April 2009
| Subject: Life on the road with MPS |
|
TO SARDINIA 2009 Hull/Rotterdam to Varese (Northern Italy) 12-13.04.09 Eight days after returning back to the UK from the
We both agree it was nice to go home, to fully
Over the last four years of Team MPS, we’ve come to
13.04.09. On returning to the car deck and transporter this
All of Holland and until 1pm into Germany the weather
13.04.09. Varese to Genoa After breakfast we transfer the contents of the
So with everything in its place, and a place for
Even though its only 2.5 hours from Varese to Genoa,
Mick had made (with some difficulty) a telephone
15.04.09. We docked in Porto Torres in the north of the island,
I’m pleasantly surprised by how green the island is,
The paddock area is in the car park of a cinema
16.04.09. The lads leave early to walk the extreme, cross test
For the first time this year, there was an “opening
17.04.09. According to reports, the enduro test is 7.5km long
After the lads return from walking the enduro and
On the practice track yesterday, Aston jarred his
7pm was the start of the Prologue. This was set in an outdoor “partly” floodlit
Si in E2 was one of the last riders to compete, not
18.04.09. DAY ONE Over last nights late BBQ, a team meeting decided the
As we had no ACU representative present to support the
All our three riders start times were within 30
Final results for the day Aston 14th, Si 10thand Gav 15th, what marvellous well deserved positions. Our trip to the Husqvarna factory, and all the help
When I returned to the paddock, I found Aston “hobbling”
He had, had an exceptional day, and also achieved
Despite other minor injuries Gav had also received,
Mick was also on a high, having received his quota of
19.04.09 The same race procedure and start times as yesterday
The injections Aston had received in his back didn’t
All was going well again, until Si’s front wheel
As usual Gav was holding his own and keeping clean on
Gav is the only Brit with a 100% finish record,
Again fantastic final results Si 15th and
The weather has been unpredictable with heavy
As those taking flights home, don’t leave till
20.04.09. By 9.15am we were all packed up and ready to hit the
We arrived back into Porto Torres (224km), just after
So resigned to the fact we had another day on
21.04.09. We had parked up with views of the marina, and after
It was a huge relief to actually have a ticket in our
22.04.09. Genoa to Schriesheim The ferry docked in Genoa at 7am. Along the same stretch of road as we had previously
23.04.09. Yet more of Germany to cover, when you actually drive
After coffee and a discussion on what could be offered
Thinking about this trip, on the return crossing back
Despite Aston’s back problem he has shown to Mick and
|
| Added on: Wednesday 29th of April 2009 by Mick |
| Subject: Life on the road with MPS |
| TO PORTUGAL 2009 15/16.03.09 Zeebrugge - Mirabeau (Bordeaux) 618 miles After many weeks of bike, camper and LT preparations the first WEC round is upon us! The overnight ferry from Hull docked in Belgium to bright clear skies, and our 1200 (approx haha) mile journey commenced. Team MPS at this point consisted of only Mick and myself, Si & Gav having set off earlier in the VW Transporter to practice and the remainder of the crew were flying out. Our route had taken us via Paris, Orleans, Tours, Poitiers and into the Bordeaux region; finally stopping in the small town of Mirambeau, which after we’d parked and set out for a wander to find something to eat, we found was closed. Well that was apart from one hotel the du L’union. Give it a miss is our advice, unless you’d like to savour the flavour of a tough old boot sole which was Mick’s unfortunate choice, or my delight, a chunk of preformed plastic jambon!! It really didn’t help that we were robbed for the privilege. We opt for an early night, as I’d hardly slept the previous night on the ferry. I woke up to believe the fella in the cabin next door had actually joined me in my bunk to snore his head off, and what with the heating turned up full blast and bright light streaming in from the 1” gap under the cabin door - I’m not exaggerating if I say I only had two hours sleep! A great start to another day on the road. 17.03.09 - Mirambeau to Mombuey Oh do I feel refreshed after my 10 hours in the land of nod. Another bright clear morning, and after a mug of Yorkshire brew, we’re on our way. As you would expect from this region there are many vine yards, not yet green, neatly lining our way. They look like long gnarly black arms reaching out of the ground. You can also see the evidence of the storms this area suffered earlier in the year, thousands and thousands of Scot Pines laid horizontal, many touching the carriageway (N10-E15). The disruption must have been major. You really could make your fortune hear, if you’re occupation’s a “tree fella” or “log burning stove salesman”! The road then wove along the San Sabastian, Golfe de Gascogne coast, every now and then we caught a glimpse of the sea and an occasional marina. Once we left the coastline the road into Spain and inland became long climbs and descents through short tunnels. The scenery is more like Switzerland than northern Spain, the hillsides clad with pine forests and alpine meadows. Once away from the Pyrenees, the landscape became flat and quite barren. We passed by Burgos and Leon. Our final stop for the day being Mombuey (off the N525/A52), at de Ruta hotel/restaurant. This one can be recommended. Today’s miles travelled just over 500. 