I hope you enjoy the video and I apologise in advance for the profanities - in the heat of the moment I can't control my tongue apparently! ;)
Tuesday, 13 January 2015
Io Racing 2014 bloopers video
Well as you all know, things don't always go to plan...Here are some of the "bloopers" from my season of racing in 2014. There's everything from the usual crashes to my chain coming off and getting stuck in a peat bog!
I hope you enjoy the video and I apologise in advance for the profanities - in the heat of the moment I can't control my tongue apparently! ;)
I hope you enjoy the video and I apologise in advance for the profanities - in the heat of the moment I can't control my tongue apparently! ;)
Monday, 12 January 2015
Planning the nav gear wiring
I won't pretend to be an electrician - I am very much a DIY enthusiast when it comes to wiring! I like to try my hand at everything though, and having re-wired two bikes in the past, I have a rough idea of what I'm doing.
You know what they say though, Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (or whatever it is). Anyway, the point being that I'm designing my circuit before I start splicing wires and connecting things up. For me, that process starts on paper! I've come up with a plan, so now I'm going to start collecting some parts, ready to test the circuit.
Very exciting stuff - especially since I'm well and truly in "Dakar" following mode at the moment! Can't wait to get a roadbook together and go out for the maiden navigation ride.
You know what they say though, Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance (or whatever it is). Anyway, the point being that I'm designing my circuit before I start splicing wires and connecting things up. For me, that process starts on paper! I've come up with a plan, so now I'm going to start collecting some parts, ready to test the circuit.
Very exciting stuff - especially since I'm well and truly in "Dakar" following mode at the moment! Can't wait to get a roadbook together and go out for the maiden navigation ride.
Friday, 9 January 2015
Happy 3rd birthday!
My little KTM was 3 years old the other day, so it was time for her first MOT! Having gone through without any problem, I had some new tyres fitted ready for the Snowrun enduro. Thanks again to ET James for getting my bike sorted.
Michelin enduro competition III and IV are my favourites - out of all the different tyres I've used throughout my racing, they're the best performing in all conditions for my riding style. Oh and while I was at it I got a new front mousse as well (Michelin BIB mousse, obviously), the old one had a split in it about 2 inches long and half an inch deep. The rear mousse is just about perfect though, how about that for quality? I've done a whole season's racing, training and trail riding on that mousse and it's still great!
I still have a few things I was too lazy to do over Christmas though:
By the way, I'm having loads of fun following the Dakar Rally - never a dull moment! If you're not sure how best to follow the action, see my earlier post.
Michelin enduro competition III and IV are my favourites - out of all the different tyres I've used throughout my racing, they're the best performing in all conditions for my riding style. Oh and while I was at it I got a new front mousse as well (Michelin BIB mousse, obviously), the old one had a split in it about 2 inches long and half an inch deep. The rear mousse is just about perfect though, how about that for quality? I've done a whole season's racing, training and trail riding on that mousse and it's still great!
I still have a few things I was too lazy to do over Christmas though:
- Gearbox oil
- Chain link
- Rear wheel bearings
- Fit some yellow backgrounds for the Clubman class
- Navigation gear setup
By the way, I'm having loads of fun following the Dakar Rally - never a dull moment! If you're not sure how best to follow the action, see my earlier post.
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Following the 2015 Dakar Rally
It's underway! The Dakar Rally started on the 4th of January from Buenos Aires, Argentina and will travel through Chile and Bolivia, crossing the Atacama Desert, before returning to the Argentinian capital some 8000KMs later.
To me it is without doubt the most fascinating race in the world and one that I dream of competing in one day.
Our British riders this year are Sam Sunderland (KTM) and Christopher "Corky" Cork (HUSQVARNA). There are a couple more familiar faces from the UK off road scene as well - Simon Pavey (BMW Off Road Skills) and his son Llewelyn are riding on their KTMs.
At the sharp end, it's already looking as though a great battle is on between several manufacturers, but as we all know, a hell of a lot can happen in the next couple of weeks, we're only on Stage 3 so far! Anyway, I wish every competitor the very best of luck and I'm excited to keep track of the race.
If, like me, you are one of those people who just can't get enough of the Dakar and want the very latest news, here are some useful links for following the action from the comfort of your armchairs!
