Cripes - it's all gone west!

This weekend, it all went pear-shaped big time!

We set off early on Saturday morning and I think it may have been in a North-Westerley direction - Gary drove and quite spectacularly squeezed 3 and 3/4 bikes (his son Joe, a stonkingly impressive rider has a 150CFR) into his van. Not a millimetre was un-utilised. I think Gary can do the packing when we head Pyrenees-wards.....there's hope for my make-up bag yet!!

It dawned on me fairly early on that the day was perhaps going to be 'a tricky one', shall we say! I was chatting to delightful Michele at Enduroland, whilst Mr T and I were making a general melee of paying - fortunately Gary was stashed up, Mr T and I evidently can't count!! Anyway, Michele dropped lightly into the conversation that everyone loved this 'one' as it was one of the best. I think it was at this point that I realised that if all these fabulously capable guys think this is great, as a beginner of variable confidence, my idea of 'best' and their idea of 'best' was for sure going to be at polar ends of said continuum!!

The Enduroland track for Novices and Newcomers and Kids & Dads at Chacombe was technical and challenging (from my perspective anyway) and it was only a small part of the main track!! Descents, ascents, loose surfaces, logs, little hillocks (that look surprising innocent, more of that later) with quite a few hairpin type turns with obstacles in the middle , trees, logs.....

Pretty much one magnificent mess up followed another all the way round! Whilst wanting to provide a bit of detail it's mostly a blur. I had such a meltdown in confidence and therefore had lost any clarity of thought and recently acquired knowledge - helpful when in charge of one's uber capable 200EXC GasGas! I knew cognitively from my work as an executive coach that it was the fight/ flight response (amygdala) part of the brain that had kicked in and therefore I needed some complex scenarios to consider to get me thinking properly again!

Lost count of how many spills I'd had - rolled down the hill several times! Forks out of alignment and had used one my hand guards as a shovel - on one of the many spills - could have planted a geranium in there!

Lunch laid on by Enduroland - with lots of sweet tea. Funny, I only have sugar in my tea when I've frightened myself on the bike!!

The next session went 'Pete Tong', I believe the expression is, entirely! It started okay then it all went downhill, pardon the pun, of course if I had been going down hill - on the bike more times than not, that would have be perfect! Dropped it, fell off and .... ditto ...ditto.....Finally after a turn with a lovely swooping camber in it (actually really liked that bit) followed by a little ridge coming through some trees, for one reason or another (accidental back brake I think), I stalled then dropped it, fell off and blubbed! First time I've actually blubbed since I've embarked on this challenge!

Girly tantrum followed thinking I never want to get on a motorbike ever, ever again! I couldn't pick the bike up - so I turned the fuel off and sat on it, I thought, at least I can admire the view - well the middle of a small clearing anyway. I then heard the kids and Dads on their second event, well that sealed it - there was absolutely no way that I was going to venture out on to the track with them on it, that would be hairy. At one point, I did chuckle, as from where I was sitting on upturned bike - it sounded like I was in the middle of a beehive full of very angry bees(on two and four strokes obviously!!)! In the face of adversity gotta laugh.........

I figured that at some point Mr T , Gary or Joe would notice that I'd vanished and I also knew that a marshall would be along soon.

A chap swept up to me and asked if I was okay which was very kind. As I'd been blubbing I decided to keep my helmet on and sort of hide in it.

Barry from Enduroland then appeared on a quad, he was incredibly patient and kind, realising that at that particular moment I would quite like to abandon the bike and the clearing and wander off sort of Reggie Perrin styley. He very calmly said, some days are like that, draw a line under it and tomorrow's another day. I think I may have said that my bike would be on eBay that evening. It wasn't and I did get on it again, rode over a few taped out areas and escorted by Rob, I went back to the pits!

Rob, as ever, and Tony were hugely supportive and encouraging - goodness I've a long way to go to the Pyrenees. Tony made me laugh, shortly after my meltdown. He suggested that as I liked the bowl with the camber and the loose log so much, perhaps next time they could set one up for me like a mini speedway and throw in a sandwich and a cup of tea every now and then......now there's a thought!