18.03.09 - Mombuey to (our destination) Penafiel After coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice (plus a short lie in as we gain and hour back once we get into Portugal) its back on the road. Mick had asked the best way for us to take; one route looked quicker but rather windy, so probably steep! The other being further around, but a peage motorway. The charges for the “peage” routes are worked out by how many axles you have, so therefore the LT and camper, are the same fees as freight - expensive!! We were given the OK; after a slightly heated debate between several truckers, to take the windy shorter route. Forgot to mention, yesterday, that we were stopped on the dual carriageway, and the outfit searched; all very dramatic with whistle blowing and arms waving, sniffer dogs, guns and stingers laid out. Can I just say they were stopping everyone not local - we were asked where we had come from, had we passed thro’ Holland and did we have any drugs? Once we’d shown them the bikes, and Portugal regs they let us on our way. As I write now, we’re climbing high into the “Sierra de la Cabrera” mountain range still covered in snow, the sky is bright blue with magnificent views. 10.10am We’re into Portugal, via A24 to Villa Real crossing the border at Verin. We can see numerous heather and cherry blossom in all shades of pink and purple with contrasts of yellow Broom. Most of the highest peaks have wind farms, perched on the top of them. As we make our final long, long, decent down the A4, the air is thick with smoke, (not as we first thought from our brakes), what we can make out is, it seems to be coming from forest fires, we spotted a helicopter with a water carrier underneath, and a dozen of Bombieros (fire engines) have just passed us, the sky is now beige, not blue! 12 noon Arrived, but didn’t get into our final paddock position until 6pm. Alain Blanchard (the ABC promoter) made us wash the outfit before we could enter, (it was covered in GBXC mud) and then kept us and the Irish waiting for his next instruction, he was nowhere to be seen. If you don’t park exactly where he says, he will make you move, even if its only a couple of inches. He has to have all the awnings in a line when set up. I eventually found him in the bar! We are positioned on the middle tier of three, the top factory teams above us, smaller teams below, as Dot Jones commented, is this not A minus paddock! Well so what, no complaints from me, the temps 30degs. and we have water and electricity to hand, home from home! Si and Gav had turned up mid aft with Knighter, having been out walking tests. This is our last night before the crew arrive and the hard work for us starts. Si and Gav’s final job of the day was to collect Aston and Katie from the airport. We welcomed them with a quick drink at the WEC bar. 19.03.09 A usual WEC prep day, setting bikes up, practicing and socializing. We ate out with Kay & Phil Evans, at a local restaurant called Ricardo’s, typical Portuguese food, salad, rice, croquette potatoes and then the meat was brought to us at the table on long metal skewers, and carved onto our plate, there was chicken wrapped in bacon, beef and ham, plenty of it followed by hot pineapple served the same way. Very tasty, novel to start with - but as Phil put it “this is getting beyond a joke” after about the waiters 10th visit with the skewer to us!! Then to the WEC bar to wait for Johnny, Mark & Ange Fisher, Mark Houson and Sam Davidson to arrive. They were delayed, as Mark F had brought the wrong hire car booking reference!! Eventually we retired to what available flat space you could find in the camper. apart from Mark and Ange who were booked into the same hotel as Mark H n Gav. 20.03.09 I ventured out of the paddock today, other than to the bar! Went to Aldi’s! General supplies and BBQ requisitions required. With a quest to find a carton of milk, which didn’t say UHT on it! Its good to have a helping hand from Ange and Katie, plus some female company. 