Isle of Man TT: 2011 Motorcycle Tour

IoM TT Travel

The motorcycle tour company formerly known as Alaska Rider Tours-long time specialists in adventure motorcycle outings in the State of Alaska-is now MotoQuest Tours. The name change came about to accommodate their expansion in destinations, providing adventure tours worldwide.

After twelve years of organizing group motorcycle outings MotoQuest can honestly say they go to the end of the Earth. Seriously. One of their tours is named "End of the Earth Tour," which travels to the tip of South America.

I love the verbiage in their website intro which states emphatically; "MotoQuest was launched because we think it would be rude not to travel the world on a motorcycle." Just the kind of thing an adventurer wants to hear.

MotoQuest tours cover the gamut of two-wheel adventure trips, from Indochina to Argentina, Alaska to New Zealand, Vietnam to South Africa, offering tours with alluring names such as "Patagonia Fly Fish and Ride," and "Prudhoe Bay Odyssey."

Their "Isle of Man and Wales Tour" marries a motorcycle tour of Wales and the Isle with attendance at the oldest motorcycle race in the world, the legendary Isle of Man TT. However, MotoQuest tackles more than sheer two-wheel adventure, boasting a weave of education by experiencing exotic cultures, food and people in remote regions of the globe.

MotoQuest tours over a wide range of choices for a mount, from the full globetrotting BMW GS stable, to Suzuki’s V-Strom, Kawasaki’s formidable KLR to bikes as diverse as Royal Enfield and Ural, with some American motorcycles in the form of Harley-Davidson and the going extinct Buell Ulysses.

You’ll also find some Yamahas and Hondas. This range ensures that each rider will find a motorcycle of their liking for their tour.

Tour packages include airport pick-up and drop-off, motorcycle rental, experienced and knowledgeable guides, chase vehicle and mechanical support, all accommodations, welcome and farewell dinners, DVD of photos from the tour, detailed itinerary and map packet, and a MotoQuest "swag bag."

Isle of Man and Wales Motorcycle Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Friday, May 27th: Arrival in Bournemouth, England

Welcome to England! Jet lag recovery in the beautiful coastal town of Bournemouth. All accommodations are included in the tour price. Welcome dinner. Stay in Bournemouth

Day 2: Saturday, May 28th: Bournemouth to Marlborough – 100 miles

We’ll pick up our bikes and ride north. Wonder at the purpose and difficulty of placing stones that weigh several tons hundreds of miles from where they were found at Stonehenge. Stop for the evening in the historic market town, Marlborough. If time permits, ride out to the mysterious Avery Stones. Stay in Marlborough.

Explore around the mysterious Stonehenge ruins.

Day 3: Sunday, May 29th: Ride from Marlborough to Bala – 180 miles

Enjoy the twists and turns as we get further into the countryside on our way through Wales. Go back in time in the wonderful welsh countryside. Stay in Bala.

Day 4: Monday, May 30th: Bala to Isle of Man – 110 miles

Ride to Liverpool and take a ferry to the city of Douglas, on the Isle of Man. We’ll load our bikes and enjoy the company of riders from all over the world on their way to the world’s most famous motorcycle race, the TT. You’ll feel right at home surrounded by folks in sliders and leathers. It’s off to our accomodations after we dock. Stay on the Isle of Man.

Feel the excitement as you board the ferry bound for the Isle of Man!

Day 5-8: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: May 31st, June 1st, June 2nd, & June 3rd. Free days on the Isle of Man! – as many miles as you like…

Ride the world famous Mountain Course and explore the island all day, every day.
We’ll watch the races from several different locations to get the best the Tourist Trophy has to offer from tight corners through town to the top of the Mountain Road where racers "slingshot" pass at speeds topping 200 m.p.h. !! Stay on the Isle of Man.

Watch vintage sidecars race by on the Isle of Man.

Day 9: Saturday, June 4th: Isle of Man to Liverpool via ferry. Liverpool to Dolgellau, Wales – 80 miles

Early birds will get one more ride on the Mountain Road (our favorite time to ride it) before catching the ferry to Liverpool. We’ll quickly leave the city behind and head into Snowdonia National Park in the heart of Wales. Stay in Dolgellau.

Day 10: Sunday, June 5th: Free day riding in Snowdonia – as many miles as you like!

Mountains, lakes, twists and turns all to yourself. Ride Wales and discover it may be the best riding day of your life! Stay in Dolgellau.

Day 11: Monday, June 6th: Ride from Dolgellau to Brecon – 80 to 200 miles

We’ll leave Snowdonia National Park and head to Brecon Beacons National Park, but you’ll never notice when the great riding in the first park ends and the fantastic riding in the second park begins! Stay in Brecon area.

Day 12: Sunday, June 7th: Brecon to Bournemouth -190 miles

We’ll enjoy one more day of great riding as we come full circle back to Bournemouth. Motorcycle return and farewell dinner.

Day 13: Monday, June 8th: Bournemouth to Your Home (unknown miles)

Breakfast in Bournemouth, goodbyes, and memories to last a lifetime!

MotoQuest tours are limited to a maximum of ten riders and offer a high guest-to-staff ratio in order to obtain an optimum degree of adventure while maximizing participant safety.

(Meals Included in package: all Breakfasts, Welcome and Farewell dinners.) For more information and a complete listing of tours, go to motoquesttours.com and, as the brochure says; come ride the world.