Mad Sunday, Isle of Man TT - Pink Panther, of course

                       Fancy dress, optional.....


.....but a lap of the famous Isle of Man TT course isn't for tourists and locals. It's all part of the two week Road Races fun, some for charity, some just for the hell of it.  Motorbikes as far as the eye can see down Road, Lezayre turrning into Parliament Square. For more bikers in costume click here. 

Image part of ABC

Denise will understand. 

More TT Race images here

Waiting, Isle of Man TT

                      Not the queue to the pub


It's ABC on the blog circuit this week ad the letter is Z. If you look closely on the image you can see black and white stripes midway in the photo across the road. Those are where pedestrians wait to cross the road safely, and it is called a Zebra crossing. Many countries have these, nothing unique to the island, but use of varies throughout the world. A instantly recognizable image that transcends most languages. The image taken at the two week event, Isle of Man TT Road Races. This may look like the queue for a pint from the pub in the distance, The Central, but the spectators waiting on Parliament Street for the motorbike race to begin. 

Jane Hards Photography


Other ABC posts around the world can be seen here

Harley Davidson, stylish.

Design classic

Somethings are a design classic, and buck modern trends. The Harley Davidson motorbike is one of them. Synonymous with all things motorbike related, visions of the open road, cinematic panoramas, freedom, alone, but not lonely, part of the crowd, whilst remaining an individual. The iconic bike parked up in my hometown during Isle of Man TT Races, for what we call Ramsey Day  All the fun and focus of the two week festivities create a family orientated day for bikers, tourists and locals. Many a classic Harley can be found, with many an admirer. Including me.

Jane Hards Photography 

Image part of City Daily Photo theme day, which occurs first day of the new month, the theme today being stylish. For others around the world, see here

Isle of Man TT, Parliament Square, Ramsey

                          Throwback, 2009


The event known as the Isle of Man TT Races is almost here. A throwback shot, race week 2009. Fading evening light casts bike shadows, and sometimes a sunset if the riders get all the laps in, though not here, just the rainclouds passing over blue skies.  Due to the inclement weather on the island, the day race schedule is subject to change and evening races occur. Best advice for tourists. Pack shorts, sandals and a umbrella. You're bound to need all of them, sometimes together. I'm a photographer, and the TT for me is both work and pleasure. Jane Hards Photography, an older image on a Nikon D50.


For more TT and Isle of Man images see here

For other skywatch images around the world see here

TT Tourists, Ramsey Day

                              Ramsey Day


As Mrs Nesbitt, who initially started the abc round will be visiting the Isle of Man soon for the annual Isle of Man TT Road Races, a timely image of other visiting tourists. This scene is from Ramsey Day, a day set aside during the Road Races for activities such as the Motorcycle Sprint and display teams to entertain the crowds, along with things for the kids like face painting. The sunshine can't be guaranteed, but a fly over and display by the Red Arrows can be. 


For TT Race photos see Jane Hards Photography

Isle of Man TT, older post

More abc images around the world can be found here

Parliament Square, Isle of Man TT

                             Chasing sidecars


It's almost that time of year again the island is becomes a haven for motorbikers tourists and competitors (one of those is Mrs Nesbitt who created the abc meme) the Isle of Man TT Road Races. As you can see Parliament Square part of the race route, right in the heart of Ramsey For those who follow the races via TV, this is one of the camera checkpoints shown, passing through Parliament Square. It's also the place I do my job, TT photographer.


Jane Hards Photography - TT photos
Isle of Man TT - older post

Image part of abc

Ramsey Hairpin

                           The Biker View


Ramsey Hairpin, to those familiar with the Isle of man TT Races this will be a familiar view, a sharp turn leaving Ramsey and heading towards the mountain road. When not doubling as a racetrack as you can see it's a suburban sedate road with little traffic apart from "rush hour" commute. It's the Isle of Man. Our rush hour is a little more relaxed. You're more likely to be stuck behind a tractor than a traffic jam. If you can make it across the road in one piece, you'll find woodland walks leading to Albert Tower and a view of the town, which everyone has photographed at some point.


Jane Hards Photography - TT photos

Image part of Our World Tuesday

Snow on the Isle of Man TT course

              Don't worry, all be gone for TT


Where the street light is left hand side of the photograph is a little alley behind the back of Taubman Street. That's one of my spots to capture the Isle of Man TT races that happen May/June of each year. Parliament Square is part of the TT course. It's probably hard for all those tourists who come over for the motorbike race to envisage this snowy winter view as the same place they watch the race from. This area is also a meeting place for biking tourists visiting Ramsey. The same photo for TT would be full of visitors stopping for a bite to eat or soft drink from the pub close by. What a difference seasonal weather makes.

