Sunday, 28 September 2014
Video: Tarenig Rally
Footage from the special test at the RallyMoto Tarenig Rally, on board the Wales Air Ambulance EXC, enjoy!
Race report: Tarenig Rally
Well you wouldn't have believed it was late September from the weather we had today! It started off cloudy and miserable but it soon changed to a warm, beautiful sunny day, ready for the penultimate round of the 2014 All Terrain Rally Challenge.
I was up bright and early and it was still dark when I set off at 6:30am. I signed on, dropped off the Wales Air Ambulance badges at the RallyMoto tent (thank you to everyone who very kindly donated) and then got my bike scrutineered.
My start time was 10:04 and there were 4 laps to complete, with the first lap being a sighting lap. There were some great optional enduro loops out on the course, the test was long and fast and there was a good mix of trails and technical bits throughout. When I got back after the sighting lap I tightened my chain and replaced my goggle film ready for the first timed lap.
On my second lap, I had a bit of a lapse in concentration (ok 3 of them) and came off in some very silly places on the going! The first two were successful dismounts, the third one hurt though, the front wheel tucked underneath me on a bermed section and it wrenched my left arm. I attacked the test for the first timed lap and then took some painkillers when I got back to the pits. Unfortunately I caught about 5 riders on the test and it probably cost me some time, hopefully I didn't put them off when I overtook! Somewhere along the way I managed to crack the welds on the radiator again and lost the guard as well. Frustrating!
The 3rd and 4th laps were better, I kept a good pace on the going without tiring myself out and then rode as fast as I dared on the tests. I was pushing the bike to its limits for grip in some places but I felt like I rode pretty well and I really enjoyed it.
A big thanks once again to the RallyMoto club and all the officials and marshalls today, and well done on another fantastic event!
I was up bright and early and it was still dark when I set off at 6:30am. I signed on, dropped off the Wales Air Ambulance badges at the RallyMoto tent (thank you to everyone who very kindly donated) and then got my bike scrutineered.
My start time was 10:04 and there were 4 laps to complete, with the first lap being a sighting lap. There were some great optional enduro loops out on the course, the test was long and fast and there was a good mix of trails and technical bits throughout. When I got back after the sighting lap I tightened my chain and replaced my goggle film ready for the first timed lap.
On my second lap, I had a bit of a lapse in concentration (ok 3 of them) and came off in some very silly places on the going! The first two were successful dismounts, the third one hurt though, the front wheel tucked underneath me on a bermed section and it wrenched my left arm. I attacked the test for the first timed lap and then took some painkillers when I got back to the pits. Unfortunately I caught about 5 riders on the test and it probably cost me some time, hopefully I didn't put them off when I overtook! Somewhere along the way I managed to crack the welds on the radiator again and lost the guard as well. Frustrating!
The 3rd and 4th laps were better, I kept a good pace on the going without tiring myself out and then rode as fast as I dared on the tests. I was pushing the bike to its limits for grip in some places but I felt like I rode pretty well and I really enjoyed it.
A big thanks once again to the RallyMoto club and all the officials and marshalls today, and well done on another fantastic event!
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
Final prep for the Tarenig Rally
Saturday morning was a busy one for me! I was up early and took advantage of that to get some work done on the bike so that I could have a play on Sunday.
The first thing I replaced was those front wheel bearings. There wasn't much play in them, just a tiny bit, but I like my bike to be spot on. Once I'd done that, I fitted a new front sprocket, then popped down to ET James to grab some new rear sprocket bolts, the missing fork guard bolt, some thread lock and a new Renthal O-ring chain. As soon as I got back I fitted a new Supersprox rear sprocket with those fresh bolts and thread lock, got the new chain on and adjusted and sorted out the fork guard. While I was working I had another cable tie on the front brake for good measure, then I did my usual checks and topped it up with fuel.
Sunday morning was great fun! What a stunning day it was and I could hardly wait to get out on the field and muck about doing wheelies, jumps and practicing little techniques. After I'd quenched my thirst for play riding, I set about putting in a few laps on the enduro test loop. I really feel like I'm gelling with the bike now and starting to get the best out of it. Since I first set up the track almost a year ago, which is tight, technical and demanding, I have been able to knock 40 seconds off my best lap time (around 3:30 to begin with), so I'm pleased to be heading in the right direction and I know where I can make more time up.
It's absolutely true what they say, there's nothing like time on the bike and gaining experience! The Tarenig Rally this Sunday will be my 10th event of the year and my 4th ATRC rally. I'm really fired up for this one and I can't wait to get going and hopefully fight for another class win!
I'd like to say a big thank you to the RallyMoto club for arranging a Wales Air Ambulance donation option on the entry form for the Tarenig Rally, and especially to all the generous riders who have donated, what a great community.