Gary's son Joe's bike skills are superb, so inspiring and impressive! I know absolutely where I'm headed just struggling with the achieving it bit! Mr T had a top day and felt a lot more confident that he ever has, off-road. (One down, one to go!) Gary is always an inspiration and does keep the pressure on, spills happen to the best of them too! When I say spill, it was more of a launch! He hit one of the aforementioned grassy hillocks at speed; front of bike reared up, as it were, then the back did - he and bike parted company and landed twenty feet away from the bike! Oop - fortunately no damage done - bit of bruising and easily fixed wonky forks! It transpired later that the red mist may have descended and the speed at which he hit said hillock was because he was trying to catch up with his son (year 6)!? Teehee.....

The Enduroland gallery pictures were up yesterday and I took a look at them - see attached of Mr T, Gary and Joe. Alas, not one of me .... perhaps it was all just a bad dream. Though the sheep dung that I found wedged in my clutch lever is testament to that not being the case!

So.....the next day. If at first you don't succeed......

We loaded the bikes up and went to an old gravel pit where I mastered going down and up steep hills 'in control', lots and lots and lots and lots of times! On the pegs, at walking pace, using the engine, using the brakes - properly! Even lost the back end at one point but brought it back. Hurrah, yippee! Now, if I'd mastered that on Friday, my mess up at Enduroland might not have been quite so mighty. Hindsight and all that....

But hey as they say, it takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow!

Then this morning we got a massive donation in for Great Ormond Street Hospital which is awesome and what this whole thing is about - raising as much money as possible for children, sick, vulnerable and in need.

Thanks Enduroland; Nigel, Michele, Tony, Rob, Barry and of course Mr T, Gary and Joe!

The boys are back in town............well in a village , Croydon, leafy Cambs....

Whoop de doo! Another one of those awesome days today when I had to stop myself running round skipping with joy, which would have been a tad embarrassing for all around.

Mr T on the lovely old Triumph Trophy 650 (with high pipes - important apparently?!) and me on my trusty GasGas took a spin up to the lovely Queen Adelaide, owned by the lovely Michelle Hunter in Croydon, Cambs.

Felt a bit like 'bunking off school' .........on a Wednesday lunchtime but as excuses go......

The reason, Ross Noble's Sit Down Tour - to commemorate the 500,000th Triumph, a Speed Triple - beautiful it is too. Nice paint job, look good on my nails I think?! Even more exciting, at the end of this phenomenal trip the bike is set to be auctioned at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the 1st July - all proceeds going to Riders for Health, a fantastic charity that provides vital motorbike transport for medics to reach otherwise inaccessible parts of rural Africa. Very humbling....

When we arrived at said Queen Adelaide, it was slightly later than intended. I wanted to arrive early (park bike up, allow for private spills on gravel etc) - that wasn't to be. We arrived and I spied Billy Ward first (not that we'd met before), I recognised him from photos, then I spotted Ross Noble , then Steve Parrish .....only then, just about to have a hopeless OMG moment, I thought 'get a grip girl and focus otherwise you'll spill it in the gravel'. Not a good look from wherever you may be standing. As it happened I just had a rather heavy braking moment ....but... didn't fall off or drop it!!

We met Gary and Caroline at the pub. At home, I very , very nearly went with Caroline in the car and suggested Gary took a bike...?!

So, lunch at The Queen Adelaide, gorgeous looking bikes, all very petrol heady and I couldn't help but noticing, gorgeous looking blokes too, Caroline concurred!! And sunshine - what more could a girl want.....

Then Billy produced a copy of The Long Way Down signed by Charley Boorman to auction for our challenge......

Ross Noble signed one of our SupremeBeing Tshirts which are going to be overprinted with the charity logos and auctioned - did get a bit girly and starstruck then.....

Steve Parrish signed a SupremeBeing Tshirt and has also very kindly agreed to donate some MotoGP stuff for the auction which is fabulous... ditto girly and starstruck......

Then team Sit Down Tour went on their way - wonderful! Had one of those warm fuzzy moments watching them. Hence, potential skipping moment ensued.....

Confidence up a notch, no spills, one stall but I don' think anyone noticed (?!1?), wonderfully generous signings and stuff for the auction on the 30th July at The Queen Adelaide in Croydon, Cambs.

Look forward to seeing you there...

It'll be 'all white' on the night.......?!?!!

I went to the studio of ZeroNine and Werx today with Martin (of Torque racing) - it was absolutely amazing and fascinating! Jim Gale who runs ZeroNine and Werx, providers of fabulous decals and graphics, had images of my little GasGas and the guys KTMs on screen and was working out where best to put our supporter logos and of course those of GOSH and KidsCo. He was moving all the images constantly to get the best angle.

