After the Etape Mercia cycle ride I got straight back onto the boat at Liverpool, heading back to the Manx GP for practice week. It was great to be able to help some of the guys over there, mostly with suspension advice but occasionally I was able to pass some course knowledge on too. The week flew by and all of my regulars for the week were making great progress with their lap times, something which was very satisfying for me. I came home on Saturday night, staying for the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, then sailed back again on Tuesday morning. This gave me a chance to help the lads with any last minute adjustments before racing on Wednesday. I stayed until Thursday night to help out with anything for racing on Friday.

My first ever 100 mile cycle ride, the Manchester 100, was booked for Sunday and I’d not even sat on my push bike since the end of the last event 2 weeks ago. This wasn’t really the best preparation so I had a gentle ride (17 miles) out on Saturday morning and felt ready enough for the start of the event.

Dragging myself out of bed at 5.10am on a Sunday morning to ride a push bike for 100 miles the thought entered my head “What has happened to me?”. Eighteen months ago I wouldn’t even have considered doing something like this and would’ve labelled the people who did as nuts! But here I was, scoffing down porridge at stupid o’clock in the morning because the cycling magazine that I get (yes, I do now buy cycling magazines!) reckons it has good slow release energy properties. I have also upgraded from Vaseline to a crème product from a brand called ‘Assos’ which seems pretty appropriately named considering its area of application! So with my Assos creamed up, cycling apparel on and bike loaded I set off to Wythenshawe Park – hoping not to end up in an accident en route and have to explain to a nurse why I was driving wearing cycling shorts, commando and had cream all around my under carriage!

The park was filling rapidly, apparently 4000 others would be riding either the 100k or 100mile routes. I got ready and set off with a group of about 30 others at my start time of 7.15am. I had learned a valuable lesson at the 70 mile Etape Mercia two weeks previously, where I’d burned myself up in the first 50 miles, wore my legs out for the final 20 miles and basically had to drag myself home. I settled into a pace, deciding that I’d use my heart rate monitor to good effect this time. At the previous event I didn’t feel like I was going hard at it early on and was confused that my heart rate was pretty much north of 160bpm continuously. This time I watched that monitor like a hawk, using it like a rev counter. As soon as I saw a figure above 140bpm on a flat piece of road I backed off, a bit like a rev limiter without the torturing engine sound! It sort of went….. pedal-pedal-pedal.. wooaahh, slow down for a bit….. pedal-pedal-pedal.. wooaahh, slow down for a bit.

The plan seemed to be working, I was managing to hold conversation with other riders around me without gasping for breath. One guy that I was chatting to said that his last 100 mile ride was in 1976, well done that man! I wasn’t even born until 1979 and here this chap was holding a decent pace. At the previous event I recognised my biggest downfall had been smashing it up every climb passing everyone around me and congratulating myself at the “summit” how great I was. As mentioned then, at 50 miles my legs were fit to drop off.

I am naturally a competitive person, don’t get me wrong, if I get beaten then I’ll shake that man’s hand. I’ll then relentlessly do as everything possible to prevent myself from being beaten again. In Alcoholics Anonymous style “My name is Mackers and I am competitive”. So when someone passes me climbing a hill, even during an untimed/non-competitive cycling sportive, the voices start in my head “Are you just gonna let this happen, push harder we can get him back”. Not this time, I held back and stared that heart rate monitor out in what was a masterclass of restraint on my part. Watching people passing me up the hills was probably the most frustrating bit of the whole event, the voices had to be silenced for the greater good this time but knowing what I’m like next year’s event will be different!!

So the ride continued on, I met Jo, Ann and Ted at various points to swap water bottles and energy gels etc., heading out through Northwich, Tattenhall, Beeston, Nantwich, Middlewich, Wilmslow and back to Wythenshawe Park for the finish. During each of my five minute stops Jo commented on how well I was looking. I thought I could probably go harder at it but was holding an average speed of just over 16mph (my Etape Mercia average was 17mph) so I was happy to stick to the plan. My Assos started to hurt at about the 80 mile mark but shuffling about on the seat a bit found a more comfortable spot. With 10 miles to go I caved in to the voices and just went for it, still feeling like I had loads left in the tank. I reckoned that even if both of my legs gave up, after doing 90 miles of 100, I’d drag myself for the final 10 with whichever body part that had some life left in it!

It was satisfying to be passing people on the road and to be personally in a much better physical state. The shoe had been firmly on the other foot at the end of my last ride. I crossed the finishing line after 6hrs 22 minutes and 100.5 miles. Really pleased with myself, a bit of neck ache and some saddle “discomfort” were really the only problems that I’d had, but having never ridden for more than 4 hours before I guess that this was always going to be the case. I’d really enjoyed the event and it gave me a great sense of achievement to cross that finishing line, I’d had my doubts that I’d be able to do it after I’d really felt the 70 miler two weeks previously.

That’s about it for cycling events this season, I’ll be doing my best to keep up the mileage through the cooler months and maybe start working towards an accreditation in the Velodrome.

The Frodsham Trials club have a local event coming up – Sept 15th – so I’ll unearth my trusty Beta Techno for that. I’m keen to take young Ted along to a trial to show him what it’s really about. He is great on his Oset and when he is in the mood will ride some ‘sections’ that I’ve coned out for him, standing on the pegs. If he’s not in the mood for controlled riding though he’s just as happy riding around sat in the seat as fast as possible. Then announces that he’s touched his foot down when cornering! Basically I’d like to get him involved in trials so that he slows down!!! I wondered about approaching the club and discuss starting up a guided route for the kids to run aside from the adult trial. It’ll be something to commit to and I’ll have to see what response I get from the club (who don’t know me from Adam) but we shall see.

Racing wise, I have one last meeting planned for this season, The Anglesey Grand over the weekend of October 12th. Shaun Boyle and Barry Ikin are very kindly going to loan me the Fireblade for the event, I’ll do my best.

As always I’ll keep you posted.

Mackers #30

Posted: September 5, 2013

So here I am back at Liverpool docks waiting to head off to the Manx again. After a few days there last week and a cancelled first practice I got a plane to Manchester on Saturday night to prepare for the Etape Mercia cycle ride the following morning.

The Manx has been good so far; working with Infront Motorcycles I’ve predominantly been giving suspension and set up advice alongside fitting tyres/chains/giving circuit tours and doing pretty much anything else that I can to help. We are also booking some one-to-one on-track tuition for the weeks following our return from the Isle of Man as the season marches on and all too soon the weather will turn again!!!

So Sunday morning dawns, 5.10am and I’m up and getting ready. Jo seemed unimpressed by my choice of location to apply Vaseline to my “saddle sensitive area”. I reckoned that the bedroom was best as with one foot on the floor and one on the bed I could get right around to areas other creams can’t reach!! With my bib shorts on I looked ready to be fired from a cannon –  putting my cycling jersey on over the top completed the look.  A bowl of porridge later and the bike loaded I headed off to the start point, Oulton Park, for my start time of 7.04am.

The traffic was remarkably easy getting into the circuit considering that all 1500 riders were starting within a 30 minute window. I parked up, got my cycling shoes on and headed across the track, at the Avenue for those that know the circuit, with my bike. I opted to push the bike to the start this year; regular readers of this blog may remember my ‘feet clipped into pedals face plant’ before the start of my first ever cycle ride last year. Keen not to repeat one of the most embarrassing moments of my (very short as I am just 34) life pushing the bike seemed the best way to do so.  I was starting in wave C so headed into the garage with this above the door, soon hundreds were joining in and we all lined up facing pitlane of our respective garage ready for the door to be lifted. Looking around there was every type of rider around me from a lady on a hybrid bike to the majority which were Lycra clad guys on road bikes. The guy next to me had shaved his legs which is something that, however seriously I take cycling, I won’t be doing!!

With this thought flashing through my mind the door raised and we all followed a Marshal carrying a board, with our start group emblazoned upon it, around to the start line. I kept one foot unclipped and scooted myself along, again remembering my incident last year. Sat waiting for the first wave to start, I’d ended up at the front of my group so was looking at the rear of wave B. A group in front were having a chuckle and a bit of banter waving at their GoPro camera. With that, one of the ladies of the group “did a Mackers” and failed to unclip her foot from the pedal in time and sprawled out on the Oulton Park grid! It was a good job she was on the end of the row otherwise the domino effect could’ve taken place! She jumped up and laughed it off, I sympathised but was so glad that it wasn’t me again!