Jane Hards Photography

Part of Our World Tuesday

Valentino Rossi's Parade Lap, Parliament Square

                             Isle of Man TT 2009

Another one for Denise Nesbitt, as she is a regular visitor to the Isle of Man TT Road Races, which takes place May/June for two weeks each year. Denise, and motorbike fans will instantly recognise the "Doctor" Valentino Rossi. Following him was another motorbike and TT legend, Giacomo Agostini. They both completed a slow parade lap of the island wide route, prior to one of the races. 

Over 200 photos of the two weeks racing and visitors can be seen here 

More abc's around the world can be found here 

Ramsey Sprint, Ramsey Day, Isle of Man TT

                                 Usual TT stuff

Isle of Man TT Races area two week event on island usually, June. First week practise, second week races. In between race days we have a day set a side in Ramsey, conveniently called Ramsey Day. It's a fun day out for all ages, with everything from face painting, motorbikes stunt team display, the Red Arrows  display, bike merchandise stalls and take out food stands. Most of this takes place on the Mooragh, where the rugby pitch doubles as a bike park. Strange sight to see a rugby pitch full of motorbikes.  It's also the place for the Ramsey Sprint, seen in the image.


Ramsey Sprint is a drag sprint, with a lot of wheel burns on show. Anyone can compete, though they will have to pay a small entry fee to pay. As you can see, it's not all sprint race, but stunts and entertaining the crowds for some. Visitors from all over the world take part, some with specially modified bikes for that special trick or two.  Sunshine is optional, but always welcome. More of  TT photos can be found here on facebook


This is my Our World post this week and other our world post can be seen here

Meet The Nesbitts

                                 ....And duck

Regular abc bloggers will know who Mrs Nesbitt is, the person who started the weekly post of the alphabet around the word. I too, met Mrs N, virtually through a fellow blogger, and then finally in person right here in Ramsey. I've since met The Nesbitt's every Isle of Man TT for the past few years (although this year was a "flying wave as she goes past" meeting) and we have a mini photo shoot of her and hubby leaving Ramsey. The duck, is her infamous secret weapon back pack. The duck has been held my both Policeman and TT riders who happily pose for photographs with Denise, like Guy Martin for instance. Though I live in Ramsey, and photograph the TT races, Mrs N, was actually here first, visiting every race week for over 20 years, nearer 30. She is as much a part of the TT as the races themselves and island wide is known to many of us locals and new tourist each year.

More Abc's can be found here

Roll on 2014 TT and a visit from a duck and bonkers friend. Mrs Nesbitt :)

Isle of Man TT, Sure Sidecar Race 2

Side by side. The next shot was a wheel lift and crunch!

Sidecar 15 Roy Hanks/Kevin Perry - Sidecar 16 Gordon Shand / Phil Hyde

This is a new spot to me to photograph from, School House Corner, Lezayre Road, Ramsey. I normally photograph right in the heart of town, Parliament Square. It's not just motorbikes racing at the TT (Tourist Trophy) Road Races, sidecars feature heavily too. There are not many sport events in the world you can get this close to photograph, from the safety of someones garden. For me they are still after 11 years here the best two weeks on the island.


Manx Grand Prix, coming soon.

Flying bike

                                   Skywatch
 

It's the Isle of Man TT Races, and event taking place on island for two weeks. The first week is practice week, the second race week. During race week, Ramsey has it's own day of entertainments, conveniently called Ramsey Day. Part of the entertainment each year is a motorcycle stunt team, usually a two man team entertaining the crowd with various motorcycle tricks. Here's just one of them. 


Other skywatch skies can be found here.

Surprise, Mrs Nesbitt, Isle of Man TT

                  Putting the Mad, in Mad Sunday

Let me introduce you to Mrs Nesbitt, though to some of you she needs no introduction. I met Mrs N, virtually through blogging, and then in person when she visits The Isle of Man with her hubby, for the Isle of Man TT Races. It's become a tradition now, to meet on what is known as Mad Sunday (when tourists and locals attire fancy dress or not and ride the race route) outside the Swan pub, Parliament Square, have a coffee and bite to eat and catch up. While Mrs N and I have a chat, hubby rides the race route. This image is now the infamous leaving photo. Mrs N, may not be a resident of the island, but she has probably watched more of the Road racing event than most locals. Be warned, this lady is barking mad, in the nicest way, tons of fun, and always makes everyone feel welcome in her company. Her knapsack, Wilma the duck is also infamous. Mrs N, can get Policeman, and TT stars to pose with her holding the duck, while I capture the image. Looking forward to seeing Mrs N again soon, and a new set of photos to follow.

More Abc's can been found here, and for those that don't know it was Mrs N herself who created this neme.

