Motorcycle fans hail Isle of Man TT as the 'ultimate race'
The biker, who is visiting the festival with friend Paddy Corey, said the racing felt like an "addiction", which meant "you just have to keep coming".Mr Corey, from County Tyrone, said he returns to the island year after year after because he's able to witness the "speed of the bikes and the way they're ridden around the course up close"."It is the ultimate race, the speeds, the turns and the bends. It's amazing how the riders do it," he said.The competition takes place on closed public roads with riders reaching lap speeds of up to 136mph (219mph).
Adam Deen, who was visiting the island from Burnley, said it was "unbelievable" to watch the bikes "go at stupid miles-an-hour, especially past terraced houses"."When you watch it on TV you don't really get a feel for it, but when you watch it on the course you can feel it in your chest, you can smell the exhaust fumes," he said.On the island with his partner Shania Evans for their second their TT festival, Mr Deen said he was excited to watch professional riders Peter Hickman and 2024 Senior TT winner Davy Todd in action.But it was a thrill to "see everyone out there, hats off to all the riders", he added.About 60 solo competitors and 30 sidecar pairings are set to compete in the 118-year-old races.
Sam Jones, from Morecambe, has been to almost every race after "getting hooked" whilst visiting the centenary event in 2007."The adrenaline that you're getting just spectating, never mind being on the bike, is amazing," she said,"The speed they go at, the skill, they're just unbelievable aren't they?"She said, after rain saw some qualifying sessions being cancelled, they were "praying to the weather gods for sun for the racing".But the wet conditions would not put her off returning and she had "already booked for next year", she added.
Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
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The Independent
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Storm Floris to cause disruption into Tuesday in Scotland, Network Rail says
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Rail, road and ferry travel have been disrupted and festival events cancelled as Storm Floris sweeps across Scotland, bringing with it heavy rain and gusts in excess of 100mph. Disruption on the railways has left passengers facing multiple cancellations, while a number of roads around the country have been blocked. Western coastal areas are bearing the brunt of the summer storm but strong winds and heavy rain are affecting much of the rest of the country. An amber weather warning is in place in an area stretching from the central belt to the north coast until 11pm, with the Met Office saying injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties. The rest of the country is covered by a yellow weather warning until 11.59pm on Monday. 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The Independent
8 minutes ago
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Everton close in on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as summer investment continues
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