Life on the road with MPS

TO SLOVAKIA 2009 WEC ROUND 5

16.06.09. - 17.06.09.

After a 27 hour sail through the Baltic Sea, (from Helsinki), we (Me, Mick, Si and Sam) disembark the Tallink Silma ferry, in Rostock, Northern Germany, on the dot at 11pm CET. All of this time was spent sleeping, eating, and discussing the previous weekends racing in Finland!

Mick decides he is going to drive through the night, because as usual time is tight. Our route takes us via Berlin, Dresden, into the Czech Republic and onto Prague. There is no ring road; and we hit rush hour traffic, not what you want when you’ve been on the road for eight hours. Its then on the Brno, where we take an hour break. A further 50km on, the road changes from motorway to a single carriageway. Up till now the views we have been able to see since the sun rose, has been similar to rural England, with the exception of larger electricity pylons, and obscure looking water towers.

10km down the road, Mick spots some signs, which we think indicate the road is closed, sure enough, they were re-surfacing, so had closed the main road into Slovakia!

Thankfully we have a detailed map of the area, so an alternative route could be made. It probably added another ¾ hour onto our journey, but the scenery was worth it. Taking us in and out of immaculate towns and villages, where all the houses were painted pale shades of pink, blue, orange, beige and cream, topped with terracotta tiled roofs. Most fronted with rose beds, and window boxes of geraniums. The older men folk were sat in the paved town square, under trees or playing cards outside the local bars.

It’s a long climb, then descent into Slovakia, with large deciduous forests all the way. We decided upon lunch at a wooden road side restaurant, and find it’s a ¼ of the price we paid in Finland, and just as delicious.

Arriving in Puchov, the venue for the 5^th round of the WEC, just before 3pm.

As is expected of us, the outfit must be washed before we can enter the paddock. We were shown our position straight away and the kettles on for a brew of Yorkshire Tea by 4.15pm. We are situated in the grounds of a sports complex, in the centre of town. With our neighbours, as is usual, the Irish Electraction team, Robby, Niko, Nick, Dangerous Dave, Gordy and Phil.

18.06.09

I cant believe a week has past since our last Thursday prep day.

Mick took a phone call from Aston earlier in the week to say he is unable to get time from work to attend this round, after his excellent result last weekend he is gutted. And with Gav not fit enough to ride, after dislocating his shoulder also in Finland. There is only Si’s 450 to check over, clean, change the fluids and “bling” up.

We find that none of the tests are within a stones throw of the paddock, the nearest is the extreme test, approx 1km away, which is also the prologue race, or is now more “fondly” known as the super test, held on Friday night. This comprises of a rock section, a lorry container, placed side ways with a ramp at either end, the usual wooden bridge (where the riders swap places), sweeping corners, and a dirt jump, all to be negotiated setting off in pairs against the clock.

The motor x test is the furthest away; approx a 20 min drive. This starts on a motor x test and finishes on a grassy hillside. “A good test” Si said. And was the one used in the 2005 ISDE (day 3 & 4). Then finally the enduro test is all in the woods, following a gully up and down hill, with lots of roots. It looks like it will get dusty if there is no rain.

The weather so far has been glorious, clear blue skies with temps in the low 30’s.

So with only four to cater for, it will be an easy weekend for me. Just got myself comfy sat out in the sun, with everything to hand, when I was called upon by Mick who needed another pair of hands to help bleed the brakes and clutch! I don’t think I’m quite up to the standard of been allowed to wear a pair of overalls!

As we don’t have a hire car until Johny arrives tonight, I had to return from the super market with the shopping trolley, to carry everything, much to the amusement of the local Slovakians sat out on their park benches! I felt as if I should have been in a “Morrison’s” TV commercial!

We have received an official invite to an “evening banquet”, organised by the Puchov Enduro Club, to be held in the official WEC Hotel. As it is situated behind out camp, and it is free, we decide it would be rude not to attend!