It was brilliant watching it all come to life, even if at one point, I was suddenly very aware of the challenge that's ahead and had a moment of panic! Fortunately little 'Milo', the friendly Jack Russell chose to turn up at that moment to say hello, thus dissipating the angst.

Later in the conversation, Jim suddenly said, I wonder if we can get white plastics for Kate's bike, the logos will look so much better. So, white it is and Jim is sorting that out too. The GasGas is going white. How exciting! The team at ZeroNine are all absolutely delightful and have been so supportive and helpful, thanks Jim, thanks Karon, thanks guys!

My journey to the studio was rather less impressive - got rather lost. They are situated in a village, a few miles from where a friend lives. I had printed out instructions ( and left them in the office) and particular moment of most lostness(?!) I lost signal on the iPhone....! Signal briefly appeared and Martin called and 'talked me in'! Hmm - perhaps I should put a road book on the car! If I repeat that sort of navigational 'prowess' in the Pyrenees, I'll be on the bike all day and all night.

Talking of adventures in the countryside, at the weekend we visited my sister and brother-in-law's gorgeous new house in the Garden of England which is in the most beautiful location. Saturday afternoon we went off-road (no KTMs or GasGas' involved!) to the local pub. Two men, two sisters, four kids and a baby (in the town buggy!?) and assorted pooches - had a bit of a Family von Trapp meets The Incredible Journey going on.... When we were nearly there, at the side of the lane we were walking along there were some very steep banks with assorted trees dotted about. My brother-in-law casually asked 'could you get up there then, on the bike?' Mr T answered 'yes', I thought for a moment and then thought 'yes' too, bit of throttle (and bottle) would be required mind - that's progress - six months ago I would have been horrified at the very suggestion that a bike could even do such a thing?!

We also have some motocross shirts with the GOSH and KidsCo logos and our supporters logos being done by BRP - also in white!! Mr T has a 'new outfit' as daughter No. 1 put it, 'Claude' the cat is coming to investigate in the photo!!

This evening I bottled it for an outing - it was raining - hmm - can't be a fairweather biker now can I - or can I? I'll be out tomorrow though, I'm out of my comfort zone again at the weekend, going to the Enduroland event at Adcombe.....eeek! Practice makes perfect........

SS11 (aka Spring Summer 2011) is all about white, I'm reliably informed by my fashionista friends, more by luck than judgement it would appear that I'll be bang on trend!

Hard as nails in the new helmet!!?!

So, so delighted that SupremeBeing, the uber cool clothing brand, have generously agreed to provide the T shirts that are going to be signed by some equally uber cool people that I can't reveal........yet! All so exciting! Thanks Dave....so much!

As I mentioned to my mate Claire, when that particular email came through, along with a few others agreeing to sign said T shirts, I'd just come out of a cafe with my favourite coffee and so excited was I, I nearly dropped it!!

More excitement, we also have x2 British Superbikes Premium Paddock Passes which have been kindly donated by GB Racing for the GOSH & KidsCo fundraising auction (date to be agreed tomorrow) in the summer. Thanks Graham...brilliant!

On Tuesday, I was a guest of Liz Rhodes of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, one of our earliest supporters and encouragers of this fundraising challenge for GOSH & KidsCo at the afternoon' chatroom' which was great. Thanks Liz for your unwavering support! I also had the real pleasure of meeting Molly Blackburn, a co-ordinator for OpenOut a scheme which supports the victims and witnesses of hate crime in Cambridgeshire, a wonderfully enthusiastic, optimistic person with a fantastic joie de vivre and outlook on life.

So, back to the bikes. I read an article today about two strokes not being that environmentally friendly due to the burnt 'lube' oil that they produce and that they stink when you're behind them. No-one's ever behind me ....... yet!!

Many of you know that my knowledge mechanical is somewhat limited and so a lively discussion with Mr T ensued over supper. He commented that a lot of diesel ships are two strokes, bet they've got big pistons!!! Some ships, like the one Mr T used to be an officer on (before Mrs T!) produce 32,000 shaft horse power( oo er missus). That would make stalling a thing of the past, if of course, it fitted between the wheels. Of course, picking it up would need more than Mr Failletaz and several marshalls. Flippancy aside, why would you choose a two stroke to propel several lots of tonnage through the water if it wasn't vaguely efficient. Discuss?