Isle of Man TT

               The Greatest Show On Earth




The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is two weeks of road racing (first week practice, second week races) that takes place on the Isle of Man, May/June each year. This means the island is given over to tourists from across the globe and motorbikes. The races are actually run, not on a purpose built track, but around the island itself, the roads us locals use everyday normally. It has been described as "The greatest show on earth" and indeed is both dangerous and exciting. It's also my favouite time of year on the island, the busiest time, and fun, fun, fun. This is one from last year, my usual spot in Ramsey. My other usual spots are the pubs. Not many places in the world you can photograph a bike race and prop up the bar at the same time.





Isle of Man TT 2014
24th May - 6th June

The Central

                             Fancy a pint?


The Central is our local and favourite pub in Ramsey. This was taken just after the pub had a complete overall and upgrade from a run down on its last legs place to a thriving hub of the drinking community. A change of staff and management completed the makeover and unlike other pubs in Ramsey, (and the island for that matter) this one has survived the cull and indeed goes from strength to strength. Anyone visiting for the Isle of Man TT has to visit this pub for one of the best vantage points to view the action while supping on the local brew or whatever your tipple is. 

The Isle of Man TT 2012.....Soon

And here's one of 2011

This is what we call a taster of things to be posted on the blog for the next 2 weeks. If you want to be updated about the TT, or just nosy about this funny little rock in the Irish Sea then stay tuned. If you just want to check out if I still drink in the usual pubs and knock back copious doubles of Jack Daniels and still get the shot stay tuned.


Also looking for Tourists. .......I need to shoot you....only in photos. Short and sweet folks. It is karaoke Friday. I need to be in a pub. Try this Facebook Page Jane Hards Photography.....It's where I post other photos for your viewing pleasure.

Tarra.

V - IS FOR VISITORS.......

V is for Visitors and oh yes my lunch

Duckie

Two for the road

The lady with the letters herself visited this week. As you you all know Mr and Mrs Nesbitt came to see, yes the motorbikes. True to her word she brought the sunshine too. I swear to you the week before rain, Denise arrives the sun shines. Sitting for the afternoon outside the pub( yes outside novel for me) and watched the biking tourists, had the proverbial bag of chips and entertained the passing hordes. Mrs Nesbitt did that is. Denise had me laughing from the moment she arrived. From tales of her and Jon's road trips through France, teaching stories, blogging encounters, and so much more. In fact at one point the 3 older fellows next to us, well one just didn't want to leave until Denise had finished one of her tales he had been eavesdropping on. The funniest bit though has to be Denise shouting "eh" to a local. He stared back blankly as she carried on talking at him(I do mean at him) until she finally blurted out "sorry I thought you were someone I knew". Why so funny? He was a passing policeman and I swear he thought we were taking the mickey out of him. He was not amused, I on the other hand cracked up at this point and tried not to be arrested for having a good time. I felt like a tourist in my own town. Denise and Jon thank you and a pleasure to meet you both and your friends, and of course the ever present duck, for all to brief a time. See you next year and many thanks for boosting our economy and being faithful supporters of the event

More, More, More, TT

Another Race Day

Leaning

Leaving

Frozen

. Just open the lens, pulled back on the wide shot rocked backed on the heels and let the sky in. Actually number I and 3 were take sat on the floor pushing the camera through the railing and linking my arms round the rail. Not advisable. You also look a demented fool.

The races will be over tomorrow. Last of the bikes to capture. Boo Hoo! I will miss them and the tourists, especially two I met today called.... well no I will leave that to next week, but a lot of you will know who it is. Even got some photos too. Don't even ask about the mistaken identity and the Policeman. Next Week.

Others skies can be found here.

one day left.

See the week of racing just scroll down the posts this week.

SUPERSTOCK RACE , SHOOTING SHADOWS, ISLE OF MAN TT

Chasing the light

Avoiding the sun

A little lift

Wall of light



Or how to capture sport images when the light is fading!

Well it's all been happening here. Or not actually. The Sidecar B race got underway but was canceled due to a sidecar catching fire. Really. So now abandoned. Grabbed a few images from last night's Superstock Race. As it was rescheduled from day to evening gives me a photo tips opportunity. Who's game?

As you can see by the above images all shot on the wide angled lens without zoom on. I'm that close. Reason for choosing this lens was the light. Fading fast, but the sun was still fierce in just about the wrong place. Two options. Either a bigger lens with a hood attached to the end(looks like those things you see on dogs around there neck when they have an operation and can't scratch the wound) or wide lens. Went with the wide, no hood for one reason, to retain the light to capture those shadows. One thing you do have to do if you do evening sport photography is keep changing the setting to compensate for the fading light. By that I mean the ISO, shutter speeds, metering. Had to do this every couple of minutes otherwise the images would have been to dark as the night went on. Easy huh!

Not over yet!