Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Oh dear.


Oh dear.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Well I managed to do 28 miles before being pulled by the Gendarmerie. I dont know what I will be in trouble for exactly as I was only running the bike in. But I am worried its going to cost me all that I managed to save up gritting over Christmas.

Nearly at Lyon.


Nearly at Lyon.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Only about another nine hours to go. If the weather brightens up I might put "Steve's" number plate on and do some distance. He's only got 8 miles on the clock and it would loosen him up before we get on track.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Born to be bad...


Born to be bad...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
just picked up "Steve" from Riders of Bridgewater. He might be a big fella but we will manage to squeeze him in the van alongside "Frank".Phil Jessop has told me ' just get out and ride it, do anything you like to it '. Should be interesting...

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Frank's in the van.


Frank's in the van.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
He's already loaded and looking forward to a short European holiday to blow away the winter cobwebs. We should be collecting his new mate for 2010 "Steve" on the way to the ferry. More on him later.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Cash Wanted!

About fifteen years after I won the inaugral Triumph Speed Triple race at Donington Park, I really fancy having a go at the ParkinGo European Triumph series. Run at selected rounds of World Superbike Events, with everyone onboard identical Triumph Street Triple 675Rs, I think that I'd put up a good showing. The race weekend program is based on two official sessions, one on Friday and another on Saturday, and the race on Sunday at 14.30, before the second WSB race. On the following dates:
11/04/2010 Valencia
25/04/2010 Assen
09/05/2010 Monza
27/06/2010 Misano
11/07/2010 Brno
01/08/2010 Donington
05/09/2010 Nurburgring

All I need now is £35,000, or $57,000 or €40,000 whichever way you want to look at it!

That's everything all in - I just have to get myself to the meetings, turn up and ride - we get to keep the bike at the end of the season - so I suppose that's something. What do you think? Do you think I could manage to find 35 people who would pay £1,000 to join a club with a 1 in 35 chance of owning the bike?
Got to think of something...

Saturday, January 9, 2010

New and updated websites.


Lot's of time and effort has gone into the revamping of my main website.
Click below to check it out - you might need to reload it in your browser.
Cheers.
Bloke.
Main website - Revamped - click here

I've also updated my dedicated coaching website with a photo gallery so you can see what we get up to on a 1-2-1 training day.
You can check it out by clicking here: Coaching website

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Trusty CG.


Trusty CG.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Been called out to do some ploughing and gritting. Plenty of snow. Only way I can guarantee not to get stuck on the way to work is to go on the CG.

Friday, January 1, 2010

What an honour.


My helmet on the Arai Legends display - amongst some top riders. Can you name any of the other rider's helmets?

Saturday, December 26, 2009

I just love this job!


I just love this job!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
the trouble is, with all good things, I know it is going to come to an end.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Time to get back out in the plough.

Here in God's own country, Yorkshire, there is enough snow to keep me busy. Just off to start the night shift.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Finishing touch.


Finishing touch.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Mark Hanna has taken his finishing touches to the finest detail. It is not a sticker, the lever is actually beautifully engraved. If you want to treat yourself or as a present for someone else get in touch with him mark-hanna@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Thoughts for next season.


Thoughts for next season.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Mark and I had a good time at the show. It gave us time to chat and think about stuff for next year. It was also good to meet the Chaps at FTR at last. They did a lot of the fabrication work on 'Sabina'.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Sabina has fans.


Sabina has fans.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
unfortunately Sabina did not win the Carole Nash competition. But she does look good as Miss June in the calendar. Lots of interest in her though here Ryan Farquhar is taking a closer look.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Calendar photos finalised.


Thanks to everyone who voted on the photos, the final choice for the calendar has now been made.

Don't forget, I have lost all the previous addresses of people who've had calendars in the past, so if you would like a calendar this year, you must send me your details: Click Here

Friday, November 6, 2009

Photo voting for calendar


Once again I can't choose which photos from this season to put in the 2010 desk calendar - please just click here: Photo Album to see all the photos and rate them for me.
Cheers.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Great service - Interparcel - alternative delivery options.

I have found that Interparcel offer a great web based service for package deliveries - not just for the UK but Worldwide as well.

You simply enter the details of your item, and then Interparcel offers you all the different delivery options that you can use for your package.

You can also pay using PayPal, which I find is very handy.

They offer a fabulous, convenient service, and I thought I should let you know about it - click here for their website: Interparcel

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Great photo by Neil Jones - Focused Events


Like I said, wet, windy, with sun...

Anglesey - weather warning


Anglesey - weather warning
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Yes its been wet - damn wet, yes its windy - damn windy. 60mph gusts apparently. But we're still managing to get some sessions done. Even seen sunshine and might get to slicks before the end of the day!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Wash and brush up


Wash and brush up
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
just giving 'Frank' a good clean; he's worked hard this year. I thought the demand for coaching would drop off now racing has just about finished but in fact we're going off to Anglesey on Sunday!

Friday, October 23, 2009

These girls


These girls
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
wanted coaching but I was already booked up with Nige and as I only do 1 to 1 coaching I had to knock them back.

Dry at Oulton Park.


Dry at Oulton Park.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
here on a coaching day with Nige. We are lucky with the weather so far. Sun is just drying the morning greasiness off the track.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The photographer photographed.

Sabina has come to meet Adam Duckworth. He's doing her glamour shots for the Carole Nash calendar. The photos are all top secret until the calendar is printed. But I can tell you she looks absolutely gorgeous.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Friday, October 9, 2009

Gordon in Action!


Thanks to Mariska Grob for this great action shot of Gordon doing his stuff at Assen.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Who'd of thought it ...


Who'd of thought it ...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Cadwell October, sunny and dry. Just as well, my client on today's coaching session has come from North of Edinburgh to get here.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

All over.


