final day at Manx

[cargo]

We folks thats it for another year...................

Yesterdays Senior was a bit of a horror for me the conditions were very damp and grey and I chose a light tint visor...........big mistake. My vision was very poor throughout the race and I finished bog last in 59th.

The post Classic on our little 250 was ace I caught and passed number 43 on lap one and the bike ran perfectly NOT
First time into QB on the brakes fuel started to vent out of the tank breather and that continued every time I braked for most of lap one.............I ignored it we were tight for fuel and if it stopped so be it I thought. I got round for my pit stop and it went well as Mark knows his own bike he made the decision that there was enough in the tank for two more laps. Off I went on lap 3 again fuel was venting out of the breather.............then I began to notice that the front brakes seemed to be not as strong and I found myself braking earlier ay first I thought maybe oil or fuel was getting onto the discs so I tried just trailing the brakes a little to try and dry them.............but the problem just got worse on Sulby straight I took the chance to have a good look at the reservoir and the master cylinder and I noticed the clamp holding the lever and master cylinder to the bars was loose. I was damned if I was going to stop I still had a brake and I reckoned if I kept an eye on it I'd be OK.............and it was...............I needed the back brake a lot and changed down earlier than normal and while my pace was reduced it was ok........................by the Bungalow on lap 4 the clamp was very loose and the brake was just about useless..............at the Creg the clamp fell off and I had NO brake.....................I had to hold the throttle and support the brake to stop it dropping and hanging on the pipe...................it wasnt easy getting slowed for those last few corners................but no way was I stopping................and I made it home much to the delight of Mark and me for that matter...............a real battle of a race against the circuit and the clock I enjoyed every minute of it...........................................................

So 4 starts and 4 finishes 11th 16th 55th 59th....................not too bad given the weather and...........lack of practise.
I've given my finishers award for the 250 to Mark.....................I think he enjoyed the experience but has no desire to repeat it.
So I'm looking for a decent 250 or 350 for Post Classic......................................... and it's likely my 600 will be sold I'm just not good enough to ride a 600 really hard anymore.

But one thing is certain I will be back

[jake]

nice one Cargo.
I had a great time, we underestimated the preparation and the learning curve both on and off the course.. the bikes and the nerves get a good hammering!
met some great people and everyone goes out of there way to help. No other place like it:)

[stevezx7r]

Nice one Cargo, at least you enjoyed yourselves and didn't come a cropper Happy days

[Max4music]

Well done Cargo. Ive had some brake woes on short circuits but i wouldn't fancy that on damp and greasy manx roads!

[mark400]

Must be a great buzz ! Well done, I hope to go next year, but strictly as a spectator !!!

BTW, someone sent me this and it's a reminder of the character of a road circuit (I am sure you know that the rider was reasonably ok afterwards.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... iU6fnvo93c

[masterofinsanity]

thanks for sharing that dude, seemed thrilling! must have been scarey stuff knowing the brakes aint gonna be there if you needed them?