So all wearing team colours we headed out, we were served local Slovakian dishes, including roast pork, whilst a traditionally dressed trio of musicians, on violin, squeeze box, and big base, played in the back ground. The beer flowed, as it does in Slovakia.

Our in house entertainer, Johny arrived ½ hour after we returned back to camp, plus a mate of Sam’s, Nigel also has ridden out here on his BMW 650 Daker, to see what it is all about, and give a helping had when needed.

19.06.09.

So the full squad is now here. Johny and Si disappeared out to the enduro test, while Mick and Sam changed the tyres on Si’s bike.

We have had a visit from Guido Sala, one of our sponsors, www.badsheep.biz bearing gifts of levers, pegs and two very nice, light weight bike stands.which we will be selling

Si went to sign on and returned with final instructions. The forecast is for heavy rain over the weekend - deep joy - thought we wouldn’t be seeing any wet stuff until the Welsh Two Day next week! So the course has been cut down from 4 laps to 3. The out check is now with assistance, and the prologue to start ½ an hour earlier than usual at 6.30pm. Starting order E2, E3, E1, EJ. As parc ferme is on the edge of a football pitch, eco mats have to be placed under the bikes.

Then all that was left to do was take the bike down to scrutineering, apart from us not removing the Finnish scrutineering paint, no problems.

Si’s 18.58 prologue start time seemed to be upon us in no time and in even quicker time, it was over! Thankfully, this week everything ran smoothly, with nearly all of the riders finishing within 20 seconds of each other. Its such a tight race, reportedly watched by 3000 spectators.

By now rain had started to fall quite steadily, but being British we still braved a bbq.

For most of the day a steady stream of Slovakian riders have been setting up position in the centre area of the paddock. One of the riders Dad’s asked if he could borrow our push bike to nip down to the prologue on, and in return he insisted quite persistently that we shared a bottle of his home brew made from “Slivka” berries at 55.4% alc with us. In fact he was insulted when after the third shot each, we really didn’t care for another. Hell it was strong, palatable but wicked stuff.

That was the start of an ‘top’ evening fuelled with alcohol. We wouldn’t normally go out on the eve of a race night, but the Slivkavich had given us a taste for it, so with a unanimous vote we headed down town. (Of course leaving Si tucked up in bed.)

It was steady away, to start off with, that was until we met up with the Irish lads in the disco. Everyone hit the dance floor at some point in the night, that was if you could get on for Johny strutting his stuff and throwing some shapes! A good night, I do believe was had by all!

20.06.09. RACE DAY ONE

It has rained constantly all night, so as we thought ‘B’ schedule is to be rode today, giving the riders an extra 5 minutes on each check.

Johny had been out yesterday to do his usual survey, and reported back he could reach all the tests and the tricky hill climbs on the going, so would be able to look after Si all the way around. I said I would cover the extreme test also, and Sam and Nigel volunteered to re-fuel etc at the out check, where they could also reach the motor x test. This left Mick in the paddock.

I played my “brolly dolly” part, and walked down to the start with Si for 9.07am. He was then on to the enduro test, which was un-timed, to re-fuelling with Sam and Nigel, motor x test, extreme test and back to the paddock. The conditions were horrendous, the atmosphere at the extreme test between the riders, followers and spectators was rather ’damp’. Everyone was just huddled under umbrellas.

He managed to hold on to 13^th place, until the second extreme. Struggling over the log section, he fell and trapped his leg, which didn’t help, this put him into 16^th. Lots of words of encouragement were need when he came into the paddock.

Every time we checked the results, another rider had DNF’ed, it looked like its just a matter of getting to the end of the day. Unfortunately Gordy Clarke from the Electraction team, was one of these DNF‘s, after crashing on the motor x test and loosing his bike off course, down a steep hill. It took 6 marshals to pull him out taking 30 minutes, there was so much mud in between his front forks and wheel, it wouldn’t turn. He returned back to the check here in the paddock 15 minutes late, which is all your allowed in the WEC, so sadly timed out.

