Dave Harris \"Riders For Health\" Sponsored Swim
 

Just got back from Dave's "Memorial" trackday and, happily, everyone is still in one piece...one or two cases of gravel - rash, but that was hardly surprising considering the conditions, which were absolutely monsoonal.

Seeing so many DSCers out on track and spectating was the best tribute to Dave that I could imagine, it was amazing that people had travelled so far for the event, travelling from the Midlands and beyond must have been an absolute nightmare in today's weather so, although I have never met you, thanks for making the journey Nelly, Rob and Lisa... The DSC meant a huge amount to Dave, and the support for this event showed me why .

Sorry I didn't make the drink afterwards, but as I was trying to park the van, I got an urgent txt from work, and had to rush home to dial in.

What a great evening despite the weather.

Ian

Drink-DRINK-nobody mentioned a drink to us.:(

Mind you since Butch had to be up at 02.30am to go to work and didn't drop me off until 10.15pm, with an hour to go before home it's probably just as well............

John

I was in two minds about going today because of the weather. But then I started U2Uing a few people and before I knew it I had too many offers of sponsorship not to show up. I was doing it all on a flat rate, although I did originally try to entice people to sponsor me by suggesting that I would be cheaper to sponsor than some of the riders because I would do fewer laps.

I had a great evening. It was very wet and I took it very easy. Because getting to Brands took me 1hr 45 minutes, filtering on the M25 most of the way, I only just made it for signing on, followed by the briefing, which then meant I wasn't ready to go out with the first group because I had to take off mirrors, number plate, tape stuff up etc. although Electricsheep (Rob) and Flanks (Mark) helped with that. Thanks guys. So I got out with an instructor for a couple of laps at the end of the first session then did the whole of the second session. My Dunlop 208RRs were not providing any discernible grip and people were getting faster, overtaking me and hanging off their bikes. I completed that session very cautiously and then bought my way out of the rest of the evening by purchasing a further bunch of raffle tickets. Still didn't win any prizes but felt I'd done enough to collect my sponsorship money. People's generosity is overwhelming. I don't know who donated all the fantastic raffle prizes but they were superb and well worth putting your hand in your pocket for, as lots of people clearly did.


It was a superb DSC supported event. It's amazing how generous people in this club are. I've still got a few confirmations to come in but so far I've had cash from Rob (Electricsheep), Lisa (Kwikbitch), Eric (thered) and promises from Loz, Mark (Beancounter), Shaun (BDG) John (WJB), Bubbles (Van - splitting his sponsorship between me and Dibs), Keefer, Martin (urban 996) Lee, Marko, my daughter Jo and my boyfriend (who is a non biker and who didn't know what 'filtering for an hour and 45 minutes on the M25' meant). So far I've raised £160. How fantastic is that?

Well done Annette. You did Dave proud.

:sing::sing::sing:

[Edited on 22-8-2005 by Redruth]

Twas pretty damp to be sure, but the spirits weren't ;)

It was a bit strange to have a notice held up before our last session asking for us to turn our lights on !!!! :o:o:o:o:o

Enjoyed the evening and the drink afterwards - perhaps practicing Brands in the rain was a good thing - its bound not to rain on the 11th now???? PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZEEEE !!!

Tim:lol:

Ian, was an honour to be involved and the depth of support shown is testament to how highly regarded your brother was here .....

I still miss him, as i know many do .... :(

So Dave, thanks for keeping an eye on us ... shame you couldn't fix the weather ....:lol:

and did someone say wet ????

Absolutely right, Dibs. Good photo, btw. It's funny. I always thought the most irritating thing about riding on track in the wet would be the wet visor but actually, unlike being on the road where 100% observation is key, you don't need to scrutinise things too much. The things you need to focus on are clearly visible through the mass of raindrops because they're well marked and not moving (eg apex, the edge of the track etc. ).

You could have done with a waterproof suit. Your chest was dripping wet. I take it that was rain not sweat? :o:o

A true window licker :lol:

Top afternoon/evening out - and great to see so many enjoying it - even Lord Rattler managed a session or two:o - but Dickie doesnt like getting webbed feet:P

Dickie - hope you remember how to remove & re-fit a wheel now laddie?:P

Ta to those who kindly picked bits of gravel out of the snot mobile, after Doug's enthusiastic charge into the top of paddock.

