Slappers go Sideways in Buxton

[Kwacky]

Back home after a fantastic day doing speedway riding.

Time for a cuppa then a full review.

[Kwacky]

What a top day out.

The place wasn't the easiest to find, it's in the middle of nowhere then they decide to tuck it behind some scrap car drifting race school thing.

Anyway, signing on is quick and easy. They've got loads of kit. A quick introduction to the day and a briefing and out we go. You know you're in good hands when the instructor spends longer listing his accolades than the safey issues and then tells you his old man was ranked Number 2 in the World and that he used to race Kenny Roberts.

Those bikes are tiny. And weird. Weird was the word of the day. It was all weird.

Out on to the main circuit to try out the bikes. Did I mention they're weird? Low, no brakes, you can't use the clutch and they either go straight on or left. If you try to go right you'll die. We had a few warnings about death in the briefing.

Once you've had a pootle around the track and your brain has screamed at you for going too fast at 20mph you then get put on a mini circuit to be taught how to slide. I say a mini circuit. If you find it too small you could always leave the track, go across the grass, try to run your mates over then rejoin the circuit. Not once, not twice, but several fecking times. I won't mention names,

We had a couple of spills but it's not a tankslap training day unless Duke ends up on his arse at some point.

Everything you do on a roadbike is wrong. All day you're told to throw the bike on the floor, then catch it with your leg. You ignore the front wheel. Don't both using the handlebars to decide where to go. Accelerate as soon as you enter the corner. Force the rear to lose grip. Stand up and lean over the bars.

Weird.

Then it's racing lines on the big circuit before a bit of a free for all.

Fook me these things are tiring to ride. I can't describe how knackered we all were after each session. When it was an open circuit I was going 5 or 6 laps and coming in before tiredness killed me. There's that death thing again. Which is weird.

Massive thanks to Jack and Simon for coming over and taking photos.

And thanks to Tricky, Duke, Rocket and Monty for your company. Another fantastic Tankslap day out.

When's the next one?

[duke63]

Great write up and good to see you all again after such a long gap. I've had a great day learning new skills ......so I can forget them again quickly.

The sensation of feeling the bike slide is awesome though the best and quickest way to stop appears to be to fall off the thing.

And to 'A N Other' rider, target fixation doesn't mean AIMING THE BIKE AT YOUR MATES!

[Jack]

I think it would have been better if it was 10 or 15 degrees warmer , but it looked like everybody enjoyed it , it was a bit weird to photograph too and it was hard to find , Simon and I took a detour round the dales for about 45 mins before we came across it.

[Tricky]

what an excellent day, good to see you all. cant believe how much im aching. highlights for me, (not mentioning any names) monty being the first to get covered in mud, monty for being the first to crash, and everyone for taking a detour off track to try and make fellow participants die (briefing note - how to die #37).

[duke63]

Thanks for coming all the way over, Jack.

Good to see you and Simon and hope you got some good shots.

[Monty]

To be fair I would have stood somewhere else after the first 17 near misses. Anyway grass tracking is where it's at.

[Itchy]

Once again, wounded I missed it, but glad you all had a great time.

[Blade]

Sounds great glad you all had such a superb day.

[Perkles]

Glad you enjoyed yourselves boys

[Mac]

Sounds like a great day

[duke63]

It's always good to try something outside your own comfort zone. Must be MotoGP bikes next

[Tricky]

It's always good to try something outside your own comfort zone......

very true.

......Must be MotoGP bikes next

them motoGP boys have nothing on us after today.

[Kwacky]

How about some ice racing in Norway? Monty isn't allowed though. I don't want to be tattooed by a bike with nails in its tyres

[Tricky]

How about some ice racing in Norway? Monty isn't allowed though. I don't want to be tattooed by a bike with nails in its tyres

he did quietly say to me that vengeance is sweet, dont know what he was on about though!!! i think he's a wonderful guy and his riding skills are above and beyond the most skilled riders.

[kiwikrasher]

I've been giggling to myself the whole way through this thread sounds as a good but weirdly deadly day was had!!

Looking forward to some pics if they are about?

[duke63]

Jack hopefully has some photos. Was a great day out.

[Frankie]

Nice ones guys, sounds like great fun, well I knew it would be rain or shine. Gutted I could not make it. Seen some pics on Facebook, very good.

[Monty]

Barstewards the lot of you!

Here's a few of me, just before I took out the crowd. Thanks Jack, really appreciated.

[Blade]

Proper sideways warrior there Monty. Looking good my friend looking good