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.

Are ruts a bit like life or is life a bit like ruts?

Out with the boys today, that puts the pressure on in the speed stakes, it ups a level again! It's beginning to dawn on me that the trip to the Pyrenees isn't going to be taking a few pics, bit of gentle trundling on some soft grassy tracks and a coffee perhaps and on again (okay I did probably know that, however I now certainly understand what the 'enduro' bit means).

Another lovely sunny day, 'childrens' with the grandparents for a few hours, so another opportunity for some time in the saddle!

Would appear that I have a little trouble with my basket! A case with the basket eh? Hmm - has that been said before....? My 'clutch basket' to be precise - clutch is dragging, tick over is higher when in neutral then drops when gears engaged - that means more 'revving it' and throttle action. Needs a clean apparently, a job for Mr T me thinks, he did rather drily comment this evening that it would be 'making life more difficult'! Great, thought I or something along those lines. However, if I'm progressing with a dicky clutch basket, there may be hope for me yet!!

Ground as per yesterday very hard, I did a second great rut avoidance job though - or so I thought. When we got to a junction near Ashwell, Gary and Mr T suggested that we do a bit of a dog leg route - back to where we would then continue on. Extra practice, okay cool - road work fine, off road - arrghh, initially just a nice (my kind of) track, then around a corner, lots and lots of ruts appeared, relatively wide - 30 cms ish but hard as nails. Boys in cahoots - hhh! So, thought I, Boyd has taught me this, Donna has given me heaps of tuition, Martin consistently supported and given guidance and Gary and Mr T, I suppose must think I can do them. I had a quick look for an alternative - da nada.... Best go for it then.

Met a 4x4 on the way, actually thought I'd rather be on a bike than in a 4x4, kept the pace on, planned my route and voila - did it and no spills!

Been pondering this afternoon - are ruts a bit like life or is life a bit like ruts? Every rut presents you with the need to make a series of decisions, you approach the rut, assess the situation and decide what to do next. There are lots of different ways to tackle them; in them; on them, across them; sitting; up near the tank, legs out; standing; (better) steering with weight; lots of throttle, less throttle et al...... however the important thing is to do it your way and not just do what others have suggested you do. Take the advice and then do it your way (couldn't have done that a month ago!). 'I did it my way' as the Frank Sinatra said.

Chuffed moment that was!

So, followed the boys back, and continue to be utterly impressed when Gary sort of hops and manoeuvres the bike away from things - it was a low hanging tree. He sort of jumped his bike to the left - I ducked! Got sprayed with grit and dust a few times by the boys.....some time soon........

New donation to GOSH - fabulous!

Now pondering new goggles - is this potentially a shopping opportunity? Excellent! Blingy sunglasses whilst lovely, not really up to the job and as for the bugfest in my helmet this morning - would have made an entomologist envious. Have a selection of goggles provided by Gary to check out and Mr T has just handed me a glass of something bubbly - wonderful! Oh and 'Top Gun' is on the telly!! Wey hey.....................

Pics! It wasn't a figment of my imagination then!