RTTL : Pembrey trackday extravaganza 2021. August 20/21/22.

[weeksy]

Tell you what was funny, the fact that the most experienced riders in Nobby and Singlesman both forgot the newbie / novice mistakes and didn't check the simple stuff like tyre pressures and pads.

I was also impressed that several of the Wiltshire boys used the suspension services and seemed really pleased by it.

[Nobby]

Tell you what was funny, the fact that the most experienced riders in Nobby and Singlesman both forgot the newbie / novice mistakes and didn't check the simple stuff like tyre pressures and pads.

I was also impressed that several of the Wiltshire boys used the suspension services and seemed really pleased by it.

Yeah but…….
1. I had checked them in October
2. I knew the front needed more that’s why I ask a knowledgeable person to attend to it.
3. I can’t bend down anymore
4. You don’t know what you’ve lost till it’s gone.
5. I forgot

[weeksy]

Crazy few days for me. Starting with Silverstone on the Thursday which I wasn't expecting to get out for. But had a fab day on the XSR. It really does love the track and I think in some ways suits me as a rider more than most other tracks. Wasn't really pushing myself as I'm still not comfortable in my suit, but I'm not exactly sure what I can do about that. But lots of fun and enjoyable watching Welsh Muffin having a blast out there too. Sadly we didn't get to play together as we were in different groups.
It was then a long and wet drive to Llanelli to meet Tricky, Kev and Isabella. Beers were consumed.

Due to the weather forecast being crap for Saturday, I gave up my Friday place to Welsh Muffin so she could ride and I sat it out. Bit I did get a session on the 890R of tricky which was a blast!
The evening was spent again with beers and mates including big Al the boss who came out.

Saturday brought monsoons as youve seen, but by 11am all our virgins had tried the damp track and the sun came out, the circuit dried and the XSR and zx6 came out to play.

Once again I was impressed with the XSR but it was only later I realized it has a few compromises. I was right at the slower end of the group in Inters, but Inters these days is often that, so no major shock.
One irritation though was no knee down shots for the camera guy lol. It just wasn't happening at all. I just can't stretch into that position either with my knee or my suit.

I was loving it out there though, twice I was sent out as the lead rider, so trying to fend off the marauding hoards from coming through. Mostly I failed, bit I got a few wins and kept some behind me!
Trinity was out with Welsh Muffin getting shown lines and speed and seemed to be happy, she came in and offered me a session on the 765RS. Tricky was out on IanBs BMW bizarre thing, so I could have tried the 890R again, but I've never tried a triumph in anger, so why not.
It didn't disappoint, it was really nice, although I'm not sure on tyre profile as on the right hander before the old hairpin it felt a bit weird.
The lights on the dash love a bit of flashing action and the bars are very loose on the power, ideally I'd want a steering damper if it were mine.

But I did notice, into the link the 765 was more stable than the XSR and easier to manage through it. Mine seemed to find a dip/bump that unsettled it slightly but I never found that on the 765.
Dodgy knees, tricky and Kev passed me and then Doug light-year year past and I threw in a bit of red mist! I wasn't allowing it, but he'd already pulled 75m or so on me, so into the long left I tried going faster than I was, it caught me back 25-30m but the up towards the old hairpin the zx10 was pulling away a bit. I'd close the gap again into it, but the out towards the kink he'd pull away.
Being conscious of some forum members watching I was trying to be braver into Honda and closing back up on Doug. I'd got the gap to a consistent 40m or so and then Doug threw in a mistake on the long left, allowing me to get back on his wheel, about 10-15m behind. Coming onto the start finish I had the run on him and passed him. Then just tried to stay ahead. It was great fun.

That was the last session of the day and GP brought out the cider! Great minds think alike.

Meanwhile, Welsh Muffin had found her mojo with one of the instructors and was coming in smiling again, her speed had gone back up and her eyes were showing passion. I could see what was coming next and pre-empted the question with "go see Alan, see if he's got space for tomorrow" as we had no plans and are both on holiday from work, it made sense to stay another day as the forecast was nice for Sunday.