12 noon was the official WEC photo shoot, then signing on and bikes thro’ scrutineering. All three ok, apart from Aston’s 250 needed a headlight wiring in, not normally a problem, but due to the Prologue (evening race) new to this years WEC, it was required. This commenced at 7pm just outside the paddock area, two lanes running along side each other around a windy course with rocks and logs to give the 100’s of spectators focal points, and make it more interesting. So as to make it fair, there was a cross over point then equal distances were covered. The area was all flood lit, with a banking all the way around giving excellent views. The atmosphere was great. The times taken to complete, were then added to the riders race times. Then it was back to the camper for a well earned BBQ. RACE ONE - Day One Aston in E1 had a start time of 9.06. Starting in pairs the riders took a short loop off road into the extreme test, the first one being un-timed, this consisted of tractor tyres, boulders, hill climbs and logs to negotiate. The final set of logs causing problems for 75% of the riders; the only few that mastered them, were if they had a clear run thro’, that is if there were no other riders strewn over them. Entertaining to watch. Mark H spent the day there, running round like a mad man, pointing out the best lines for our lads to take. Mark and Ange went out to the x-test, Johnny was doing what he does best out riding, Sam and Katie to the out check, which had no service, just drinks and food. Which left Mick and I at the only service check in the paddock. Si in E2 was away at 9.21 and then Gav in Juniors at 10.02. All three cleared the first lap OK and back to us, but both Si and Aston felt their bikes were not running as they should be, they were cutting out unexpectedly. They had been set up in colder climes, with new Dynojet power commander 5’s, all this was new to us, as we’ve previously used carburettors, so it wasn’t just a case of changing the jetting! Unfortunately, Astons cut out completely at the enduro test, the next lap around, and wouldn’t restart, so sadly he was forced to retire. Si struggled on, but this sudden lack of power reflected in his test times. On the final lap of four Gav split a radiator hose, when he landed heavy in the extreme (the last test of the day). He made it back to the paddock, but dropped 7 mins; however the crew worked hard to fit a new one plus a new foot rest and he made it to parc ferme within his 15 mins allocated work time. A very tough day, as the only service check with us in the paddock was tight, with just minutes to refuel, first lap round, no time to change air filters, all this in exhausting 32 deg temps. Gav didn’t even get off his bike, and then he was back out again for another 1.5 hour lap and 3 tests! Credit to all who finished many didn’t. Si 14th and Gav 25th. In the time we had between Si and Gav coming in, Mick had checked over Aston’s bike. (Sam had returned it in the van) and changed the dyno mapping to increase the fuel at the bottom end - Aston then took it out to try, but said it still wasn’t quite right, so another slight increase was made, this did make it more ride able, but not WEC extreme ride able! So he decided not to participate on day 2. He would “watch and learn” instead, this being his first WEC event. We all then chilled out around the BBQ again, entertained as usual by Johnny. RACE ONE - Day Two Clear skies, unlike the fog and mist of yesterday morning, this had almost made the x-test unrideable ; it was that bad, “special Greg” got lost!! We decided it was best if everyone took up the same positions as Day One, seen as they knew where they were going, due to there being no signs to the out check. Same start times, but 5 mins had been added to our check, which was needed; if not to make the paddock safer! Plus allow the lads to get off their bikes! And 3 mins taken off Sam & Katie’s check. After taking Si’s bike back to its original mapping, it was running marginally better, but still not as it should (it was made leaner). It stopped completely on the x-test, and wouldn’t restart, after it returned to the paddock via the van, Mick found an ignition earth wire had worked its way loose. Shame for him to have to retire “just” for that, but it could have been anything, on first inspection. Gav was the last MPS man standing, and completed the second day to Katie and my cheers, finishing 25th (out of a 40 plus field). A wonderful result for his first WEC. A very frustrating weekend, bike set up is still proving difficult as we learn about the fuel injection and Power Commanders. We’ve got a great power delivery out of the motors now in certain circumstances but the fuelling / ignition timing still isn’t optimum. Not such a good start, all round for the Brits, as both Tom Sagar and Knighter had a DNF. However better results for Ash Woods 18th and Phil MacLaughlin 8th in Juniors. Mark and Ange, Mark H, Johny, Aston and Katie all leave to catch flights home. 23.03.09. A clean up day, and trip to laundrette/Aldi’s for me. While the guys washed and yet again adjusted the bikes. I felt a relaxing night in for us all with a DVD and home cooked meal, was what was needed, and as there is only 5 of us now, we can fit round the kitchen table. So we borrowed “Mr & Mrs Smith” from the Irish next door. I was right, it was just what was needed after a heated weekend, in more ways than one. Mick and Sam were asleep within 30 mins of it starting! 