First few hours on "The Wasp"

On the last weekend of February after spending a few nights making sure the bike worked, moved, stopped I made the decision to pop over to Doncaster. At Donny there is a track called FC Karting also known as "Fat Cats". A small but smooth track with small elevations and cambered corners to make it technically demanding, it really is perfect to train on. Learning to lay the bike on its side, slide it out of corners, trust the front, later breaking, getting earlier on the gas and most of all seat time.

With a big thanks to my mother and father for volunteering to take the bike on the back of the camper-van so they could try out the new tow bar. Arrived safe and sound, bike was still on trailer so that was a plus. 

After warming the bike thoroughly and checking it over, not setting correct pressures I went out and did 3 slow laps just to make sure everything worked and where the track went and how it all felt. Came in, the tyres still cold, suspension had warmed up so started to work as it should. A slight change of the handlebar angle and brake lever angle helped out as I was sat on the bike. After all being 6ft 3 on a crf50 framed pit bike is some mean feat. 

So out I went again and 4 laps in decided I relaxed far too much, pushed the front on one of the hairpins and down I went, laughing away to myself I picked up the bike as I never let go of the handlebars anyway and rode back to the pits. I checked everything over, absolutely fine apart from tyres were still stone cold. Forgetting to bring the pressure gauge didn't help so dropped a ton of pressure out of front tyre and the rear. 15 or so laps later I finally have some heat but I was still losing the front, it also felt really twitchy.

More pressure dropped and this got a bit more heat into it, less front end slides and finally felt comfortable. Right back into it and loved cracking on. Both knees sliding everywhere, my body position improving every time. 

The next day was basically the same apart from I got the heat in the tyres a lot earlier due to the sun coming out on the track but then on my second session unfortunately  I had a slow rear puncture. I didnt know and the bike was sliding out of every corner but very predictable so I kept going not knowing I had a slow puncture and was gaining confidence and I could control the slide. When I pulled it, the tyre was nearly flat so unfortunately that ended my day due to not having spare wheels yet.

But overall, amazing time, great fun and an absolute weapon to train on. Really have gelled with the bike and cannot wait for more training next month. I will be purchasing spare wheels and new hand-guards next month so for now here are a few action shots...Repping the Birotar Brand Hoody!