Team club-moto at the “Plop Enduro”

Not being able to go to Europe for the early part of the year meant other fun events could be looked into …

We heard about this fun event and thought it would be an awesome thing to do.

S&D Armarda MCC organises the PLOP Enduro events as a “fun day on bikes that are not going to break the bank”.

“We aim the event at raising money for charity and good causes yet at the same time allowing access to top tracks for hours of fun filled riding”

They run the events a couple of times a year and we managed to secure a spot for the Mallory Park race on Saturday 24 April. The classic 8 hour endurance race on Honda C90s …
Two classes – C90, which is what you have to use. And “open” which allows up to 110cc.
Standard carb & tyre sizes.

We very quickly got a team of like-minded nutters together but one small problem – we didn’t actually have a C90! With 3 weeks to go until race day.

After Pete spent many hours/days frantically searching for a suitable bike we acquired one from Liverpool which was relayed down via Kettering to Hampshire for Pete to apply his skills transforming the bike into a race ready machine …

The bike had already done this event a couple of times so was already on it’s way to be the blistering machine we knew it could be. It actually had a “race tuned” engine which increased the standard 7HP to a staggering 9HP. Could we handle the extra power??

Pete spent many hours on the bike fitting rearsets, clip-ons, new pipe, steering damper, screen and a few other bits …

Meanwhile the rest of the team entered into a serious training regime of beer and watching YouTube videos of the event.

We were ready to take on all comers.

We were notified that we had been drawn P6 on the grid and there were 93 starters. No pressure then!

The “team” gathered at Mallory Park on the Friday night before, where tactics were discussed over BBQ and consuming more beers. The training continued.

We awoke from our tents to look out at the Mallory lake and stunning sunny day. Perfect.

The practice session was entertaining as 3 of us had never ridden the bike before heading off down pit lane. But after 3 laps each we were tuned and ready to rock.

The start went off in three waves (to minimise the carnage into Gerrards). We thought Pete should start as he’s the lightest and had spent all the time fettling the bike. Would seem a bit cruel if it blew up 3 laps in and he hadn’t raced it! Team spirt abounded.

Hilarious watching 93 C90s “scorch” past towards turn one.

And to be fair he did well with coming though at the end of lap 1 still in 6^th place. We started to think about podiums. Somewhat prematurely, as the fast bikes in the second and third waves soon caught up… But the bike was still running! Things were looking hopeful.

We decided on stints of 35-45 minutes and Simon took over from Pete. The race settled into the usual endurance race rythym and Simon fared well on his first stint. I then took over and set out.
What a hoot! Brilliant fun with constant traffic and battles with similar speed bikes. Going into Gerrards flat out and staying flat out is weird…. 55 mph (ish!).

Andy then took over and appeared back in the pits after a couple of laps to inform us he’d lobbed it. Our first crash of the day! After knocking it back into shape he went out again with no issues.

Bizarrely, there was a one hour lunch stop at 1 o’clock! Bikes just stopped as they arrived at the grid. And we were on the front row! After a most relaxing lunch (very British), Simon headed off at the restart. And after 1 lap didn’t come back round. Mmm we thought, where could he be?
After about 10 minutes he appeared on foot (without bike) to inform us he’d run out of fuel. How did that happen??? – we had it all worked out, but didn’t allow for the spillage of fuel after Andy fell off. Oops.

After running to the bike with fuel off he went again.

All went well for the afternoon. Bike didn’t miss a beat. Although Pete managed to bin it (our second crash) but carried on and eventually we made it to the end. Hoorah!

Finished 23^rd in class and 40^th overall so not a bad first effort 😊
 

Great craic, met some great people and never stopped grinning. Cant wait for the next one!
Huge thanks to Jeremy for all his hard work and enthusiasm and of course to the organisers of a superb event.
We will be back!

The team ....

At last, the potential relaxation of lockdown is in sight… and with spring just around the corner, we are sure everyone is as keen as us to get away on our bikes again when we can! – even if we might be a bit rusty …
Currently, from 17 May international travel should once again be allowed. Naturally, things may change but, thinking positively, we have been putting together our club-moto 2021 schedule with some short trips to complement our longer tours.

club-moto’s quick French tours can be at relatively short notice. The post-lockdown short trips last year were great fun and enjoyed by all! We will keep you updated on any revised tours and dates.

Our short tours have a reduced cost compared to our ‘normal’ trips as our club-moto support van and tail rider are not included, although the usual high-quality roads, stops, and hotels are still very much part of the fun! (We may revise taking along our van subject to numbers.).

Covid-19: safety is paramount – current and relevant Covid protocols will be observed. Please note that all monies paid are fully refundable (inc. deposit) if a trip is postponed due to FCO travel restrictions (as per our T&Cs 2.3).

Stay safe and well and we look forward to seeing you on a club-moto tour this year.

Not long now until the MCN London Motorcycle Show

If you’re there, pop along and say hello on Stand A28 – Always friendly and love to chat about bikes 😊
www.club-moto.com

Come along and meet us at the MCN London Motorcycle Show 2020 at London Excel. Stand A28

We can promise coffee, tea, biscuits and chat about motorcycles! 

Look forward to seeing you there....

So here we are heading into winter ..
Short days, manky weather and cold roads ...

Time to plan for next year's warm fun!

Several tours now available on our website ....

Have a look and join us next year for an awesome trip.

club-moto run to Estoril .... day 18

UK
Miles from Kettering  3157
Miles today  246

After a long crossing we finally arrived back in Plymouth...
Good fun on the ferry with various other bikers. Must've been 80+ on board!

Bit of a rough crossing overnight but bikes all stayed upright...

Marvelous to head out into the Plymouth rush hour.
Very tempted to turn around and head back to Spain!
However we ran back to Kettering ....

End of a great trip with sunshine all the way!
The weather gods have been on our side for this one.

Looking forward to the next trip.

Come and join us :)

club-moto run to Estoril .... day 17

Potes - Santander
Miles from Kettering  2911
Miles today  75

Today we packed up and headed off to Santander to sail home.
21 hour crossing to Plymouth. Time to relax, eat, drink and sleep.

Ferry full of British bikes, many of whom we had met in the Picos, so plenty of chat about bikes and roads - as usual :)

Goodbye Spain and thanks for the weather, scenery and magnificent roads .

club-moto run to Estoril .... day 16

Picos - Potes Triangle
Miles from Kettering  2836
Miles today  125

Today we decided to stay another night in Potes!!

Went and rode the "Potes Triangle* - 125 miles of bends, bends and more bends. Pleasant to ride without luggage for a change :)

This is a magnificent area with sublime roads and never ending breath-taking scenery. Biking perfection.

The inevitable deer stop again!

Bridge into Riano (N621)

And stunning roads :)

Traffic very light, although not surprisingly there are plenty of bikes about
We met a few random groups of British and Spanish bikes, all grinning as we were...

Tomorrow evening off to Santander for the ferry back to Plymouth.
Can hardly wait to get back on the UK roads .... :( :(