Page 66 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES FORGET THE ISLE OF

MAN TT RACES?

THE BUILD-UP The Isle of Man TT, with 100
years of racing history behind it, is the ultimate
challenge for any pure road-racer – it is the
Everest of the biking world. It is held once a
year, with practice during the last week of May

Tandragee 100 and the race during the first week of June.
THE LETDOWN The Isle of Man is a costly
event to travel to. Accommodations can also
be a problem unless you book almost a year in
advance. Each lap lasts around 17 minutes, so
there is a limited number of opportunities to
vs TT Races see your favorite riders in action. Racing takes
place every second day, so to make it worth-
while, you need to stay at least for a few days.
For elbow-to-elbow, death-defying motorcycle racing on narrow, bumpy roads the GOING ANYWAY? Book as far in advance as
Tandragee 100 is the full-flavor taste sensation compared to the lowfat TT possible, as it fills up as soon as the previous TT
ends. You may be able to find a room with the
residents of the Isle of Man, who, as part of a
“Home Stay” project, rent out spare rooms to
budgets, the Department of Tourism and local
NEED TO KNOW visitors. Hire a vehicle to get to the vantage
business. Tandragee has none of that – riders race points on the 38-mile (63-km) circuit.
LOCATION Tandragee is and families visit for the love of the sport.
on the edge of the Glebe Hills
"UMBOUJD
along the River Cusher in Co 0DFBO The race takes place on a 5-mile (9-km) open-
Armagh, Northern Ireland
(MBTHPX &EJOCVSHI road circuit which, put simply, you would be mad
WHEN First Sat in May; free entry /PSUI
#FMGBTU 4FB to race on at 50 mph (80 kmph), never mind the
NUMBER OF VISITORS 150 mph (240 kmph) the racers reach and exceed.
13–15,000 5"/%3"(&& .BODIFTUFS
%VCMJO 6/*5&% Scars of tractor tire imprints mix with dripped
DAYTIME *3&-"/%
,*/(%0.
TEMPERATURES May: 62°F remains from slurry tankers to create a slippery
(17°C) and below freezing at night; -POEPO slime. The narrow roads boast spectacular
rain is always a possibility
motocross-style jumps, projecting man and
machine into the air at over 100 mph (160 kmph). ABOVE Bikers preparing for the Isle of Man TT races in the
Motorcycle racing is not all about the biggest If there is an edge, then the riders are right on it. purpose-built paddocks
being best. Tandragee is a small unassuming One mistake and it is likely to be their last.
town in Northern Ireland that is probably not on The TT Races boast a purpose-built, ticket-
anyone’s vacation destination wish-list. Scratch controlled complex of paddock buildings where
below the surface, though, and you will find a bikes and competitors prepare. At Tandragee, the
town of friendly people who know how to squeeze paddock is a more charming open-access field,
the very pips out of life. They love to party hard where, in the past, buckets of water have been PRACTICAL INFORMATION
and know their motorcycle racing like the backs supplied to scrub mud from slick tires.
Getting There and Around prepared from local beef cattle,
of their hands. It is a way of life for the town’s Half-a-dozen races entertain the appreciative
The airport closest to Tandragee and the salmon, which is served
residents, as much as the Sunday visit to church. crowds, with everything from the buzzing is in Belfast (Belfast City Airport), fresh from the coast.
The TT Races held on the Isle of Man are the 120-mph (192-kmph) 125 cc “smoke burners” which is about 30 miles (50 km) Where to Stay
biggest tourist attraction of the year, backed by big to the 200-mph (320-kmph) Superbikes. Visitors from the town. From there, it is Self-catering accommodation is
burrow into hedgerows and climb trees that line best to rent a car, as Tandragee is available in the form of a quaint
a little off the beaten track.
the circuit. When the bikes go by at speed, the true gate lodge (tel. +44 28 3752
However, if you plan on traveling
fan is only a few inches away in the undergrowth, by motorbike, you can take the 4256) located on Tandragee
camera in hand and heart beating fast in case the ferry from Stranraer, situated in Road, which is a short drive from
both Tandragee and another
rider is off-line and on a collision course. western Scotland, to Belfast. town called Markethill.
The riders all set off at once, not in a time trial Alternatively, you can board the
ferry from Holyhead in Wales to Budget per Day for Two
one-at-a-time format as in the TT. Perhaps part of
Dublin, located 80 miles (133 km) US$140, including a rented car,
the appeal of watching the massed start of the from Tandragee. food, and accommodations for
race is the close association with danger and death 3 nights at the gate lodge
Where to Eat
– it is as tangible as the smell of two-stroke oil. Moneypenny’s Restaurant located in Tandragee.
The TT offers a certain amount of danger in the Montagu Arms Websites
and excitement in a sanitized-health-and-safety (www.montagu-arms.com) www.tandragee100.com
offers a cosmopolitan menu www.realroadracing.com
controlled sort of way; Tandragee is back to basics,
along with traditional “Ulster www.discovernorthern
raw by comparison, and all about passion. Which
fayre.” You should try the steak, ireland.com
ABOVE A dueling pair of racers rounding a bend at Tandragee would you prefer?

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