A 7.18am Wave C got underway to cheers from the ‘crowd’ or ‘twenty people stood on pit wall’ as they could also be known. I settled in for the lap of the circuit before heading out of the track to Tarporley, Beeston, Tattenhall and around to Kingsley. There were loads of bikes with punctures in the early stages, one guy only got to the exit of Island Bend! The back roads were covered in tiny stones washed out by the recent rain which was causing punctures I reckon. I just tried to stay out of trouble and seemed to be holding my own especially up the few hills in the early part of the course. It was great to be riding on closed roads in a group and there was a real ‘one goal’ sort of feeling around.

I met up with Jo and Ann after about 2 hours for a water bottle top up and I borrowed Ted’s potty, all this hydration takes effect, I guess what goes in must come out!! A few minutes later I was back on route feeling good. I’d run at an average speed of nearly 20mph so far, which is a decent pace for me, so I decided that I needed to calm down a bit. I knew that most of the climbs were in the latter part of the route so I’d need to keep something in the tank for them!

Seeing Jo again at Manley I didn’t need to stop again just kept going. The hills started just before Kingsley, up to Norley, through Delamere Forest, across Kelsall and back around to Tarporley for a reverse lap of Oulton park to finish. At around 50 miles I was climbing a hill with my legs starting to tire so I got up out of the seat to get over the top of the crest. As soon as I stood up both my knees virtually locked with cramp, I sat straight back down and span to the top seated! This bothered me, I knew that there were some decent hills coming up, I wondered if the tops of my knees were going to be up for it. My overall fitness was good and I wasn’t ready to collapse but this was certainly an issue! I stopped for a drink with Jo just before the climb up to Kelsall, at the time I’d been chatting with ‘shaved legs guy’ who had done several cycle events this season. I took from this that I must be doing ok.

Leaving Jo behind I headed on up the King of the Mountain climb, I wasn’t going to try for victory today! I worked out that my leg muscles wouldn’t tighten up if I pulled the pedal up in its rotation and avoided hard pushing down so decided that I’d get to the top of all the hills in this manner. Cursing myself for going too hard early on I still held my own on the hills. Up out of one village near Kelsall I swore that I passed Chris Froome who was off and pushing, it could’ve just been someone in replica team Sky clothing but this is as yet unconfirmed! I finished the ride at Oulton Park, where the undulations on the circuit seemed to have gotten larger since I’d left there in the morning.

I crossed the line to the cheers of a capacity crowd, well Jo,Ted, Ann and nephew Liam anyway. Total time 4hrs 3 minutes – I had an idea that under 4hrs would be possible so I was pleased with my time. Getting home I checked the results, as every rider had a timing chip on, I’d finished 171st of nearly 900 finishers and 18th in my group (30 – 34 year old men) I reckon some of those sprightly 30 year olds must’ve done me!!

Having a gentle walk and giving Ted a run out on his Oset once home gave me a chance to stretch my legs. Leaping off the sofa with cramp at various points throughout the evening didn’t put me off from entering the Manchester 100 for the second year running. I’m going big time though and trying the 100 mile route this year!! The event is only in two weeks time so hopefully I’ll manage to get some training rides in beforehand.

I’ll keep you informed.

Mackers

Posted: August 19, 2013

I type this as I sit on the boat at the Albert Docks ready to set off for my first Manx GP experience. As per my previous blog, after finishing a 7 1/2 year stint with Bill Smith Motors, I have moved on to work with my old mate James Powell of Infront Motorcycles. The first couple of weeks have been pretty varied; from giving circuit/suspension advice and some on track one-to-one training, through to servicing/repairing road and race bikes back at HQ in Saltney, Chester. It’s been great to have some variety and I’m really enjoying it. In fact I got great satisfaction from giving Sam Cross some very brief on-track training at Anglesey to then see him take the Class lap record the following day – well done that man! So once again the variety of the job comes in to play and I’m travelling over to the Isle of Man for a good patch of practice week, primarily to give advice/support to as many of the racers who ask for it. I’ll be working from the Infront Motorcycles truck in the top paddock, from which we will be supplying all of the racers with anything they need from tyres/spares to Torq energy drinks/products.

As mentioned in my last blog I’ve also been preparing for my first cycle ride of the year. The Etape Mercia is a closed roads, 70 miles ride starting and finishing at Oulton Park. I’ve been upping my road mileage for the last few weeks to make sure that I don’t have a cardiac arrest. I don’t think James was ready to see me turn up in Lycra for work to be honest. It’s gone really well though my biggest route in has been 38 miles, followed by a day on my feet twirling the spanners and then the direct route (17 miles) home. I reckoned I was ready for the event, even my backside doesn’t seem to be feeling the effects!

Then came Sunday, one week to go to the event. I woke up with some of the worst stomach pains I’d ever experienced. I climbed the walls for an hour eventually deciding that I’d better go to A&E. Jo’s brother Stuart hammered it around to the house travelling from Northwich to Runcorn in ten minutes – without breaking any speed limits obviously officer –  to sit at home as Ted was asleep upstairs.

Jo took me to A&E, where they more or less took one look at me and sent me straight through. So I writhed around in pain while they checked me over, I threw up, losing my dignity in various areas mostly as a result of the hideous underwear I’d picked. At 3 am they gave me some morphine, which was a massive relief as by now I’d been suffering for around 4 hours, and took me to a ward. From some of their tests they suspected that I had gallstones but apparently most candidates for these are overweight women in their forties, last time I checked I didn’t fit this criteria! So after a “night” which was about 2 hours long, listening to the old chap in the bed next door snoring so loudly that I thought he’d sucked the curtains in, I woke up almost pain free. They kept me on the ward all day and did some more tests but other than being tired and feeling like my stomach had been pummelled by Rocky Balboa (Aaadddrrriiiaaannn!) I was on the whole ok. They starved me all day, teasing me by parking the snack trolley at the end of my bed twice during the day, did an ultrasound at 6pm then gave me a sandwich and sent me home at 8.30pm saying that they will contact me regarding the results of the scan.

So not the best preparation for the ride really. I’d planned to get some big miles in during the early part of the week and the “rest” whilst at the Manx. As it happens I had a lay in on Tuesday morning, going into work in the late morning, then carried on with my normal week until catching the ferry on Thursday morning. I’m booked to fly back on Saturday night straight after practice and set off on the ride at my start time 7.04am, then return to the Manx on Monday morning for the majority of practice week.

I’ll let you know how the ride goes with a blog as soon as I can, wish me luck.

Mackers

Posted: August 15, 2013

My cycling fitness routine has stepped up once again; having entered the inaugural Etape Mercia – a 70 mile closed roads cycle event in August – I figured that increasing my weekly mileage on the run up to the event would be a good move. I started taking the scenic route to work, from Runcorn through Delamere Forest, out to Tarporley/Beeston/Tattenhall and on to Chester. 32 miles to work in the morning and then the direct route, 14 miles home in the evening 3 times a week I reckoned would be enough.

After my last report that I’d become a sex symbol for the Cheshire over 50s (having been leered at by a fellow, slightly crazy, cyclist in Sutton Weaver) I’d had a reasonably uneventful month on the push bike until last week. Riding through Frodsham listening to my ipod and pressing on hard to get home at a decent hour I stopped at the same set of traffic lights as the last incident. “Excuse me” came from the open window of the car which had pulled up alongside. I pulled a headphone out and looked across, a mid-forties nurse turned out to be the source of the approach (the age-group seems to be coming down folks!). She followed up with “You were doing over 20 miles an hour back there, that’s pretty good going, I couldn’t do that, well done!” “Well thanks very much, I do try!” was about the only thing I could think to say as the lights changed to green and we both carried on our journey. I can only conclude that my animal magnetism must be enhanced by cycle wear, only God knows what will turn up at the Sutton Weaver traffic lights next time!

