You may know that Slimbo Jinkxy and myself have entered as a team for the Red Kite Rally on the 8th April ie Easter Sunday - after a few whiskys I can't remember if we're called Team Tosser or Wobbly Tossers, but whatever we're called, it was decided that some serious collective practice was needed.
Bearing in mind that I was on a 250cc I had to leave home pretty early to get to the Abercrave Inn in time for the 10.00am start. Sure enough, the Swansea boys were on time - bikes gleaming in the morning sun. Even though it was about 4 years since I'd been at the off-road venue, we managed to find it with ease.
We started off with some easy slow speed circles on the flat training area, but soon got bored with that before heading off up the steep bank. The TTR took the bank in its stride, with Slimbo in hot pursuit. How the hell he managed to keep his 1150 GS Adventure upright while carrying out a high speed U-turn I don't know.
So off we shoot into the course itself. Frankly the main gravelled forestry roads were a piece of piss, so we would turn off down a bank if we found an interesting lane. Some of these were quite hairy, and photos don't do them justice.
Quite honestly, I was having a such a brilliant time chucking the lightweight bike about that I lost the other 2. I was just about giving up hope of finding them again, when the sods sneaked up behind me and gave me a blast on the Stebel Nautilus which nearly made me drop the bike.
The steep banks were really taking their toll on my arms, so it was decided to have a "team talk" to give us all a break and a chance to open the Red Bull and sandwiches, and to take a few photos. Jinkxy on the left, Slimbo on the right, Taff behind the camera.
By now we were getting a bit cocky, so I took the gang down an interesting looking track. As it happened, it was virtually impassable but it was worth it to see the look on Jinkxys face as Slimbo tipped over the 1150 Adventure onto its sidestand and performed a perfect 180 degree u-turn. We were both impressed and made a mental note to use the technique ourselves if we're ever in a tight spot. As I was riding out we heard the Stebel Nautilus horn again as Jinkxy had somehow managed to drop the bike. How he managed it we don't know, as he had ridden far tougher sections with ease. It took the 3 of us to lift the heavy sod (the bike - not Jinkxy) ..... but not before we had taken photos.
The only damage was to his left hand spotlight, which Slimbo expertly repaired with 2 cable ties - its really useful to have an AA man on the team.
Unfortunately I dropped the bike 3 times (but somehow I never managed to get a photo of my mistakes). 
Anyway it was 5 hours very well spent and we now feel that we can tackle the rally with confidence. What a good end to a perfect weekend - Wales beating England in Cardiff yesterday and spending most of the day on the bike today - weekends don't get much better than this.
As I was leaving though, I was stopped by a man in a 4x4 who told me that I was trespassing and that I shouldn't come back again otherwise the Police would "crush my bike". 
Pity really, as it would make a perfect venue for a group ride out.
Bearing in mind that I was on a 250cc I had to leave home pretty early to get to the Abercrave Inn in time for the 10.00am start. Sure enough, the Swansea boys were on time - bikes gleaming in the morning sun. Even though it was about 4 years since I'd been at the off-road venue, we managed to find it with ease.
We started off with some easy slow speed circles on the flat training area, but soon got bored with that before heading off up the steep bank. The TTR took the bank in its stride, with Slimbo in hot pursuit. How the hell he managed to keep his 1150 GS Adventure upright while carrying out a high speed U-turn I don't know.
So off we shoot into the course itself. Frankly the main gravelled forestry roads were a piece of piss, so we would turn off down a bank if we found an interesting lane. Some of these were quite hairy, and photos don't do them justice.
Quite honestly, I was having a such a brilliant time chucking the lightweight bike about that I lost the other 2. I was just about giving up hope of finding them again, when the sods sneaked up behind me and gave me a blast on the Stebel Nautilus which nearly made me drop the bike.
The steep banks were really taking their toll on my arms, so it was decided to have a "team talk" to give us all a break and a chance to open the Red Bull and sandwiches, and to take a few photos. Jinkxy on the left, Slimbo on the right, Taff behind the camera.
By now we were getting a bit cocky, so I took the gang down an interesting looking track. As it happened, it was virtually impassable but it was worth it to see the look on Jinkxys face as Slimbo tipped over the 1150 Adventure onto its sidestand and performed a perfect 180 degree u-turn.
We were both impressed and made a mental note to use the technique ourselves if we're ever in a tight spot. As I was riding out we heard the Stebel Nautilus horn again as Jinkxy had somehow managed to drop the bike. How he managed it we don't know, as he had ridden far tougher sections with ease. It took the 3 of us to lift the heavy sod (the bike - not Jinkxy) ..... but not before we had taken photos.
The only damage was to his left hand spotlight, which Slimbo expertly repaired with 2 cable ties - its really useful to have an AA man on the team.
Unfortunately I dropped the bike 3 times (but somehow I never managed to get a photo of my mistakes). Anyway it was 5 hours very well spent and we now feel that we can tackle the rally with confidence. What a good end to a perfect weekend - Wales beating England in Cardiff yesterday and spending most of the day on the bike today - weekends don't get much better than this.
As I was leaving though, I was stopped by a man in a 4x4 who told me that I was trespassing and that I shouldn't come back again otherwise the Police would "crush my bike". Pity really, as it would make a perfect venue for a group ride out.
