TT Day 16 - Looking Back

A well overdue post...written shortly after we got back more than a month ago but not published. I've been hiding out. Post TT blues I guess. Here it is...

On Sunday, we packed up and loaded our gear from Bray Hill then headed over to the garage to pickup the bikes. By 08h15 we were all loaded up and at the ferry port. Soon we were boarding the Ben My Cree. 3½ hours on the ferry to Heysham and then the 5 hour drive home through traffic jams and rain. Nic was meeting a friend in London that evening so after our farewells, I dropped him at the train station en route. I arrived home after 20h00, unloaded the bikes and van and then got ready for an early start at a new job on Monday. Exciting prep like ironing a shirt. Knackered.

A look back on the 2 weeks on the Isle of Man…

Our goal was to compete in the TT. We had 3 race entries; Supersport race 1, Supersport race 2 and Lightweight. Both the Supersport and Lightweight bikes were new to me and I had only done a few shake-down sessions at Mallory on them. The Lightweight bike was all setup and good to go after my friend Warren successfully campaigned it at 2014 ManxGP. I was also used to riding VeeTwins - so it should be easy. The Triumph was a newly built bike that needed some development. This was telling during practice.… and I had never ridden a three cylinder bike before. They are different.

To compete in a TT, first one must qualify. The grids are limited to only 72 starters. With 96 Supersport entrants and 72 Lightweight entrants, we had work to do just to make the start line. There would be attrition, but we needed to be fast enough during the qualifying/practice sessions.

On the Lightweight Kawasaki, wechanged to a different tyre size. We made some changes to gearing and geometry to compensate and we got it pretty much spot-on. Just a few tweaks here and there and we were on a good pace by our second practice session – this is what you need when racing on the Isle... get up to speed quickly. We had a few issues with the clutch and an oil leak later in practice week which hurt our qualifying time in the end… but still managed to qualify in 40th place and were happy with the bike for the race.

The Superport Triumph Daytona 675 was a different story. We started at a fair pace, but the handling wasn’t good for the TT Mountain course. We improved it with every session, first changing the geometry and then the suspension settings. Unfortunately, the improvements were too small and due to one reason or another (a faulty fuel pump, incidents during sessions and short laps) our pace didn’t improve as quickly as it should have. This left us with poor qualifying times and only just scraping onto the start line in 65th place with a bike that still didn’t handle well enough to go quickly. But… we had qualified - this was the main objective. We were going racing!

For the first Supersport race we made more changes to the suspension. This time they were bigger changes than the small increments we made during practice/qualifying. The changes worked and the bike was better. It still had problems that didn’t allow me to use that beautiful silky smooth power… but it was better. This enabled us to do a 114mph average on the last lap. Just a few seconds off my personal best (set at the Manx GP 2014 on my old Aprilia).  I was also starting to get the knack of riding a three cylinder around the Isle. We finished in 51st place. Our race time 1 hour 21 minutes 2 seconds. There were quicker laps in the bike.

So, for the second Supersport race we made more changes in the same direction that we’d been going. The bike felt better than it did all fortnight… I finally felt that I could go fast on it! I could hold the power over the bumps and jumps without fear of it throwing me off. 115mph from a standing start on lap 1 and a similar time for the second lap which includes slowing down for the pit-stop. Personal bests. Another good pit-stop helped our third lap times.

Unfortunately, the clutch started slipping during the race. This cost us time on acceleration and top speed. In practice we were running consistently around 165 mph top speed through the Sulby speed trap. In the Superpsport race 2 our speeds through the trap were only in the high 150s… it doesn’t sound like a huge amount, but extrapolated over a 37.7 mile lap and it cost us a bit. Despite this, we still managed a 116mph average on the fourth and final lap. This was my target lap time for the TT . Our decent race pace brought us home in 39th place… but unfortunately…  we missed getting a replica by less than 2 seconds. 2 seconds over a 1 hour 19 minute race! We were really happy with the finish… but disappointed to be so close to that replica. Too little… too late. Shouldda, couldda, wouldda.

