Epic bike battles - Eurosport feature.

I am proud to have been included in a festive series of programmes being screened by Eurosport.
Titled "Best Battles - Bikes", Sunday 26th December, Boxing Day, at 7pm on British Eurosport, will be a feature of the epic battle between me and Phil McCallen at the 1995 Macau Grand Prix.
This photo by Ng Chi Ho, is taken during the race - both Phil and I were on full factory GP 500 bikes; and as someone pointed out the other day, there was no traction control or other electronic trickery in those days...
If you get chance, tune in and watch a good race...

Calendar time!

Calendar time!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Just sitting down to send out desk calendars. Thanks to everyone who donated something towards the production.
If you'd like one I'll happily send it if you can offer a small contribution towards the postage and packing. Details on how to donate something are in my eshop on my website at www.mike-edwards.net

Flat out for the last week...

Been busy, busy, busy for the last week or so.

I really enjoy it - except the 4am starts!

Looks like the worst of it is over now, as we are taking the ploughs off, and getting back to just gritting.

2011 desk calendar - ideal stocking filler...

2011 desk calendar – ideal stocking filler – available for a small donation to help towards production and p&p.

You can donate any amount securely via my website: Mike Edwards E-shop

Keith Flint of The Prodigy discusses racing a Moto 450 with Mike Edwards

Trophy haul.

Trophy haul.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

From left to right. Gav Lupton, Dan Linfoot, Jason Dobson and me, all with our trophies presented by the North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters Club this evening.

Visit to Damien at 'Scrubbers'

First met Damien about 10 years ago - he offers a great service for about £40 he takes your stinky, dirty and crispy leathers and hands you back a great suit that's just like new, clean soft and sweet smelling.

Scrubbers Leathers

Last race of the season - Silverstone - moto450

We WON!

Battled on.

Battled on.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I knew something was wrong with the front brake as I rode to the holding area for the race. Pushed back to the garage but no one could see anything wrong. Went out and did the race on a real wing and a prayer, pumping and feathering the brake, never sure whether it would be there and only ever working about 50% at the best of times. Hung on in there but couldn't safely mix it with the 250s or 400s for fun. I just did what I had to do - enough to win the moto450 class. Turns out the front disc is warped and it spent its time throughout the race pushing the pads back!

Qualifying race.

Qualifying race.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Done the first race today. Drawn from a random ballot I was placed 19th grid. Mixed in with Formula 400s and open 250s - eight laps later I crossed the line in 5th first moto450 by 20 seconds. Just having some fitness food before the trophy race where I get to go off the grid in 5th.

Practice session.

Practice session.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Got about 5 laps in to the ten minute session and the chain came off. Trouble is it sheared a front sproket guard bolt so Steve 'monkey hands' McNichol is in charge of sorting it out.

Sabina gets new numbers.

Sabina gets new numbers.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Here we are at Silverstone to help promote the moto450 concept. There are seven of us racing tomorrow with the Formula 400s.

Great October day.

Great October day.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I can't belive it, here at Donington and the weather is fantastic. Better than some of the wet miserable 'summer' days I've had coaching this year!

Those were the days...

Thanks to Shinysideup100 for putting this up on YouTube.

Full report and photos

The race report and more photos from Anglesey are now on my main website under the 'latest news' heading.

Anglesey Man'cation - racing with Thundersport GB - includes onboard foo...

Cup of tea and flapjack.

Cup of tea and flapjack.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Here at Oulton enjoying a brew and lovely dry warm day out coaching with Brian.

Race one done but going home early.

Race one done but going home early.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

There is not really any point putting more wear and tear on Mark's bike. It's ridiculous to put the 450 singles and twins in the same class and call them equal. I don't mind riding hard on any day but it pi$$es me off to be ridden away from on the straights by something that is supposed to be equally matched, I reckon the speed differential at the end of the straight something like 20mph more for the twins. Should really have entered 'Sabina' in the supermono class as mixing the 450s does not work for me. Not even bothering with today's second race.

First race - second.

First race - second.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I could not believe it when the rain started an hour before the race. I got away well and led for about the first ten laps in the wet. Then Matt Davies on one of the Aprilia rent-a-bikes and I swapped the lead for the next few laps, I could pass and out ride him on the twiddly bits but simply couldn't match his horsepower on the straights. Matt ultimately took the win by just 0.263 - Ben's gear lever fell off and Nige pulled in as he didn't have confidence in the rear grip. Going to give Gordon a different shock for tomorrow.

Oh my goodness.