Stalled several times this evening, I blame the excitable new spark plug - fortunately however I didn't stall in front of several friends I think I spotted outside the local pub and a lady with a gorgeous young English Setter.

Took my new helmet out for a spin this evening. Loved it ...so light... However, now my goggles don't fit?! Hmmphh.

'Hard as nails?' not me as a biker.....working on it though - teehee! I have Shellac nails provided by one of our supporters, Esse retail and spa. Great nails for bikers apparently - 4 days on - no chips yet?!!

Suck, squeeze, bang, blow .....or so I'm reliably informed!

Went out with the Champ today, that always keeps the pressure on as Donna doesn't hang around! Whilst I'll generally pick my route across ruts, hard stuff, ditches etc and take in the view from time to time, as you can imagine when following a former British Champion, the pace is well faster and more .....er.. fast! Arghhh - that means that everything I've learnt I have to cognitively process rather more quickly. Though following Donna and watching the way she handles a bike is something else, not just a phenomenal sportswoman, an inspiration!

Donna continued to give me lots of tips, techniques, encouragement and the odd 'finger wag' because I wasn't covering my clutch!

I must be improving mind, because do you know what, I had a fabulous outing - really enjoyed it - did push myself to keep up, if nothing else, however in so doing didn't spill either! Misjudged a rut at one point and had a very big wobble and sensed one of those 'flick you off' type spills - hate them - anyway don't know what I did, but a combo of clutch control, throttle and 'bottle' probably and whey hey - weetabix crop safe and off I went! Teehee!

Jump! as Van Halen ( is that the spelling or is that a shirt brand?!) sang. I did a jump today. Planned it and did it - how much fun is that. Lots.....!

So, excursion continued and then I swapped bikes, now those of you who know me will know that I don't do ' swapping bikes'! Mostly because I'm inexperienced and another iron steed means newly phased, newly different and another opportunity for fear and panic to settle in quite comfortably!

Donna gave the GasGas a little blast before we went out and commented that it had some 'go' about it! Being a high performance (uh oh - didn't know that until 2 mins ago) two stroke, one does have to keep revving it - so as you can imagine, my little bike must have thought all its Christmas' had come at once with Donna on board. Anyway, some of the way back I rode Mr T's bike, a KTM 400 EXC - a big bike for me! Well! It was lovely, smooth, took in bumps that I stand through on the GasGas, in its stride. It fact it was somewhat like getting into or would that be onto, a limo. It felt akin to riding a feisty little arab and then mounting a well-schooled, well-mannered Irish sport horse. Hmmm...... Though, when I lost the tail end momentarily over some rough stuff, I was very, very aware that it weighs heaps more than my little GasGas! So suck, squeeze, bang, blow - the four strokes of a 4 stroke - Mr T's bike; sucks in the air and the fuel, squeezes it, ignites it (the bang) and then blows it out as the exhaust (burnt gases). The two stroke on the other hand has twice as many bangs at the same revs - whey hey! More bangs for your buck huh!! Therefore generally speaking a two stroke is more powerful than a four stroke of the same engine size (would appear that I'm learning things now that may have been more helpful a few months back?). Okay - head hurts now...! Pyrenees in an arm chair/ limo.?.......where would be the challenge in that! Joking aside - it's a bit like comparing apples and pears -as in life, there's always a trade off.....

Talking of the challenge, Great Ormond Street Hospital have been fantastically supportive and we have an auctioneer! Delighted that our wonderful friend Ollie Makings has agreed to be auctioneer at the summer auction - Steve Parrish, the Moto GP commentator has extremely kindly and generously agreed to donate some things 'bike' and more exciting goodies to follow! Yet more support from Janet and Lawrence Bridger today looking after the girls whilst we were larking about, I mean training...! Date and venue coming soon.....in the meantime we're at the Royston and District Motorcycle Club Show on the 15th June.

Does my head look big in this?

It would appear that my helmet doesn't fit - too big - and goodness - too heavy! Martin (Wittering of Torque Racing) measured my head yesterday - he used to fit them for Arai and it would appear that my lovely helmet is perfect.............for someone else!!

