Cycle Road Racing

I just did a day as a Bike Marshall at a cycle road race (the Derby Mercury 2009 event)- what an interesting experience! 3 of us (Ray as Lead, myself and Andy) lead the race from the the Race HQ to the start point, then split as a junction required 'marking' - basically attempting to stop or at least slow traffic to protect the cyclists - and for a short while I was Lead Bike which meant warning oncoming traffic of the group of Race Control vehicles and cyclists coming their way.

The route was an 11-mile circuit near to Burton On Trent - six and a half laps brought the riders back to the Race Finish. At times I was required to mark junctions so eventually I ended up in the middle of the race as the pack split into several sections. After marking, I had to re-pass the vehicles and the riders to get back in the lead. As far as I know, there were no incidents with general traffic, everyone was more than willing to wait for the riders and accompanying vehicles to pass.

There were static Marshalls placed at busy roundabouts and T-junctions, it was fun seeing them scurry into place as I approached - they knew the riders would be close behind - they also did a great job in protecting the riders from traffic.

Added bonus - as Marshalls, we get free drinks and food from the organisers...


             

I am an IAM now, I am

Good day, yesterday - passed my Institute of Advance Motorists Bike Test, so now a qualified IAM member!

Who Was Jackie Storer?

I got home an hour or so earlier than usual today, early enough to take the dogs out for a walk, before it started to get dark. We walked down to Shipley Country Park, around Osborne's Pond and up a hill crossing a couple of fields. At the top of this hill, in the middle of the field was a fairly new park bench.

It had a plate attached - "Jackie Storer 1947 - 2009" "Loved to walk across this Park" was inscribed on it. I think this was him - memorium notice

We sat on the bench for a few minutes, and watched (well, I did, the dogs sat on the grass patiently waiting to carry on) a magnificent sunset. Thanks, Jackie.       

Its A Marathon, Not A Sprint

Last weekend, I helped out as a Bike Marshall in the Nottingham Marathon - first time I've done this, but as I've said before, I want to use the bike to experience new things.

It was interesting - I had 2 stages to cover; the first at the 4-5 mile markers in the University Park basically keeping pathways clear of people who visit the Gardens and Lake there, and making sure the few vehicles allowed in are out of the way before the runners came through - when they did it took over an hour for them all to pass!

After the Sweeper Bus came through, I was off to the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont(near to West Bridgford just outside the city centre), a group of about 6 of us covering both sides of the artificial lake which is 2km long - mile markers 20 - 22. I got there about two and a quarter hours after the race started and the lead runners were already there!

The next couple of hours were spent ferrying numerous bottles of water from one end of the lake to the other - the 2 drinks stations were at the same end but approx 4 kms apart on the course. Checked the health of a few stationary runners... "You alright mate?" " Yeah.... fine... I'll....be...OK....I....think" was the usual conversation... carried 1 unfortunate soul as pillion to the nearest St John Ambulance station and saw other Marshalls doing the same, and even acted as a rock for a cramp victim as he attempted to stretch his knotted muscles.

The pain on some of the runners faces was disconcerting, as was the obvious pain in their tired bodies - why do they (the non-professionals that is) do it? I suppose 'Charity' is an easy answer, but I couldn't/wouldn't put my body through that amount of work for anything. Respect to those who finished and especially those who just tried...

Slavery Works!

Fitted the new 2nd-hand clutch slave cylinder today, and the beast lives! A short test ride indicated there's a little air in the system, but another bleed session should sort that out.

Off to watch MotoGP qualies now...     

JOG-LE reunion 2009

A weekend away in Stirling, to bring together a few friends who had, 2 years ago, completed a John O'Groats to Lands Ends bike run. The previous year we went to the Lake District, I guess we're sort of spending a little more time in some of the areas we passed through on the original ride.

A couple of long ride-outs were planned for the Saturday and Sunday, I decided to cut short the Saturday ride, due to a nagging shoulder problem; and just 15 miles from my return to Stirling I started to notice a clutch problem - gears difficult to select, lengthy free lever travel (the RF900 has an hydraulic clutch)... the last couple of miles I had hardly any clutch at all, roundabouts and traffic lights were a bit hairy! 

We had a brief attempt at fixing the problem - and failed. Both clutch slave cylinder bolts had disappeared, and the fluid had all gone. A bottle of Dot-4 was purchased, a bolt was scavenged from a mate's bike, the clutch was bled and ... it still leaked.

Next day was spent appealing for help from members of RFOC, for a spare slave or sourcing a seal kit - despite heroic efforts none were found. So, on Monday morning, the  decision was made to call the insurance breakdown/recovery people. Three hours later, myself and Kel, and the RF, were on a flatbed truck heading south, not looking forward to the 7-hour drive home.

On the way, one of the RFOC members (Russell in Peterborough - what a star!) called me to say he had a spare slave and was sending it by DHL the next day. Right now the bike is stripped and ready for the slave to be installed.

Spannering

Well, after  a week of having the bike in bits, today should see it back together again.

Had new tryes put on, and with one paddock stand, that meant taking 1 wheel at a time to the tyre shop, over two days... I used National Tyres, they wont take your wheels off for you (because of "lack of skills in chain adjustment"), but will let you use their equipment and tools to do it on their premises if you want to 'ride in ride out' - err, no thanks....  my guess is Health & Safety would have a field day with that idea!

Anyway, took the rear off, to find the pads were in a shocking state - my pillion g/f recently said on a ride "I can hear a noise when we're slowing" - why didnt I check these out then??? New set of pads waiting to go in today, along with new plugs, and fresh oil  next week before the BH weekend, when we're off to Stirling for the weekend           

SOC AGM

Had a good weekend at the Suzuki Owners Club AGM last weekend - the AGM itself lasts about a couple of hours, and is surrounded by a couple of days of drinking and a little bit of mayhem...

It was held at MFN (Miles From Nowhere or Middle of F****** Nowhere), a canal-side venue near Ilkeston, Derbys, and is owned and run by Malc Allured (drummer with 70's pop band Showaddywaddy).

It really is in the middle of nowhere, the two lanes leading to it are about a mile long before you reach civilisation. Malc's band, The Daytona's, played on the Saturday night, they rocked out some classics.

And finally... The Weather.

Why is it I need 2 sets of biking clothes to ride my bike to work and back? It s never the same weather in the morning and in the evening.

Today for example - pee-ing down this morning (almost took the car...), so on with the waterproof jacket and trousers. Arrive at work wet (on the outside), but thats OK because the changing room has a hot drying cupboard (even if it does stink a bit from the towels that left in there). So, time for home - put on the now dry jacket and trousers, and bake on the way home in the remnants of a British summer - now I wish I'd put my leathers and my waterproof oversuit on this morning... 

Ponderosa at Llangollen

Went up to the Ponderosa cafe yesterday, with group of friends from the RF Owners Club. The weather was great, a few dark clouds over Wales, elsewhere was sunny. Total of 290 miles, from Derby to Church Stretton (dropped other half at her Aunts), Oswestry, Llangollen and return by same route.

Llangollen is probably a very nice little town, but didnt see much of it because the traffic was horrendous, severe filtering required!  

The steak pie at the Ponderosa was delicious, well worth the visit.