We needed to make amends in the Lightweight class. It was always my stronger class – a class I was used to riding in and on a proven bike despite it being new to me. We knew we were better than our 40th place qualification and got the bit between our teeth from the start flag. 110mph opening lap form the standing start… including coming in for the short pit-stop. We were on it! Our second lap had our short pit-stop added to the time so it wasn’t too fast… but that’s when the clutch started slipping again. I adjusted it on the move… but reached maximum adjustment halfway through the race. As with the Triumph, we were losing acceleration and some top-end speed. Despite this, we still managed to bring her home with a final lap of 111mph average, 25th place and earned a bronze replica. Considering the top 4 riders smashed the race record this was an awesome result.

As with all riders and teams, we had our issues to deal with. With just Nic and I working on the bikes, we were a bit stretched at times. It was hard work and we only just managed it all. It was brilliant to come away with 3 finishes from 3 entries… with a cherished replica topping off our efforts.

My Best Man Nic was an absolute champ. Neither of us have a technical/engineering/mechanical background or training and have just figured bikes out by tinkering. A photographer (Nic’s day job) and an ‘office worker’ (as Deebs put it so succinctly) doing something we are passionate about. We work so well together and I trust him working on the bikes… it was like having me times two. I could never have done it without him. THANKS CHIEF!!!!

Thank you to all those who have given so generously through Indiegogo. Your contributions have gone a long way in helping us climb this Everest. I’m now looking out for a Kiva beneficiary – I will let you know where the funding has gone. Also to all family, friends and racers that have given support and encouragement… and all the ‘likes’ on Facebook. It may be small… but every little bit helped us along the way. Thank you all for this wonderful opportunity. It's been an absolute privileged.

TT 2015 - an incredible adventure that we could never forget. It's been EPIC!

TT Day 12 - Supersport Race 2

Wednesday we woke to a beautiful morning on the Isle of Man. Warm (for the Isle of Man), beautiful blue skies and no wind. We were going racing!

After breakfast, we got to the garage and loaded the bikes and gear. Up to the Grandstand to set camp for the day. The Sarolea team had more visitors and tents in our double-parking space... a big awning, a trailer, 2 vans and a bunch of tents... all for 1 electric bike. Those Belgians pissed me off - I told them as much. After making life difficult for us, they had better finish their bloody race!

We got the Triumph up through skrootineering where for the second time in the fortnight she got a "Very well prepared bike." comment from the skootineer. Only the Ducati 888 has got these comments before. Bike into assembly area, tyre warmers on and top-up the fuel. Back to down to the van to get ready for our second race of the TT - Supersport Race 2.

TT Assembly area

Mark and Deebs meet us at the van and we go through the pitstop. Soon the crew get suited up and head up to pit-lane to get the fuel bowser filled for the pitstop. I stretch, warm-up and get my gear on. Soon I'm making the thoughtful walk up to the grandstand. I love that walk. Focusing on the job ahead, the anticipation of the race, seeing me set-off and hold it flat-out all the way down through St Ninians and Bray Hill..

Nic and I

Soon we're up on Glencrutchery road... right at the back of the start queue. I hear the first bikes scream off the line and 10 minutes later I'm paddling the bike into the cordoned off start area. The bike is prepared and burbling underneath me. Visor down. The rider ahead gets his tap on the shoulder and is off. I get the bike into first gear and pull up to the start line. I blip the throttle and watch the man with the Isle of Man flag on my right. As his hand comes up to wave the flag, I'm easing out the clutch and I feel the tap on my shoulder as I pull away.

Deebs making sure  the tyres warmers stay on as long as possible

A little wheelie as I flatten the throttle in first, then another as I hook second gear. Third, fourth, fifth and short-shift sixth just before the jump at St Ninians. Here we go... 

Down through Quarterbridge for the first time - I carry good corner-speed and open her up as early as I dare... I get a slide going... just a small one. Cool tyres. In the wait from the first rider setting off and me at the back of the queue, the tyres have cooled a bit. No worries... they'll soon be warmed up. I miss the apex of the first left-hander of Braddan Bridge. "Settle Down." I tell myself... "4 laps to go... have fun."

