T Break thread 2023

[Gerard C]

Legends!

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

On a different note... Some of you may know that Iain has a significant birthday coming up. What better way to celebrate it than a trip to the Olympic velodrome at Lee Valley?



...believe me, the banking looks a lot steeper in real life.





We both did a flying lap at the end of the session and were separated by just a few hundreths. Can't wait to have another go.

I did the taster session at Lea Valley in early February - but without the timed flying lap at the end. With just four people on the day we had plenty of track time and it was great fun. Very surprising just how quickly you get accustomed to riding on the 2nd or 3rd lines on the banking. As for the speed boost you get if you ride the top of the corner banking and then swop down...
Then there's the little ego boost from being the oldest on track, but not the slowest.

[delta]

We need to have another go . Tenths outing . May be Louis would come over as well . ?

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by delta

We need to have another go . Tenths outing . May be Louis would come over as well . ?

He'd make mincemeat of us.

[Gerard C]

Unless he's stuck in the wind tunnel with his Lotus!

[Duddha]

Velodrome requires a track bike, maybe I should take my GT Superbike out for the occasion?

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Duddha

Velodrome requires a track bike, maybe I should take my GT Superbike out for the occasion?

You can go off some people you know.

[eamonn ledwidge]

Originally Posted by Duddha

Velodrome requires a track bike, maybe I should take my GT Superbike out for the occasion?

If you come, I'll put up the Challenge prize.!!

[Alan Morgan]

One of the problems withe bikes that Iain and I rode was toe overlap. It doesn't look like it would be a problem on that bike!

[midgetman]

Last time I went I wasn't allowed to use cleats, I had to use straps on the pedals. Is that still the case?

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[E.B]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

One of the problems withe bikes that Iain and I rode was toe overlap.

Crikey, Toe overlap? I only know about toe-in and toe-out!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by E.B

Crikey, Toe overlap? I only know about toe-in and toe-out!

And dont even think about sending them on the castor track!

[Alfaholic]

Originally Posted by Duddha

Velodrome requires a track bike, maybe I should take my GT Superbike out for the occasion?

Only if you ride it in that condition to give the rest of us a chance - or bring over the Lotus for everyone to try.

Originally Posted by midgetman

Last time I went I wasn't allowed to use cleats, I had to use straps on the pedals. Is that still the case?

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They only allow Look Keo (3 bolt system) cleats, not the SPD (2 bolt) cleats. I did my taster using trainers and a flat platform with straps that they clip onto the pedals, but would use the cleats if I have another go.

[midgetman]

Well I'm up for a Tenths outing. Not sure my shoes will take Look cleats, will have to check. I ride Spuds.

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[Alan Morgan]

It's £7 to hire shoes with Look Keo cleats.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by Alan Morgan

One of the problems withe bikes that Iain and I rode was toe overlap. It doesn't look like it would be a problem on that bike!

Presumably, because of the banking, the need to steer is minimal?

[delta]

Pete . I must admit I was a little intimidated when we turned up looking at the banking . Looking forward to going back with more confidence . You get your head down and ride like Eddie Merc’s . The bike takes you round . No need to steer .

[midgetman]

Originally Posted by delta

Pete . I must admit I was a little intimidated when we turned up looking at the banking . Looking forward to going back with more confidence . You get your head down and ride like Eddie Merc’s . The bike takes you round . No need to steer .

That minute you push your bike out of the tunnel under the track and stand there looking up at the banking. It's like "F------, never gonna do that." But once in the groove you just sprint, sprint, sprint! I always managed to stay at the back of the group, it requires 20% less effort and you just get towed along.

I did have a big crash while practicing swapping places in the line. I slowed down too much waiting for someone to undertake me and the bike just fell off the banking and took out someone else on the way down. Flip me that hurt!

Tagging wheels at 30mph or whatever is exciting too...........nearly threw me over the bars. But DW it's all perfectly safe

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[Alan Morgan]

On the subject of "Bandit Bikes" (like Louis' Lotus and GT S1), Steve Nichols, a regular visitor to Delta HQ was involved with Hotta bikes.



...love that 12 spoke front wheel.

[Peter Mallett]

Happy birthday to the person who has to put up with all the rubbish we do/say etc. Happy birthday Gill Rowley.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Happy birthday to the person who has to put up with all the rubbish we do/say etc. Happy birthday Gill Rowley.

Agreed with what you say Peter, however I am the only one that talks sense compared to the others

[Paul D]

So if we're going to talk about talking sense, how about this:

I'm at that certain age right now where, for my licence this year - as long as I get the application in soon - I'll need an eye test, but not a medical. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm aware of the fact that MSUK have a deal going with one of the high street opticians for free eye tests for licence holders. Haven't checked the particulars, but I'm sure it's there somewhere.

But then it hit me: unless you're applying for your licence before your previous year's one expires, then, technically, when you need the eye test, you're not actually a licence holder are you? It's the old Catch-22 isn't it? Don't qualify for the free eye test because you don't have your licence, and can't get your licence without the eye test!

I'm not 100% certain I've got this right, but it wouldn't surprise me - it would be typical of some of the 'benefits' offered by being a MSUK licence holder, many of which, when you look into it, are not actually of much benefit at all to most of us.

Anyway, as I'll need the eye test, I wandered into a branch of Spec Savers the other day as I had some time to kill, to see if they could do it while I waited. They couldn't, of course (what was I thinking! ), and when I enquired as to the cost, having shown them the MSUK form and explaining I only needed those parameters testing, was informed that it would be 25 quid. I thought that seemed a bit steep, but before I had assimilated the info fully was also told that filling out the form would be an extra 12 quid! 12 quid to tick a couple of boxes and stamp the page. Needless to say, I politely declined and wandered off...

Now, SWMBO said it was probably just me being my usual tightwad self, but £37 for a pretty basic test that takes about five minutes, seems steep to me. The last time I had a race medical, admittedly a few years back, it cost me £50 for the whole thing, medical, eye test, the full monty.

So, later the same day, I was in my local Tesco, which has a Vision Express in store. Upon making enquiries there, I was told the test would be £25, no mention of any extra charge to fill out the form, and a fiver discount for clubcard members, of which I am one - so 20 quid all in.

That's more like it - I can live with that! Booked in for next Wednesday.

[midgetman]

I sincerely hope that you did get your eyes tested while you waited. Would have been a bit awkward to have to leave them and go away while the test was done.



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[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I sincerely hope that you did get your eyes tested while you waited. Would have been a bit awkward to have to leave them and go away while the test was done.



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It would be OK to leave glass eyes!

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I sincerely hope that you did get your eyes tested while you waited. Would have been a bit awkward to have to leave them and go away while the test was done.