Tim in Belgium

Well, a few weeks ago I left work on a damp Tuesday afternoon on a packed SV650s, meeting my mate Clarke a.k.a Bob Bobbleton at Stokesley baths on his ’08 Blade. Although it had been chucking it down all afternoon the rain decided to stop for us and we headed off on the Helmsley TT, on towards Pickering before turning off and taking some nice B roads towards Malton. It was then on through the Yorkshire wolds towards Beverley, then round the edge of Hull. Heading in on the DC I sasw a rainbow, then it proceeded to chuck it down for 5 mins, but not to worry we were almost at the ferry. On to the old Hull-Rotterdam ferry and to the bar and buffet for a good feed, followed by some band then bed.

Next day it was up and through Holland, lots of showers, but none heavy enough for us to put on our leathers, after all we’re sports bike riders (or I pretend to be). We stopped off at our favourite southern heading service station (well the only one that we ever stop at) which delivered us a few attractive views and pert behinds.

We motored on through Maastricht and passed Hollands highest hill to Belgium where our first vehicle of the journey overtook us. We were soon of the motorway and onto a few twisties to our first stop at Neils place:

http://www.aeaventures.com/

We dumped our bags then headed to La Roche for some lunch, but doing the road down there a couple of times first

It ****ed down whilst we were eating, then the sun came out for the rest of our afternoon ride. Back at Neil’s it was food with the other guests, a little beer and wine before heading to bed ready for the next day.

Up early the next day to clear blue skies, dropped the kids of at the pool then returned to find the hill fog had rolled in. By the time breakfast had been devoured the mist was clearing and we set of on the quick 5 mins hop to the famous Spa Francochamps circuit.

We arrived, signed in, got handed out transponders, then attended a briefing in French/Dutch which I understood some of before heading out for our first session (which was a little short due to the length of the briefing ) Out on track the place was amazing, with just the damp patch. Spa is an amazing circuit with elevation changes out of this world. Favourite corners of the day were Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont. Some of our sessions got red flagged but a good day in all that was pretty warm and stayed dry. The lap times came down :

http://www.ris-timing.be/bikers/liste_temps.php?id_pil=4316&id_cou=13

And I was pretty pleased with a best lap of 3:12 given the SV’s lack of power, a guy with a GSXR750 staying with us was getting a best of 3:07 in the group above. So a great day and a track I’ll have to return to with more power. Clarke’s transponder failed to work, but he was going at a similar pace to the GSXR750 guy. Unfortunately the photographer was rubbish, and I’ve still to receive Clarke’s odd shot of me, I’ll have to kick the peasant!

More food and beer at Neils before rising the next day and heading to Bren’s place:

http://www.slidersguesthouse.com/

We dropped our stuff off, then headed to the Ring for some laps in the afternoon, a couple with Neil where it was interesting to refine my lines a little, especially haning out for the turn in points:

The SV coming out of Adenauer Forst (I think):



The Blade in the Karussel:



The SV at somewhere with a big kerb:



The Blade there as well:



It was then off for a Chinese from Bren’s place, the car drivers providing the taxis

The next day there was an 4hr salon car endurance race, so we grabbed some food (apple strudel) than watched some of the racing:











When the ‘Ring opened we went out for a few evening laps, in the braking zone (I hope):