The Gooseneck

The bike is feeling better than is has the whole fortnight. It's not trying to throw me off... or wheelie on every bump. On Tuesday, Nic had a long think about the changes we had made during practice week and the effect... and where we wanted to be with it. We had got some good advice and help... but we'd also got some misleading advice. It get a bit confusing and it is a bit of a black art. We figured what was working and taking us in the right direction. We applied more of that... and little Faerie Dust. The Triumph was now rideable and I didn't have to fight it the whole time.

I could use the immense engine that JT had built me for the first time. The bike is fast... very fast. This caused other problems... like approaching corners a bit faster than I had before and so missing apexes and getting some lines wrong. I oscillated from being fast and smooth to missing lines, rolling the power and being scrappy. Pity we only found these settings on my last run out on the girl :-(

Waiting for the start - I love the atmosphere of Glencrutchery Road before the start - electric!

By the time I'm going through Bishop's Court, I can see the rider that started 10 seconds ahead of me - Ben Rea. This eggs me on and I start pushing just that little bit harder. I make up time on most corners... but lose chunks of time when I make a mistake or miss my apex. I chip away. I'm only a few seconds behind by the time we wind through Ramsey and then up onto the mountain.

Rolling to the start enclosure

I get past Ben on the Mountain and crack on. As I come around the 32nd Milestone, I can see the next rider disappearing into the 33rd Milestone across the valley. My new target. I stretch those cables. The engine JT has build for me is so smooth and tractable... she pulls from low down and the power is delivered in a straight line right up to 14 000 rpm.n I have my shift-lights set at 14 000... but she'll go to 14 500rpm. Beautiful!

Into the start enclosure... where it all goes silent except for your breathing... love it!

I can hear Ben close behind me as I come down the Mountain and back into Douglas. I'm not bothered about that... I just focus in going faster, faster, faster. I start to get glimpses of the next rider on the road and I keep pushing on. My right forearm is starting to hurt. I haven't ridden this bike with this much flat-out throttle, I was always rolling it before... my body is just not used to it. I try relax as much as possible down the straights and am mindful to keep breathing steadily.

Race cred... or is that crud?

I chip away at the gap between myself and the next rider. Up onto the mountain for the second time and he is in sight. I reel him in and have caught him by the time we get to the Bungalow. It's difficult to pass on the mountain unless you have a horsepower advantage. His bike is also fast and I can only keep in his slipstream on the straights and through the kinks. The fast sweeping bends are no place for an overtake and he's real good on the brakes into Windy, Keppel Gate, the Cregg and Signpost. I can't find a way past without risk and come into the pit-stop together with him.

The most awesome Crew Chief - Nic

I hit the brakes hard and knock it down through the box until I see "GEAR: 1" on my dash as I approach the line marking the start of pit-lane. I twist the throttle gently to bring her up to 5500 rpm as I trundle all the way down pit-lane to find my pit-crew at the end. Almost a stoppie stop in front of Mark who is waving me in. Gas cap off. Drink in hand and Deebs gets to work cleaning the screen. Nic is filling up as fast as the filling system we are allocated to will allow. It seems to take an age...

The Speed Therapy Team

Fifty seconds later and Nic is just finishing up brimming the tank. Gas cap back on. I hit the starter button. She fires into life, I hook 1st gear and pull off as fast as I can. Back onto track and I'm hammering through the gears on the approach to St Ninians. The problem with a pit box right at the end of pit-lane is that I only get out of the pit-lane at 5mph... the other riders at 35pmh. I'm playing catch-up all the way down Bray Hill... a few seconds lost there :-(

Around the Gooseneck

I get straight back into it and the Triumph is flying. It still feels scrappy. I'm going faster than I have before in this bike and it takes a bit of adjustment... a bit of learning. The bits I get right are mega. An awesome feeling to  get it right and rocket through a corner faster than you ever have before. The bike is pulling well and I'm getting used to revving the nuts off it... 14 000 rpm in every gear. I try not to short-shift and use the power rather than torque. Something that is taking getting used to after so many years of riding VeeTwins on their torque.