After a short break following a successful Thundersport GB meeting at Oulton Park Barry Ikin and Shaun Boyle were happy to let me ride the Rojac/Opas Energy Fireblade at a few more meetings this season. I looked through the calendar and picked a couple of events at Anglesey. The Wirral 100  Club were running their regular summer meeting in July – data gained here would help me in another meeting on my radar, the Anglesey Grand in October. I collected the bike from Shaun and sorted a few bits out in preparation. Setting up on Friday night, the usual gang were in attendance, Jo, Ann, Ted and new addition Jack to help with the spanners. I set out for timed practice and was again really pleased with the Fireblade, it’s like sitting in an armchair in comparison to my ZX10 that I campaigned last season. Finishing the session I’d qualified on pole but noted that the front tyre, new at the start of the session, had seen better days and was tearing on the shoulder. I was also having some ground clearance issues, dragging the belly pan and my toes all over the place.

Fitting a harder compound front tyre for the first race and making some changes to the ride height I hoped would sort a few minor issues. I got the hole shot off the line and pushed on, winning the race and setting a new Powerbike lap record in the process. The ground clearance problem was all but sorted although the front tyre problem was still present. Oddly whilst riding the bike the front tyre felt great and consistent for the whole race but, once back in the paddock, on inspection it was tearing quite heavily. Dunlop tyres do seem to do this though, if the suspension isn’t quite right the tyre sacrifices itself to the cause giving great grip until it is completely ruined. Clearly this was an issue that needed sorting, ¾ ruining a front tyre in 7 laps of Anglesey wasn’t a great position to be in. The bike also wanted to run wide mid-corner too so I reckoned that the front was sitting a bit high and not pressing the tyre into the tarmac hard enough. I lessened the front preload and removed some oil from both fork legs to try and get it to sit down further.

The second race went well, getting the hole shot once again and winning the race, I set a time only a few thousandths off my best from the first race. The tyre issue had marginally improved, as had the running wide fault. I changed the ride height again, to put more weight onto the front tyre again for the last race of the day. The changes again, improved the bike but the front tyre was pretty much finished so there wasn’t much to be learned regarding it’s longevity. I won the race but the lap time was slightly off my previous two times.

It rained for most of Saturday night but fortunately dried up for Sunday, a slightly stronger breeze kept the lap times just off the record breaking pace on Saturday. Again I won the first race, some more minor changes didn’t massively improve the issue but did improve the feel from the bike. As I wasn’t the only rider having front tyre issues myself and tyre guru James  of Infront Motorcycles, Chester reckoned that it was just a compound/track surface incompatibility issue. I’d altered just about everything on the bike and hadn’t really altered the tear problem. Different compound tyres for the next Anglesey meeting I reckon!

The second race of the day was the best of the weekend. I got a good start but Angelo Derosa passed me into the banked hairpin on the first lap. I pressed on behind him for a few laps, he was obviously trying hard and ran wide a few times. Around lap four I got great drive out of Church onto the back straight, getting alongside Angelo up the hill but I was left with the outside line into Rocket and he quickly got by on the brakes again. I got back up the inside exiting the right hander down into the Corkscrew but again was left with the outside line into the left turn and had to give up the lead again. I got better drive out of Church on the following lap and took the lead by enough to pick my line into Rocket so held off Angelo, a lap later the yellow flags were out at the corkscrew, Angelo had lost the front in the right hander, but was fortunately unhurt. I went on the take my fifth win of the weekend.

The final race of the day was an open race, mixing 1000/600 machines together. Some quick lads were out in the 600 class and the track suits a well ridden small bike to be honest. Jamie Harris beat me to the first corner on his R6 but using the superior power of the Fireblade I breezed past on the back straight and headed the race to the flag. I took my time a bit in the last race as I was concerned about the front tyre giving up and I didn’t fancy a front end lowside myself! All in all a good weekend racing, some valuable data was gained and six out of six wins can’t be bad. Once again I must thank Barry and Shaun for the use of the Bike and their sponsors Opac Energy and Rojac.

My next outing is still a little undecided, I’d planned to compete in the Thundersport GB event at Anglesey but I may now be away giving paddock support at the Manx GP. If that doesn’t happen then I’ll definitely be back for the Anglesey Grand in October.

 New Beginnings

Other news this month is that, after seven and a half years as Service Manager at Bill Smith Motors, I have worked my notice and left. I’d been in discussions with James Powell, who has spannered for me for as many years as I’ve known him, about making a move to his growing business Infront Motorcycles, Chester for a long time. Having returned from the TT and settled back into the old routine, I looked around at what prospects I had at work; being honest with myself I couldn’t see much changing. So a move into something with some variety seemed like the best thing to do. Infront Motorcycles are heavily involved in trackday and race tyres/suspension/spares/bike building etc all of which fit right in with my biggest interest.

James is also really keen, as am I, to start up one-to-one track tuition. I have instructed with the Ron Haslam race school in the past and really enjoyed it, these days I have much more experience both on the bike and with regards to suspension setup. It’s taken me a long time (and a lot of money!) to learn but I know that I can pass on some of this to others. A new challenge and something I’m really excited to get involved with.

Infront Motorcycles will also have a big presence at the Manx GP this season, I will be there with them to offer advice on the circuit/suspension or will just be a calming influence to anyone who asks (I have been the novice jacketed newbie myself after all!). Aside from the racing side of things I’ll be spannering at the Infront Motorcycles HQ, so far I’ve worked on everything from a SYM scooter to a RGV250 to a race spec Fireblade (and I’ve only been there a week!). So if you need service/repairs/MOT/tyres/suspension set up or anything else motorcycle related pop in and see us in action at River Lane, Saltney, Chester.

Wish me luck guys, I’ll keep you posted.

Mackers.

Posted: August 1, 2013

After the TT and a bit of rest due to the rubbish weather, I got back on my push bike for the first time in ages. With testing for Norton and travelling around with bits of the ZX6 in preparation for the TT I’d not been able to get on the bike much prior to the Isle of Man. My usual 42 minute ride to work took more like 50 minutes (there must be a headwind I kept telling myself!). My journey home went much better and I was on course for a sub 41 minute, which is a good time for me in the 14 mile ride. I stopped at the lights near home next to an older lady on a push bike. She spoke to me a bit but I missed most of what was said as I had my ipod on (other musical devices are available) and she seemed slightly crazy. I got the gist that she wasn’t looking forward to pedalling up the next hill. As the lights changed and I accelerated away I shouted “race you to the top”. “Oohh I was always planning to follow, the view is much better from back here –  cooorr!” came the reply! Feeling like my privacy had been violated and and that I was suddenly a piece of meat for old ladies to ogle at (!) I pressed on home.

As the TT approached, a friend of mine, Shaun Boyle got in touch and asked if I’d like to ride at the ThundersportGB Oulton Park round. Shaun and Barry Ikin run a team in National Superstock with Dean Ellison riding a ZX10. The Thundersport meeting was due to run a memorial race for Shaun’s son, Adam, who was tragically killed in a road accident 12 months ago. Adam’s Fireblade had been ridden towards the end of last season but had been dormant for 8 months. I felt privileged to be asked; I always liked Adam and both his and Shaun’s attitude towards racing. I’d never ridden a Fireblade in anger before, just a few test rides on customers’ bikes at work, so was looking forward to seeing what all of the fuss was about!

The TT went, on the whole, well for me and on getting home I looked forward to the Thundersport meeting. We turned up on Thursday night and I did a few bits on the bike to get ready for Friday morning’s test sessions followed by qualifying in the afternoon. The weather was great, although the morning was slightly plagued with red flags probably due to the usual “sun’s out – throttle wide open” attitude of most racers. The first session went well and I was really impressed with the bike, the suspension in general was a little soft for me and as a result I was struggling to stop into the chicanes/hairpin. The ‘blade was so easy to ride – I’d been to Oulton with the ZX10 that I’d raced last year and wrestled it around. Now I like a wrestle but the Zx10 was a handful, finding myself pinning the thing down and having to generally use my body weight much more. The ‘blade was like sitting back in a comfy chair and holding the throttle open by comparison. I added some damping to the front forks and rear shock during the session and, although improved, the forks were just slightly undersprung.

