Ardmore pix, 3 Dec 08

[krad_nz]

Hmmm, really have to remove the side stand for a practice day?

I've been convinced to go this Wednesday. Wasn't planning on removing the side stand though.

Guess its no big deal though

[clmintie]

I'm aiming to go this wed too, I have an battery drill set up to remove and install my side stand. Takes seconds.... Look for the red Previa.....

[Pierce]

I've riden there with a side stand on practice days. Stand is gone for good now after loosing the damn spring on the artiamuri trail a few weeks back. Who needs a stand anyway

Gonna shoot out tomorrow if weather permits. Got my flash new CTI knee braces from ACC last friday so i'm yet to try em out

[dammad1]

I've riden there with a side stand on practice days. Stand is gone for good now after loosing the damn spring on the artiamuri trail a few weeks back. Who needs a stand anyway

Gonna shoot out tomorrow if weather permits. Got my flash new CTI knee braces from ACC last friday so i'm yet to try em out

How did you wing that one?

[krad_nz]

Side stand is off.
Ready for tomorrow.. well as ready as I'll ever be.

[Hemex]

Side stand is off.
Ready for tomorrow.. well as ready as I'll ever be.

You going down today Krad?!

[Pierce]

How did you wing that one?

What riding with a stand or the CTI's?

[Hemex]

Pierce... I think its next wednesday thats the last night before the 5 week shut down... Redriders post earlier in this thread says that...
So come again next week..

[dammad1]

What riding with a stand or the CTI's?

The CTI's through ACC.

[clmintie]

Pierce... I think its next wednesday thats the last night before the 5 week shut down... Redriders post earlier in this thread says that...
So come again next week..

spoke to John tonight and confirmed the last wed ride this year is 17th Dec. First wed ride '09 11th Jan..............

[krad_nz]

You going down today Krad?!

Yeah sure did, guys at work convinced me to as they can't give me a lift on the 17th. Doh.

Anyway. I had a good time. Managed to stay upright. Once they had finished wetting the track a work mate and I went out. I think we were the first two out there actually. Needless to say, it was a boggy slippery mess which wasn't good for the confidence. After a couple of laps I returned to the trailer and had at least familiarised myself with the track. My rear tyre looked like an orange donut though. Drift on! :P

About 5-10mins later I went back and found it a bit easier. Basically it got better as the day went on. After about 1/2hr it was pretty sweet so I started to concentrate on actually trying to carry a bit more speed over the table tops etc. Started getting the hang of it, smooth and steady throttle control is the key on lift off I had a couple of kicker moments as my concentration started waning later on. Should have brought a snack with me, but Clmintie came to the rescue with a banana. Cheers mate!

I saw Clmintie taking pics on a jump which could only mean one thing. I had to try and look like I knew what I was doing! I wanted to get some impressive pics! Unfortunately this meant I wasn't really concentrating on riding as much which meant I kept screwing things up at that part of the track where earlier it had been sweet. (thats my story anyway)

Definetely keen to go out again sometime though. I was pretty slow, if not the slowest rider there at the start. However, I noticed some other slower guys came on later on.

On my last outing a guy smacked his front wheel into the side of my swingarm on a jump landing. I carried on fine but he ended up in a dusty heap on the ground. I pulled off to see if he was alright and he said he was sorry etc which was a relief as I thought it may have been me.

I just tried to hold my line and took most corners fairly widely to let the others past.

Damn, there was some 8-10yo out there wearing blue etc. Don't recall what he was riding. He was pretty impressive to watch. Getting massive air and scrubbing speed etc. He looked like he knew what he was doing. Wish I had started riding when I was 5 or something :P No fear.

Nice to catch up Clmintie.

[Hemex]

Oh nice!! Yeah hopefully get to go out next week... think it'll be really crowded though!!
Yeah wish I'd started earlier too mate... not have to learn at 24..haha... anyway... like they say...its never too late..

Clminite going to post the pics soon?

[oldskool]

Well written krad, are you a copywriter per chance? Now when are yah going to take out the kdx200 instead? ... just kiddin, saw the pix
Are you going out again next week?

[Hemex]

Well written krad, are you a copywriter per chance? Now when are yah going to take out the kdx200 instead? ... just kiddin, saw the pix
Are you going out again next week?

Hey mate... let me know if you can go next week... Ill try and clear my calendar at work...

[oldskool]

Will do. I'm planning to add an extra track on the trailer this weekend according to the wheelbase measurements you gave me. You handy with an arc welder? Oh yeah and replace both front and back brakeshoes of the XR. I lost them both at Glen Murray and I tell yah it's freaky going down steep slopes with absolutely no stopping power..especially when you're heading towards a bottleneck!