Picto Diary - 05 June 2015 - Kirk Michael

Above: Campers. Sulby campground. Isle of Man. 05 June 2015

This AM I hung back at the hotel to do some reading and writing. Later in the morning I did the Sulby loop walk and came upon pictured campground.

Above: Tree. Kirk Michael. Isle of Man. 05 June 2015.

I saw an other worldly quality about this tree and setting.

It reminded me of the "tree of life" from the Adam and Eve story of the bible. Perhaps it is here, on the Isle of Man, that the meaning of life can be found?

Above: Racer as shot from the lower end of our viewing position. Kirk Michael. Isle of Man TT. 05 June 2015.

MotoDiscovery tour organizers have done a good job positioning our group at excellent vista points for the TT races.

Above: Seated (left) Aaron and Steve. Standing, Keith. MotoQuest tour members. Kirk Michael race vista point. Isle of Man TT. 05 June 2015.

Aaron is from Las Vegas and a close buddy of Mark. Aaron was a championship wrestler and a football player at Oklahoma State University. He was a bouncer in Las Vegas. A disgruntled customer put a hit on him and he was shot in the chest. He recovered. He now runs a ticketing and limo service in Las Vegas.

Aaron has motorcycled since he was a kid growing up in Reno, NV. He and Mark put on 25K motorcycle touring miles annually. Aaron knows a lot about bikes. He convinced me that my next bike should be the new Multistrada and not the BMW R1200XR or the equivalent KTM. Sounds good to me.

I am glad I am Aaron's friend. He's one of the guys you want to be around when the mud hits the fan.

Keith is from near West Point, New York. He's retired form ConEd where he held a number of management positions. After this Isle of Man riding tour, he's going to ride solo in Scotland for a couple of weeks. Keith has motorcycled in all 48 lower American states (or is that 55?).

Keith is a celebrity junky. He and I both agree that Christopher Waltz's performance as the Nazi colonel in "Inglorious Basterds" is one of the best acting performances in all moviedom.

There is good compatibility amongst the riders and leaders on this tour.

Above: Spectator motorcycles parked at Kirk Michael viewing point. Isle of Man TT. 05 June 2015.

Virtually all bikes are high performance sport, sport touring, or dual sports.

During breaks in the race trials I would walk over to the parking and check out all the bikes.

Above: Looking at rider after he has passed Kirk Michael viewing point. Isle of Man TT 05 June 2015.

Looking at this image one can get a real sense of why this race is considered so dangerous. Little chance of escape from hazardous injury - or death - if but a tiny concentration lapse. Lots of stone fences, brick walls too near the track.

It is said that it takes a good rider 3 years to master this track.

Over 37.7 miles you have to know each turn... when to hold back... when to throttle... when to hard brake... etc.

The TT has claimed the lives of 200 racers since its inception in 1910.

Addendum:

Looks like you are having a great time on the Isle of Man. Sorry we will not see you in Park City for [1%'s] birthday bash.

Bridge,
Palm Beach, FL:

If I had known you guys were coming, I would have canceled my trip. Heh... heh... just kidding, 1%!


We were there [Isle of Man] a couple of years ago on a Celtic History trip. You are right, nice spot. Can be a little windy and biting when the Northers blow.
Stay safe in London. Too many crazies there.

The Archbishop,
Big Sky, MT