So, had a look at some other helmets and mine weighs 300g shy of 2kilos - no wonder I've had compression in my neck and shoulder and back ache to boot!! So getting a new helmet - pink seems to be a problem, found some nice ones with pictures of glamorous (one word?!) women on them - that's not quite what I'm after! So, a new white one (good for sponsor graphics?!) is on the way and it weighs 950g - excited? Very!

Went out this afternoon - on my own - with Mr T's helmet. Bit of roadwork, through the villages then via Ashwell and a track I hadn't been along before.

Came across some ruts which were huge yet wide however I was on the other side of the track. So I slowed down and had a ponder....I could throttle across to them or stay where I was, where the ruts were narrower for sure though there was also a rather deep bit which Gary probably would have jumped, however I'm not Gary and he wasn't with me for tip dispensing! I stayed my course, as it happened the ditchy type bit, could have been a spill and get stuck possibility. So, at the last minute I swept onto the grassy edge which was a bit narrow, a wee wobble ensued, but Mr T and I had been chatting about using the pegs and your weight to move the bike, over lunch (as you do), and with that thought in mind, bit of right peg, good dollop of throttle and voila! Then another lot of ruts appeared - I enjoyed them - there's progress!!! I even turned to check behind me, for well anything really; horses, dogs, people - nobody around! That's the first time I've done that - looked behind whilst standing up that is - I usually sit down first!

Rest of my outing was fabulous. I then came to the track where due to Mr T, Gary and Donna's antics, I invariably end up at the back in a cloud of dust and grit - yummy, euughh! Not today! There's a lovely little hump in the middle which the gang often jump, I didn't jump it exactly but whatever it was I did made me grin - tee hee - didn't swallow or ingest any grit either!!

In Mr T's light helmet, could hear when there's a car behind too- very good news however also another noise from the bike which I've not heard before - is that because I couldn't before or it wasn't?! Mr T thinks the latter - chain's chattering - hmm....

Date for your diary; on the 15th June we'll be at the Royston & District Motorcycle Club Motorcycle Show, Meldreth Manor School, SG8 6LG at 6.30pm. I'll be on the TorqueRacing Stand with the bike - that'll be a first for me. How exciting! Very exciting! We've donated a moto-cross shirt to the raffle, last year the event raised over £13500 for local charities - how brilliant is that. Look forward to seeing you there......

Now if I've been carrying 450g less on my head (as it were), my make-up bag weighs much less than that, I might squeeze it in yet!!

On a final note, if any of you bikers out there have got back problems, get some-one to have a look at your helmet....... can I write that .....it's not that sort of that blog?!??!

Helmets, lip gloss and metal putty........

Well, what a lot I've learnt today. Have organised a number of longer trips, trail rides and some more frightening (sorry challenging & exciting) stuff at Enduroland and Martin has arranged a very long day or so ride in Wales - he mentioned camping too, I chose to ignore that last bit for the time being. Off road and sleeping in a tent I think would finish me off completely!

At the weekend, my back seized up rather, not sure why, might also have contributed to why I couldn't see behind me very well... ?!??! Anyway, I went to see Cindy McIntyre, a brilliant osteopath at The Letchworth Osteopathic & Sports Injury Clinic - well what a difference. It would appear that nerves and anxiety contributing to my shoulders being somewhere near my ears when I'm riding have caused the tension in my neck and shoulders, probably compounded by my helmet which whilst a great helmet, designed more for the road and much heavier than those designed for off-road. A bit of compression going on....... Thanks Cindy for freeing me up immensely! I thought I needed a new helmet - now I know for sure. I wonder if I can get a pink one - have a dearth of pink on my bike........so far!

For those of you, that followed the early blog, you'll know that I have 'form' as it were with radiators - having broken one fairly early on in an expedition with OTT in the Peaks last year. An admittance, I have started reading the bike press again, I stopped a few months ago I was seriously wondering if I'd bitten off more than I could chew (still wonder that but not nearly so often). Along with being seriously impressed and inspired by the riders and the stories, one also picks up some handy tips along the way. I discovered earlier this week that some special stuff called metal putty exists - for radiator incidents - how cool is that. Of course, I hope not to need it, however having been a girl guide 'be prepared' is the motto. I'm beginning to think about what one needs to carry, water, camera, smartphone for sending stuff to the blog and FB, make-up, lipgloss, SPFs..... However now being a tiny more savvy maybe there won't be room for my make-up bag(eeek) Looks like there'll be a little bag for special spanners, metal putty, cable ties (!) for bits that might fall off and of course there's bound to be a tiny space for a lipgloss - isn't there!!