All over.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
well it is for us. Got a cracking start too. Gordon was off the line like a rocket. Just two laps later though and we had to pull in. Top fairing mounting bracket and side fixings were no more; confusing thing is I never even saw them go!

Right side of the bed.


Right side of the bed.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Gordon seems to have woken up in a good mood today. 3rd fastest in warm up and a good three seconds faster than yesterday. Doesn't count for the grid though still starting in 12th place. Should mean we'll have a bit of fun on track!

Mick James


Mick James
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
warming up his beautiful supermono for Mark Lawes. This very exotic and expensive machine is making "Gordon" feel a bit inferior so he's hiding at the back of the garage.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Borrowed a casing


Borrowed a casing
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
and found the spark! Have to see how he goes in morning warm up.

Second qualifying.


Second qualifying.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
We thought we had found the problem. But again just on the third lap Gordon started to splutter again and broke down again. This time right out at the back of the circuit in the rain!

No spark!


No spark!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Did one flying lap and came in to check bike over. Out again and just after my second flying lap Gordon spluttered a bit and then the motor died. Back in the pits and we are trying to work out why there is no spark. In just our two laps we qualified 12th from 42.

Luxury - two rear wheels!


Luxury - two rear wheels!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
I only have one rear for Gordon as the wheels are as rare as hens teeth; it's lucky that the SZR has a good following in Europe. Frank van de Biggelaar is here with two bikes and lots of spares so has kindly lent us a wheel. Off to get the wet put on just in case.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Arrived at Assen.


Arrived at Assen.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Just attended to a couple of last minute jobs.

Quick stop en route.


Quick stop en route.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Steve has never been to Amsterdam; so we've stopped for a quick visit on the way.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

ready to roll.


ready to roll.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
'Gordon' is all strapped in and we are ready for off. He's never been to Assen before so is very excited. Check out his history www.gordonsalive.com

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Gordon's getting ready.


Gordon's getting ready.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Thanks to Roy and Martin at Slipstream we have been able to make a modification that means we could get Gordon to Assen next weekend.
We have just called to see Damian at Daytuner Performance to check he runs and has enough gears!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Moto 450 super single - Silverstone - onboard video



Out in the advanced group of a track day, it certainly made it interesting with just 54bhp!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Rumi 600 in Action...


Mark has restored this beautiful Rumi Honda 600, I have to say, that he honoured me by letting me be the first person to ride it.
Thanks Mark!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Really great day.


Really great day.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
We have had a fabulous day. Great weather fantastic bikes and good company.

What a lovely way ...


What a lovely way ...
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
to start the day!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Gordon's raring to go!


Gordon's raring to go!
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Not having been out all season Gordon is really looking forward to getting out at Silverstone tomorrow.

Good run out all round...


Off to Silverstone tomorrow for a good run out.
Going to take "Gordon" - see how he's feeling after a big rest this season.
Mark Hanna is bringing "Sabina" and we are going to see what the new rear shock assembly he has developed will be like.
Mark's also bringing his new aquisition for me to have a run out on - not named yet - but can you tell what it is?

Monday, September 14, 2009

Sample out lap...

Just working on video footage from my latest 1to1 coaching with a client at Oulton, thought I'd share a bit... an outlap from when we were split up.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

One to one coaching.


One to one coaching.
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
At least it is still fine here at Oulton Park. With one of my repeat clients, Nicky Wilson, we've managed to get some good sessions in. www.v2pro.info

Thursday, September 3, 2009

A great day out


A great day out
Originally uploaded by no1bloke
Had a fab day on the Scarborough Spa Express. Something I've wanted to do for a while.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Great Summer holiday with Jodie.

This year I have been able to have some great fun with my daughter Jodie, she has shown an interest in bikes, and we've just started to do a bit of off road riding - thanks to Harry for lending me his bike.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

V2pro motorcycle road race on track coaching

I have received this great testimonial from Nick Shorter, so I thought I would share it with you:

I can highly recommend a day with Mike...

...Rather than spend 1,000's on the bike anymore I decided to spend the money on the nut on the saddle. At a very wet and gloomy Cadwell Park in August Mike gave me insights into my riding techniques - he knew what I was thinking and my attitude to corners before I could even elucidate them, which showed me he really knew what he was talking about.

We worked through a lot including; lines, body position, suspension set up, attitude to overtaking, mechanics of weight transfer. This was all fantastically backed-up by Mike's video analysis, there were no excuses then, and it all became crystal clear what I was doing wrong. Mike also nobly mucked in and helped fix my bike on more than one occasion.

His tuition style is excellent, he speaks in plain English, he realises the day is about the rider and focuses completely on you, not once did I hear an old war story, he has the patience of a saint, is enthusiastic and never once gave the impression he didn't want to get out on track even in the grimmest of weather conditions (I would have been very interested in his old war stories though).

If I could start my racing career again, I'd get a decent reliable stock bike and go see Mike, before spending any money on the newest gizmos. The greatest gains in lap times are in a brain re-map, not a few more bhp. I'm seriously considering another tuition day to see what I can learn in the dry.

Nick Shorter.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Ground Hog Day...


It's a Monday and it's Cadwell Park.

The only difference from last week is that its been raining all day and my coaching client is on a two stroke!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Congratulations.


I would just like to say congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Mark Hanna, who were re-married on Tuesday.

Julie, you look gorgeous.
Mark, you are very lucky.
All the best.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Scorching hot and sunny.


Doing some 1 to 1 coaching at Cadwell today.

What a glorious change for it not to be raining!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The 'eyes' have it.


The 'bugs' are tested to approx. 120mph - it's just the rain that they don't like.
These action shots are by Paul and Linda of PLJPhoto.com