Alan hopes to be able to remove the gravel from the lower bowels of the engine, (as the airbox & inlets were full to the gunnels) but we will know more tonight.
Otherwise just a replacement throttle, lever, right footset & seat pod are required to get Snotty back out on the road - oh, and a good wash down.
Otherwise, looks like Snotty could be back to 675 for the next race - but she'll be there whatever:D

Anyone need their garden topped up with gravel?:lol: bellypan was completely filled to the top - along with every nook & cranny of the bike:o Doug was a bit bruised, but hopefully not too stiff this morning when he leaves to go home.

C:)

Shame about the off, glad that any damage is minimal.

Is Doug racing Snot at Brands and Cadwell for you?

Andy is doing Brands Tim - but I did ask Doug to have a go at Cadwell (and that was after his off:o ) - cos Andy is on hols then, and with Mark not being free, we didnt have a jockey. Thought the lad managed to cope well on only his 3rd trackday ever in with the fast boys - and also not having ridden a bike since last summer as he has been in Oz.

AK has asked me to look for a quick action throttle as ours is not repairable - I think it came from Dorking area - can anyone recco where I need to contact?


C:)

Charlotte, I'm surprised you're up so early. Haven't you got a Champagne hangover :puzzled::puzzled::puzzled: If not, why not :P:P Great late birthday present for Alan, n'est ce pas?

Looking forward to seeing Mutters' pictures of your bike. A before and after shot would be good. Hope Alan gets it all fixed in time for the next round of the DD. And I hope the young man responsible isn't too stiff this morning to give your bike a bloomin' good clean up :devil:

Champagne hangover???:puzzled:

oh - thanks for the fantastic prize you donated for the raffle Butch - its mucho appreciated:D

Unfortunately Alan & Doug popped the box in the back of the van, and I didnt realise it till we had got onto the m/way. I couldnt get into the back to fish out a bottle:( - so had to scoff chocky instead;)

Never mind, we'll crack a bottle open when we know how Snotty is internally:)

yes, big thanks to ak, ck, paul payne and mutters for all changing my wheels for me. will be practising over the winter. so will be doing all that complex stuff myself next year .:D

sorry for those that had off's or problems, hope you are all sorted for next year.

paul, get your hands on a 620 now, you know it makes sense!

brands are getting a delivery of gravel next week apparently to replace the amount taken away by the snot mobile so there should be plenty more for you to play in on the 11th!

very pleased with how all my sessions went.

the bike came off the trailer.........

everyone else changed my wheels while i stood about.........

bike went back on the trailer.........


when it comes to bike maintenance im about as much use as a pork chop at a jewish wedding!

Don't you mean the whole damn pig?

Oh, cheers for the beer last night mate!

I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who supported this event last night, through either riding or donations or whatever. I know Annette was moved by the amount of support she received and quite frankly, so am I.

RIP Dave, I miss you mate - you're a legend!

'tis true, was great! Lots of rain, a few good battles, and a couple of tasty beers after to toast the big man. Thanks to Annette for the organisation, to the companies involved for their time, to Dibble for storing my bike+trailer for a week, to Butch for letting me play on a real bike, and to Paul Payne for his desparate attempt to scoop the muppet award at the last possible moment! :lol:

Here's my picture from last night.... :D

Venhill Engineering

Thankyoo:D

At least it's not just us northerners that get all the rain!!

I really enjoyed myself. It had to be done anyhow out of respect, but I found myself really enjoying splashing around in the "pond".
Thanks to everyone involved in making a very special evening happen.

It was great to see everyone turn up. A fitting send off to a top bloke. RIP Dave.

Looks like you ran wide on Druids a few times! :o

The GPS in it isn't that accurate (5 metres?) so it may not have picked up the correct position on the track, or I may just have been squaring off the corner a bit too much!

It's really, really useful info that we logged last night and should mean getting the bike well setup for the race itself.

If anyone would like to belatedly sponsor my wife Sue who was merrily riding dd#17 round in group 1, they will make her day :biaggi:
Personally, I didnt expect her to finish the first session, it was so wet, but she came in and said she was actually enjoying it.
This is a person who _hates_ riding in the wet.
At the end of the evening, she confirmed that she wanted to ride dd#17 at ta5, even if it was wet !!!!!!!!!!
And I wasnt to crash it :D

Top evening depite the weather, surprising how much you can turn with the bike upright if you hang off like a monkey :lol: Rennsports and rain don't go well together !
Anyway it was a priviledge to be able to attend, just got to get the sponsorship money together now but thanks to everyone for your contributions. Definitely worth the 400 mile round trip with Nelly even after the 400 mile round trip to Popham on Sunday! I'm off for some sleep....
All the best Annette, can't think of a more appropriate way to celebrate Dave's life. Nice one everybody ;)
Rob