SY Hullu Poro – Page 27 – Boating & Biking Adventures

🚴‍♂️…Glen Maye…👌

On August 3, 2024

The early morning steam train left Douglas with a 30 min delay and arrived 90 min late into Port Erin! Wow. It operated today in accordance to the original time schedule from 1874. Well, I was assured that the delay was caused by some unexpected events and definitely not normal during the good old days! 😅

One of the reasons was without doubt the popularity on today’s celebration having extra passengers and therefore the demand to add more wagons on short notice but also having the governor of the island joining.

However, we finally made it and my body and mind were already tired before I even hit the road. Glen Maye was my destination for the day, one of the many glens cutting sharp and deep into the rocky island. I did not get disappointed compared to the effort put in.

Fair winds…

Hiking – The Howe

By Bernd

On August 2, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

The steam was on for 9:50am to get with the first departure of the day to Port St. Mary. Here started my coastal hike around the southern “peninsula”.

Despite the cloudy weather the track presented itself quite colourful and as described by the IOM Tourist Board: Rugged cliffs, rolling hills, picturesque glens, hidden coves and panoramic views! Nothing to add.

With less steam in my legs, the train from Port Erin took us back to Douglas.

Fair winds…

Tarmac meets Train

By Bernd

On August 1, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

I could not let the foot off the pedal and off we go, back in the saddle today.

The Manx Heritage Transport Festival is in full swing on this island and I purchased a 5 days GO Explore Card, which entitles travelling across the island on all busses and trains. While the busses are all state of the art, the heritage focuses on the trains. 150 years of steam railway and 125 years of electric railway are the two main anniversary milestones being celebrated this year.

I cycled up to Snaefell Bungalow, left the bike behind and jumped on the train coming from Laxey taking us up on the final miles to the Snaefell Summit, the highest point on the Isle of Man (621m).

Second on my agenda was the tea room at Groudle Glen Railway, but unfortunately it will only reopen over the weekend. I will give it another try then.

Komoot 🚴‍♂️ recordings to be corrected: 39km over 600m altitude on tarmac and gravel, balance on rails!

Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️…IOM Northbound…🇮🇲

By Bernd

On July 31, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

The Manx Electric Railway took us north to Ramsey, where our bike ride started and ended. I wanted to explore the rather flat part of the island and some more beaches further up north.

Glad to let the weather window pass and rather stay on this fabulous island.

Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️…IOM – Peel …🇮🇲

By Bernd

On July 30, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

Today‘s bike ride took me into Peel at the east coast of the island. I followed the heritage trail of the old steam railway line between the two cities.

The beaches here in Peel are considered to be among the nicest ones on the island. A beautiful day.

Fair winds…

Grand Fondo 🇮🇲 – 2. Day

By Bernd

On July 28, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

It was a bit of a misty start from Douglas to get to Ramsey, the Riders Village for the ongoing 🚴‍♂️ tournament. All races today got the start and finish line at Mooragh Lake.

Although biking closely along the coastline, I could not see much of the sea until getting into Ramsey, where the sun took over. Fog. Interesting.

The action was already on at the time I arrived and from six to sixty plus the participants came in from the various races. 1000 riders from 30 countries were either “racing to win or riding to finish”. Nice slogan.

The return ride to my own start/finish line took me through some breathtaking countryside. Tired after 5 hours in the saddle but fully rewarded for the effort.

Fair winds…

Grand Fondo 🇮🇲 – 1. Day

By Bernd

On July 27, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

The Grand Fondo IOM is happing this weekend, one of the many big biking events increasingly popular around the world. The finish line of today’s Individual Time Trial was placed at the bottom of the Snaefell Mountain. Good opportunity for me to check it out and get some leg training done myself.

Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️…IOM Southbound…🇮🇲

By Bernd

On July 26, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

We, the bike and me, took the first departure at 9:50am BST on the Steam Railway from Douglas to Port Erin. This line operates with its original equipment (steam locomotives and coaches) since 1874! Next week is big 150 year Transport Festival on the island. It‘s all about the heritage railways, their specific tasks – very well maintained and still operational.

The 🚴‍♂️ ride back from Port Erin to Douglas took me through some nice villages and landscape.

Next two days will be a different biking agenda: UCI Grand Fondo – Isle of Man!

Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️…Marine Drive…🇮🇲

By Bernd

On July 25, 2024

In B(H)iking, Isle of Man

Douglas / Isle of Man

By Bernd

On July 23, 2024

In Isle of Man

Our time gate was set to 8am at Chicken Rock to catch the NE current up along the southern coastline of the Isle of Man towards its capital – Douglas. 4kn of current were expected.

The Harbour Master recommended me to keep 1nm off this iconic lighthouse and its coastline but I did not want to loose to much windward grounds under the now 20kn of wind from a NW direction. The Lady, performing a slow waltz up to now, turned into acrobatic salsa and the skipper was left with a dry throat again! Oh my lord! Pure nature! Chicken Rock stay away!

Different currents, all friendly, did throw us north towards Douglas Harbour in no time. More than 11kn speed over ground (SOG) is a new record for The Lady.

After a short welcome from Craig at the visitor pontoon we moved into the inner harbour to our allocated berth.

Fair winds…