This test was virtually becoming un ride able. However Si soldiered on, with a sore leg, in what was becoming a day of the toughest tests in the WEC so far this year.

Thankfully he made it to the end with bike and himself, only just in one piece, scoring hard earned points in 16^th place. A good day also for Phil Mclaughlin finishing 5^th.

The heavy rain hasn’t stopped all day.

I just have to mention, only in Slovakia would you find a bar in Tesco’s, or is this a sign of things to come in the UK? And it could only be Dangerous Dave from next door who found it? Of course he had to have a Vodka and Red Bull before he did his shopping!

21.06.09. RACE DAY TWO

After the jury meeting last night, it was decided that the log section of the extreme was to be removed, and both the enduro and motor x test have both been re-routed. Same schedule and start times as yesterday. Every one returned to their same positions and Day Two commenced.

Forty minutes after Si started, Mick’s mobile rang, Si hadn’t made it to the enduro test?

10 minutes on, the news filtered back that his chain had snapped on the going. Frustratingly there was nothing anyone could do and that was the end of our efforts in the Slovakia.

Both Electraction lads had a disappointing day too. Phil was lying second, when his throttle slide broke, and Gordy crashed over the handle bars, snapping his throttle cable with his boot.

Very subdued bikes were washed, and the camper was packed and secured for take off. We decided that if we could set off earlier and get some hours on the road, under our belt tonight, hopefully we could catch the Monday over night Rotterdam to Hull ferry, instead of the Tuesday night one, we were originally booked on. This would then give us extra time at home to prepare for the Welsh Two Day.

Si, Johny and Sam were ushered into the hire car, to catch respective flights home and Nigel was wished a safe ride back on his BMW.

Whilst taking the awning down, two Slovakian Club Official came over to ask for the use of our hosepipe to connect to their power wash. A few moments later we saw Cervantes’s mechanic pushing his bike to the area the power wash was set up, followed by Salminen’s and then Ahola’s. The bikes were then taken inside a near by building. Every now and then, when the door was opened, we caught a glimpse of the officials stripping the bikes. ‘We’ had never witnessed this before, maybe we just hadn’t been in the right place at the right time, had someone put a protest in or is this a regular WEC check?

We waved goodbye to Puchov at 5.30pm to start our 850 mile journey to Rotterdam, taking the same bumpy road back through the Czech Republic and into Germany to Dresden.

22.06.09.

We made an early start, plus a phone call to the very helpful Craig at Motorsport Travel to ensure P & O had room for us on tonight’s crossing. There was no point in making a concerted effort if we had to stay with our original Tuesday night’s booking!

We made good time, which enabled us to call round at Reiger Racing Suspension to collect our order for Gav and Mick’s Husky’s. Si and Aston couldn’t express enough, the difference it had made to their bikes, so not wanting to be left out, these two decided they just had to try it for themselves!

We made the ferry with five minutes to spare before the boarding gates were closed.

We come back to the UK with a feeling of “if only”, however the enthusiasm now and for the future makes up for this, ten fold. Everyone has given 100%, but we are all still here in one piece, raring to go. And tomorrow is another day! Bring on the Welsh Two Day :o)))

Mick and I can’t thank everybody, those who made the effort to come out and help us, and those who have supported us back in the UK enough. We really do appreciate everything you all do for Team MPS, I think you all know who you are, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Life on the road with MPS

TO FINLAND 2009 WEC ROUND 4

06-06-09 Rotterdam to Rostock (Germany) 500 miles.

So here we are, back on the road again, this time heading north-east through Holland; which makes a change, as mostly our trips are due south. Its been six weeks since we returned from our top trip to the 3^rd WEC in Sardinia.

It doesn’t seem to matter how long we have to prepare and turn the camper around, its always manic in the last week prior to leaving!