To me it is without doubt the most fascinating race in the world and one that I dream of competing in one day.
Our British riders this year are Sam Sunderland (KTM) and Christopher "Corky" Cork (HUSQVARNA). There are a couple more familiar faces from the UK off road scene as well - Simon Pavey (BMW Off Road Skills) and his son Llewelyn are riding on their KTMs.
At the sharp end, it's already looking as though a great battle is on between several manufacturers, but as we all know, a hell of a lot can happen in the next couple of weeks, we're only on Stage 3 so far! Anyway, I wish every competitor the very best of luck and I'm excited to keep track of the race.
If, like me, you are one of those people who just can't get enough of the Dakar and want the very latest news, here are some useful links for following the action from the comfort of your armchairs!
- Powerful, customisable tracking for all categories:
http://www.trackingdakar.nl - The “F5irehose” ADV Rider thread (news in real time):
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1034277 - The ADV Rider “Cliff Notes” (summary) thread:
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1034501 - The Dakar.com live news feed:
http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2015/us/stage-3/live-feed.html - Daily stage summary videos:
http://www.redbull.tv
http://www.dailymotion.com/user/Dakar/1
https://www.youtube.com/user/dakar/videos - And for keeping track of each day:
Route summary: http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2015/us/route.html
Stage profile with CPs: http://gaps.dakar.com/2015/dakar/stage-03/aso/ukie.php
Stage map: http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2015/us/stage-3/day-s-route.html
Dakar.com photos and videos: http://www.dakar.com/dakar/2015/us/stage-3/videos-galery.html - Eurosport TV coverage (daily)
Available via a "Crowd Pass" at £5.99 for one month - Rally Raid Review on Twitter
Monday, 5 January 2015
Introducing ioTube
The Io Racing YouTube video channel will now be known as ioTube! Many thanks to Emlyn Whittick for his artistic flare as well as the usual enthusiasm and support for my racing.
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Moving up a class
I always told myself that as soon as I knew I was capable of winning the Sportsman class in an enduro that I would move up to Clubman. I took my first ever class win in 2014 at the Powys Enduro, so I'm looking forward to the bigger challenge of competing in the Clubman class in all enduro events in 2015.
From what I've heard, the WTRA Snowrun enduro is far from easy, being billed as an "old-school" event (read difficult)! It'll be a real test of fitness, but it's what I need to kick-start my season. This will be my first attempt at the Snowrun too, so I'll be concentrating on finishing.
As far as the ATRC classes go, I moved up a class and rode in the Good Experts at the Cambrian Rally and got on well, so I will stick with that class in 2015.
I don't know how the class structure will be defined for the RallyMoto Cup as yet, but assuming it's similar to the ATRC system, I'll enter as Good Clubman or Expert depending on how much roadbook practice I've been able to get in before the first event.
Meanwhile in South America...THE DAKAR RALLY 2015 IS UNDERWAY!!!
From what I've heard, the WTRA Snowrun enduro is far from easy, being billed as an "old-school" event (read difficult)! It'll be a real test of fitness, but it's what I need to kick-start my season. This will be my first attempt at the Snowrun too, so I'll be concentrating on finishing.
As far as the ATRC classes go, I moved up a class and rode in the Good Experts at the Cambrian Rally and got on well, so I will stick with that class in 2015.
I don't know how the class structure will be defined for the RallyMoto Cup as yet, but assuming it's similar to the ATRC system, I'll enter as Good Clubman or Expert depending on how much roadbook practice I've been able to get in before the first event.
Meanwhile in South America...THE DAKAR RALLY 2015 IS UNDERWAY!!!
Friday, 2 January 2015
Happy new year!
Welcome to 2015 everyone! I hope it'll be a great year for everyone, not just on the racing front.
The first event of 2015 for me will be the WTRA Snowrun Enduro on the 8th of February. I got my entry in this morning in the Clubman class, best get prepared for the onslaught!
Lastly, I'd like to send a get well soon message to one of my riding buddies Kev Price. Hope you're back on the bike ASAP.
The first event of 2015 for me will be the WTRA Snowrun Enduro on the 8th of February. I got my entry in this morning in the Clubman class, best get prepared for the onslaught!
Lastly, I'd like to send a get well soon message to one of my riding buddies Kev Price. Hope you're back on the bike ASAP.
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