Beers, curry and laughs flowed a plenty in the evening as everyone had little stories about different aspects of their days. The only downside was, the night ended and the bar was closed.

Sunday brought sun and big Al seemed surprised I didn't want a wristband, but I only have so much money to spend and so much energy to bring, so I sat it out and took up pit duties.
We stuck some newer Sportsmart TT on the zx6 and Welsh Muffin kept playing. The day once again ending with smiles.

Overall it wasn't 4 days in Portimao, but you know what, it was still bloody excellent. It was friends, banter, bikes and a shit tonne of petrol spent flying round a track.

Today, I'm tired, but happy.

Bring on next year!

[dern]

Oh man, joined the forum slightly too late... love Pembrey.

[weeksy]

Oh man, joined the forum slightly too late... love Pembrey.

Too late for this year's, we've run it for 8 years roughly, so next Aug, I'll be adding you to the list.

[Yorick]

Any photos?

[weeksy]

http://www.edpphoto.com/bevan21/PhilBev ... 0_1476.JPG

[weeksy]

4 of us in 1 shot

http://www.edpphoto.com/bevan21/PhilBev ... 1_2486.JPG

[Yorick]

How did the new girl do?

[weeksy]

Dozens and hundreds of pics up. Get your wallets out

http://www.edpphoto.com/phil-bevan-track-day/

[weeksy]

How did the new girl do?

Rode in wet, rode in dry, smiled lots. Did well.

[Trinity765]

Pembrey pics will appear here in next few days

http://www.edpphoto.com/phil-bevan-track-day/

Pics are up.

[Trinity765]

How did the new girl do?

Can do better - I need another go. If I ever get my bike back from Triumph I may try.

[Yorick]

How did the new girl do?

Can do better - I need another go. If I ever get my bike back from Triumph I may try.

Was it your own bike at Pembrey? Thought they'd fixed it.

Did I miss a memo?

[Trinity765]

How did the new girl do?

Can do better - I need another go. If I ever get my bike back from Triumph I may try.

Was it your own bike at Pembrey? Thought they'd fixed it.

Did I miss a memo?

Put it in the Right Now thread - the cam chain tensioner decided not to tension anymore..... again. Edit: The self adjusting cam chain tensioner decided it wasn't going to self adjust anymore.

[KungFooBob]

Put it in the Right Now thread - the cam chain tensioner decided not to tension anymore..... again. Edit: The self adjusting cam chain tensioner decided it wasn't going to self adjust anymore.

It's cos you let Weeksy ride it.

[Trinity765]

Put it in the Right Now thread - the cam chain tensioner decided not to tension anymore..... again. Edit: The self adjusting cam chain tensioner decided it wasn't going to self adjust anymore.

It's cos you let Weeksy ride it.

No kidding - it did it as soon as he started it up. It's been an issue in the past and I now believe it's what killed the first set of cams. That's three clutches and two sets of cams - doing well.

[KungFooBob]

Some older Honda's are renowned for it, but it's not something I'd associated with Triumphs.

It's why you see so many Firestorms with manual tensioners.

[weeksy]

Put it in the Right Now thread - the cam chain tensioner decided not to tension anymore..... again. Edit: The self adjusting cam chain tensioner decided it wasn't going to self adjust anymore.

It's cos you let Weeksy ride it.

I was sitting there with it ticking over and thinking, not sure that's right. But I had earplugs in so just sounded weird.

I didn't hold back as Trinity said "yeah it's fine"

[IanB]

Until my full report, I have to admit it was fabulous seeing my boy grow into a man. No, not that one. Seeing @IanB going out in front of me and being unable to catch and pass him!!! Sure, being faster than me isn't that tough, but IanB hasn't been on the pace of me and GP on track previously, he's struggled compared to his road ability. So it was fab to see him mixing it.

Aw, you say the nicest things

One year I might turn up with a normal bike, imagine that! Meanwhile for those who haven't seen it yet here is the bizarre BMW

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Tyres got a bit mushy after three sessions

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As ever, it was a great weekend & lovely to see old friends & meet some people too. Thanks once again to Weeksy for making it happen & see you all next year.