Changing the fork springs, and removing some skin from Shaun’s knuckle (sorry!) before the second session and the bike was again going in the right direction. More compression damping just provoked chatter going into Shell Hairpin, so I had in my mind to go harder again with the springs and leave the damping alone. My lap times weren’t anything spectacular but to be honest with traffic and red flags I’d never really got a good clear lap together. Some more changes for the final session saw me post my best lap of 1m 42.1 which was only 0.4s from my personal best ever. I was really pleased, the bike was making really good progress and was such a smooth ride I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw on the pitboard that the times were so quick, it simply didn’t feel that fast. With new tyres fitted for qualifying I was sure that there was more time to be had, I pressed on but the session didn’t flow quite as well for me as the last one. I managed to shave another 0.1s off the time to put myself 5th on what was a very high quality grid.

I still wanted some more support from the front suspension, as mentioned, but with wet weather forecast for Race day morning I figured it best to wait and see what came. Morning warm up was patchy damp and drizzled whilst we were on track, I pulled in after a lap with nothing to be gained and plenty to be lost. The weather was so changeable, with an hour and a half before the race and the track soaked, I’d figured that there was no way it’d dry out. As per normal I was wrong and ended up swapping the wheels from dry to wet and back again before the first race got underway.

I got a good start but took things a bit too easy on early on to cross the line in 9th place. Disappointed with myself for not pushing hard enough I was too concerned about the damp and didn’t try hard enough. Now in a race situation it was clear that the rear spring was too soft. Out on my own the lap times would come but in the heat of a race you tend not to be able to run the perfect line all of the time so end up being generally more aggressive. This was then pushing me wide on the exit in a few places. We sought out a harder spring eventually borrowing one from John Ingram.

My next outing was in the main race of the day for me, The Adam Boyle Trophy. With a large amount of Adam’s family and friends here to see the race, I wanted to do the bike justice as it was still sporting Adam’s colours and race number. I started from second on the grid and got a great start, just getting my nose cut off into the first turn and dropping to third down the straight to Island bend. The two in front slowly pulled a gap on me in the early stages, the rear spring had made the bike so much better and once I’d got my head around it I started to make the time back up. The leader dropped out of the race just as we had all bunched up in a three bike freight train. I was all over the rear wheel of Kyle Wilkes but always lost a couple of bike lengths before the best overtaking spots. I had my section of the track and he had his which evened us both out but I just never seemed to be in a good position to make a pass. I set my fastest time of the weekend 1m 41.8 just 0.1 from my personal best. A mistake on the final lap saw me lose a couple of seconds to cross the line in second place. A really close race, which was great fun, I hope I did those that mattered proud but was absolutely gutted that I couldn’t win the race in Adam’s colours –  boy did I try!!

The last race went well and I settled into sixth place, dropping from the back of the group – as seems to be my style! – before pulling the time back and catching their rear wheel on the final lap. As we came over Deers Leap onto the start/finish straight on the final lap we were met with a wall of oil smoke so thick that you could barely see your hand in front of your face. I was on the back tyre of Phil Crowe and had a good run out of the final corner. Unsighted as I was half wheeling alongside him I shut off the throttle a split second later than he did and rolled over the line, into the smoke, in front of him to take 5th on the road and 3rd in the GP1 Class.

All in all a great weekend’s racing, setting a lap time to virtually match my personal best time, which I set at a BSB round about 4 years ago when I was younger and crashing didn’t bother me as much! I’d not ridden the bike, or a Fireblade, before Friday morning and it was refreshing to get on something untested and be able to ride it as hard as possible.

Massive thanks to Barry, Shaun and their team of supporters, I hope to have another run out on the Fireblade again soon; potentially the Anglesey Grand and Thundersport round at Anglesey, we shall wait and see.

Mackers

Posted: June 24, 2013

After a disappointing end to the second Supersport race I was keen to get a good result on the Norton in the Senior. The day dawned baking hot, we sat listening to the Lightweight race on the radio just itching to get started. Waiting on the road for the race is always the worst part. For the ten minutes running up to the start I’d rather be anywhere else in the world than at that start line. Once the throttle is open and I’m heading off down the road it’s all fine, but for that last ten minutes I’d happily just wander back to the caravan and listen to the race on the radio!!

With some changes to the rear suspension I was confident that the Norton would take another step in the right direction. I set off and was happy with the bike, although with the bit hot conditions it really needed some more support from the rear shock. I stopped for a red flag at Glen Helen due to an incident at Bray Hill, after about a forty minute delay we followed a travelling marshal back to the start line for a delayed restart.

Beginning the whole process again I started the race; it was still baking hot and we were warned of melting Tarmac at Guthries and the Verandah. I settled into a pace and having given the rear shock some more damping the bike was feeling good. The quickshifter stopped working after half a lap. I went back to the old school – snapping the throttle closed to select the next gear. The shifter stayed inoperative for the next two laps, then landing a jump off Ballaugh Bridge I felt the ignition cut and the quickshifter was back in action and remained that way for the rest of the race!

I caught Paul Shoesmith on the road and struggled to pass him until Parliament Square. A run over the mountain later and I pitted for fuel, ‘politely’ advising Dad and Jo that the quickshifter wasn’t working. “Just ride it like your 350LC in ’98” was my Dad’s advice. I left the pits after a quick stop, Touché (my Norton mechanic) did a good job of the rear wheel change but I was back behind Shoesmith on the road. My first lap had been a 121.7 mph and third lap was around the same. I just caught Paul again at the end of the fourth lap.

A quicker stop still and I left the pits not far behind Derek Shields – this gave me something to aim at. Catching him on the approach to Kirk Michael I eventually got by at Sulby Bridge although I ran wide letting him back through. I made the pass stick into the fast right/left just after Conker Trees, giving me a clean run at the final lap which I was pleased about as I’d had about enough of taking stone hits from other people’s rear tyres. One stone in particular really stung (see pic) but I didn’t even cry!!!!

I pressed on hard but the lap times of Sunday just didn’t quite come even though the handling of the bike was a big improvement. With the melting tar at Guthries, Black Hut and the Verandah, care had to be taken through all these sections. The bike was loose on the road and I could hear stones flicking from the front wheel into the fairing/radiator. I crossed the line to set my best lap of the race 121.9mph, still just short of Sunday’s best, to finish in 24th place. I’d hoped for another top twenty, my overall race time was faster but so was everyone else’s!

All in all a good result, with such limited development and lack of practice week time on a bespoke machine, 18th and 24th place finishes were superb. My team mate Dan also made it to the flag in 36th place to complete a huge effort from the Norton factory. All of the Norton boys were really pleased with the results and so they should be.

Mackers

Posted: June 9, 2013

Supersport Race 2 started on time at Wednesday lunchtime. After an encouraging first race on the bike, I’d made a few changes firstly lowering the gearing by one tooth on the rear to give a better corner exit in various places. I’d also put a harder fork spring in one leg as the front end had been chattering over the bumps in the slower corners, Creg, Bungalow, Glen Helen etc.

I got away from the line and the bike was clearly working better, it took a few miles to adjust to the gearing etc. With a different feel from the front end I was finding myself exiting a good few turns with loads of space, noting to myself that the bike was now capable of going faster the following lap through. I felt like the first lap was going well and at Parliament Square I could see the rider in front of me which is a good sign that I’d made time on him – in Monday’s race I’d lost time so this spurred me on.

Ian at the bungalow 

Then as I exited Guthries onto the Mountain Mile I selected third and felt the gear lever disappear below my foot. I looked down to see the lever flapping free, I had a couple of attempts at changing gear by knocking the gear arm attached to the selector rod but it wasn’t going to happen. I rode the remains of the lap jammed in third gear keeping a close eye behind to make sure that I wasn’t blocking anyone.

Once into the pits Geoff, my uncle who has been helping this week with the bike, had a quick look but the thread had sheared out of the quickshifter so I retired in pit lane. I’m still a bit confused at how this fault has come about, the gear linkage rods are something that, once fitted, just don’t get messed with. I’ve never had one fail in this way before. A real shame for all of us – the bike was a clear improvement and so much time had gone into the bike to have to pull out for something stupid was gutting. Never mind though at the end of the day I’m in one piece.

