This cannot go left unanswered......
You had passed me and were a couple of bike lengths ahead before either of us turned in. I'm not saying you couldn't pass me on the outside, but I definitely followed you into the bend. I didn't think you were heading for the gravel on the exit, but stright into it because of how quickly you went in (ahead of me). I will blame not having a clutch for my early braking there.... it just isn't possible to kick the bike into a lower gear at high revs, the bike will not allow it (try it into the hairpin at Mallory if you are feeling brave!). I decided braking a bit earlier and making sure I could drop the revs and find a gear was the sensible option (I promised myself the worst thing that could happen at the first round was not to finish). I do hold my hands up for being a girl and holding back from Jimbo, but being a girl finishing in second place was more appealing than an exhaust under my front wheel or bouncing up into my face. Oh, and my bike is set up the same as it was last year (the forks as I brought it and the shock as Nog fitted it). Not as perfectly set up as arguably the best set up bike in DD
.......and dead 9th was about 10 yards back from me at the start, what took you so long?
(I admit the "not with the greatest of style" was a little harsh though)
...and the pressure isn't off anywhere from anyone this season.
I actually thought I would struggle with just getting 2 5th's, and would have ripped someones arm off if they offered me a 1st and 2nd before the weekend started.
Do you still trust me to set your tyre pressure? Will you try any line I suggest at Mallory?...
Seriously though, well done. There are not many that could turn up under the circumstances you did and do that well with so little time on the bike.