Mallory update (a bit rambling)

Ho yuss, what a hoot. I was still grinning this morning.

I must say that Buell organised a first rate event and, even though it
was a glorified product test ride, it was a VFM intro to track riding.
The idea was that we got to ride various expressions of their bike
(they all look the same to me) on the track and road; and the slightly
different Ulysses "off road." Coming from riding a ZR-7 on a 300 miles
per week commute (200 on motorway - the only leaning I do is on
roundabouts) it was a huuuge change.

The first surprise was the way the bikes behaved. Yes they seemed to
handle very well and, to be honest, I never felt anywhere near the
bike's limits. But they were so alien. They seemed to be very high
geared so a tiny blip of revs in first had a big effect. Also there
seemed a big gap between gears. I ride my own bike with a measure of
mechanical sympathy and went, as stated, with every intention of
thrashing the Buells. However, they red-lined at 7.5k and as soon as I
got near that the power just died and I had to change up when I wasn't
really expecting to. They really weren't as fast as I expected a litre
bike to be.

So I gradually got into a groove which went something like this -
hairpin in 1st, bus stop same, 2nd-3rd-4th through Devil's and Kirkby,
down to 3rd into Gerard's, 2nd for Edwina's, up into 3rd through the
esses then back to 1st for the hairpin. I was only doing about 110 at
the end of the straight and 95 out of Gerard's so I guess that was
pretty lame.

We had no instruction at all, just a 10 minute steady ride to get an
idea of the lines. I took Champ's advice and tried to look out for
indicators like patchy bits of tarmac. Back in, swapped bikes and we
were off on our own. I overtook a few people and was passed by some
blokes who looked like they new what they were doing. Then we got
called back in and chastised for being too naughty - apparently they
had a few run off Gerard's onto the grass and a number of the quicker
boys were overtaking inappropriately. So then we did the road and off-
road rides (had my first TWA moment) and some "hot laps" as pillions
with Matt Llewellyn. The latter helped me appreciate how much hard
work 'proper' racing must be.

In the 3rd track session I was passed once, then he got caught up in a
group at the hairpin so I just braked a bit late and passed him and
them. Back in, swapped bikes again. Last session I wasn't passed at
all but it got cut a little short by somebody's off at Edwina's (just
as I was a bout to lap one of my mates). He told me that he thought I
was pretty quick, which was nice, but I think (with respect) that's a
bit like the time my 9-yr-old daughter told me she thought I should be
playing football for England.

Overall I think I got better as the day went on. I was hanging off but
not properly - ie back end only I think - and still never managed to
GMKD. Also I wasn't very smooth - there was a lot of jiggling as I
straightened up after hanging off. I seemed to struggle with the bus
stop a few times, going in too fast or too straight or something. I'm
better at right-handers (which is probably because roundabouts are all
RH) and Mallory seems to suit that (are most circuits clockwise?). I
really ought to invest in some proper instruction. I'm not too sure
about using my primary form of transport though. For 80 notes I got a
taste of Mallory without risking my own bike, wearing my tyres or
using my own fuel.

Yesterday was probably the most fun I've had in a while. This morning
I ache all over - especially my legs - but what a buzz.

 

Cheers. Next time I'd like to try Cadwell, mainly because it's the
closest. Not sure what I'll do bikewise. Any idea how much it costs to
hire a bike for a track day?

 

Cadwell is great, probably my second favourite track in the
country after Oulton Park. Been there a few times...
http://horrible.demon.co.uk/cadwell/
http://horrible.demon.co.uk/050725_Cadwell/
What a difference a year makes!