What is it about going fast? Why do we love speed when there’s a decent chance it could kill us? As a doctor working in Accident and Emergency, I have seen the results of excessive speed at close quarters, so I know how badly things can go wrong.
But the need for speed is strong, and I had a speed-related itch that needed scratching: a trip to the Isle of Man TT, the ultimate temple of speed.
As a doctor, there was an easy way for me to do it
- volunteering as a medic, so I signed up in early 2020. Roll on June!
No one needs reminding about what happened next. With Covid sweeping across the globe, nothing was certain anymore, even the TT.
Anybody’s life could be rudely interrupted at any point.
The TT got cancelled, and time passed on.
Then, just before Christmas 2021, I got an email: Volunteers needed for the Manx GP in August. I replied without thinking about it. I’m going!
Fast forward…
Six months later, and I board the Steam Packet ferry from Liverpool to Douglas. It’s time!
The next day brings glorious sunshine and my first experience of living in Bikerland. We are everywhere – while the machines are both modern and ancient, their riders tend towards classic. Quickly it becomes clear that ‘the nod’ has been suspended for the week by mutual agreement – try and greet every fellow rider you pass would give you repetitive strain injury.
My instructions are to report to ‘The Hoggery’ as soon as I arrive, a small building next the the main grandstand on Glencrutchery road. It’s open, but there’s no one around apart from a man apparently working off last night’s celebrations by sleeping in his car. However, my appearance of being vaguely lost has an effect – he quickly wakes up and
