Posts
13
Comments
33
Joined
2 yr. ago
BBC report on the meeting. Michael Dunlop wins a double and sets a new outright lap record. https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/articles/c62x6qdl26yo
1pm - Red flag during the Open B Superbike Race. Hope everyone's OK.
God, it'd be great if they had a 3rd camera! :-D Live timing available on Speedhive. https://speedhive.mylaps.com/livetiming/42896EF05ADFD77D-2147483700
Live Cookstown 100 on Youtube
Just seen, some live coverage of the first Irish Road Race of the season. Sat 26th April 2025
Nice. It's funny the way blue skies and sunshine makes everything so much better. Got away to a mate's place for Saturday and Sunday. Ostensibly I was there to help him install some boat electronics on his sailing boat, but when we got that done, we had some nice food and a few beers. As a full-time carer, it was lovely to get away for a night and clear my head a little.
Front End Chatter Podcast
Does anyone else listen to Front End Chatter? For me, it's the best motorbike podcast out there. UK-centric, likeable, knowledgeable hosts, not just about racing, etc. Any other recommendations?
Had a lovely day out with a couple of old car racing mates. Found out Suzi has a battery issue, easy enough fixed and managed to avoid being stranded!
A 1200GS, a Tracer 900 and a GSX-S1000F on top of Slieve Gallion
Got Suzi insured and taxed and took her out for a run yesterday evening. First run on a 1000cc 4 cylinder. A Hamamatsu Brain Massage. I know it's 'only' 145 bhp - pretty tame compared to modern 220bhp superbikes - but holy god it moves when you give it a poke. I need the restraint not to ride like an asshole at every opportunity.
Talking of insurance, do you know how much it cost to insure this thing for a year?
£111
I thought it was a misprint. Nope. Performance Direct. Cheaper than the road tax (£116)! Some benefits to being ancient, I suppose!
The Greatest of All Days. New (to me) Bike Day!
Picked up a 2016 GSX-S1000F today and got her home in the van and settled down with a bowl of warm milk in the shed. Sorry about the crap photo, no light!
I should be old enough to know better. 😂
Old man swears his way slowly round a bumpy motocross track
What's that? You want to watch a video where an old man swears his way slowly round a very bumpy motocross track, as the seat pounds his genitals into dust? Boy, are YOU in luck! I went to Ash Farm Racing today.
Daytona 200 Highlights
Featuring Peter Hickman, Richard Cooper and Michael Dunlop from this side of the pond.
It's a good bike, goes very well, but it's a bit big and top-heavy. I fancy something lower and lighter. I've been looking at GSXS-1000F's - I really like the look of them (the early 'Angry Birds' models), the extra horsepower is pretty much irrelevant. Strongly prefer the look of the Gixxus to the Kawasaki 1000sx, and I can fit soft luggage to it, I reckon, and if I need to flash the ECU to smooth the throttle I think I can do that too. I can pick up very low mileage Gixxuses from about £6k or so, they seem to be very good value.
Through the MOT
Got the big Triumph through the MOT during the week. Really enjoyed the run to and from Cookstown. Now for a deep clean, some nice photos and put it up for sale. What do people use for selling? I was planning on Gumtree, is that what folks still use?
On the off chance you have no idea wtf I'm on about, here's some coverage of last year's superbike race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A84ZISrCMo
Launch of the NW200 streaming live this evening (Tues 25th) on the BBC
www.bbc.com North West 200: Launch of 2025 road race to be streamed on BBC Sport NI
The launch of the 2025 North West 200 international road race will be streamed on the BBC Sport website on Tuesday, with top riders in attendance.
They'll be sticking a microphone in front of some of the biggest names in road racing from 7pm tonight.
I think it's even more sinister than that. The implication in the article is that they didn't want them in the UK because they could be forced to give evidence in court about possible UK special forces war crimes.
It is a belter. From Larne, up along the coast through Cushendun (there's a bar there, Mary McBrides, does amazing food, recommended). From there you can follow the small roads along the coast past Torr Head, or take the A road directly to Ballycastle. Continue to Ballintoy Harbour (Game of Thrones harbour, nice spot), the Carrickareede Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway (park at the hotel - only pay for the bus!), Dunluce Castle, and polish it all off with a lap of the NW200 circuit around Portrush and Portstewart. I'd stay in Portstewart and have a few pints in the Anchor that evening. Not a bad day's biking.
Another favourite of mine, and much less well known road, is the B47 Glenelly road to Plumbridge through the heart of the Sperrin Mountains. Ultimately, I'd recommend get yourself west to Donegal - it's filled with amazing scenery and would make a great starting point for the Wild Atlantic Way. The R251 past Glenveagh National Park, down past Mt Errigal into the Poisoned Glen is spectacular.
I think it still counts as a motorbike? Maybe?
I'm not sure what it is, but it is kinda interesting.
Where are you, James Bond, now that we need you?
Quick wash is a great way to work up an appetite!
Christmas day ride to Drumcairne Forest
Roads were lovely and quiet today, but a bit slimy and wet. Swings and roundabouts!
My other (completely inappropriate) bike.
A couple of years ago I fancied an enduro bike to do some green laning, but I saw a racing Honda CRF450R motocross bike for silly money, so...