24.03.09 Pack up day, then back down the same road we came along, turning south-eastwards at Valladolid. (I found out this morning its rather expensive to get your washing done here.) What it cost us and the Irish, we could have bought a washing machine and done it ourselves - It was extremely clean and nicely ironed, mind, even the boxer shorts. Si’s kit looked “brand new”. We finally set off 11.30am after collecting a Leo Vince exhaust for Si from CH, its not for keeps however, we have to give it back after Spain! Our over night stop was at Langa de Duero (N122). It would seem there is no universal opening times for restaurants here, we thought we’d drive till 9pm, as on the way down they didn’t start serving till then. Tonight it would seem they close at 9pm. However, we smile nicely and we’re in luck, we ate in the El Carrascal, and slept under the castle shadow. 25.03.09 Our final leg to Igualada is very scenic, we opt to stay on non peage roads. Straight roads undulating thro’ foot hills with snow clad mountains away in the distance all around. Most of the flat areas cultivated with crops just showing through in bright green, a gorgeous patchwork contrast against the almost brick red soil. Si, Gav and Sam have left after our breakfast stop to go on ahead, to walk tests and collect Al from El Prat, Barcelona airport. Our route is via Zaragoza and Lleida, ETA. 3pm, just in time for the paddock to open - yeah right! We received a phone call from MC today, the factory have agreed to us making a visit to them, and they will give us all the help we need to set the ecu up and programme the bikes. Marvellous news, big smiles all round, cheers MC. Only in Spain would it be allowed, we have set up in the paddock, on a main road running thro‘ the centre of Igualada. They haven’t even turned the traffic lights off! Tests haven’t been setup yet, so all bikes are out and in bits. Aston and Katie arrive later today, it doesn’t seem like they have been away. We ate out after eventually finding somewhere open (the town was deserted); on the second rambala down town from the paddock; off the market square, where incidentally parc ferme and the start are. (Almost a mile away from the paddock). The extreme and prologue (Friday night race) are at the end of the paddock. 26.03.09 Usual prep day. Mick’s phone bill (with many calls back to the UK) is going to be massive, but gradually the adjustments to the fuel injection have improved the performance slightly on both Si and Aston’s Husky’s. Which hopefully will see us thro’ this weekend, until Tuesdays appointment in Italy. We do seem to be pinning our hopes on their generosity! Tests are now set up; with the enduro climbing high and weaving thro’ a wind farm! Just the 7 of us till tomorrow, ate out at a Pizzeria. Morale is still quite low, and I feel there is a slight split in the camp, as to whether we should return to carburetted bikes again? However, I know things will work there way to better days, and at least Gav’s 125 is proving reliable, plus the sun is shining :o) 27.03.09. The rest of the gang have arrived today - Ange and Mark having been replaced by “Uncle Bryan”, I’ve given Johnny the task of cheering everyone up. He’s always good for a laugh, usually at someone else’s expense; with his impressions and rough foreign accents. Had a visit from Steve, Debbie and Ben of Sol Moto’s having drove up from southern Spain to cheer the lads on and taste a cup of decent tea. As according to Deb you can’t buy a tea bag worth boiling the kettle for down here. Good job I’d brought her 3x boxes of Yorkshire Brew to remind her of what she is missing back in the UK! All three Huskys passed scrutineering no bother. So it was just a matter of waiting for Ted (Bartlett) to call round with the times and procedure for the night race and race days. As the jury meeting lasted longer than expected; he didn’t arrive till 6.20pm - Gav’s time to collect his bike from parc ferme was given as 6.45pm. All hell broke loose, and in the mayhem he forgot to take his ticket with him to release his bike to start the race. The time given for him to get from PF to the start of the prologue (which was actually the first half of the extreme test) was enough for Mark to ride back thro’ town to collect it. It was like passing a baton in a relay race, as he rode by not stopping. All ended well. Either “we” (Me, Mick