White Dalton Solicitors Blog

I have long been aware that wind noise contributes massively to the fatiguing effects of riding a motorcycle; pretty understandable given that at motorway speeds the volume inside a helmet is apparently the equivalent to having a pneumatic drill pounding away at you.

So I had been toying with the idea of getting some personal ear plugs rather than continually nicking from the office stash of disposable freebies we give out at shows . At the Aberdare Road Races I decided to utilise the time spent waiting for it to stop raining by finally acting on this idea, and I had casts taken of my ears to have plugs made which fit me and me only.

The sensation was simply the strangest thing I have experienced in a long time; it is neither natural nor pleasant to have goo injected that far down your lug-holes.

The jury is still out on whether it was worth it. I did get a pretty good deal cash-wise, and I did get to choose bright blue to match my bike and satisfy the girliness in me. However, I’m just not sure .

They are quite solid, which surprised me – I think I expected softer, more malleable rubber. This means my ears now get bashed by my helmet each time I pull it on or off. It also means after a long journey my ears can feel quite tired – really not something I would call ‘normal’.

I have also found them quite a hassle to insert, although I am hoping this is just a matter of technique improving over time. It is definately a two-handed affair, and it is all too easy to get the angle off just slightly, and you will be fumbling for ages, cursing (a lot) and getting less and less likely to fit them with each mini-tantrum. On the other hand, sometimes I manage it within seconds, and wonder what the fuss on the previous ride had been about. Which just confuses me further.

I think the conclusion I am almost at is that when i’m out for a decent spin on my bike then yep, genius, cuts out almost every last bit of wind noise (I chose the filter level for race & motorway use rather than normal road use), and I can hear my bike’s engine crisper than ever, which is great. Definately worth the hassle.

However, when out as a pillion? Or on just a short run-around? No thanks, I think i’d rather just have a little noise and get to where I am going without the extra palarva.

After about 21 years, I have decided to re do my IAM test, and found myself meeting with one of the senior observers for my area, Simon Rawlins. Simon’s tyres showed his Bandit had been ridden a bit, with no chicken strips anywhere on his tyres. They were not cooked like trackday tyres but lets just say he gets use out of all of his tyre.
Having done my test years ago I was glad to see that a lot of the b*llsh*t had gone. I asked Simon whether the test required covering off the back brake at junctions – answer – No! I also remember having to do lifesavers about every 30 seconds, again, this is all gone. As Simon explained the purpose is to turn me into a thinking rider. It transpired Simon and I years ago had been working on the despatch circuit and though our paths never crossed, I was happy to have an ex DR as my observer because I cannot sit in traffic. Simon asked me to ride my normal style, which I did, and at our first pulling over, after about an hours riding, Simon had a few observations for me. Most were pretty complimentary, and Simon said I had clearly done a lot of bike miles and was very comfortable in the saddle. My machine control was comfortable and fluid. So far, so good. Then the areas where I needed improvement, which were observing speed limits, where I was a bit too relaxed, and he gave me a few good tips for smooth overtaking. I had been pulled up before on a Bikesafe course for slightly threatening overtakes, so I was not suprised by this. Because I don’t ride much at the weekends, I was horrified at the standard of weekend drivers. In 3 hours of riding, I had one car go for an overtake just as I was ready to accelerate past it and the lead vehicle. Luckily my sixth sense and a “head bob” by the driver alerted me, so I could stop the manoeuvre. More worryingly a car got bored in the oncoming traffic and went for an overtake forcing me right to the edge of my carriageway with a closing speed of about 120mph. Luckily, I still ride to the “system”, or at least try to, so both of these incidents passed without any casualties, but how the hell a driver can miss my bike with 4 headlights will never cease to bemuse me. It ws a good experience and already I have tidied up my overtakes, and have dropped 2 gears when in town to keep better to 30s and 40’s which I have always tried to observe, but it is a lot easier to observe them in 3rd rather than 4th or 5th. Out on the open road, Simon and I rode pretty enthusiastically, and Simon took me down some roads which really challenged me for speed, positioning and braking. And nobody made me wear any dayglow.

