Isle of Man Scooter Rally - Report and Pictures.

Well a fantastic week-end was had by all and nine scooters left Clubbies a little later than planned due to the ferry being delayed because of high winds in the Irish Sea. We had a trouble free if blustery ride through to the Isle of Man ferry terminal in Liverpool and checked in and parked up together to wait for the ferry to come in. The 11-15am sailing soon developed into a 1-15pm sailing, but as soon as the ferry arrived we were all fairly quickly aboard with the scooters strapped down.
The crossing proved to be a pretty rough storm force 7 affair with most people going fairly quiet and sitting still to get through any feelings of sea sickness. We arrived in Douglas around 4pm and all headed off to find our hotels. The lads who stayed at The Chester House Hotel (which was the headquarters) had night time do's arranged for both Friday and Saturday night in the club underneath the Hotel.
We woke up Saturday morning to bright sunshine and light winds and after a full English breakfast and a stroll down the prom, we made our way to the TT start and finish grandstand for the big ride out. When we all arrived you could really see how many scooterists had supported Barry's event, there must have been the best part of 200 scooters in attendance, most from the northwest, but some from further afield, Ireland and two guys had ridden all the way from France for this event.
12.30pm saw the start of the ridout, which was in the opposite direction round the TT course than the bikes normally do, so we headed out over the mountain section first and enjoyed the marvellous views down into Ramsay from the top. The half way stop was Gingers pub at Sulby, which was ideal and very relaxing, with the following section down through Kirk Michael having lovely twisting bends which were superb scootering roads and you could really start to understand how this island is perfect for two wheels, whatever you ride. The final section skirted close to Peel and cut back across the island through little villages and back down to Douglas. There was just time for a sit down at a quayside cafe for afternoon coffee and then it was time to gather at the Ferry Terminal ready for the second rideout to Peel. Just as we were getting complacent with the hot and sunny weather, half way to Peel the heavens opened and a we all got caught in a heavy rain shower. However it was well worth it as the town of Peel is quite unique with very narrow streets and we soon found ourselves down at the quayside at a lovely pub that Barry had selected, after an easy ride back it was quick change for Saturday night's entertainment.
We all woke on Sunday morning to a perfect sunny seaside morning and after a full english breakfast some decided on a little rideout over to Laxey, while others just chilled out in Douglas until lunchtime when it was time to go and get the ferry home.
The ferry crossing home was trouble free and very calm and we docked in Liverpool at about 4-45pm. It was a nice idea of Mike Wilford to ride over and meet us off the ferry and we set off through the old tunnel and down the A41 and back to Chester, "edit" with the Chester lads just missing a massive thunderstorm on the way home, but unfortunately the North Wales riders rode straight into a torrential storm.

I think that everyone had a really great week-end due to the good weather, good company of fellow scooterists, but most of all the great organisation and hard work put in by Barry Turner and Debbie, so a big thankyou Barry and Debbie from all the Chester Scooter Club members who attended, roll on next year.