It was a day trip that started my love for the T.T. Ian. My late brother & i went on the 'The Motor Cycle' ( or was it 'MCN' ! ) day trip in 1967. Train from Reading to Liverpool Via London on the Thursday afternoon, night time sailing arriving about 5.00am Friday morning. Early Fry Up breakfast, then the Coach Trip for my first view all around the famous 'Isle of Man T.T. Circuit.'
We watched the 50cc Race at the bottom of Bray Hill, then walked up to watch the Senior sitting on the wall on the inside just before the Start / Finnish Line. Cheered 'Mike the Bike' on his win & felt just a little bit sorry for Ago pushing in to finish.
Afterwards we had an hour or two in Douglas for a quick drink & snack then late evening boat back. I think it must have been mid morning on Saturday before we got home tired but happy.
Of course i was back for a week in 1968 to see amongst other things Bill Ivy do a 100mph lap on the 125, & watch from the actual spot where Ago started to do his Leap !!
Since then i have witnessed many memorable things, i.e. Mike Hailwoods comeback, Joey Dunlops early days, Hizzy's win on the Norton & my last visit the see JM's 130mph lap in 2007, ( forty years since my first trip ! ).
Unfortunately due to work commitments i have not been for the last few years & will not be able to make it next year either. But i have decided to get my IOM fix by going to the Southern 100 for the first time instead, wife's permission & time off work already booked !!.
So as you can see, a simple day trip all those years ago certainly started something.