The last greatest motorcycle mecca. A pilgrimage yet to be diluted by rule makers or co-opted by corporate entities. The Isle of Man TT remains special for a bunch of reasons but, primarily, because it’s so damn difficult to get there.

For North Americans, and, in fact, anyone outside the UK, it’s at least one flight to the English mainland or Ireland then a 40-minute-or-so budget airline, twin-prop hop over the Irish Sea to Ronaldsway Airport. If you want to travel by motorcycle, it’s a case of booking the ferry (way in advance) and renting a bike in England or Ireland. Riding on two wheels makes a visit to the TT even more special.

All this foreplay only serves to ramp up the excitement of actually setting foot on the verdant pimple in the Irish Sea. Just 50,000 people live on the island, and nearly that number visits during the two weeks of TT, so accommodation is at a premium. There are hotels and bed and breakfasts-relics from the island’s past as a 1950s working class honeymoon destination. Then there are traditional campsites, “glamping,” and the innovative home-stay scheme that allows residents to take in temporary lodgers to ease the island’s creaking infrastructure. Now there are also capsule hotels, hauled to the paddock by a truck and offering a bed behind a lockable door, and little more.

There are 38 miles of public-road racetrack from which to view the breathtaking racing. All of the areas, except the seat in the grandstand alongside the start, are free. You can choose a pub-like Quarterbridge, The Raven, Ginger Hall, or the Creg-Ny-Baa — and get comfortable. If you’re not drinking, find one of the churches on the circuit that offers teas and cake.

Make sure you spectate from at least one fast place. Somewhere on Bray Hill is easy to walk from anywhere in Douglas. Or venue to the Mountain, by bike, taxi, or ancient electric railway. If you’re riding, buy a map and discover where you can reach while the roads are closed to avoid being trapped for hours. Then, during the Senior and Superbike races, you can try other vantage points.

The festival is held over two weeks, but the first week is practice. You’ll still see bikes lapping at 128-plus mph, and all the stars are in the paddock.

On days with no racing, explore the coast and castles before the magnetic draw of the free-to-enter pits pulls you back to Glencrutchery Road. Get started planning today at iomtt.com. It might be hard to get but it’s completely worth the effort. — Gary Inman

Be safe on the road and ride with class. Wear your own custom painted helmet.