Check out the revised photo gallery on my website. This season is now split
up round by round with a load of extra images from Snetterton and a new
folder for the Aprilia Tuono Factory. Many thanks to John from White Dalton,
Tony Margiocchi and Rob Wright for the extra pics, to compliment the
professional images from PLJ Photo. If anyone would like a higher resolution
version of any of these pics, drop me an email.
As the Brands Hatch round approaches I’m focusing on fitness. The bike is
tip top so there isn’t a lot else that needs to be done. The sort of fitness
you need to race at club level is different to Superbikes or MotoGP. The
physical work in riding a bike is directly proportional to the speed, so the
faster you’re going the fitter you need to be.
The Tuono is heavier than most race bikes but it changes direction easily
and doesn’t fight back, so for one race you don’t need to be especially fit.
The difference over a weekend of club racing is that I’m usually on my own,
doing all the work in the paddock, and sleeping in my box trailer. After all
of that you can start a race feeling tired. The aim of being fitter is that
I can still feel fresh on the last lap of the last race and able to ride my
best.
I train five to six times a week, including cycling, weights, and specific
push-up sessions for strength under braking. This gives me a good
combination of strength and endurance, and keeps my weight down to around
11st7lbs to help acceleration. I especially love cycling and there are some
great rides around Bath – so long as you don’t mind some big hills. Here’s
what I ride, my second Italian race bike, a carbon fibre Viner Gladius
Limited Edition.

Not withstanding the photo, it is Andrew blogging this site. We had an excellent time at the Bulldog Bash with a much lighter police presence this year. I always think the Bash is amongst the safest and most easy going of all the big shows we do. Special thanks go out to Dusty and Smudge, two of the organising Hell’s Angels who really looked after me and Jo, Dusty especially for pulling our van out of what was pretty light mud. Dusty, if you get this can you make contact because there are a few bottles of wine for you, as a thank you for getting us out.

We were lucky to have a really good bunch of traders around us, and we were fed genuine Pakistani Chick pea curry from the stand opposite us. I made the mistake of wolfing it down, and turning a very strange colour as the chilli’s bit back. I also lost my voice for about 10 minutes which cheered Jo up no end. Next to us was an excellent airbrush artist from Theme Colour, and Dave, once I get my new bike, you can airbrush my tank!

I really hope this festival can be kept running. I have made contact with the HAMC and their solicitors as a reference for the organised and sensible way this show is run.

Finally, thanks to the Red Devils for the photos. My dad is an ex Para and was chuffed with the photo. Jo was slightly less chuffed. The Para to the left of her didn’t quite know what to do with his hands. That explains the rather suprised look from Jo. Little rascals these Paras.

Here are a few photos from the 2009 Bulldog Bash show at Long Marston Airfield in Warwickshire which Jo and Andrew attended over the weekend.

I have at long last done my first ever track day on the full GP circuit at Silverstone.

I was more than a little nervous before hand.  I was worried that I would be too slow, that I’d trash my bike etc…..  We had the briefing before going on track which calmed me a little and the organisers (Hottrax) also gave a more detailed briefing on the track for newbies like myself.  This proved to be very helpful later!

I had booked an evening session which, as it turns out, was not fully booked.  After both groups had done their 3 mandatory sighting laps it got turned into an open pitlane session.  This turned out to be really good as I could go out and do 3 or 4 laps and come in for a short break before going and doing more.

I soon found that my 749 was absolutely perfect for a first track day outing.  It felt so stable in the corners and I soon found that I was pretty quick through them.  The bike lost out on the straights but there were very few that were as quick as me through the twisties.  I only went off track a couple of times, the most hair-raising being at Copse.  In the briefing, we had been told we’d probably go in too hot into Copse at some point but were also told that you shouldn’t worry as you just stand the bike up, go over the short bit of grass and there is loads of tarmac run off.  That said, when you get Copse right it is very satisfying – to be going that fast with your right knee buried in the race track is awesome.

I didn’t tape up the bike as is normal for track days as I had to ride too and from the track, but in the entire session I only sneaked a view at my speedo on the long straight.  Apart from that, I was counting gears, looking for apexes and looking for braking points.  I put the baffles in my G&G cans, but was a little worried that they would still be too loud.  I didn’t get black flagged, so can only assume they were quiet enough!

There were photographers at the track from whom I couldn’t resist buying a CD with all my pictures on – I’ve attached a few to this blog.  It’s only fair to acknowledge the photographers who were from www.BritishSportPhotography.com.

In short, I cannot wait for my next outing and if you’re like me and really want to do a track day but are nervous, don’t put it off any more – you wont regret it!