Sun To Make Way For Soggy Spectating

Well, we had a good run.

After what’s felt like weeks of uncharacteristically glorious sunshine, just in time for the return of thousands of bikers, campers, and Manx flag-waving lunatics, the weather is about to pull a classic TT U-turn.

According to our mates at the Met Office, rain is set to make a dramatic comeback just in time for the start of practice week.

Forecaster Colin Gartshore has practically guaranteed there’ll be disruption to the racing schedule next week, saying: ‘It will be mixed next week, and I would be extremely surprised if we get away with no disruption to the five practice days.’

Translation: there’s more chance of you spotting Milky Quayle riding backwards on a tandem than us getting a full, dry week of bikes on the Mountain (somehow Milky will actually fit this into his hectic schedule now).

Rain, mist, drizzle, fog – the full Manx buffet.

We’re being told it’ll start turning grim from Friday, with heavy rain expected on Saturday just as everyone’s finishing pitching their tents at Glenlough.

We’re talking highs of 15C at best and a drop from the balmy 18-20C we’ve been swanning about in for the past few weeks. Back to the TT norm: soggy leathers and steamed-up visors.

And just in case you were hoping for a race week reprieve? Think again. The ‘unsettled’ weather looks like it’s sticking around well into the following week too.

That said, islanders shouldn’t pack away their sunnies just yet.

Tuesday and Wednesday this week are still looking glorious with blue skies and temperatures flirting with 18C.

Thursday’s still decent too, slightly cooler at 16C, before the clouds roll in and the paddock becomes one big puddle on Friday.

So, if you’ve got sun to soak up or pub gardens to occupy, now’s the time.

But let’s be honest, would it really be TT without a weather delay, a bit of fog at Brandywell and someone asking, ‘Is the ferry still sailing in this?’ from inside a windswept tent?