In less than 20 minutes I am around the 37.7 mile circuit and onto my last and only flying lap. Time to crank it up and set my personal best lap. Down into Quarterbridge and I can just see the next rider disappearing around the turn. Awesome! Another target :-)

Around Quarterbridge and I open up the throttle. The revs rise "Brrrrrraaaaaaaaa" in that distinctive 3 cylinder wail. But the bike isn't driving forward as it should. I have to roll off for it to 'catch' and then I'm back on the gas. She does it again coming out of Braddan Bridge. Slipping clutch... not good :-(

The section to Ballacraine is mostly flat-out with not too much aggressive acceleration. I make ground on the rider ahead and am right behind him going into Glen Helen. Every time we get to a section of hard acceleration, my clutch is slipping and I lose ground... I make it up through the fast flowing corners, only to lose it again. As the lap goes on, the clutch is slipping more and more. Through the super-bumpy section from Ginger Hall to Ramsey I lose sight of him completely as I lose drive over every big bump.

Mark keeping the fuel cool on Glencrutchery Road

By the time I'm going up onto the mountain, I am nursing the bike. Accelerating gently and just feeling for the slip... when it slips I hold the throttle until it catches and then carry on accelerating. It's real frustrating... I just need to bring it home. The Mountain section is much easier on the clutch and I really enjoy the fast, flowing turns as much as I can. Down, off the Mountain, into the Cregg for thr last time... the super fast Brandish, Hillberry... soon I'm rounding Governor's Dip and red-lining all the way down to the waving chequered flag.

Post-race chat with Cameron Donald and Robin Harms

Nic, Mark and Deebs wave me home for our second TT finish. All the way up teh return road and I am being clapped and getting thumbs-up. Up past the Grandstand where they were getting ready for the winners podium and into Parc Firme. We've done it! Our second TT finish in the bag!

TT Day 11 - Prep and Rest

Exhausted. That's how I woke up feeling after 9 hours sleep. After yesterdays race, we got changed and packed the van... went up to the beer tent and had a celebratory half-pint. We were eventually allowed to collect the bike from Parc Firme at around 21h00. Bikes loaded, we hauled them back to the garage and unpacked. We then headed straight to the Villa Marina for prize-giving.

TT Finishers Medal :-)

Because of the late finish and the Superstock race the next day, a lot of riders didn't attend the event. I collected my TT finishers medal from Phil McCallen - my head only hit the pillow after midnight. I was asleep within seconds.

We slept in... body needed the rest. After breakfast we headed to the garage to prep the Triumph for tomorrow's race. We have a practice after the race scheduled for the KMR too... so got busy on that too.

At lunchtime we went back to the paddock to get some new tyres fitted for the Triumph, my helmet prepped, race fuel and some lunch. We even had time to go up onto Glencrutchery Road to see the boys off for the Superstock race. We watched the rest of the race from Bray Hill and then back to the garage to finish our preparations for tomorrow. We're trying more changes on the Triumph.

Michael Dunlop

Bruce Anstey

Eventual fairy-tale winner and the second win in the week for the 'Bingley Bullet' Ian Hutchinson

Alex Picket on the cool-liveried Ice Valley BMW

By 16h00 we were ready... and knackered. Back to our accommodation for an afternoon snooze. Rest. Rest. Rest. Tomorrow at 12h00 we line up on Glencrutchery Road for the second Supersport race. 4 laps on the greatest race track on earth. I am privileged.

View form Bray Hill at over 140mph... we'll be there tomorrow :-)

TT Day 10 - Supersport Race 1

With the changes in schedule over the weekend, we learn at 19h00 on Sunday that they have slotted in another short practice session for the Supersport on Monday morning. We've been struggling with the Triumph's handling so it would be an opportunity to try some more changes before the re-scheduled race at 18h30 Monday evening.

