Preparation of the RVF consisted of:
a) Getting my leathers repaired, they were stuffed
b) Tricking Drew into changing my fork seals again (Look left... Aha! You've got a C-spanner in your hand, you better put it to use!)
c) Taking off my road fairings and putting on the race fairings
That done all that needed doing was good nights sleep and out to the hill on Saturday morning for some good fun up the hill. I slept quite well, not even a hint of nerves.
I missed the sighting runs because I had removed the padding from my leathers, so I wasted time shoving it all back in again. I've got a scar on my left elbow that is the result of no padding. Opps.
When I finally got ready I did get a bit of nerves. WTF was I thinking?
First run up seemed SO SLOW. I thought this was going to be a boring weekend because it felt like the RVF just didn't have the power to tickle the adrenal gland enough on this road which is mostly wide open. I was quite dissapointed really.
But by the end of the day I was feeling pretty good, the little old thing seemed to get a bit faster and once I learnt the course a bit I could keep up some good corner speed and things started to feel more fun. It was a really hot day and I was feeling pretty stuffed by the end. I think everyone was.
Then there was the mini-rally thing, which was cool. I had a few good laughs out in the 'rapa on a beautiful evening. I even saw fit to take a quick dunk in the river. Which was really cold. But I felt refreshed afterwards.
Don't miss out on the river next year people, it's great despite the very muddy bottom. Or the food, I was expecting sausages and bread, but it turned out to be much more nutritious than that. It was quite heavy though.
In the morning I didn't feel too jaded and got right into it. The RVF always seems to like a cooler day and felt fighting fit in comparison to saturday when it was very hot.
Throughout the day my times got slightly better, and for half the day I managed keep ahead of Koba. Whose bike goes 30km/h faster than mine, but mine is very short geared. 1/2 of that, 5/10ths of this I guess. I left my sprockets in the shed, which is a shame because I think I could have got away with a smaller rear sprocket.
In all I had a great day, the better man won the 'Formula 3.5' class on Sunday, so hats off to Koba. Even if was only by 0.3 of a second! And Clive, let's get your bike a weight loss program. I've got a hacksaw. And it also needs a sidestand
There is a lot that is great about the hillclimb, and in no particular order:
- It's cheap - $40 per day + some $15 insurance. $15 for the party. And it's close to my home.
- It's relaxed - You have quite a bit of leeway in when you have to start your run. Some people are eager to have another run while you need a break. And same goes.
- The top of the hill - There is crap talk. Silence while we wait for the radio to announce the times. It's good.
- It's a weekend out - You can suspend regular life for 2 days and live and breathe motorcycles.
- The party - Lot's of crap talking. I like crap talking.
Thankyous
- Big thanks to Drew for the van to take my bike over and sleep in. Luxury I tell you. Luxury. And the fork seals.
- The organisers, with a special mention to Deano because he has attracted so many sponsors to the event.
- The marshals, thanks for standing around all day so others could have a good time.
- The helpers, those doing the timing and selling food.
- The people who came to hang out and or / watch. You are part of the event too.
So yeah, the cliffhanger hillclimb is the fo-shizzle ma nizzle and everyone reading this should be there next year. Competing, helping out or just watching. Please come along; it's a great weekend!
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Originally Posted by limbimtimwim
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