx Police are very hot on speeding in posted limits, and there's simply no excuse for breaking the posted limits with all the open roads there. Over our visits to the Manx the gradual creep of posted limits out into the countryside was noticeable; speed limits coming back to Douglas used to start at Hillberry, then they moved out to Brandish, then back up beyond the Creg to near Kate's Cottage.
For getting there, by far the best route is the SeaCat from Liverpool - it's the closest port, best sailing times, and it caters for passengers. Heysham is quite a bit further, the sailing times are anti-social, and the boat is designed to carry trucks. For argument's sake let's say it carries 40 trucks, so it needs accommodation for 40-50 people. Think how many bikes can fit in 40 trucks-worth of space, then try squeezing all those people into the lounge & bar sized for 40... not much fun, believe me, trying to get some sleep in about a square foot of space at 03:00.
Another Manx anomaly is that they have no monopolies laws, so the Steam Packet is the only ferry company, and without competition they'll have your pants down for a crossing ticket around the TT or MGP. Worth going though, if you're on your toes this summer you can book accommodation for next year's MGP

wurzel58dog wrote: ↑Jun 15th, '25, 14:52 If you are interested I have booked the ferry from LIverpool 17th to 19th August

Righteous. I will do the same


Scotty, thank you very much for the info!

195 return for the ferry

iverpool Departure Time: Sunday, 17 August 2025 11:15
Arriving: Douglas Arrival Time: Sunday, 17 August 2025 14:00
Check-In Message: CheckIn Closes * 17-Aug-25 10:30AM


Return Journey
Ship Name: Manannan
Departing: Douglas Departure Time: Tuesday, 19 August 2025 15:30
Arriving: Liverpool Arrival Time: Tuesday, 19 August 2025 18:15
Check-In Message: CheckIn Closes * 19-Aug-25 14:45PM

Cheers wurz