During our time at home, Si’s 450 was returned to North Moor Engineering for a rebuild after 100 hours use, on inspection and measurement, Stewart remarked on how the engine was in near perfect condition; so no major work was required, (hey must be due to the quality of Husqvarna components and the Motul lubricants we always swear by). Johny and Mick then prepped it to WEC specifications along with Aston’s 250 and Mick’s 310, which we use for out riding.

Mark from NTB and Mick made a trip to the Reiger Suspension factory in Holland to attend a service course, plus finalise our service/sales agency dealership. Mick was full of praise on his return, he says the more time he spends working with the guys from Reiger, the more it confirms how technically advanced their suspension is. The whole factory was on a high, as Reiger suspended cars had won every class in the WRC in Sardinia (plus excellent results in the World Sidecar Motor Cross).

Normally, most of our time travelling to the WEC rounds are spent on the road; however this trip the easiest and quickest option (but unfortunately not necessary the cheapest) is for us to take a 27 hour ferry from Rostock in northern Germany to Helsinki.

As we have plenty of time to make the ferry, we arrange to meet up en-route with an old friend of Mick’s at Twello, in Holland. Many times Dakar driver and rider, Pascal de Baar. He’s rather an eccentric, which is obvious when you walk into his office and see the Frisian cow-hide covered chairs around the board room table, with a piston from a DAF truck as an ash tray in the centre. I’ve never sat on a heated toilet seat before, until visiting his loo, there was a key pad next to it, but I daren’t push any of the buttons! Apparently, he has a lot of Nigerian clients - say no more!!

At least the Dutch people are far more interesting than their countryside, which is flat and dare I say it rather boring! (But anyone who has read my journals before, will know I do like my mountains) Oh and they certainly know how to party, if the final round of the UEM 2008 was anything to go by!!!

Its then on into Germany, following the signs for Osnabruck, Bremen, Hamburg, Lubeck, arriving in Rostock to a spectacular red and orange sunset.

The ferry doesn’t set sail till 5am, yes, I agree what a ridiculous hour. So to waste some time we have a wander round the town, which is relatively modern, (as you would expect seen as it was flattened by us 65 years ago). We find a pub and have a couple of beers. Then head down to the ferry terminal around midnight, but don’t actually board till 10 to 4. Shattered we head straight for our cabin.

08-09.-06.09.

We arrive in Helsinki, 8am, all the way along our final route entering the harbour, an both sides of the boat are islands of all shapes and sizes covered in tall pine trees, some have log cabins and marinas. Once we a have docked, we hang a left along the coast road through the capital itself for a mile or so making a stop in a camp site, 100yds from the sea. This is our resting place for the next two days, until the crew arrive. (As the ferry only departs every two days, the next one would arrive too late - well anyway that’s our excuse to spend two days exploring in Helsinki)

For as far as you can see in all directions from the camper, along this green and rocky coastline, is just island after island. The land here is rising 3mm every year, so new ones are always appearing. Apparently, underneath the city, cut into the red granite rock it sits upon is an area large enough to accommodate the whole cities population, with lifts big enough to take shipping containers. So if it was attacked during the cold war, everyone could be evacuated underground. Rumour has it the James Bond Moonraker movie was filmed here too.

The main public transport is either via electric trams or water taxi.

We spent our time here, relaxing and sight seeing, wandering around indoor and outdoor markets, streets and pubs. We also took a boat trip along the canals, and visited Suomenlinna island by taxi boat, to a sea fort, war museum and brewery. Everyone is so friendly and speak perfect English.

10.10.09 Helskinki to Riihimaki

Further MPS team members arrive today, we collect Si first at Helsinki airport who has flown in from Gatwick, (been a southerner). We then head north for 50 miles to Riihimaki, the venue for the 4^th round of the WEC. The paddock is in the car park and area of the local school, (the schools close here for 2.5 months from the end of May). After setting up, opposite the Irish Electraction TM team, and having a bite to eat, Mick and I head up to Tampere airport (a further 110km north) to collect, Aston, Gav and Sam, who have flown in from Stansted. As we are two hours in front of the UK, and the sun doesn’t set here until 11pm (not really getting dark, even then) its deceiving as to what time it is! We arrive back at camp around 12.30am. (it feels much earlier) Great for the prologue on Friday night, the lads wont be needing helmet lights!! and hopefully be able to see where they are going!!