Oh my goodness.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Spent the start of qualifying with Ben on track following him and then led for a lap before doing my own thing. Only managed to get a few decent laps in before the session was red flagged for someone who blew up. I didn't get near my best practice time of 1.13.1 from yesterday. Only managing a 14.26 that puts me 7th. Trouble in the awning though as Ben is 0.029 sec faster than Nige.

All ready and raring to go.

All ready and raring to go.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Ben has gone off to the Aprilia tent to get on his bike while his Dad Nige and I get 'Gordon' and 'Sabina' started for qualifying. It must be great for Father and Son to be out on track together.

Bright spark.

Bright spark.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Last practice session did not even make one complete lap. Lots of head scratching back in the awning. Steve McNick was the person that ultimately found the missing spark. Only problem was, by time he found it the practice day was over. Will have to wait till tomorrows qualifying to see if it works!

Sabina's playing up now!

Sabina's playing up now!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

As if she is in sympathy with Gordon not being able to get out and play Sabina has now developed a mystery cut out problem. At first I thought she might have touched a valve so pulled the clutch. But not so. Then she lasted just five laps in the next session before cutting out completely.

Sprocket carrier.

Sprocket carrier.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Gordons has collapsed and broken up. It is such a model specific part we have no idea where to find a replacement. Yamaha SZR 660. Any ideas?

Bit of practice.

Bit of practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Doing the practice day so that we can introduce Nige and Gordon to each other properly. It also means I am here on hand to help out with stuff.

Off and ready for Anglesey

Giles has made a great job of Gordon's paintwork, he looks gorgeous.

working hard...

working hard...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

...to get 'Gordon' back looking gorgeous ready for his outing next weekend in the supermono race at Anglesey with Nige Rea on board.

Cadwell Harley Event Overview

Onboard HD XR1200 Cadwell

Got 2nd in championship.

Got 2nd in championship.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Got a bit mixed up with Alex and James Webb at the start and that let Jeremy get away. I had some real hair'm scare'm moments trying to chase him down. One big near do over the mountain don't know how I saved it. But I did, shook 'the kids' off and chased Jeremy over the line to finish 2nd. Again.

All over.

All over.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Was leading the race from Jeremy when it was stopped due to Tillotson. For the five lap restart I was determined to get to the front again. Unfortunately it all went wrong when the gear lever broke off! I tried to reach down and select gears with my hand but then I kept knocking the kill switch with my head so I had to call it a day gifting the championship overall to Jeremy.

At last!

At last!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I won! Jeremy 2nd and Torquil 3rd. I think I even got the fastest race lap too. Next race at 10.50am.

Qualifying session.

Qualifying session.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

As luck would have it rain was intermittent all morning. So for qualifying the track was wet with a dry line just starting. Jeremy was a bit hesitant at the start giving me pole for quite a lot of the session. But then off course he found his feet and pushed me into 2nd on the grid by 0.168sec. James Webb completes the front row, Guy Martin is 8th and Glen is 18th.

First Practice.

First Practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Got another couple of Harley newbies. Guy Martin and 'Dangerous' Bruce Wilson. I did not finish practice as the bike sprung an oil leak after 8 laps Jeremy finished up fastest, James Webb 2nd and then me. Off now to find the oil leak.

Number 19...

Number 19...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

... gets another new pilot. Phil has put Glen English on the other bike for this weekend. Two cloud bursts so far today with bright sunshine in between. Untimed practice is at twenty minutes at 5.30pm.

Red sky at night.

Red sky at night.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Gorgeous sunset here at Cadwell this evening. I hope its a good omen for the weather this weekend. Practice on the Harley tomorrow last thing in the afternoon.

Harley Davidson review video of Brands Hatch.

European Supermono Event - Oschersleben - Mike Edwards - Rotax 449 minimono

European Supermono race crash - Mike Edwards - Rotax 449

Almost home.

Almost home.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

We've just clocked 1,500 miles with only 100 more to go.

Those bits of duster zip tied to the mirrors have kept them clean all the way whilst driving through the most horrendous weather.
Top tip!

First race over, and out!

First race over, and out!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I was leading the race in the rain and slipped off on some oil. Both me and the bike were fine I was even planning to get back on. Then David Legalle came sliding towards us at speed and unable to avoid it, totalled the bike. It just exploded on impact. Luckily David is okay though.

Really european

Really european
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

There are 40 competitors from 8 different countries. One German competitor Andreas Woditsch is riding a regular SZR and has expressed an interest to ride Gordon in one of the races tomorrow. So he might get a run out after all.

2nd qualifying.

