This weekend's trip to the Nurburgring, featuring a knackered old SV and an '08 Blade.

[Tim in Belgium]

Well still buzzng after a stonking weekend, but it started out rather differently.

I extracted my self from an all day catalyst meeting to return home, load up the last things, change into my leathers and jump on the bike. Met my mate from work JC at Stokesley swimming baths (quite apt as it was just starting to rain). We then did a damp helmsley TT with multi[ple showers, and carried on in the direction of Malton, only to find the road flooded, the water was licking the back axle of a transit pick up that went through ahead of us, but JC on his 7 day old '08 Blade (yes, he'd managed to get it run in and through the first service in less than a week :shock:) decided we'd take the long way round via Pickering. Soft Hond@ riders ;)

On to the ferry, stopping for a **** 2 miles south of Malton we're it then royally ****ed on us, so on with the baby grows and the rain came down, the Rennports on the SV did remarkably well considering I could hardly see where I was going.

We arrived at Hull to a ferry overrun by bikers as Assen GP was on and we were of to Rotterdam. P&O had run out of straps and gave us blue nylon ropes to lash our bikes down with, no worries for me and the worthless SV, but a bit more of a concern with a 7 day old Blade ! It was soon 2 am after a few too many beers and falling for the band's female singer in stilleto boots, the ship tipping about in a force 7 gale. We were awoken at 6 am by the ship tannoy to get us up. We felt ruff.

Getting 300 bikes through passport control took a while, but we were soon on our way.

After motorway trudging through Holland we soon hit Deutschland and the fabulous N258, arriving at the 'Ringhaus (start the innuendoes...).

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/12736/2053283310084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2053283310084392296TqJQkz)

We soon regrouped and headed out for an evening session on the 'Ring, getting in a nice 5 laps to warm up for the weekend.

Heading back to the hotel we discovered all manner of vehicles ready for a great weekend.

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/27551/2256646130084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2256646130084392296kVUlWZ)

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/43543/2120316440084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2120316440084392296rHiNpF)

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/19464/2090510690084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2090510690084392296dKeDGJ)

A 3 series having a final fettle:

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/43234/2634686880084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2634686880084392296WrhGOn)

http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/43737/2529125400084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2529125400084392296yFvRbk)

And the night time view from the bedroom window:

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/27790/2122694920084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2122694920084392296xLbsIW)

We were soon out on the 'Ring, in between accidents, closures and water/coffee breaks:

The SV:

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/42011/2269996390084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2269996390084392296GFJZKj)

http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/13977/2471678980084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2471678980084392296xnBQtR)

Get that SV turning:

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/40432/2109778360084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2109778360084392296Gzyxks)

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/43053/2335961570084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2335961570084392296guUzeL)

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/17270/2926709030084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2926709030084392296tfLFGt)

And the 'Blade:

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/41080/2040718660084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2040718660084392296WgHNqJ)

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/42564/2209995290084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2209995290084392296nhPCKJ)

http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/21851/2556127750084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2556127750084392296suoFYq)

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/43295/2987786370084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2987786370084392296lXYIMa)

Knee Sliders scorched:

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/42918/2861231360084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2861231360084392296BHEqqt)

After many Schnitzels, beers, cups of coffee and trips to ED's petrol station we had racked up 59 laps between us (the SV winning 30 v 29 ;) ). Spent too much, overtook many a Porsche and Exige, got mullered by loads of late eighties/early nineties M3s, had a blast, a smooth ride home and a coffee stop in Helmsley. My mate's 13 day old Blade now has 1800 miles under its belt, now that's how to run in a bike :)

Stoked again.

THE END

[chris8886]

sounds like you had a quality weekend!! (how long exactly were you away?). you make the trip there and back sound sooooo easy, despite the rain. was it? and how long was it?

[hovis]

looks good, not long to go now

where did you get the photos? and how much were they?

[Tim in Belgium]

sounds like you had a quality weekend!! (how long exactly were you away?). you make the trip there and back sound sooooo easy, despite the rain. was it? and how long was it?

Left home at 3:30pm Thursday afternoon, got back at 11am Tuesday morning after 2 1/2 days going round the 'Ring. The journey wasn't that bad, about 330 miles each way from home, and I'd driven most of the roads before so navigation was pretty easy. The rain got to us a little, but a few beers and sun coming off the ferry soon perkedus up. On any big trip there are low points as well, just flow with them and you'll enjoy the highs too. We were lucky with the weather at the 'Ring, and the number of laps we got in, be under no illusions it can rain for days up in those hills.

