Isle of Man

[Dave]

[kris]

Clockwork KTM orange !

[mudeevee]

Quite an adventure!
Also time to reflect............

3 Years 4 months ago, I bought my first off-road bike. Joined the TRF and wondered where it would lead.........

In that time I have been lucky enough to have:
1. Enjoyed many TRF runs (Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, W Sussex, Salisbury). I've even led a few.
2. been part of the Witley LDT (creating the roadbook for 3 years)
3. had a couple of training days with Wynn Hughes & Team REME
4. had a few trips to Wales (with Lunatic Lee Walters)
5. taken part in the Vince in Spain
6. completed a H&H and one rally in Wales
7. Ridden Trails in Normandy with TRF members

Now all of that was great and I have had a ball. However, riding with David Knight was just superb and I am sure it will not be bettered.

As always when away from home I like to partake in B&B (Beer & Banter) and the visit to the IOM was no different. The Banter was greatly improved due to the size of the group and the central subject for most conversations - David Knight. Everyone knew he was fast, but seeing him ride all weekend kind of re-defined 'fast'! Strongbow summed up David's speed up nicely:
"we thought he was quick on his race bike - on the one he took out on Sunday afternoon he was a f*&king Astronaut!"

This is also the fella who, on the 2nd trail of day one, rode mine and quite a few others bikes up a tricky little climb. No sitting at the top of the lane and waiting, just walked back and got everyone through it - smiling and chatting as he did. He was also holding gates open for the group - I'm buggered if I know how he did that and then got past the whole group (20 riders) to be at the next gate! All in all, he could not do enough to make the weekend for all of us - he even came out and joined us for food on Saturday night. What a great fella and host.

On both days, he'd arranged a pub lunch - both times at iconic parts of the TT course. I'll let Angry fill you in with the blanks on the TT thing!

So big thanks to Steve & Lee for setting it all up. Thanks to all the Surrey TRF boys for putting up with me. Thanks to David for being such a great host.

Thanks to the TRF - without which I'd never have had the opportunity to do any of the above!

Derek

[broady]

Sounds truly epic Derek !

I was gutted to not have been keeping up to date on the forum ands missing this. As you may recall I'm from Kent but spent half my time with you Surrey TRF boys & girls last year as the Mrs has family there. Normally I keep a good eye on the Surrey board too but I obviously took my eye off the ball - bum !!

There must be some photomagraphs to make me even more green with envy!

[javi]

David Knight vs TRF...
http://youtu.be/7LpMU4qV7ls

David Knight vs Waterfall...
http://youtu.be/cPydARycbs4

[kris]

Here are angold "snaps"

a few dupes (lee asked for Allan to take a load of him and knighter)

https://www.dropbox.com/lightbox/home/Public/iom_allanz

happy dayz

[kris]

here are my snaps

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public/iom_kris

[kris]

allan's waterfall clip

(he has another one to follow)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/140 ... I_2789.MOV

[mudeevee]

here are my snaps

https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public/iom_kris

Hi Kris,
The link to the waterfall works fine. The other 2 dropbox links simply take me to my own dropbox account? Are the links missing the user information? Or am I being a muppet?

Ta,

Derek

[kris]

hmm ... I think you should login to your drop box ... THEN click on the link .. then it *might* work .. you would also see the photos from wales as well


btw .. how much were the fuel costs for the smaller vans ? (trying to price up to see if the big van was worth it !)

[mudeevee]

Mmmmm not working for me 'not found' message.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/puof5bftuavqg0c/AAC2nbe4iBn6flDMswgAyU8ga
Is a link to some pics I took at the surrey training weekend at headley - the link looks very different?

Think the fuel cost for Iain's van came in at £160 ish (3/4 tank each way)

[kris]

according to http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/costs/fuel-cost-calculator/

Mileage : 600
Fuel type : Diesel
Area : Average
Current average fuel price per litre : £1.3611
Total Cost : £123.75

(assuming 30mpg )

is that fair ?