So I had a short break until a Senior practice session in the afternoon. We had changed the fork offset again on the Norton to improve the way that it holds a line. This was again a step in the right direction, with just some minor rear shock damping adjustments the bike is now set for the Senior Race on Friday. I didn’t go nuts to get a lap record during the lap, it was more about testing some changes and stretching a new chain in. Some testing at Jurby on Tuesday saw the remedy for the minor brake issue that I’d had in the Superbike race (although while we were there I nearly rammed a pheasant which strolled out of the long grass onto the back straight, I seem determined to hit some Isle of Man wildlife this year!).

Another day off today, Thursday, then just the Senior to come on Friday, fingers crossed for a good race.

Mackers

Posted: June 6, 2013

So with the stock engine fitted and a stronger rear spring, I headed into the Superbike race on the Norton. Although I was all smiles before the race I was nervous. Starting from position 34, I was realistically aiming for a top 30 finish and bringing the bike home for the first Norton finish in 20 years. I got off the line and immediately could feel the benefit of the stronger spring; the bike was holding a line better and pitching into the corners had improved too…this with no effect on the stability which was the strongest point of the new chassis. I pressed on hard all race, just starting to intermittently starve the pump of fuel at the end of 2 laps.

On the brakes for the pit lane into the first pit stop the engine stalled. I let go of the clutch to bump start it but the rear wheel locked up, screeching the rear tyre sideways. I pulled the clutch in and got it going on the second attempt – I must have looked like a right nutter coming into pit lane with the bike sideways! I shouted to make sure the tank was filled to the brim to try and avoid running out of fuel after the next two laps. Again I went from pit lane and pressed on getting more and more used to the bike and setting my best lap of 122.2mph on the 3rd lap.

A small issue with brake lever travel held me back slightly but no issues with the fuel came at the end of the 4th lap. I found myself battling on the road with a BMW pulling out on me down the straight but then catching it back up through the technical/bumpy sections. This went on for most of the last three laps. I eventually crossed the line to take 18th place, what a great result for me and the Norton guys. Everyone was pleased with the result, I think I saw a tear in (my mechanic) Touché’s eye. Rumours that Skinner (the designer) broke a smile are as yet unconfirmed –  it may have been wind!! There is still more to come from the bike and, looking through the sector times, a 123mph lap was on the cards if I could put all of the best sectors together.

Supersport

After a small amount of testing on the ZX6, I was happy enough with how it’d been going although the lap times hadn’t come overly good yet. With only one flying lap to my name, 118.13 mph, it wasn’t a big surprise. I went off the line 28th, – it took me a bit of time to get my head around the small bike, the gearing wasn’t perfect and when I pushed the front hard I got some chatter from the forks (Bungalow, Glen Helen etc). With some changes I can improve both issues. I had a bit of a lonely race, not catching Ian Pattinson ahead or getting caught from behind. I nearly ran over some sort of stoat/weasel/ferret that ran across in front of me through the Waterworks!  The pit stop went well and without incident and I set my best lap of 119.5 mph on the final circuit to cross the line in 23rd. Not a bad result for me, with the mentioned improvements I reckon we can crack a top twenty on Wednesday.

I sit now in my caravan in the paddock, glad of a rest after 7 laps Saturday, 6 on Sunday and 4 today! The cycling I’ve been doing has had a big effect on my fitness, finishing every race without once feeling tired on the bike. My knees are taking a bit of a battering and my hands are sore as normal but all in all I’ve barely broken a sweat! Anyway I’ve got a day off tomorrow, Supersport race 2 on Wednesday and then the Senior on Friday to go. I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers,

Mackers

Sorry for the late update everyone but the rigours of practice week mean my time is a bit sparse.   Here’s the story from the Friday and Saturday practice sessions.

After a good Thursday night using the stock engine we decided to run the race engines for Friday in preparation for Saturday’s Superbike race. A few changes to the fork offset were made to improve the bike’s turn-in speed and we were on the start line ready to roll. I set off, the motor was pulling well but slightly inconsistent. Driving out of Union Mills the power had tailed a bit more; I decided that it must be a fuel mapping issue and would carry on. At that point my foot slipped on the gear lever as I upshifted. I had a look down to the left side of the bike but no oil was evident. Unsure, I decided that I’d gently roll through Ballagarey and stop for a look.

The bike got a bit loose at the rear through the corner and I rolled to a stop in a church yard. Immediately, an enormous cloud blew past, looking down at the right hand side I could see oil on my boot and getting off to push the bike into the church yard I spotted flames in the belly pan. Holding a bike with a large amount of race fuel in that’s got flames in the belly pan doesn’t seem like a great idea. I shouted for water to the crowd, most of which had iPhones filming instead! Someone threw some juice on it – it was still alight – at this point I decided to lay it into a hedge and seek water myself. A guy appeared with a camel pack which extinguished the oil. I phoned Jo to say I’d try and get to somewhere accessible so I could get picked up and run a lap on the 600. The same guy who’d put the fire out offered me a pillion ride on his enduro bike to the road. So we jumped over the church wall, after leaning the bike on the side of the church (I’m sure God didn’t mind). I got on the back of the bike and we tore off, the road wasn’t far and the lad waited with me until the Norton guys arrived. As it happened we were too late to get back to the Grandstand in time so we hung on and picked the bike up once the roads had closed. Thanks very much to the guy who put out the flames and gave me a lift too.

Fortunately, what looked like a really severe issue turned out to be just a crankcase breathing issue. This needs a bit of development so the Norton guys swapped the engine back to the stock one overnight for some much needed practice on Saturday, as the race was now postponed until Sunday.

Saturday’s practice went well, a small fuelling fault on the first lap out meant I hopped onto the 600 for a couple of laps; then getting another lap on the now sorted Norton at the end of the session. The changes had made a big difference just a little more support from the rear spring was decided to improve once again. The Norton set an average lap speed of 120.2mph which I was well pleased with, given that we were running very standard engines and lack of practice. This was the first 120mph lap from a Norton in over 20 years. The 600 went well although being slightly short of time on the bike again and a small misfire at the end of the lap held me back.

I felt happy with changes to both bikes ready for their respective races – Superbike on Sunday and Supersport on Monday.

Race update to follow…

Cheers,

Mackers

A frustrating few days have followed since my last blog update. Tuesday practice was abandoned due to poor weather, but Wednesday looked all set to go. With the bikes all through scrutineering and set up on the road I was ready for a couple of laps on the Norton. A delay was called, Chinese whispers came through the line that there was rain/puddles in Ramsey. Eventually it was called that practice would go ahead but due to the conditions would be untimed.

I got a look at the webcam footage from Ramsey to see puddles on the road and a generally rough looking scene. Taking the Norton out for its first laps in these conditions on slicks wasn’t an option so I jumped onto the 600. To be honest the lap was a bit wasted really. The roads were damp from Ballacraine and really wet from Ginger Hall pretty much until the Creg. I wobbled around, like most, for a lap.

Thursday came with finally some sunshine, just the way it should be. I took the Norton out it was decided that if I was happy then I’d do two laps as we were really short of track time. The bike was working really well, a few minor mods logged into my mind for the next practice, but the gearing was a bit too short meaning that I was rolling the throttle on the straights to keep off the limiter. I carried on through to do two laps so we could assess fuel usage and how the bike felt with a lighter fuel load. I changed the gearing and made a minor fork change at the end of the two laps.

Out again for another two laps the gearing was a big improvement and the bike was holding a line much better with the changes made. I was still clipping the limiter so straight line speed was held back, getting held up behind other riders through the bumpy sections. The final lap of the night saw a lap speed of 119.5mph, both myself and the guys at Norton were really pleased; 4 laps without fault and with some changes/clear track the bike is capable of so much more. I’d go as far as to say that the chassis is the most stable I’ve ridden especially through the bumpy section to Ramsey. Some changes to improve the way the bike holds a line and some more power are set for tonight’s practice so fingers crossed for some more good weather. The TT barely feels like its got going yet and we are racing tomorrow!!!!

I’ll keep you posted.

Mackers

After sitting at the docks for 2 hours panicking that we wouldn’t get onto the boat, we eventually were allowed on.  We spent most of the crossing asleep in the kid’s play area – there’s some soft cushions in there! Jo and I got to the paddock about 7.30 am on Friday morning. My old racing mate Ron Fry and his son Gary met us there for awning setup/mechanical support for practice week. Their help has been very welcome.