and Katie) weren’t listening or Ted didn’t explain it clearly, but we misunderstood that there were actually 4 checks to clear not 3. So Aston’s after prologue race route took a slight detour, but as Gav; all ended well. No probs for Si, we’d got it sussed by then. All three bikes safely returned to PF. Another competition also seems to be taking place along side the WEC. This is between the Brits (mainly Mick) and the Czech’s, as to who can drink the strongest alcohol; given by the apposing side. We started it in Portugal, with local to us, “York Brewery” bottled beer at 5.5% alc. This was returned with Czech “excellent” beer at 11% alc. We just happened to have with us, a bottle of Bushmill’s Irish single malt at 40% alc - Within an hour they called round with, what can only be described as “fire water” at 38% alc. So at present we are in the lead by 2%. Watch this space? Can the Czechs take the lead! RACE TWO - Day One Over last nights BBQ, cooked to perfection by Uncle Bry, it was decided that, Al and Sam would go out to the service check. Which was at the x-test; Mick, myself and Katie would stay at the paddock, Johnny to out ride, Bry to the end of the enduro test (start and finish were not together) and Mark and Justin Wilson; forgot to mention our peace was broken by him, later yesterday, when he joined the BBQ, were to check out the extreme test for the best lines and take bum bags. Si was first MPS man away, E2’s turn to be first round this event, from the start thro’ the town into the extreme, which was timed, as half of it had been ridden the night before. Then it was Aston’s turn in E1, followed by Gav in Juniors. Again due to Si and Aston’s bikes not running as they should this showed in their test times, unfortunately placing them towards the mid/back of their groups. Gav who was now relaxing, was clawing his way up the Juniors, not even braking out into a sweat when he came into us. Sadly, second lap round, Aston’s bike stopped completely at the x-test, as it was quite serious, it couldn’t be rebuilt for Sundays race. Poor fella, he just gets into the motion and over any pre-start nerves and he can’t continue. On the final lap out, disaster struck also for Si too, he was held up on the extreme, lost his momentum, and dropped his bike on the log section, putting a hole in the generator casing. He tried to repair it, with metal putty, but the hole was too big. So very disappointingly was out too. Gav finished a well deserved 26th. But at the jury meeting, it was decided that the last extreme test was to be scrapped, as some riders had been held up by other riders in front of them, getting stuck in the log section. (Special Greg took evasive action, by going thro‘ the tapes and around them, this cost him a 3 mins penalty). Gav’s last extreme time had been a quick one, but with this taken out of the timings, it took him down to 31st position. Around this time the clouds thickened and the heavens opened, and boy did it rain, not relenting thru’ the night and into Sunday morning. At least it dampened the dust down, as everywhere not hard standing turned to deep mud! RACE TWO - Day two The Igualada WEC had turned into a Welsh/North of England round over night, which many European riders aren’t used to. This was of course an advantage to the Brits. Si took 9th place in the first extreme, and Gav 16th. Si was quite enjoying the x-test (which he said he couldn’t quite get right the previous day). You could see that when he took 3 seconds on Salminen. No one could touch Aubert, he won E2 class by 2 mins. By mid morning the sun was shining again, and the tests were drying. Therefore the later the rider the better it became to ride. Si moved from 12th to 14th, finally finishing a fantastic 13th, battling most of the day with Hans Vogels, just beating him by 1.7 secs. Gav fluctuated around the late teens, finally finishing a very, very well deserved 14th. Tom, Greg and Ash all retired. Greg and Ash with injuries received on the extreme and enduro test. After short congratulations all round, especially to Si for plodding on with a bike only functioning at 80%, (can’t wait to see results when its as it should be!?!) He’s a star, for not complaining either, well not to me or Mick anyway! We started to pack away and secure for the road. Gradually the team set off for their various flights, leaving me, Mick and Si to drive to Italy to the factory for Tuesday morning. It took 2.5 hours to reach France, we passed by the bizarre rock formations of Montserrat just north of Barcelona, stopping at Le Boulou, just south of Perpignan, in a small very old fashioned restaurant, where we had dinner and a beer, reflecting on the weekends highs and low’s. 30.03.09 Le Boulou to Verese As it was dark when we parked, we didn’t see the gorgeous views to which we awoke to, the south Pyrenees