Supersport Race 1 - the Crew: Nic, Deebs and Mark

We were up early to pickup the bikes... we were taking the KMR along too because an additional long practice session had also been re-scheduled. Up at the paddock by 08h00 and getting the Triumph trough skroots before getting the wheels off to change the tyres back to the set we had only done 1 lap on - saving the new set for the evening's race.

More suspension tweaks on the little bike

Minutes before the roads close for practice, there is a serious RTA (Road Traffic Accident) at Ballacrye and the practice session is delayed by 2 hours. More waiting around... I take the opportunity to try rest and also buy a TT tee-shirt.

Morning practice lap - Ginger Hall

At 12h30 we were up on Glencrutchery Road for the start of our 1 lap practice. Out on track, the changes we made were definitely in the right direction. I could actually hold it flat out down the length of Sulby Straight - progress. The problem we now had is that it was wheelying everywhere. Great for pics, not great for fast laptimes. We did a 110.7 mph from a standing start - happy that it was better despite the new problem. We made some more changes to try dial the wheelying out.

We clean the Triumph and get it prepped for the race at 18h30 - at the same time Deebs and Mark take the KMR up through skroots. Awesome having a few extra pairs of hands around the paddock - a big help. Thanks guys! :-)

Lightweight practice lap - Wagon and Horses Leap

Soon we're back up on Glencrutchery Road and setting off in pairs for the Lightweight practice. It's a long practice and we have time to get 2 laps in. I just want to test the changes... and not wear myself out. I ride hard where I need to and take it easy on the rest for just 1 lap. The bike is feeling great and we do a 108 mph lap :-) Back in the paddock I try rest up for the upcoming 4 lap Supersport Race.

At 18h15 we are lining up on Glencrutchery Road for the third time... but this time it was for my first TT race. We start number 65 on the road... at the back of the queue... but damn happy just to be there.  Nearly a third of the 96 entrants didn't even make the start. Racing on the Isle of Man is tough. John McGuiness, Ian Hutchinson, Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop, Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson and all the fastest road racers in the world are starting up ahead of me. An honor.

On Glencrutchery Road

Other than the big crowds, big teams and big names ahead of me, it feels pretty much the same as the start of another Manx Grand Prix. Soon I'm staring down Glencrutchery Road, seeing the 37.7 mile TT Mountain Course ahead of me. The greatest race track in the world. I get the familiar tap on the shoulder and we're off.

The Triumph lifts it's front wheel on the power and it hovers a few inches above the asphalt all the way through first gear. I hook second and it settles down. Nice! I keep feeding it gears as the gear-change lights flicker on the dash. Third, fourth, fifth. I aim for the hedge on the right... I just brush close to it as I crank the bike to the left and hook sixth gear before the jump at St. Ninians traffic lights. Man! This is thrilling!

Nic in his fire-proof gear - Kickass!

I keep her lit all the way down Bray hill... "clunk!" at the bottom and then a big wheelie over Ago's Leap. Sweet! I try relax and just do what I've done many times before... think ahead... twist that throttle hard... smooth... smooth... smooth.

The bike is still a bit of a handful. Not wheelying as much... but is still very flighty over the bumps and shaking her head everywhere. I hang on... try and finesse her and keep everything smooth. The sun is low and dazzle is a bit of a problem on the section from Bradden bridge to Ballacraine. A couple of the corners you come around from shaded areas straight into the low sun - Snugborough, Union Mills, Appledean and Greeba Bridge. In the fractions of a second that it takes for your eyes to adjust, you're blinded. Keep it lit... stay on line. You're through the corner on pure faith. This is where track knowledge is vital.

Sponsorship from PESARO - thank you so much Paul Deba... and for the help in the pits!

My first lap through Glen Helen and for some reason it's scrappy. I'm using different gears on corners to what I've done in practice and I'm up and down the gearbox. It puts me off a bit and I make some mistakes. I miss a few apexes. "C'mon Paul!" "Focus!" I shout to myself in my helmet. I make a lot more mistakes that lap and struggle a bit to get settled. I am also trying to keep my body position as forward as possible to keep weight on the front wheel... I keep hitting my helmet on the screen.