Saturday night’s practice was just for Newcomers and Supertwins so we went to Bray Hill to spectate as a busman’s holiday! Blimey, does it look dangerous from the sidelines!!! After Saturday’s session getting run in perfect conditions we had another great day weather wise on Sunday, travelling to the north of the island to watch some club motocross. Typically the weather turned on Sunday night, most of which I spent jumping out of bed to make sure the awning wasn’t taking off and dragging my van through the paddock. The wind was so strong all night and the rain started at about 5 am and continuing all day until just before scrutineering. I didn’t think the session was going to be able to go ahead but it cleared up to a degree, but had a very cold wind blowing in. I decided that even though conditions weren’t perfect that I’d have a run out and check the course/bike out at an easy pace.

I got underway feeling at home on the ZX6. The bike was running well and seemed fast enough. I just took it easy to be honest;  the session had already been called as a non-qualifier due to the conditions. There would be nothing to gain from going all out. As always Glen Helen and Ramsay hairpin were the wettest but it was reasonably patchy for the whole lap. Going up onto the mountain the fog came down around the Bungalow and lasted until the drop down to the Creg. Now I commute by bike all seasons and I’ve rarely ridden in such heavy fog. Visibility must’ve been down to about 30 metres (I wouldn’t trust my measurements though – remember the ferry problem I had!). Just as I was crawling my way through the 32nd, another rider –  who I think must’ve been Luke Skywalker as he was obviously using “the force” to sense where he was  going – flew past and disappeared into the mist! With nothing to be gained from going all out I decided “you can have that buddy” and took things steady for the remains of the lap. I stayed on track and got another lap in. Now knowing where the wet bits were it sped things up, I just sat back and enjoyed it.

A successful night really, the bike ran faultlessly and a good check over this morning revealed no problems. I sit now awaiting scrutineering for tonight’s practice. I’m due out on the Norton first and then again on the 600 in a seperate lightweight session. Rumour has it that the weather is due to turn bad again tonight, fingers crossed that practice gets away ok.

I’ll keep you posted.

Mackers.

I’m just sat waiting for the Isle of Man boat at Heysham, apologies that I’ve not updated the blog for ages. It’s just such a crazy time of the season.

The Oulton Park Wirral 100 meeting went “slightly averagely” for me. I got the ZX6 finished at more or less the last minute before heading to the track to run the engine in during the test day on the Friday. The test went ok, I took it easy on the motor for a couple of sessions but once it was “run in” –  ahem –  it felt strong and, against some of the BSB regulars there, I was happy enough.

Race day dawned and we managed to get three races in with the weather being changeable throughout. I’d not had the bike’s fuelling set up on the dyno. The idea was to run it at Oulton and then get the fuelling sorted once things were bedded in. It became apparent that the bike was struggling against others on the run out of the turns, losing two bike lengths out of Cascades etc. I also wanted to fit some stronger fork springs as I was finding that it was bottoming out far too easily into the slow corners. So three mediocre results followed but the purpose of the day was complete.

The SV650, kindly on loan from Howard Tipping, went great during a few test sessions of the Friday trackday and I was looking forward to getting a run on the bike for the races on Saturday. Unfortunately the bike developed a misfire in qualifying, we fitted a new set of spark plugs but didn’t manage to sort it out. A faulty ignition coil was our best guess at what the fault was, without this option trackside we parked the bike for the rest of the day, which was a shame for all concerned.

So since Oulton Park the 600 had a trip to RLR Motorsport in Shropshire for some dyno time.  Ricky Leddy managed to release another 8bhp from the superstock spec engine which pushes it up to a healthy amount of power given the type of tune. I feel happier with the bike all round after gaining some more power. I was having my doubts after my performance at Oulton on the bike.

Now my attention turned to the TT. The 600 needed all of the specific TT prep doing; huge amount of lockwiring and loctiting, plus radiator guard, tall screen, pitlane limiter etc etc. After what seemed like a thousand garage hours I emerged last night and declared it complete (although it still needs a few bits sorting once I’ve set up in the TT paddock).

You’ve probably read the stories in MCN about the new Norton which I’ve been out testing on several times over the last few weeks. The first of these tests was at Mallory and I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Norton have designed a completely new frame for this year’s bike, they’ve also had some input from Cosworth into the engines and had a sophisticated electronic suspension supplied through Ohlins. All in all the base package of the bike is good, there have been some teething troubles, mostly electrical which isn’t unexpected.

A weather aborted test at Cadwell was followed by two more at Oulton Park (both were slightly shortened by poor weather during the morning). It isn’t possible to make predictions on how the bike will fare at the TT but all the signs are good. The stability of the bike has been the biggest improvement and the new chassis appears more than capable of coping with the additional power. Fingers crossed for a good TT.

So I rolled up here at Heysham at just before midnight in preparation for the 2am boat. The security guy rolls out his tape measure and announces that I’ve only booked 10 metres for the van/caravan, which apparently measures 12.5….oops. So into the office I go to be relieved of an additional £35 and to be told that as the boat is full they may not have room for sinners like me. I’m on first standby but could end up waiting 12hrs for the next boat – doh!!!!

Anyway once I eventually get the Isle of Man, which I’m sure will happen before the TT starts (!!) I’ll do my best to keep the blog updated on how both bikes are going.

Cheers,

Mackers

Our intrepid resident photographer, Andy Findlay, just happened to be at Oulton Park today.  And who should also happen to be there?  Mackers, with the Norton Team getting some vital pre TT testing on the V4 that he and team mate Dan Hegarty will be campaigning in the Senior Race.

Conditions were pretty poor for most of the day but Andy got us these great shots:

For all the technical lowdown on the V4 click here (courtesy of MCN).

After a winter training it was good to be finally getting ready to race at the second round of Thundersport GB at Donington. With most of the country snow-covered for the week running up to the event, it was never going to be a warm weekend! As I was still waiting for some parts to arrive for the 600 I was just going to be out on the Knight Road Racing Ducati. I hadn’t ridden a race bike since the final round of Thundersport last October and hadn’t ridden a Ducati (or any big twin cylinder bike for that matter) in anger ever, so it was going to be a learning weekend.

We met up with Alan Knight in the garage for the test day on Saturday morning. I had a sit on the bike and positioned the levers etc. I’d start the weekend on the 1198R and if all went to plan then I’d move onto the 1198RS, which was a different animal altogether. First impressions of the bike were good, it took a bit of dialling my brain into the bike initially, being so used to banging a bike down through the gears and hearing it squeal! Listening to the engine at what appeared to be tick over then cracking the throttle to receive immediate surging power from the mid-corner was a shock. After a couple of sessions I moved onto the RS after the lunch break, my first session ended early with an electrical fault. Over the winter Alan had fitted some new performance bits to the bike; swing arm, shock linkage, faster motor etc etc. The meeting was about getting some decent results, some signatures for my Mountain Course licence and setting the bike up. With the boost pack attached (with such high compression the on board battery wasn’t enough to turn the engine over) the bike boomed into life. It sounded like all hell was about to break loose, the exhaust thudding away and the clutch rattling its head off, I thought I was getting onto the doomsday machine!

My initial move with the bike was to pull the forks up flush into the yokes, I was finding that the bike wanted to fall on its side a bit too easily and I was having to catch it on its way into the turn. The next session started and the bike was a clear improvement in this area although was struggling to hold a tight line when into the throttle with too much pumping from the rear shock. Overnight Alan and I set the rear sag height and put a stronger rear spring in the rear. Qualifying went ok for me, the grip from the rear was loads better at the corner exit but the mid-corner was actually worse. I pressed on and ended up 13th on the grid.

I figured that a new rear tyre would bring the grip that I was missing for the first race.  The race got under way;  I had a reasonably rubbish start, the dry clutch in the Ducati required a slightly different technique to the “clutch-slipping-rev-the-tits-off-it” routine which had served me so well in the past. The bike was hard work for the first half of the race, very nervous at the rear until the heat got into the tyre. By mid race I was making some progress and feeling like I could start to push the tyre. The bike was shockingly fast, in fact for the whole weekend I didn’t come across anything which would beat it down the back straight. If I could gain some rear traction in the mid-turn then we would be in business. I crossed the line in 12th place, pleased enough but knowing that there was loads more to come from both me and the bike.

