We Ride the Mountain with Croz, Almost - Exclusive
By: Malcolm Wheeler
Never one to miss an opportunity Malc Wheeler tagged along when Graeme Crosby got to ride a lap of the TT Mountain Course, on his original XR69 at the Manx Grand Prix Festival. As is often the case on Mona's Isle things didn't go quite to plan.
Comment on our videos: register or login to add your comments to our video features below.
Video hosted by ©YouTube
It's the first thing you forget about racing on the TT Mountain Course, sometimes it rains! Which of course is what it did the moment Kiwi ace Graeme Crosby and me were directed to the start line for our ride on the best 37.73 miles of tarmac in the world. And then it poured down.
When I heard that Croz, one of the nicest guys you'll meet in our sport, was to do a parade lap of the Mountain between races at this years Manx I started to hatch a plan to tag along. Our original plan looked pretty impressive. Croz was set to ride the original Suzuki diesel from Steve Wheatman's impressive, and still growing, collection on which he won one of his TT's and I would ride shotgun on the John Sims built XR 69 replica on which Michael Dunlop won last years Classic Superbike race.
That was before lady luck took a hand. Michael Dunlop's new 2011 XR69 replica was lacking a few horse power which saw him revert to the tried and tested winner from the year before. So it was back to plan B, which luckily I had hatched the weekend before.
A chance meeting with Chris Barratt, who has a small but very tasty collection of racing two-strokes, resulted in him offering me a ride on his TZ750 Yamaha. Chris was on the Island for the Festival of Jurby, so travel plans were already in place. Half dozen laps at the Festival of Jurby confirmed two things for me, Chris knows how to prepare a race bike and that I love TZ750's.
You can see from the short onboard clip the weather didn't play fair and the water brought the big TZ to an undignified halt when the Manx rain seeped into the electrics. It was fun while it lasted!
2 Responses to “We Ride the Mountain with Croz, Almost - Exclusive”
Terry McG Says:
November, 4th 2011 at 06:20 pm
Well, thank you.
The sounds of that TZ certainly brought back memories. Only someone that rode one in anger will have heard that song before. In my case, I got a better opportunity than many to hear the motor and that special clutch rattle, as I rode quite close to various motors in the sidecars that I passengered. Thanks again.
Comments
Please login or register to post a comment
Current Issue: May/Jun 2012
The real Steve Hislop
Exclusive
The ride of my life
Mick Walker's autobiography previewed
Paul Butler
From Dunlop tyres to the top of the world
Plus... Mark Salle - Mr immaculate... Moto Martin Kawasaki tested... A single purpose - Morini 250... In a spin - Norton Rotary restorations... Sport down under... Brownie's beat and all the regulars...
PLUS:
• Next issue on sale: 21st June 2012
Motorcycle enthusiasts have travelled afar to reach the Lanark Show and the bright biking ...
Ducfan Says:
January, 13th 2012 at 04:35 am
That was thoroughly enjoyable to watch even if the TZ did go off song. A TZ750 in the rain, rather you than me. Cheers.