Croft TD 20th April 2015
Discussion
curlie467 said:
Whats your opinion on the blade after its first outing?
It is OK apart from the riding [position being too cramped for me, I am trying new handlebars then maybe a different set of rear sets.I also have a new race style seat unit to go on so maybe that will help for my next visit on the 15th May.
I apologise for not sharing a few thoughts of the day sooner.
Left home with a clear blue sky and dry roads at 5.55am, turned off at the Barton services slip road where it was wet. (only 5 miles from Croft)
Got to the track at bang on 7am and saw Paul25 in his van in the paddock patiently waiting to let someone with a caravan reverse into a spot so I nipped in front of him and nicked the space where Paul wanted to park. (he did call me many rude names but it fell on deaf ears)
Had a right old f
k on with the electric tripping every 2 minutes when we first got there until someone realised it was Loon R1's massive extension lead over heating due to being 99% wound up on its reel.
Got called 10 minutes before our first session to be noise tested at the end of pit lane so I jump on my bike and try to pull away only to find that I couldn't let the clutch out when I turned full lock because my hand was trapped by the fairing. I nearly dropped it.
Sat for 10 minutes waiting to be noise tested then got told there was another 10 minute wait as the previous group were going back out to finish their first session after a red flag.
back in the garage, back on the stands and back on with the tyre warmers as my tyres were stone cold, (using an old set of Moto2 slicks) 5 minutes later we are called out so off with the warmers and off the stands, remembered about the lock this time.
Sat waiting to go out for another 5 minutes so I pop it on the side stand and take my glove off, tyres stone cold yet again.... At last we're off for the sighting laps, pull away and can't get my false leg onto the peg so stand up on one leg to reach over and lift my foot up and nearly fell off again!
The 3 sighting laps were behind a 500 Kawasaki thing that was taking its time so there was still no heat in the tyres and the track has lots of damp patches, I hit One slippy One on the first lap and nearly fall off, when I tensed up I immediately got cramp in my false leg side hip which made riding nearly impossible, so I stand up again and that seems to do the trick.
Lap 2 of the 3 sighting laps I managed to hit every slippery damp patch which made the bike slew a few times but I did not nearly fall off this time.
At the end of the 3rd sighting lap the flag drops and everyone passes old BN like he's going backwards in the novice group, I maned up and got some heat in the tyres and stuck it out until the end of the first session!
I'll be brief with the rest....
The bike felt horrible because I just couldn't move around on it so I felt like I had both arms and legs tied behind my back, when I did take the bit between my teeth and throw it in the exhaust grounded out making the back come around. (I nearly fell off)
The rest of the day was much the same.
It was as usual great to meet people that I have not before, Tim85, prof and Hebegb's mate Soofthsayer? on the HP4 who was going really well. Was nice to see all the others that I have met before too.
Got in the van at 5.05pm and was sitting in the house at 6.20pm
That's it really.
Left home with a clear blue sky and dry roads at 5.55am, turned off at the Barton services slip road where it was wet. (only 5 miles from Croft)
Got to the track at bang on 7am and saw Paul25 in his van in the paddock patiently waiting to let someone with a caravan reverse into a spot so I nipped in front of him and nicked the space where Paul wanted to park. (he did call me many rude names but it fell on deaf ears)
Had a right old f
k on with the electric tripping every 2 minutes when we first got there until someone realised it was Loon R1's massive extension lead over heating due to being 99% wound up on its reel.Got called 10 minutes before our first session to be noise tested at the end of pit lane so I jump on my bike and try to pull away only to find that I couldn't let the clutch out when I turned full lock because my hand was trapped by the fairing. I nearly dropped it.
Sat for 10 minutes waiting to be noise tested then got told there was another 10 minute wait as the previous group were going back out to finish their first session after a red flag.
back in the garage, back on the stands and back on with the tyre warmers as my tyres were stone cold, (using an old set of Moto2 slicks) 5 minutes later we are called out so off with the warmers and off the stands, remembered about the lock this time.
Sat waiting to go out for another 5 minutes so I pop it on the side stand and take my glove off, tyres stone cold yet again.... At last we're off for the sighting laps, pull away and can't get my false leg onto the peg so stand up on one leg to reach over and lift my foot up and nearly fell off again!
The 3 sighting laps were behind a 500 Kawasaki thing that was taking its time so there was still no heat in the tyres and the track has lots of damp patches, I hit One slippy One on the first lap and nearly fall off, when I tensed up I immediately got cramp in my false leg side hip which made riding nearly impossible, so I stand up again and that seems to do the trick.
Lap 2 of the 3 sighting laps I managed to hit every slippery damp patch which made the bike slew a few times but I did not nearly fall off this time.
At the end of the 3rd sighting lap the flag drops and everyone passes old BN like he's going backwards in the novice group, I maned up and got some heat in the tyres and stuck it out until the end of the first session!
I'll be brief with the rest....
The bike felt horrible because I just couldn't move around on it so I felt like I had both arms and legs tied behind my back, when I did take the bit between my teeth and throw it in the exhaust grounded out making the back come around. (I nearly fell off)
The rest of the day was much the same.
It was as usual great to meet people that I have not before, Tim85, prof and Hebegb's mate Soofthsayer? on the HP4 who was going really well. Was nice to see all the others that I have met before too.
Got in the van at 5.05pm and was sitting in the house at 6.20pm
That's it really.
TheLordJohn said:
I had an awesome day! Took it steady bobbing and built up REALLY gradually.
By the time I'd finished, I had no chicken strips and was really pushing myself (safely).
Bike flattered me, performed faultlessly and looked a million dollars.
Think I'll have a track bike in the next 6 months and retire the GSX-R to stud
I didn't meet you did I?By the time I'd finished, I had no chicken strips and was really pushing myself (safely).
Bike flattered me, performed faultlessly and looked a million dollars.
Think I'll have a track bike in the next 6 months and retire the GSX-R to stud
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