Donna returned from a trip with Chris Evans a few days back to Lorien Bois , a really challenging trip - we'll hear about it on Friday. Was chatting with Gary yesterday and he said 'we'll do that next year'. Positive psychology is a brilliant thing.......it did get me thinking. Maybe just maybe.......

PS. the picture isn't post spill - honest- just a little rest & enjoyment of the view......

Have I missed the point?!

Had a good little outing today - despite having to negotiate some "noddies" going the wrong way through the one-way system in the village!

On perusing the Enduroland site this evening, I spied some forthcoming excitement at Silverstone - ohh I thought, that sounds fun. Love Silverstone for any reason - bikes, cars, classics (late father-in-law designed the AC Ace, he was a member of the BRDC so many a fond memory..)

Ok wistful moment over - that was of course until I read the detail - some great little treats like concrete steps.! Great little treats like concrete steps - is that an oxymoron? Oooo - as a girl that thinks treat as perhaps; a meal out, a glass of fizz, chocolates, flowers....... not sure where the concrete steps come in.

Cripes, still have a lot to learn....

Two NAN (Novice and Newcomers - or is that Nervous and Noticeable for all the wrong reasons in my case) days in the diary for June and July instead, I might just pass on the concrete steps treat - lovely as they sound....??!!?

Have a little goal mind, by the time I go to the Pyrenees I would like to be able to do a wheelie to order. Did one this evening - hurrah - not by design mind, just a bit heavy handed with the loud handle and dropped the clutch - teehee....

It's official - we've doubled the GOSH fundraising target!

What a beautiful day!

Sunday night and the sky is the most amazing magenta colour from where I'm sitting - gorgeous!

What a glorious start to the weekend - we enjoyed 'The wedding' in the Toj household, I for one, always cry at weddings and this particular one made for no exception to that rule. How beautiful did Catherine look - absolutely divine. Wish them so well, it was such a magnificent, romantic and lovely event and even if just for a short time galvanised communities all over the UK and the world and perhaps softened some of the hardest hearted of us too?!?

A few months back, at the very start of this adventure, a very lovely friend invited me to lunch with some-one who undertook the 2008 Africa off-road motorbike trip for three children's charities with Prince William and Prince Harry - and he had nothing but the most delightful stories to share of two incredibly decent, kind, thoughtful (and royal) people. It was an inspiration and an incentive and I must add an honour to meet him.

A few months on and whilst the training is coming along, I still have a lot to learn. Only had a hour or so to practice this weekend (thus far!). Littlest daughter having a nap and eldest and Mr T ensconced in front of the MotoGP which I figured could catch later - another top one!

Decided it was to be roadwork today, as there is much 'bike confidence' if you will, to be attained between now and then!

So gear on, and the spangly googles for a test run, which I figured would be better than the blingy sunglasses.

In the drive, I couldn't kick start the bike for love nor money. Turns out neither love nor money were required just fuel! Oop - pulled the choke out however hadn't turned the fuel on - ditzy moment number one. Fuel on, kick start first time and off I went. However, not far down the road, decided that I really didn't like the goggles, couldn't see behind me without an effort and knowing what's behind when on a bike is really not to be compromised. So, turned round up the road and came back and tried another pair. Second time lucky, these were lovely, much lighter, not as sweaty and easier to see behind. Must admit that it was a sort of fashion moment in selecting the first pair, funky, quirky strap with a sort of paisley pattern. Pair I have selected are high tech, light, no fog, SCOTT ones and bright white, I'm liking them!

Had a jaunt through the local villages on the road, a few miles away I was just approaching village and met a young girl on a very pretty white pony, her brother on a mountain bike and a little dog called Maggie. I stopped the engine and waited for them to pass. These delightful children stopped and we all had a natter about horses(still miss my boy), the weather, the wedding.... Just before I went on my way, I mentioned that I needed some road practice, hence my outing, and the young chap said ' but that's a dirt bike, you'd probably be better off on the grass'! Hmm, 'nough said - out of the mouths of babes and all that..........

Then ran out of fuel outside the pub (not a bad place to run out of fuel?!), switched it to reserve tank and all well - even if it was ditzy moment number two or maybe three - who's counting? Arghhh,,,,,,,,...........