11.06.09

Thursday of the WEC is always spent getting our bearings and working out this particular rounds procedures, plus finding and walking tests. The Prologue race, which is part of the extreme test, is at the end of the paddock, partly set in the schools outdoor athletic stadium, and consists of several log and drainage pipe sections, a pine lathed bridge, a steep up hill and what seems to be causing the most concern a 15 ft down hill drop off. The enduro test is based in a sandy stone quarry, part through trees and a very tight chicane section around the pylons of a ski lift. Finally the moto x test I heard being described as ” looking very like the moon” an open area of fine sand, with whoop after whoop, corner after sweeping corner, it took the lads over two hours to walk.

While Si, Gav and Aston were out memorising the tests!!! Mick and Sam spent their time “faffing” and trying to find things to do to the three bikes, ready for them to be taken to the practice track to have the Reiger suspension (which incidentally we are now selling in the UK) set up to Finland’s terrain. Strange how they can find lots to do when I need someone to push a trolley around the supermarket?

After lunch its out to a local moto x test area to finalise the bikes set up, Aston tested his bike for the first time with his new Reiger suspension, and was surprised as to much better it was to anything he had ridden before. The bikes are then washed off, and with a final spray of Motul E.Z. Lube (more fondly known as bulls**t spray) they are then ready for scrutineering tomorrow. The only other Brit represented here is Knighter, who is drinking us out of Yorkshire tea!!

Everyone then showers and titivates and we head into town to sample the local cuisine. It really goes against the grain to go to bed in daylight, its only dark, or should I say dusk here for three hours.

12.06.09.

Over night Johny and Mark arrived, their flight was delayed plus they got lost, or they say someone had pinched the WEC signs! Fella’s eh, if they’d have stopped to ask directions they probably would have been tucked in bed an hour earlier!

More test walking, signing on and the bikes are put through scrutineering. Mick and I go and watch the pre-riders through the extreme test, mainly to report back on how the 15ft drop-off was handled. No problem, not as daunting as it looks, apparently. Its then just a matter of preparing and waiting for the prologue to commence at 7pm. To while this time away, Mick and Johny decide to brave the “uni-sex sauna“, Mark declined, he said “he couldn’t see the point, it would be just like sitting in a kettle”!!!

For the prologue all riders are to set off in pairs along side each other, around the first and last halves of the extreme test, missing out the steep hill, through the trees and the drop-off. To make it an equal distance travelled they swap sides, one going under the bridge the other over. Gav was away first, then Aston and then Si. Gav and Aston looked good, neat and tidy putting very respectable times in, but of course over ‘one’ minute its all very close. Si was easily leading in his race, but over the drainage pipes his bike cut out. It wasn’t until he realised his head light was out, that it must be the battery, so he had to take his seat off and then push the battery lead connecter back on. He lost over 40 secs, very frustrating in a one minute race!! And a disappointing start for him, but that’s racing!

The bikes are then refuelled and returned to parc ferme and the bbq is lit. Over food and a beer we have a team meeting to decided who’s doing what and where tomorrow.

11.06.09. RACE DAY ONE

It was decided Mark is to go to the out check with fuel, food and drink, (there is no service allowed here). On his way he is to drop Sam at the moto x-test, Johny to take the 310 to the enduro, with Mick and I to stay in the paddock (in check with service) and cover the extreme test.

All three riders were away and through the un-timed extreme within 40 minutes of each other. Then it was on to Johny, thro a 22 minute tight check of 80% slippery granite rocks to Mark, then on to Sam, back to me at the extreme, and into the paddock to refuel etc

Through the first three timed tests Aston was lying 10^th, because of Si’s bad luck in the prologue, which is counted as the first test, he had some serious riding to do to catch up. The first timed extreme test he was 8^th, with the four riders in front of him on the same second!