in all its glory, covered in a brilliant white blanket of snow. I volunteered to drive the transporter so Si could catch up on his beauty sleep. Mick led the way in the LT which is now restricted to 56mph. I set the cruise control, which takes some matching to Mick - I was either running up the back of the camper or lacking behind, its crazy what 1mph difference can make? It kept me entertained along the way, with Bob Segar and his Silver Bullet Band. We wound along the southern French coast, passing Montpellier, Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, Nice, stopping at a service station over looking Monte Carlo. Then onto Genova. I just love the Italian Riviera coastline, the motorways are on stilts, weaving in and out of long tunnels looking down onto the coastline of towns below, very dramatic, especially if you don’t like heights. We then headed in land to Alessandria, giving a very wide birth to Milan, and then up into the hills of northern Italy. Our final resting place for the night is in CH Racing’s car park. Its been a long drive, so we reward ourselves with a delicious, truly home made Italian pizza, at one of the few restaurants open on a Monday night here (past experiences). 11.5 hours spent on the road. 31.03.09 Mick and Si decided they had better wash the bikes before we take them to the factory. We eventually find Husqvarna R&D (still in the MV Agusta factory until the new BMW built Husqvarna HQ is finished) tucked away by a lake side. The text msg directions we had were rather vague. After a phone call of further instructions we arrived; we were given guest passes and introduced to Danielle Maletti. Daniele is the man who drew the short straw! Thankfully his English is very good, Mick explained our problems; then Si’s bike is taken to the rolling road with the dyno settings at their original figures. Meanwhile Mick stripped Aston’s 250 down. Si and I watched as his bike was put thru’ its paces and Daniele keyed in new settings for the ECU, and basically to a techno amateur that was that! The gates to the test track were then unlocked and Si went out to try it. He returned 15 mins later, all smiles, what a relief, he was “well” pleased with its performance, it rode exactly as he wanted and it should. Hallelujah!!!! On stripping Aston’s husky, Mick had found a valve had snapped, this was probably because the poor lad had, had to “scream its nuts off” as Mick would put it, to keep it going due to the (our incorrect) settings. So a new engine was fitted and Mick’s 310’s cylinder head. Lets hope that Daniele can work his magic tomorrow, when we return, and give us a good a results as for Si’s. 01.04.09 Mick and Si return to the factory, (before I got the chance to play any April Fool jokes) and worked hard with Mick’s 310; this is now perfect also. He didn’t bother to take it out for a test run, as he felt he could trust Danielle and Philippe because of their fine work carried out on Si’s. His concern is more with Aston’s as the problem of it cutting out at the bottom end is still to be solved. But all concerned seem like they cherish a challenge and will work till it’s 100%, no matter how long it takes. I stayed back at CH to clean and tidy the camper, in preparation for Sardinia. We have decided to leave it here, and travel back to the UK, with Gav’s and Si’s bikes, the bags of dirty washing and kit, plus an empty gas cylinder in the transporter (I wish it was a transporter, like in Star Trek!) I’ve also made lists of items required for our return. Before everyone left to fly back I asked them to label their holdalls with names and as to whether they had to stay here for Sardinia, or return with us to be replenished? The only company I’ve had today is a black cat and half a dozen 6” long green and red lizards. We went into Varese for a meal (only just) found an excellent “proper” Italian restaurant, not a pizzeria. We started with anti pasta, a variation of cold meats and salami, brought to us on a wooden board, along with all sorts of pickles, including mozzarella in jars - to Mick’s delight there was onions! Followed by sea bass, salad and roast potatoes and then ice cream meringue with hot choc sauce. Seeing as we’d gone the whole hog, we washed it all down with a cappuccino. Expensive, but well worth it; with the Euro being so strong we’ve noticed how much more everything is costing compared to last year. 02.04.09. Only Mick returned (the 5km) to the factory today; he left Si and I with a “to do” list in preparation for Sardinia and our return to the UK. Wash outfit off, plus Gav and Si’s (practice) bikes, fill water tank and check tyre pressures on LT and camper. Its raining quite heavy, and as Si said “doing jobs in the rain, is always more of a chore!” By lunch time they are all ticked off. I’m starting to feel the need for home comforts