[Stu]

great photos! glad you had a good dry time. :D

[Tim in Belgium]

looks good, not long to go now

where did you get the photos? and how much were they?

Found some links on http://www.northloop.co.uk/ and the forum there.

I'd advise anyone going to the 'Ring for a first time have a read of:

http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/beginners.html

and the site http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/ as a whole is a mine of information.

[Luckypants]

Great write up Tim, might have to give it a go!!

Knee sliders? Pah, flash young puppy! :smt077

[hovis]

Great write up Tim, might have to give it a go!!



might be able to fit you in?

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=102493

[DMC]

Sounds really good Tim, excellent pics too - my appetite is wetted :)

Great write up Tim, might have to give it a go!!

Knee sliders? Pah, flash young puppy! :smt077

Give it a go Mike, come along in August?

EDIT: Must try to be faster - Damn you Hovis :D

[lukemillar]

Great write up Tim, might have to give it a go!!

Knee sliders? Pah, flash young puppy! :smt077

What I want to know is if they smelt like steak! :p

[simesb]

Looks like a blast. Did you time yourself round the 'ring?

[rob13]

Cracking write up as usual Tim, just gutted that I couldnt go myself.

Photos look good as well.

What does Clarke think of the new Blade? Better than his R1?

[Tim in Belgium]

Didn't get to do any timing as ran out of time before heading off to buy a stopwatch and tape it on. I was definitely quicker than last time, so I'd estimate in the low 9 mins BTG.

Clarke loves his new Blade, way better than his '07 R1 in all respects, power delivery, handling, doesn't shake its head, fuel economy (52 mpg on the motorways sat at 95 ish + and 36 mpg round the ring :shock: ) he even got an indicated 180 out of it on the start/finish straight.

[Tim in Belgium]

What I want to know is if they smelt like steak! :p

Not quite steak but a nice aroma if sniffed closely!

[mister c]

Nice pics Tim. Would love to do it, but lack of funds :(

[Warthog]

Looks good fun!

[Quiff Wichard]

Tim- as ever - a great write up and ace pics-.

enjoyed reading it mate- and glad you home safe.

[Skip]

Tim I cant thank you enough! That link to the northloop website allowed me to find the one and only picture of me on the Nurburgring on the 14th June! :D:D:D:D

Not the best picture in the world - but nonetheless - me on the 'ring! 8)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/skip665/z750/ring.jpg

[Dave The Rave]

I am slightly jelous here Tim. What a lovely time you had. BUT 30 laps must have cost you a fortune mate! I have to get myself in the gear do it. Next year maybe!

[Tim in Belgium]

I'm in financial denial at the moment, but it was worth it, I've veen lliving in a playstation world for this last week, just did Croft today and spanked the old SV. Beans on toast for the rest of the month!

[Tim in Belgium]

Found a couple more photos, me in traffic:

http://inlinethumb11.webshots.com/39498/2307114630084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2307114630084392296QZgThE)

And some KD:

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/32971/2758709540084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2758709540084392296VoDRsV)

[hovis]

tim,

did you get travel insurance and trackday insurace?

if so who with and how much

thanks

[Tim in Belgium]

Got normal travel insuirance through travel direct (it seemed to imply that they were happy with you riding in the small print, as long as you had the appropriate licence).

My normal bike insurance provided me with european breakdown cover, and didn't go for track day insurance, the Nordschleife is a public right of way ( kind of ...) and my insurance policy had no mention of excluding it......

Hope that kind of answers your questions.

[Tim in Belgium]

Blast from the past, got this photo to upload finally, round the outside:

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45293/2254994880084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2254994880084392296nnyWxr)

[lukemillar]

Blast from the past, got this photo to upload finally, round the outside:

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45293/2254994880084392296S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2254994880084392296nnyWxr)

Yeah, yeah, you mean taken up the inside ;)

[Tim in Belgium]

Overtaking on the left only..... ;)

[Stu]

Polo's :roll:

Breakdown anywhere

;)

[Tim in Belgium]

Fiat Stilo.... still break down :lol:

[JohnMcL7]

I'm jealous of the number of pictures you have, I went there last August and over the weekend I only found one picture of my car. I was somewhat annoyed as I did set someone up to take a video of my car, rather than give them the SLR + 35-100mm F2 which is easy to mess up I gave them a simple HDV camcorder on which all they had to do was press a big silver button...they couldn't manage that! I'd taken quite a lot of pics of my mate going round the track however I walked away with just one :(

Not always great being the photographer...

John