Some more changes to the rear ride height overnight were in order. I was happy with how well the bike was turning but felt that with some more weight on the rear tyre it would get some heat into it sooner and give us that grip that we were searching for.  Morning “warm up” wasn’t exactly very warming, with the ambient air temperature reading 1 degree c, half way down the back straight I couldn’t really feel my fingers. Normally at this time of day I’m heading off to work on my CG125 with the heated grips flat out. One piece vented race leathers aren’t exactly designed to be warm!

Race two on Sunday morning got started and I got away much better from the start line. Alan had suggested to get the clutch out as quick as possible and use the tall first gear (and brutal power) to drive it to the first corner. I still struggled for grip in the early stages but was happier with it. We were clearly going in the right direction. I pressed on and once again set my fastest time of the race on the final lap. The rear tyre was finally starting to look like it had done some work. Up to now it’d looked like I’d polished it instead of raced on it!

The bike was still an absolute wheelie monster. Lifting the front wheel in fifth gear down the start finish straight and was to the point of flipping between McLeans and Coppice in fourth. Id never ridden a bike with the same amount of stomp. We decided to move the wheelbase back hoping to eliminate this issue and also work the tyre harder. As it happened, chain length, available sprockets etc put the idea on ice so a further change to the ride height, tyre pressures etc was in order for the last race of the weekend.

My best start of the weekend followed and we had clearly got the bike further in the right direction. The nervousness from the rear was improving at every adjustment. It was coming into its own earlier and earlier in the race. A stoppage gave me another chance to adjust the rear compression and this minor change set us even more in the right direction. My fastest time of the weekend came on the final lap. Despite another 12th place finish this lap time put me on a par with the guys in 8th place, the distance to the leaders was coming down. The weather had cooled down even more for this last race, my time improved but the leader’s had deteriorated which was encouraging.

All in all a good weekend, the Ducati was excellent and full of potential. With some decent warm weather (the air temp didn’t break 6 degrees all weekend) and some further set up it will be an absolute flying machine. It was interesting to be involved with the bike’s development, get some laps in on a big bike again and gain those all important signatures. Huge thanks to the Knight Road Racing guys/girls for their help and the use of their bikes. Once again thanks go to Kemtile Hygienic Flooring without whom racing wouldn’t be possible for me at all.

The ZX6 is now in a much better position, with another week’s worth of evenings spent putting it together. I only need suspension and fairing to complete the project. This will be all sorted for my next outing at Oulton Park for the Wirral 100 meeting at the end of April.

Interestingly I will also be out on a minitwin at this meeting. Howard and John Tipping (not a skip hire company, just a father and son by the way!) have kindly supplied the use of their SV650 for the meeting. I’ve never ridden a minitwin on track before and it’s been a long time (8 years to be exact) since I raced a ZXR400 which had comparable power. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve scheduled to do the test day on the Friday before to get the engine run in on the 600 and hopefully a few laps on the minitwin. The Saturday’s racing will see me out in six races in total, it’s going to be a busy day!!!

Mackers

As the winter still refuses to bugger off, preparation is well underway on the new ZX6. I now have the engine back from the tuner and into the frame. Currently my evenings are being spent fitting the rest of the performance bits onto the bike and it’s progressing nicely. The suspension has still not arrived from Ohlins so my first outing on the bike at Donington over Easter has been shelved. Although this is frustrating it’s not a huge issue as previously mentioned I’ll be riding for the Knight Road Racing team on their Ducati 1198RS at Donington. This will give me some much needed track time, having not ridden a race bike since the end of October last year. Riding to work on my CG125 in the snow hasn’t really kept me race sharp!

I’ve kept on top of my cycling as much as the weather would allow throughout the winter and managed to commute the 30 mile round trip, in general, at least once a week. This has kept me in pretty good shape, being the naturally competitive guy that I am I just can’t help myself from trying to beat my personal best time etc etc. Cycling into work in some chilly but bright conditions the other Saturday was quite pleasant; the journey home wasn’t anywhere near as enjoyable! Having been dry and bright all day some really heavy rain came in much earlier than the forecasts had predicted. Hearing the rain bouncing on the roof of the building knowing that it’s barely above 2 degrees outside and you’ve got nearly 50 minutes to spend cycling in the dark ahead didn’t exactly fill me with enthusiasm. Several colleagues offered me a lift home but I declined “How bad can it be, what’s the worst that could happen?” was my reply, macho image firmly intact! 5 minutes into the ride I was absolutely drenched – I generally only ride in a showerproof light jacket even on the coldest days as otherwise it’s just too hot! This gear isn’t exactly designed for a storm which Noah would be impressed by! I got home and stripped off at the door, inside so as not to scare the neighbours, every item of my clothes just slapped on the floor like a pair of soaking wet swimming trunks. I spent the next half an hour soaking in the bath trying to get warm. Although I was grinning at myself for being such a double hard b@stard!

Still on the Cycling theme, I’d booked a taster session at the Velodrome (doesn’t that sound like a good title for a Mad Max remake?). Having never ridden a fixed gear bike, ie without a freewheel, or a bike without brakes, or on a banked track I had no idea what to expect. Basically you book an hour on the track, renting a bike and shoes for under £15 which can’t be bad. The downside being that it was an early morning start having to be at the track for 7.40am. The session starts with the instructor giving the two golden rules, don’t stop pedalling (as the bike won’t) and don’t try and steer when on the shiny paint on the floor. That was pretty much it from a tutorial point of view. So off I went, riding on the banked track is one of those things that you struggle with for a few minutes and then once sorted you wonder how you could ever have made it look so difficult. I found myself initially trying to ride on the bank and just slowly drifting back onto the flat surface on the inside. A few laps in and I realized that you have to ignore your instinct to turn left, as in my mind the bank is a left turn, and just ride straight. Once this is sorted it’s pretty easy to get around without wiping everyone out who’s on the inside!

Another eye opener for me was controlling the speed of the bike on a “normal” bike, ie with brakes and a freewheel capability, to slow down you either brake or stop pedalling. With these fixed gear bikes stopping pedalling ends up with the rider getting thrown out of the seat and without brakes you just keep rolling until you ram into the guy in front. I had a few “Oh sh1t” moments in the early stages where I was catching up with a rider and didn’t want to go high on the banking to overtake due to my concerns that I’d not be able to stay up there. I’d then try and slow down, which sounds easy but when you’ve ridden bikes for 28 years which all operated in pretty much the same way, suddenly trying to teach yourself something different comes as a bit of a shock. It all went well though and pretty soon I was confidently riding around the track, planning ahead so that I didn’t ram anyone, and riding right at the top of the banking. It is a bit of a shock to, someone who’d never seen a banked track before, the angle of the bank is huge. Standing at the bottom and looking up it runs at, I guess, nearly 45 degrees to a height of around 25 feet. Riding at the top is actually really hard work too, as you are constantly having to climb up to the top and hold a decent pace so you don’t slide back down.

I rode around with Adam and James Robinson, who both raced in Thundersport GB last year. A big coincidence saw them at the track on the same session as me. They have both been working hard through the winter and have got quite into the cycling scene. I figured that I’d probably be able to learn quite a bit from them as they’d been a number of times before. It helped me no end, although the pace they were running was sometimes a bit too much like hard work for me! James and I ended up side by side for the final two laps of the session, both of us sprinting it out for the final lap. Obviously it wasn’t a race but I won by half a wheel junior!!! Although after 45 minutes of almost continuous riding then sprinting against a 16 year old for two laps I thought I was going to throw up on the slowing down lap. James was in slightly better shape than me at the finish I was gasping for breath! All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable day and good way to stay in shape over the winter. I’ll definitely go again, there is a process to go through various stages of accreditation, once I have time I’ll perhaps have a go at that. Jo, Ted and Ann came along to watch/laugh/support but after the initial shock of the size of the place it’s not really much of a spectator sport!! I guess watching a race event would be great though, it’d be a really good atmosphere inside.

So that’s my news, I’ll put a report on after Donington Park, after that my next meeting is the Wirral 100 event at Oulton Park in late April. Fingers crossed that the bike will finally be ready!

