#Iomtt2017

The 2017 Isle of Man TT did not disappoint the legion of fans who trek across the Irish Sea to witness the world’s greatest motorcycle races, or the millions who watch on worldwide TV. While the weather didn’t always cooperate, the fortnight brought intense racing, and the emergence of a new generation of brave men who will embrace the challenge of the iconic 37.75-mile Mountain Course for years to come. New legends will follow Hailwood, Agostini, Dunlop, McGuinness and the other greats into the history books.

Okay, a handful of MO readers and Kevin Duke have wondered aloud when my next report from the 2017 Isle of Man TT would arrive. Did a tailless Manx cat eat my homework? No. What went down was seasonal-affective disorder – triggering weather, a mangled race schedule, and a surfeit of reasons to not submit columns about the pubs I was spending an inordinate amount of time in. The knock along effects of the wet, cold low-pressure bubble that enveloped the IoM turned the TT into a logistical challenge of epic proportions for race organizers, riders, and barkeeps. And forced visiting race fans and part-time pseudo journalists (I count myself in both categories) deep into the pubs, where the cask ale was fine but the stories unprintable. So, now safely back in hot, dry New Jersey, I’ll do my best to capture the TT scene belatedly.