Today at the Ponderosa
 

Gave my new (to me) AL7 its first proper spin out to the Ponderosa this morning, it was bright but surprisingly cold in that strong wind.

While up there I noticed an older gent wheeling a very tasty-looking Kawa A1-based race bike out of a van. I got chatting to him, and what a fascinating story he told.

His name is Dave Thomas, and the bike was originally a 250 A1R (as rare as hen's dentists) on which he secured Kawasaki's first-ever race win in the UK, at Cadwell in 1967 against the Yamahas, Bultacos and Aermacchis of the day.

However, he found the 250 Yamahas to be tough competition, so he and his dad decided to convert the bike to a 350. They made their own crank, cast their own cylinders etc. Absolutely amazing ingentuity. As a 350, he set the fastest lap at the Manx GP in 1968 at over 92mph before retiring.

Here's Dave talking about the bike and lighting it up at a 2018 event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtC4e1NQfZM

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

Fab. You do meet some interesting people at the ponda.

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Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

I rarely go to the Ponderosa as it's generally too full of motorcyclists :shock: Perhaps I should get over my prejudice and go up there sometime.

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

The outrage! Bikers at a biker hangout :D

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

I know, terrible! How the hell am I going to cope with all you bikers at Barmouth in June? :smt046

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

Alcohol is a great leveller, if we don't level each other :D

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

One pint is enough to level me I'm afraid!

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

Be a cheap night :p

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

Ha ha! Always is for me. No tolerance, or indeed any particular personal liking for alcohol. It just makes me feel ill.

Re: Today at the Ponderosa
 

I know what you mean there, I can't drink beers/ciders etc but after 10 or so years of no drink I discovered whiskey, usually give up long before a state of drunk though