The first thing I replaced was those front wheel bearings. There wasn't much play in them, just a tiny bit, but I like my bike to be spot on. Once I'd done that, I fitted a new front sprocket, then popped down to ET James to grab some new rear sprocket bolts, the missing fork guard bolt, some thread lock and a new Renthal O-ring chain. As soon as I got back I fitted a new Supersprox rear sprocket with those fresh bolts and thread lock, got the new chain on and adjusted and sorted out the fork guard. While I was working I had another cable tie on the front brake for good measure, then I did my usual checks and topped it up with fuel.
Sunday morning was great fun! What a stunning day it was and I could hardly wait to get out on the field and muck about doing wheelies, jumps and practicing little techniques. After I'd quenched my thirst for play riding, I set about putting in a few laps on the enduro test loop. I really feel like I'm gelling with the bike now and starting to get the best out of it. Since I first set up the track almost a year ago, which is tight, technical and demanding, I have been able to knock 40 seconds off my best lap time (around 3:30 to begin with), so I'm pleased to be heading in the right direction and I know where I can make more time up.
It's absolutely true what they say, there's nothing like time on the bike and gaining experience! The Tarenig Rally this Sunday will be my 10th event of the year and my 4th ATRC rally. I'm really fired up for this one and I can't wait to get going and hopefully fight for another class win!
I'd like to say a big thank you to the RallyMoto club for arranging a Wales Air Ambulance donation option on the entry form for the Tarenig Rally, and especially to all the generous riders who have donated, what a great community.
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Next up: Tarenig and Cambrian rallies
I got my entry in nice and early for the WTRA Cambrian Rally, which will be the last round of the 2014 All Terrain Rally Challenge but the other day I realised that it's a week later than last year! I'm gutted because that means I'll miss the last round of the Welsh enduro championship, the Fowlers enduro. Last year's event was really good - don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sure it was the hardest enduro I've ever done, but I was looking forward to having another go at it this year!
The Jacko Memorial enduro turned out ok and the Wales Air Ambulance EXC definitely appreciated the new air filter and spark plug., she's been treated like royalty recently! I'll have to check the front wheel bearings before the Tarenig Rally and I'll be fitting a new chain and sprockets. Other than that I lost one fork guard bolt at the Jacko and I've already replaced the rusty footpeg split pins.
The Tarenig Rally is full to the brim! With a capacity entry of 175 riders it's going to be a great event and there will be plenty of competition in all classes. I'm not sure what I can realistically achieve in the ATRC, we'll have to wait and see how the Tarenig goes first, but at the very least I'd like to hold onto 3rd. Bring on another "home round" on the 28th!
The Jacko Memorial enduro turned out ok and the Wales Air Ambulance EXC definitely appreciated the new air filter and spark plug., she's been treated like royalty recently! I'll have to check the front wheel bearings before the Tarenig Rally and I'll be fitting a new chain and sprockets. Other than that I lost one fork guard bolt at the Jacko and I've already replaced the rusty footpeg split pins.
The Tarenig Rally is full to the brim! With a capacity entry of 175 riders it's going to be a great event and there will be plenty of competition in all classes. I'm not sure what I can realistically achieve in the ATRC, we'll have to wait and see how the Tarenig goes first, but at the very least I'd like to hold onto 3rd. Bring on another "home round" on the 28th!
Monday, 15 September 2014
Results: Jacko Memorial enduro
The results are out for the 2014 CWAC Jacko Memorial enduro, you can download them here. I'm pleased to have finished 6th out of 42 starters. I would have liked to have been in the top 5 but there were some extremely fast times in the Sportsman class this year!
Sunday, 14 September 2014
Race report: Jacko Memorial enduro
It was good fun at the CWAC Knighton Jacko Memorial enduro today, good weather and a decent turnout for the Sportsman class. It was the penultimate round of the ET James Welsh Enduro Championship for the Sportsman class, so all to play for at the sharp end!
Well I have to say my day was fairly uneventful this time! The first lap was a sighting lap and there were 3 laps for the beginners class and 4 laps for all other classes. The fuel/test check was loose and stayed the same with regards to time allowance. The other check got tighter by 1 minute (for the Sportsman class) each lap. I stayed clean on time easily as the checks were loose, and didn't have any bike problems. I had a couple of spectacular brake slides on the tests but other than that things were pretty smooth.
Thanks as usual to Keith Bowen from MX247 for the photos.
There was traffic to contend with on all 3 of my timed tests, but I'm hoping it was the same for everyone as I lost a few seconds in places. All that's left to do is to wait for the results!
Well I have to say my day was fairly uneventful this time! The first lap was a sighting lap and there were 3 laps for the beginners class and 4 laps for all other classes. The fuel/test check was loose and stayed the same with regards to time allowance. The other check got tighter by 1 minute (for the Sportsman class) each lap. I stayed clean on time easily as the checks were loose, and didn't have any bike problems. I had a couple of spectacular brake slides on the tests but other than that things were pretty smooth.
Thanks as usual to Keith Bowen from MX247 for the photos.
There was traffic to contend with on all 3 of my timed tests, but I'm hoping it was the same for everyone as I lost a few seconds in places. All that's left to do is to wait for the results!
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