Race day

The post below was put up after the Friday practice at the Skerries 100. Now it's a few days after the Saturday race. Again, mega impressed by the skills and courage of these guys. Somebody told me that the big bikes reach speeds of 175 mph down the main stretch. Nuts. And the crowd, perched on embankments, also take major risks (I didn't....I managed to find protected areas).

Saturday morning was a bit rainy, so that slowed things down a bit but I managed to find a few great spots (on top of hedges basically) to watch the action. The crowd was out in full force, many sporting t-shirts commemorating Martin Finnegan, a local boy who died in a similar race last year. It dried up after noon and the later races, many of the big bikes, took place under dry conditions.

Overall a great day, and what a great event for little 'ol Skerries.

The Skerries 100 !

Big weekend in Skerries...it's the Skerries 100 motorcycle race. So the local Loughshinny Motorcycle Club holds the races every year, TT-style. The track is composed of various roads between Skerries and Lusk....you know the type, one lane each way with a massive hedge along the border. Winding, lots of blind bends, up and down, spectators standing beside the road....yep, perfect place for a motorcycle race. Only crazies need apply.

I went along to the practice sessions today. The first bikes out were the classic reconditioned ones....so I was very impressed with the speeds they managed on these winding roads. Quite crazy actually. And then the 750cc bikes came out, and I must say that I was blown away by the balls these riders have. These guys were doing about 140 mph down these narrow country roads, unbelievable. Here are a couple of pics from today, but they don't actually capture the speed.

The actual races are Saturday, and Catherine is coming along then. I know she'll think it another example of utter Irish madness.