First time in-person TT - thoughts and advice for other first timers
While this year was I think the worst year for races run in TT history it was still the most mind blowing thing I've ever seen and I certainly want to come back for TT27. It's difficult to describe how incredible the atmosphere is even during a shitty weather week like this.
**Booking**
I did an Air B&B which was a lot more expensive than a homestay - I was going with family who dragged their feet a little on committing and all the homestays were gone by the time they locked in. So I think my first piece of advice is to just book it if you want to go (like, now) and worry about anyone you want to invite later.
The restaurants are absolutely packed and expensive, so I would suggest booking somewhere where you can make your own meals - even if that just means sandwiches. The groceries here are fairly good quality and are much much cheaper than the restaurants.
If you can, go with another TT fan who gets the TT vibe - my family has a great time but there was a lot of moaning about delays on track days. Personally, I just ignored them and did my own thing for the most part when they got squeaky though.
I did a few solo days in Douglas and solo travel here doesn't feel solo at all, I met a ton of really interesting people at the course and in the fan zone I spent well over an hour chatting with about all kinds of topics - bikes, boats, travel, even wildlife of our respective countries.
**Staying**
Homestays seem to be a lot cheaper and more practical, Manxmen are an incredibly helpful and friendly bunch so don't worry about staying in another person's home while they're around. You really just need a warm bed and ideally somewhere to make a sandwich or two for lunch for track days. I'm already taking with a homestay host and going to meet her over the next week. (I got stuck on the island and extra week after the TT booking my boat too late)
(My Air B&B cost probably X2 what the homestay I'm looking at for the same time does)
Don't do a tent - I thought I'd be okay in the tent when I booked a year ago and I am very glad I booked a B&B instead, the weather here can turn on you in an instant and I can't even imagine staying in a tent in the most torrential rain I've ever seen (this is coming from a Vancouver, BC citizen who does a fair bit of camping).
**Getting Around**
I'd say the Manx public transit is mostly fine but to get deeper into the course book a taxi a day or two in advance, I used Pauls Taxi and his company was fantastic 10/10 service. It's less stress catching a cab to a vantage point than it is waiting on a bus that might be heavily delayed or on a different schedule - it seems the Manx schedules on the bus stops aren't always totally up to date.
Really, plan an hour or more to travel via the bus, the bus theoretically runs on the half hour but with the TT its pretty strained and it took us upwards of an hour or two to get around sometimes - keep an eye out for holiday / Sunday schedules because they're reduced even during the TT.
**Race Days**
Honestly, showing up a little more than an hour ahead of scheduled races time was fine in my experience. We got to Bray Hill, Ramsey, and the Crosby Jump with only between 1.5hr - 45 mins to spare ahead of the scheduled race time and got literal front row seats.
**General**
Just go with the flow. The weather sucked monkey nuts this whole week, but it was still fantastic and we got some good racing in, they've been doing it for over 100 years and they know what they're doing, just trust the clerk and Met Office will make it work out. The atmosphere is great and there's tons of cool stuff to see on the Isle on non-racing days - the Manx Museum, Peel Castle, and Murray's Motorcycle Museum are all great ways to spend a day. It looked like we were going to get 0-1 races but we got 4.5 which I think is pretty fantastic with the week we had.
Hindsight - I'd also book both practice and race week, I feel like I missed out by not going to practice but practice week was also pretty rough this TT.
Bring Earplugs - the bikes are indescribably loud and my brain still feels rattled the day after yesterdays race (lol).
Manx Currency - the Isle of Man has *Manx Pounds* and these aren't real currency outside the IOM, so if you get them, spend them while you're here or get them converted back into normal Pounds before leaving the UK.
Apologies for any spelling or grammar errors, English is my primary language but I'm a little stupid and typing this on my phone.