Tag: Competitive Image

That Dean Harrison guy sure is fast!

by competitiveimage

Leading up to both the 2018 and 2019 TT Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman were billed as the ones to watch.

Indeed they were worth watching, that is if you could possibly turn your head fast enough to keep them in sight. Dean turned in a fastest lap of 134.918 and Peter set the record with a lap in the 2018 Senior TT of 135.452, mere seconds difference over a lap of the Mountain Course.

On the first night of practice, I had my favorite spot to get the riders coming over Ballagarey. My son Jon was with me shooting video and after a few riders when by, Dean came flying over the hill and Jon looked at me and said, That Dean Harrison guy share is fast. Yes everyone is fast but when a few of the top riders go by, they actually are noticeably faster.

Although I am a BMW guy, it was great to see Dean pick up a win in the Senior TT and a couple of other podiums as well.

A favorite comment from the 2019 race was when I asked my friend Harry (age 6) what is favorite motorbike was, he emphatically said “Powasaki.” With Dean’s consistently fast time, all I can say is Powasaki indeed.

Deal getting ready for the first practice session
Dean and Conor Cummins waiting to be sent off in practice.
There was a great relief among the riders and crews when practice was finally able to begin.
Practice at Ballagarey.
Dean at Braddan Bridge
Flying over Ballaugh Bridge.
Dean and Conor turning in at Ballaugh after the red flag.
Dean and Conor taking it easy at Ballaugh and chatting with the marshals.
Close to the wall at Greeba Bridge for his 2019 Senior TT win.

The Isle of Man that isn’t the TT

by competitiveimage

As I travel and share stories about the Isle of Man and the TT, I always tell people that if you only go the Isle of Man and only watching fast motorcycles, you are missing half of the experience. This small island nation is a truly an amazing place to explore. There are rugged coastlines, lush National Glens, rolling hills, historic churches and cemeteries, as well as the an amazing waterwheel built in 1854.

I could go on and on, but I will just share a few photos and you can start planning your days off at the 2020 TT.

The Lady Isabella in Laxey
The Lady Isabella in Laxey
The Lady Isabella in Laxey
Ballaglass Glen near Ramsey
Ballaglass Glen near Ramsey
Entrance to Marine Drive – just a few minutes from Douglas
Marine Drive – just a few minutes from Douglas
A 12th Century Viking Castle
The rolling hills are incredibly quiet on non-race days.
Sometimes you forget you are on an island.

Welcome to my new blog!

by competitiveimage

The most recent entries in my Competitive Image blog were from the 2017 Isle of Man TT and now as I prepare for the 2019 TT, it is time to get started once again.

Yes, I had the best of intentions of doing more posts earlier, but it always seemed like – I just have to clear a few things off of my desk, get some quiet time and think for a bit. Now, two years later I have cleared a few things away, which have been replaced by stacks of other things and my quiet time is all too often followed by a nap.

One of the big changes for 2019 is that I have become a BMW Motorrad USA Approved Presenter.  Although I could have never dreamt this when I first arrived at the TT in 2017, I now travel to BMW Motorrad Dealers around the US and present a 90-minute multi-media presentation entitled The TT Experience. 

Lots of race images, stories from my interviews with top riders and a behind the scenes look at the oldest, fastest and most dangerous motorcycle race in the world.  I hope this shot gets your attention and I can continue to share images and stories that make you feel like you are in the action and on the course at the TT.

Having said that, the odds are that if you are looking at my blog you have already been to one of my presentations and signed up to be kept informed.   

There will be lots more to follow – I PROMISE! Instead of waiting to do a long blog post and letting my procrastination take over, I will likely have shorter posts with a couple of quick photos to give you a daily idea of what life is like at the TT.

I will also be starting a YouTube channel to host interviews, I am planning with some of the top riders

For now, just a short introduction and a few photos and a caveat. As you might be able to tell by the blog name MAKE LIFE A RIDE it will be both TT and BMW Centric.

I hope you enjoy it and pass it on to friends with similar interests.

Hope to see you on the road.

Paul