Picto Diary - 03 June 2015 - AM - Island Exploring

Above: My rented BMW G1200 GS motorcycle at Peel pier. Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

In the background: Peel Castle.

I went off on my own this AM to visit Peel and Port Erin... south of where we are staying, at Sulby.

Above: Fisherman catches a seagull. Peel pier. Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

The fisherman reeled in the bird and with the assistance of his son, untangled the line and freed the bird.

Above: Figurehead of The Saint George, from foundered Norwegian ship which sunk off the coast of Peel in 1829. Peel Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Peel Pier. Peel. Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

The Peel station was the first of now many lifeboat facilities along the coast of The Isle of Man and the British Isles.

The list of RNLI rescues, which can be perused inside the pictured building, include the heroic rescue of 29 Norwegian sailors from foundering Norwegian ship, St. George, in 1829. The St. George rescue, put the RNLI on the map, as it were, and via private donations, the service grew to cover the entire British Isles.

The Peel Lifeboat - T.E. Brown

Of Charley Cain, the cox,
And the thunder of the rocks.
and the ship St. George -
How he baulked the sea-wol's (sic) gorge
Of its prey -
Southward bound from Noraway (sic),
And the fury and the din,
And the horrir, and the roar,
Rolling in, rolling in,
Rolling in upon the dead lee-shore!

Above: Motorcycles and motorcyclists. House of Manannan coffee bar. Peel, Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

These forty something guys were either Dutch or German judging from overhearing their conversation.

Bikes parked nearby had both Dutch and German tags.

Motorcyclists have come from all over Europe to see the Isle of Man TT.

Racing is the empowering flame of European motorcycle culture. Most of the bikes seen on the island are high performance sport bikes, sport touring bikes or dual sports built for high performance. Winning motorcycle racers are big time celebrities in Europe. Riders wear protective clothing and helmets inspired by racing. Valentino Rossi, multi time winner of the world's premier motorcycle race organization, MotoGP, is one of the most admired celebrities in Europe... even beyond motorcyclists.

In contrast to Europe's motorcycle racing culture, the motorcycle culture in the United States is animated by rebellion. The motorcycle of choice is a cruiser, an underpowered, under performing replica of a motorcycle built in the 1930's, with a throaty roar and lots of chrome. The "cruiser" culture is brought to life in movies like "Easy Rider," or television series like "Sons of Anarchy." Most riders in the "cruiser" culture are not thugs... but, by their dress and by the bikes they ride, they affect the image of such.

Of course there are exceptions. There is a vibrant European oriented rider culture in the United States.... and, though while not seen at the TT, more Europeans are joining the cruiser culture.

Apart from the cultural differences which animate motorcycling, there is also a difference between America and Europe in how motorcycles are ridden.

Most European riders have ridden motorcycles since they became of legal age to drive. Motorcycles and motor scooters are used for transportation in Europe. Per capita incomes are lower in Europe, automobiles and fuel are more expensive. By the time European riders reach adult maturity, by and large those that keep riding for recreation, are highly skilled.

In the United States motorcycling is a recreational activity from the get go.. Motorcycles are generally not widely used for transportation in the United States. Consequently, many American riders start riding later in life. I generalize, but, because they have less riding experience, American riders are not, technically, proficient when compared to Europeans. The American cruiser riding culture is more oriented to social affiliation than it is to riding. Often, in America, a bevy of cruisers is seen, riding in close formation at moderate speed. The "pack" will stop at a restaurant or a bar to socialize. Some have said that in American cruiser culture, the bike is really only an accessory to a lifestyle choice.

Road rules and riding protocols are different between the United States and Europe.

One example. Lane splitting.

Lane splitting, even into oncoming traffic, is widely practiced and acceptable in Europe. Only California allows lane splitting in the United States, and, then, only for one direction... the direction of ongoing... not, oncoming, traffic.... and then, only, for prescribed speeds.

I have ridden about two-wheeled 30,000 miles over my lifetime in Europe. Not that riding is any safer, it is very enjoyable to ride where there are more proficient riders and a vehicle traffic more accepting of motorcycles than is found in the United States.

Above: Honda Africa Twin. Manannon Coffee Station, Peel, Isle of Man. 02 June 2015.

I rode one of these bikes, never imported into the US, through Ethiopia circa 2004. 750 cc. Dual Sport. 19 inch front wheel. Perfect for the outback.
Above: Ducati Hailwood replica. Manannon Coffee Station. Peel, Isle of Man. 02 June 2015.

Above: Logging operation. Rte A36, between Peel and Port Erin.

Logging? On the 35 mile by 13 mile Isle of Man?

Above: Bridge Bookshop. Port Erin. Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

I purchased a paperback copy of Guy Martin's biography here.

The funky, independent bookstore lives... on the Isle of Man.

Above: Beach at Port Erin. Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

Milner's Tower can be seen on Bradda Head in the distance.

Above: Milner's Tower (memorial) telephoto. Bradda Head.. Port Erin. Isle of Man, 03 June 2015.

The tower was built by the town of Port Erin to honor a wealthy town benefactor.

Above: The coast of Ireland can be dimly discerned in the distance. Isle of Man. 03 June 2015.

Riding north towards Peel from Port Erin.

I haven't been to Ireland... but, I've seen it!

Addendum:


Zookeeper: Shaun, Meg and Yuya say a big hullo from Tokyo.

Malc,
Tokyo, Japan



Your account of the Isle of Man--true "road racing"--also brings back
memories of the once-and-only Park City Motorcycle Week.

Ngobody,
Park City, UT


Fun !

Mr. Z3,
Ojai, CA


Nice shot.

Frotz,
Park City, UT


I assume you said Hi to the Fairies???

Malc,

Tokyo, Japan