Mackers #30

The ZX6 is well under way now and I should have the engine back at the weekend. Suspension parts and the steering damper have been a little delayed and may not arrive until the end of next week. This would only leave 4 working days to get the suspension fitted, bike finished and dyno set up before the Easter meeting at Donington. With me working full time also it means I’m a bit restricted on when I can take the bike/suspension to companies to sort these bits out. Time is running out!

With all this in mind I called on the Knight Road Racing Team. Charlotte and Alan have run immaculately turned out Ducatis since 2005. Their rider, my old mate Alex Heaton, has sustained a nasty shoulder injury in pre-season testing (get well soon Alex) so this left them at a loose end. The Knights were aware that I need some signatures on my licence to gain my Mountain Course Licence and offered the use of one of their bikes at the Donington meeting. This is great news as it will give me valuable track time before the TT on a competitive bike. It also takes the pressure off me to get the 600 sorted in a massive rush. Obviously if the bike comes together then I can get some set up time at Donington on that too but if not then I still have an entry in the Wirral 100 Meeting at Oulton Park in April.

So things are moving on, huge thanks to Knight Road Racing for their help. Please have a look at their website knightroadraceteam.co.uk. Having never ridden a Ducati in anger I’m really looking forward to getting a run out on a top bike. Apparently Ducatis are a motorcycle which only has two cylinders!!!

Obviously I’ll keep the blog updated with progress on the ZX6 and report how the Easter meeting goes.

Mackers

My second Trial of the winter was planned for early February but was cancelled due to the heavy snow which covered most of the country during the week. So we had a bit of a wait until Sunday 24th Feb and were back to Alvanley, Nr Frodsham for a Cheshire Youth Trial Club event. I dug out the trusty Beta Techo again, three kicks and it started. My slight lack of maintenance on the bike is almost embarrassing. Don’t get me wrong  – I always wash and oil the bike after each event but aside from that I basically wait for something to break and then fix it! In a wave of enthusiasm I decided to check the gear oil just before the event started. This revealed a hopeless lack of lubricating fluid (oops!) so a dash to the trade van on site and a hasty oil change followed. 200cc came out and nearly 400cc went back in! Before signing on I had a walk down to check out the sections and decide which level of difficulty route I was going to tackle. 15 years ago, when I used to regularly compete, I got to the giddy heights of “intermediate” and rode in the hardest route. I’m not bad at trials but was never going to “make it”. In my come back I’ve only ever ridden in the middle route of three, but reckoned having had a few successful events that I could have a go at the hard route again.

So back to Sunday, I wandered down into the wood and walked a few of the marked sections, deciding that I was up for a challenge I was about ready to head back to the van and sign on. From the corner of my eye I spotted a couple of young (15 year old?) lads with walking gear on peering down into the valley where I was. “Oi” came a shout, to which I didn’t even raise an eyebrow, “Oi!” it came again. “Oi, what’s this?” – a final question from 30 yards away. At this point I decided that, as the adult in the situation, I needed to administer some correctional advice. “Oi?” I replied, “What the hell is that? Shall we start with Good Morning?!”. “Oh, sorry, good morning, what’s this?” came the apologetic reply. I went on to explain that there was a motorcycle trial about to start etc etc. On the walk back to the van I had to chuckle to myself what an old git I was turning into. Ten years ago it wouldn’t have bothered me that some kids addressed anyone in this fashion. Suddenly I find myself annoyed by rudeness, what’s happened to me?

So the trial got underway, it was fairly dry, the sections were on the whole tight and twisty. I was happy with how I was riding and seemed to be doing reasonably well considering the step up I’d made. I struggled with a section over some rocks, always a nemesis of mine. In the area where I grew up and rode trials, sections over rocks were a rare occurrence hence my issues over this terrain. Aside from that the event went well except, since the gearbox oil was now full, the Beta was smoking like an Aston in a James Bond movie. I reckon it’s got a leaking crank seal so will have to dig in and actually carry out some maintenance on the old girl. The results came out that evening to reveal that I was 6th (out of 12 in class) and dropped 28 marks. Not a bad result for a part time off roader.

After the trial, young Ted wanted to have a ride on his Oset electric trials bike, so we took him across to a quiet bit of the ground and he was happily riding up and down in the woods. With a little aid from me downhill – he’s still not great with the brakes – he was managing to get up and over a mound taller than his head in the finish. Going great guns and really enjoying himself. A young lad, who I later found out was eight years old, appeared on a Yamaha TY80. Ted and I pulled aside as the kid looked a little unsteady, his Dad was standing by but not right alongside him. Jo and Ann were stood about 20 feet from where Ted and I had parked up. The lad came up and over the same mound that Ted had been riding over, lost control at the top and headed straight for Jo. She put her hands out and braced herself against the handlebars stopping the TY80 at her feet with the front wheel between her legs. The rider, who was slightly out of his depth, was now sat on the bike with the clutch out and rear wheel turning, Jo was holding the bike from going anywhere. All of this happened in around a second, the kid panics and hits the throttle, the bike rears up, he falls off the back and Jo still sitting astride the front wheel gets lifted off the ground and thrown head first over the rear mudguard. Initially winded and shocked she stayed down for a good ten minutes, we were all concerned with her having a history of back problems that this could have aggravated something. Once to her feet we helped her back to the van and Ann gave her a lift home. Fortunately there doesn’t seem to be any lasting damage. Some healthy bruising to her left side and pulled muscles in her shoulder but we reckon she is going to survive. A pretty traumatic end to the day really! I told her that trials was loads safer than road racing, it appears that it is as long as you’re the one on the bike!!

Aside from this action preparation is going steady for the season. I’ve got the ZX6, have taken the engine out and sent it for a superstock tune to Mark Fisher of G&S Racing. This should be back in early March. The rest of the performance bits have arrived and are ready to fit, I just haven’t done it yet!! Ohlins suspension is due to arrive very shortly too so although the bike is basically a frame on wheels at the moment I’m not panicking yet. My first outing is planned for Thundersport GB over Easter weekend, so there’s still about 5 weeks to go! As my old mate Dave Hewson would say, what could possibly go wrong?

I’ve been keeping on top of my training, some indoor turbo training and the occasional venture out on the pushbike over the winter have kept me going. The weather is now starting to improve so I’m back up to around 100 miles a week, commuting, on the push bike again. This along with a winter watching what I’m eating sees me tipping the scales at 12 stone 2lb, which was pretty much my weight at birth too!

I’ll keep you all up to date and send some pictures as the bike takes shape.

Mackers #30

Unfortunately the Frodsham trial was cancelled due to the bad weather.  There is another one in a couple of weeks, 24th Feb, so I’ll update you all after that.

In preparation for the impending season, I picked up the ZX6 last Tuesday and have stripped the engine out already. I’m getting the engine to Mark Fisher (G&S Racing) this weekend for a simple superstock tune.  Bits are starting to come together for the bike and I’m planning on my first outing at the Thundersport GB round at Donington Park on 31st March.

More generous support for 2013 has been confirmed, many thanks to the following:

GB Racing – www.gbracing.eu – will once again be supplying engine covers, stand bobbins, crash bungs and chain guards for the bike.

HEL Performance – helperformance.com – are supplying braided hoses.  I’ve used these for a number of seasons now and am very pleased with the product.

Speedycom Performance Ltd – www.speedycom.co.uk –  have again given support by way of increased discount on Bonamici rearsets and Techspec Gripster tank pads.

Please take some time to have a look at their products.

Mackers #30

I’m delighted to announce generous support from the following companies for 2013, their help is greatly appreciated so please take some time to have a look at their products:

Torq Fitness – www.torqfitness.co.uk – have worked with athletes and sportsmen and women to develop a range of Performance Nutrition Products and are now a major player in the Sports Nutrition market.  They will be supplying me with their energy drinks, bars and gels at a greatly reduced cost.

Knox Armour – www.knox-armour.co.uk – are world leaders in innovative impact protection and have an extensive range of award winning products.  They will be supplying me with their state of the art Meta-Sys Back protector, Chest protector and Dry Inside performance base layer for upper and lower body.  I’m happy to have them on board, having tested their back protector as much as I’d ever want to during my Anglesey crash in 2009!!

Many thanks to both companies – here’s to a successful 2013 season!

Mackers #30