now, as we’ve been away almost three weeks and changed our home ferry booking three times. Opened a tin of Heinz tomato soup for lunch, hoping that would help. No report back from Mick yet, he’s now talking of staying here and for Si and I driving back without him. We could have stayed also, but I’ve two VAT returns to complete and there’s a GBXC this coming weekend for Si? If we did that, I would have to drive back here alone, as Si is flying to Sardinia. Everything is crossed here for positive results, and I suppose it is the best possible hands. Mick didn’t return till late having spent the day, swapping and changing bits on Aston’s bike. Whilst it was good enough for the BEC; it was decided for the WEC some special parts were required from the factory team “store cupboard“. So we could return home ASAP together, he decided to leave the bike in the R & D department, where Dan the man has kindly offered to prepare it for Sardinia, in his own time. Full credit to him for his dedication. 03.04.09 We are on our way back to the UK. This was after having to eat the remaining contents of the fridge/freezer, which included 10 Cornetto’s: can’t say I’ve had ice cream for breakfast before! Craig at Motorsport Travel will be relieved we’ve finally settled a date, time and ferry crossing. He must be sick of hearing the phrase ”is it possible to change our booking…” (thankfully it was only 2km’s down the road when we realised we’d left the house/works keys in the glove box of the LT). We head north into Switzerland (approx 50km) passing over the border at Ponte Tresa (P233), where we had to buy the equivalent to our road tax disc, 40€, (this lasts to the end of the year), and enables us, as visitors, to use their motorways. Cheap at half the price, compared to the peage charges we’ve paid in other countries. It’s a shame our government can’t do the same to tourists entering the UK, to reduce our road tax? We take the A2 thro’ the S. Gottardo tunnel, which is “some length”, around 19km long! When we emerge at the other side (how is it possible that the Sat Nav still works when you are deep inside a mountain?) to clear blue skies, it really is how you would expect Switzerland to be! There are still patches of snow laid in between alpine chalets, with gushing water falls, starting as a thin white thread way above. As the road steadily descends, lush green meadows are all around; with villages dotted ever so often, rising out of the centre of each one is a tall church spire. Every where looks so clean and tidy. We take a route via Luzern, Basel, passing into France via Mulhouse. Then onto Besancon, Dijon, Auxerre, and Paris. Saw a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, all lit up like a Christmas tree. Then onto Rouen to our destination for tonight, Caen. Miles travelled 698 in 11 hours (and 3 mins) an average speed of 63mph. Booked in to Hotel Ibis, shattered! 04.04.09. Our Brittany ferry set sail at 8am, disappointingly it was rather misty, so no views of the Normandy beaches. We head straight to the restaurant for a “full English”. Plus buy a paper, as we’ve had no news reports in the 3 weeks of being away. We dock at 1pm. Then take the short journey to Husky Sport at Cherition, where MC has fish n chips waiting for us. After a “(de) briefing” with Mike, we make our way up the M1 to Chesterfield to drop Sam’s bag off. Then it’s the final leg of our journey back into Yorkshire. Hey what a sight, the sun setting behind Ferry Bridge Power Station! This trip has to have been one of the most stressful and drawn out one we have ever done, in the four years of Team MPS. But looking back now many good things have come out of the bad. We have made new and helpful friends at the factory who we can now call upon in our hour of need, the support they have given is second to none. Mick and I’s respect for Si and Aston has increased, because of the way they have dealt with problems we have had developing the bikes up to WEC standards. Up until this year we had run “bog standard” bikes, with 100% reliability, which were good enough to win British titles. However to break into the top ten at world level (in E1 and E2), we had to increase both the performance of the engines and suspension. And up until now without factory support was proving more difficult than we anticipated. We hope this is all behind us now, and everyone is looking forward to Sardinia. I must mention all of our crew, old and new, who have worked hard and very well together, we appreciate it and couldn’t have done it without them. A special thanks to Katie, for her female company, she kept me sane; (it was nice to talk about something other than the inside of bikes with someone every now and then)! But, hey that’s life at Team MPS and I wouldn’t have it any other way. |
| Added on: Monday 20th of April 2009 by Mick |