2nd qualifying.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

No. That spring wasn't any better. I just can't make the most of my strengths out on track, late braking, entry to and corner speed. With the smaller bikes this is what you have to capitalise on. Valter has put in a blistering pole time of 1.35.7. I am a couple of seconds back on the second row in 7th. Not sure what to try next. Nothing tomorrow and straight in to the first race Sunday at 9am. I'm praying for rain...

1st qualifying

1st qualifying
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

As we are trying to develop the bike as best we can I thought we should try a different spring for comparison. I was a bit disappointed though it didn't work the way I wanted and although we tried different settings I just couldn't make it work. Valter is fastest as expected but then Henk, Stefan and I are all within 0.5 second of him. Making another spring change for the next session. Fingers crossed.

Stormy weather.

Stormy weather.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

We have put 'Jurgen' in the van as very bad weather is forecast for tonight. Luckily we have 'Gordon' with us as a spare bike and anchor weight for Gottfried's tent.

2nd free practice.

2nd free practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

The weather was mixed again. I went out on wets alongside Valter Bartolini we both shook our heads at the first corner as it was dry so only did one lap and came in to change to slicks. Tried lots of things in the session to get the feel of the bike. Ended up at the top of the sheet with a 1.40.8 with Valter and Stefan next. A couple of things to change now before the two qualifying sessions tomorrow.

First practice.

First practice.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

It's wet, I don't like the handle bar position, the seat angle is all wrong, I can't get down behind the screen and there is something peculiar happening with the throttle position sensor. However, I quite like it and even though it's only practice and not everyone was out, we set the pole time by over 4 seconds from Stefan Meiners. More practice in about three hours.

It fits!

It fits!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Just arrived, and trying the little fella out for size. One or two things I've already noticed. Plenty of time to do stuff in the morning before we have first practice.

More wets!

More wets!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

On the way to Oschersleben to ride Gottfried Michael's Rotax 450 minimono in the Euro supermono races at German Speedweek. If you read this Gottfried, "bring more wets!"

Sunday Race.

Sunday Race.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Jeremy and I were swapping front places at the start. Lea lost his gear lever, Alex crashed and Dijon popped his motor. Tried really hard to get the better of Jeremy setting the fastest lap but he took the win.

morning warm up.

morning warm up.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Ran with a camera for the session. Out on my own really so it might be boring footage. Came across Roland Sands who is a guest rider this weekend tapped my seat hump and gave him a tow round.

Reduced race.

Reduced race.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

The rain started mid superbike race. It was so wet that we were postponed to last race of the day giving the track chance to dry as we have a single tyre rule with no wets. Running out of time the race was reduced to six laps with two warm ups so we could see where the water was. Dijon got a flyer and passed me and Jeremy but did not last long. Then Lea passed us both and ran wide. After an excursion on the grass I got past Jeremy and made a dash for the line on the last lap only to realise I had made the basic mistake of getting the laps wrong and there was another to go! Jeremy took the win. Another race tomorrow.

Plenty of time.

Plenty of time.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

To get other jobs done today before the race at 4.55pm. Just working on my daughter Jodie's folding bike.

Suits you.

Suits you.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Sarah popped by after qualifying to try out an XR1200 for size. The session had been fun with me and Jeremy swapping pole position throughout. We finished up the only two in the 38s but he pipped me to the top spot and the last couple of minutes. Carl unfortunately crashed at Sheene's, he is okay but there is some work to do to the bike. Alex Gault did not manage to get out. Dijon is in 3rd with Lea behind him. No warm up tomorrow straight in to the race about 5pm.

Not the best of days.

Not the best of days.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Here at Cadwell with Bernie. Weather has been so lousy, and with no wets allowed for the Harleys, we did not even get out till after Lunch. Only did two short sessions and the rain came again. Bu$$er!

Good to catch up.

Good to catch up.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

With Nicky Wilson. Did some coaching with him last year and we're having a refresh session here today at Cadwell.

Modifications to Frank.

Modifications to Frank.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

I found sometimes it was a bit difficult to explain or get across out on track to my Clients about finer points of braking. A little touch here or get off them by there, so now with a bit of a mod Frank has the benefit of a visual aid.

So far so good.

So far so good.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Decent weather here at Brands today. Forecast was lousy but so far its sunny and dry while I coach a minitwin competitor for this weekends races.

Knockhill - Harley Davidson Trophy - Round 3

Mallory Harley video overview

Sorry it's taken so long, I have just been flat out busy...

Red hot and scorching.

Red hot and scorching.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke

Its so warm today that 'Lily' and I are taking refuge in the shade between sessions and keeping well hydrated.