Through the Grandstand for the first time and lap 2 feels a lot better. Less mistakes... faster... smoother. Keep it going... faster... faster. I struggle to hold the bike flat-out through sections that should be flat-out. The bike bucks and weaves around over the bumps that I'm hitting while cranked over at well over 130mph. It throws me off-line and I have to constantly make corrections and roll the throttle.

Over Ballaugh Bridge for the second time... I get some big air but land it a bit crossed up. I'm on teh gas before the bike has settled and it puts me into a big tank-slapper. "Whoooah!" "Easy there girl." as I roll the throttle to recover. Back on full throttle moments later as she settles down. Giving the big crowds value :-)

Homemade curry leftover from the weekend for lunch - thanks Brett!

End of lap 2 and I hammer down the gears as I approach pit-lane. I look for 1st as I get to the end of the stop-box then hold her below 6000rpm as I bimble down pit-lane to where the crew is waiting. The pitstop is flawless - Mark does the fuel-cap, Nic on fuel and Deebs hands me a drink and gets busy cleaning the screen. It all goes so well that half-way through I am waiting for the tank to be brimmed - nothing for me to do but watch the fuel level slowly creep up. It seems to take ages...

Tank brimmed, cap back on, hit the starter. She fires to life. I'm in first gear already, ease out the clutch and start feeding her revs all the way to 14 000. We are one of the last pit-boxes in pit-lane... great for a fast get-away.

With Alistair Bayley - I did my first ManxGP back in 2005 with Alistair

Lap 3 and I am making a lot of mistakes again. Scappy in places... but getting it right in others. I feel settled and fast in one section... then struggle a bit through the next. Racing something that is not a twin cylinder is taking some getting used to. I keep thinking to myself: "This is the TT... savor it... enjoy it." I try. I am thoroughly enjoying some sections... savoring, enjoying... but getting frustrated by other sections.

An hour after the start and I've covered 113 miles on track - we're onto our last lap. Flat-out down Bray Hill on a flying lap is an incredible thrill. Pushing the bars and moving your weight to pick your line between the houses down the steep hill at over 150mph... nothing like it. Bottom of Bray is always a little scary... you get on your line and hold it... "Whump!" The bike bottoms out and wobbles around while you're leaned over... keeping the throttle pinned. It's crazy!

3 SAffers at TT 2015 - with AJ venter and Hudson Kennaugh

I start feeling tired on lap 3, my 6th lap of a long day. I have to dig deep to keep focused and ignore my body's complaint. Mind over matter. Keep focused, keep sharp. The body will obey. I try be as smooth as I can... resting down the straights... soaking it all up as much as I can. I push on through Crosby, then Ballacraine... Kirkmichael, then Ballaugh. I hang on through the bumps to Ramsay... I'm mostly just a passenger.

I get bounced around up through May Hill... soon we're tipping it around the Gosseneck, straight into the sun. Aaaah... my favorite section - the Mountain. Up, up, up... following the contour... fast, sweeping bends... smooth. Over Hailwood's and Douglas beckons in the distance, basked in the evening sunshine. Sublime.

Had a chat with John McGuiness about these fast new kids after the race 

I keep it steady and smooth. The race isn't over... I keep pushing down the mountain. I make a mistake through Brandish... turn in too early and and have to pick the bike up mid-corner. Damn! I check my rpm at the exit and I've only lost about 300... nice recovery! Through Hillberry, Cronk y Mona, Signpost and Bedstead for the last time. The tricky Nook then the silly Governor's Dip... flat out up through the gearbox to the Grandstand.

Flying high over Ballaugh Bridge

I cross the line to the waving chequered flag... at the end of pit-line I see my crew - Nic, Deebs and Mark all hanging off the wall waving their balaclavas. Thanks guys!! We've done it! We've finished our first TT! I soak in the waving, clapping and thumbs-up from the crowds lining the return road... it's taken nine years dreaming, planning, trying... we've done it. Awesome!