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

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

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

Manx Grand Prix

                       Sometime in August.......


............After the Isle of Man TT Road Races, we have the other motorbikes races, the Manx Grand Prix. Not as busy or well known out of biking circles as the infamous TT, but equally as exciting. Attracting many tourists and riders from across the world, the Isle of Man, once again gives up it's roads to the races. Daily life fits around the two weeks races (practice week, race week) so everyone can still get around the island negotiating alternative routes and breaks in road closures. I'm lucky to have a job that involves photographing this on my doorstep, my home town.

More info on the history of the Manx Grand Prix can be found here

More photos form the event and the island ca be found at Jane Hards Photography at the Manx

Part of Abc, and hoping Mrs Nesbitt will join us one year for the Manx, in addition to the TT

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

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.

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 Isle of Man TT 2012.....Day 1

Waiting

While I was waiting for the bikes to appear for the practice lap, I took a few sneaky pics. The building in the background is the local library, the people, locals and tourists, and the guy in the foreground one of the unsung heroes, a marshal. Practice was delayed, due to a communication technicality. That really expensive equipment installed for the TT, obviously wasn't used to glorious sunshine and got slightly confused. Practice eventually got underway, photos done, home in time for the Eurovision Song Contest Results. ............which you really don't want to know about unless you absolutely like to watch 4 hrs of cheesy/camp/earsplitting warbling. Sweden won. Real music lost. Thanks heavens for TT.

Click here for other TT photos

Manx Grand Prix - Abc G

The boys are back in town

The G letter shot

You thought you were safe here didn't you, I mean you thought those noisy motorbikes had left the island after the TT. Well you are right they had. So what's with choosing more bikes again for the lettter. Well what we have this week is the Manx Grand Prix. Well what we should have. You know that rain that just won't stop here, well it's still going on an on an on, unlike the motorbikes which are crashing and coming to standstills. So apologies but this is an archive of the race a few years ago. Does give me the chance to show you something about the image. The red number plates.


So what's special about those then you ask. They indicate that this is a practise race. So there. I may not be able to show you any racing from the Grand Prix just yet(or at all working elsewhere) from this year but you got to learn something. Riveting eh! Oh yes the rider with number 2, Shane Connor. Now more stuff you don't know. See this image. Well the high res version large frame of this image hangs on the very wall of the very room of the very hotel he stayed in, and I , yes I have held his winning garland. Now that would have been a great G shot.


For more G shots try here.

On the road again

Last one gets the drinks in

Monochrome

Very late posting tonight. As it's Sunday I have decided not to do any internet or camera work all day. Finally picked up the laptop and went straight for a file of images that I am working on tonight. Well that is if I can be bothered of course or don't get distracted by other sites. Back to the image.Pulled one at random that shows you a familiar place on the blog, but from a very different angle. This is Parliament Square. This is the opposite way round to my usual photography spot for a scene like this. Also a far wider angle than you are used to seeing, those very tight close ups of the motorbikes. As you can see from where I was shooting I had the advantage capturing them leaving towards the Mountain road, or capturing them approaching me. A tip for you here is the leaving is better than the approach due to the shadow of the tree at this time of day obscuring much of the detail on those close ups. Some of you may find that useful for next year, but I can't give all my secrets aways now can I. It is a useful tip though, better for evening than lunchtime photography here.



Want to know what this event was and why I was photographing it click here, or here or even here though I know many of you have already guessed anyway. Looks a lot safer from this view doesn't it than the others. You can also see it really is just ordinary roads that are used and not a race track.



For other monochromes by black and white maniacs click here. No dash you have all week.

Xciting, xtreme double x

Would you be the one under the bike?

I couldn't resist this unseen stunt team archive. Besides that it has two ready made X's in there "Xciting and Xtreme so I just had to post them.

If you look closely under the motorbike you can see the hint of an arm, a bent elbow poking out. Don't panic, it was just the compere, the host playing to the eager crowd. It wasn't the only cute stunt that involved the compere. From jumping bikes to climbing stairs they entertain the crowd, especially the kids who could watch this all day long. To them the "Xtreme" stunt team are always "Xciting." To see my other magnificent men in their flying machines, I mean motorbikes and jumping joyriders from older posts of Ramsey Day click links below. Never mind when I see a elephant fly, if you are a sky watcher you may see or recall a flying motorbike. Yet to see a flying pig but I'm a (cynical) optimist and always hopeful on a island that believes in fairies, myths and legends that it only a matter of time.


Stairlift
Jump to it
Flying motorbike

Wasp on a motorbike?

Buzz off!

This image is taken from something we call Mad Sunday which I featured a few weeks ago...... Well as you can see here we have a wasp on a motorbike. One of numerous variations on a theme. Ok it's a human take on a critter on Parliament Square but I couldn't resist using another of the image. Expect all sorts of animals on motorbikes to turn up at some point from the photo collection. As a bonus you even get a swan in there too if you look closely.





I'm as busy as a bee today flitting about in a waspish manner. No that's a lie. My other half is very busy creating 2 Separate artistic commissions(yes he's the artist dahlink, I'm the photographer and yes the house is covered in sketches) and I am on the supplying coffee and ice lolly duties in a waspish manner of course.

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

SENIOR RACE, ISLE OF MAN TT 2009

The local lad Connor Cummins

Three's a crowd

Not now John

Just to round off the week a few images from the very last Race. The race concludes the week of Races. Taken in my usual spot for this particular image, the lean of the bike on the bend at Parliament Square.

1. Connor Cummins who really is a local boy, not just a Manxman, from the Isle of Man, even better than that he is from Ramsey. He came 2nd and well deserved place it was too.
2. If you look closely 3 in a line taking the bend towards my local pub. Yes bend any closer and they would be in the pub.
3. The ever popular John McGuinness who was having a blistering ride until disaster struck, about 2 mins after this image was taken. One snapped bike chain and the end to another win for John this year I'm sad to say.

Hope you enjoyed the week in photos. Over a thousand so they will turn up from time to time, but for now that's your lot. Well apart for my special visitor tomorrow. Wading through the ones for sale.

John Crellin - Rip

JOHN CRELLIN - RIP

John Crellin - RIP

Sadly John Crellin, from the Isle of Man, died today competing in the Senior Race, Isle of Man TT 2009 Road Races. Condolences from all here on the island to John's family.

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!