I always hate the phone ringing on race days, and sure enough this call was bad news. After leaving Mark, and out on the going, Gav hit a rock with his back wheel and hi-sided, landing on his shoulder, dislocating it. So a painful end to the Finland WEC for him.

The next lap round in the enduro test, was to be fated for Si also, and another of the dreaded race day phone calls came, this one to say he’d cart wheeled the bike, he was thankfully OK, but it took several minutes to compose himself and start the bike. He finished the test, but after loosing a further amount of time in the ultra competitive E2 class, Mick decided that it would be better to call it a day, as he wouldn’t be able to score points, and he felt it would be best to repair the bike properly, and then start fresh on Day Two.

Knighter was not to make the second lap round either, so Aston was the only Brit left flying the union flag. He said he’d never ridden anything as tough as this before, he looked shattered, determination paid of though, and after a days hard riding, he finished an excellent 14^th, only 10 secs from 13^th. A good day for the Irish lads too, Phil McLaughlin finished 9^th in EJ, and Gordon Clarke also finished 9^th in E”tree”!! So he was!

With both Huskys back to parc ferme, Mick and Johny headed off for another sauna, beer bottles in hand. Big mistake, they had placed their beer in the bucket of water for throwing over the stones, to keep them cool, but the bottle necks were out of the water, so when Mick came to have a drink he burnt his lips!! Ha ha, serves him right for staying in there too long ogling at two naked Finnish girls.

14.06.09. DAY TWO

Over night we had a serious electric thunder storm and torrential rain. With it being very sandy, it has just soaked into the ground, but it has at least dampened the dust down.

Same procedure and times as Day One, but a section of the tight check has been removed.

No problems with either bike or riders today, all running very smoothly. Which is all good news, but doesn’t make interesting reading. Both lads completed the three laps and 10 tests.

Aston started the day 14^th in E1, clawing his way to a final fantastic 12^th place. Seconds behind factory Husqvarna rider Marc Bougouis. Si came in after the first lap in 16^th position, finishing a well earned 14^th. All the tests cut up really badly, and for 80% of the day it drizzled fine rain. An extremely tough event, with over 20 riders being taken to hospital for minor injuries, plus other DNF‘s for bike failures. Aston remarked that he had actually enjoyed himself! I do believe he is actually getting the hand of this enduro lark. Si said it was very much like a tough Welsh BEC round!

Full credit to the organisers, they have all been very helpful, with top marks for the facilities available. They were kind enough to return Gav’s bike to us within a couple of hours of his accident, plus the paramedics popped round to make sure he was recovering OK. One of them even remembered him from last time he was in Finland and required their services!!

After a general tidy round, and bikes washed off - which took longer than usual, as Finland is such an eco-friendly country it is forbidden to wash your, car, truck or bike anywhere other than in designated areas. So of course the queue was long. It is time for Johny, Mark, Aston and sadly Gav also to leave for their flight back to the UK.

So just four of us remaining we head into town for food and a beer.

15.06.09

Not as long a lie in as we would have liked this morning, lots to do before we can leave. The paddock closes at 3pm, our return ferry to Rostock is at 9pm. No problems to attend to on the bikes, so we load everything into its place (it wont fit in otherwise) and the awning is taken down and packed away, all by 12.30pm.

Both Si and Sam would like to see a little of Helsinki, and as we have time, we make the half hour trip and park up along the sea front. After lunch, we brave the bitterly cold wind, I cant imagine how cold it gets in winter here, and hit the Helsinki sights once more.

Before we know it, its time to head off to the ferry terminal and join most of the other WEC teams. Slovakia, round 5, here we come. Thanks, as always to Johny, Mark and Sam for all your help, plus all our sponsors, we couldn’t do it without you. Well done to Si and Aston, keep up the good work, and a speedy recovery to Gav. Bring on the next round.