Got up early, took the kids to school,then met Barney at the Raven, filled up and onto ellesmere for a stop off for a coffee. Nice road to get there, nice, decent twisties...Very picturesque place, nice lake and the weather was/ is fantastic. Had a coffee, then onto Bala for another brew and scream scone, courtesy of Steve. Cheers dude, 'twas lovely. Quite a bit of traffic for a week day, but not a problem really, and the twisties where open enough for a blast through them. I know the road quite well, and wanted to test the suspension settings as recommended by Dave Moss....They work a charm! no more skittishness on the bumps, much, much better for the roads, i could tell instantly, rebound isnt as quick, nice and progressive, and slightly softer than before i changed them. Definitely more confidence on the corners with the bike. Then, we came back through bala towards Llangollen, took it easy on the way back as I spotted a police copter in the sky circling around..... Gits. Through towards Oswestry, then just got back ready to pick kids up. Barney seemed to enjoy it, and I think the more he comes out with the quickish lads, the better his confidence, as his lines are very good. His bike looks amazing too, lovely bits of carbon which I'm quite partial to! cheers dude, nice getting out for a ride with you at long last. weather was fantastic, and it dont half make a difference when its warm!
Glad you enjoyed it (The Cream Scone ) I think we need to have a couple of late runs when we get back, sure Barney can find us a route.
Any chance of a link to the Dave Moss settings Si? I trust a lot of what he says when it come to suspension.
Well the phone went and a text from si ... You off tomorrow , I'd worked sat/sun/and Monday at oulton and was supposed to be in aber working , 20' plus mate was the message , so arranged to meet raven for 10am , cracking morning sun out and off I went met si then on to ellesmere for a coffee , the run to ellesmere was good si was leading and the pace was not too bad , then on to Bala , on the way to oswestry I hit the biggest fly that must of been carrying his wife and 20 kids full on , visor was covered I could not see a thing I came along si and pointed to mac d's we stopped and I cleaned what was left of the bugger , and away we went , Now si had got the Rossi head on and away he went , if he over took a car I tried but there not enough room or road and when I did get past , it was catch up time , and I just told myself forget it , he's a much faster rider on the corners than me if I caught up with him he would leave me again , He's fast , smooth , and a bloody good rider , he got to Bala before me and was waiting on the side of the road , We parked up and had a drink , I fed him a scone with jam and cream to slow him down but it did not work , The pace on the way back was better for me I kept si in sight and not too far behind, but when he opened up a bit on the corners he was gone , so we stopped off at chirk said our goodbyes and that was that , I learned a few things today , I'm not the quickest rider in the world but not the slowest also , if I'd tried to keep with si ,I'm sure something would of gone tits up , I like my pace and that suits me , I like wife on the back also and it gives us a bit of free time , I'm not sure I can or could do a group ride out I don't really know if I can hack it , in my mind today was , traffic , car at junction has he seen me , then I need to catch up , don't want si waiting , and I loose concentration and have to start again , but I like trackdays I've done loads but just don't seem to have the same confidence on the road , I need some training I reckon I've not ridden on the roads like this for years , so that's my take and that's how I feel about today , I don't lie never have I'm just telling you how I felt So if anyone has any pointers for me or would like to give me a bit of training on the road I will jump at the chance . Si thanks very very much I learnt loads and I appreciate it big time , even if the scone didn't slow you down
Best training to have is to come out with the boys dude... You'll learn at your own pace and take pointers from them. Worked for me, and still working,everyday. Also, ride at 70% confidence,not full pelt trying to keep up.It keeps me smooth and well within my limits. If I'm not comfortable, I'll back right off. Sunday, the bike didn't feel right, so I slowed right down...no point in pushing when your not comfortable for some reason.
Glad you boys had a good time mate... and great post of how you felt after the ride mate. However Barney dude, dont beat yourself up (not that you seem to be), fairly new to the 1000cc scene after a break and all that, never ridden with Si but i'm sure he doesnt hang around, he also tours a lot and does plenty of miles, experience + Miles = safe, fast progress IMO. i wouldnt say you need training, and dont take this the wrong way mate, but if you want to get better (not necessarily faster) at riding a sports bike, you just need to get out there more, with the boys that are up to speed and push your boundaries a little. all of which you cant do with the Mrs on the back. get that you two like going out on the bike, but one thing will have to compensate if she is pillion the majority of the time, and i think that will be you honing in on your skills and feel for the bike
Si thank you .... Jimbo , the reason she's on the back I've been to hell and back last 2/3 years And this gives us a bit of freedom ( not him off forum ) to enjoy things again , I know what you mean and what your sayin .
I understand mate, and fair play, wasn't saying its a bad thing that you enjoy time on the bike with the mrs... Sorry if it came across like that, wasn't intentional, was just picking up on what you were saying about getting up to speed etc. hard to train your brain to a 1000cc bike with a pillion that's all. Look at it another way, take her out and go solo, doubles your bike time and you can tell her it'll only improve your riding and make your two up rides safer thus more enjoyable! ; )
Think you must be reading post wrong ... Jimbo No need to say sorry about anything , I was just stating why she rides pillion , I understand fully what you meant , ride with the faster lads , improve , improve , More time on bike , more miles , more experience , .jobs a good one .
I'll put my neck on the line here and say that some formal on-road training is fantastic - it brought my road riding up a notch in both progress, confidence and ability to read the road. Sitting down every hour or so and having sketches drawn of a situation while its fresh in your mind with an explanation of what you did and how changing position / gear / looking ahead etc. would have improved how it was handled is fantastic. Steve - I've sent you links to the people I would trust 100% to provide the training you need - and while not cheap its but a fraction of what you have invested in your bike and will reap rewards. Riding with faster lads can speed you up no doubt and you pick things up but its not the same as formal tuition.
Barney When I joined you guys last October, that was the first group ride I'd done in over 30 years. I have been born again for the last 9 years. The group ride to Wales was great for me, even though I was always last to the meeting point, I wasn't too fussed as the group always waited. I always lack confidence in the tyres. Tyres these days are great and I think it takes quite a lot of nerve to use the 5mm of your chicken strips, so far I've not managed it but hope to do after my Ron Haslam school of racing session in August. Hopefully I'll learn to get that bit more cranked over, If I do, great. If I don't so what? It just means I'll always be last at the meeting place.
