So me and a mate have been booked onto Almeria with FE since October last year and it finally arrived and got here. Had some mixed feelings due to my bad riding but overall it was amazing!
Day 1 I spent with Gino Rea trying to get some pointers and expert tuition. Ended up as a shambles as I just couldn't get anything right, not sure if it was the pressure of being watched, along with being tired and not on a bike for 4 months, but it was a washout.
Day 2 I got dropped to group 1 as my times were embarrassing, but got on with it and managed to get pretty consistent 2.01's. I swapped to my new Dunlop D212 tyres as well which gave me more confidence over the old M7RR's that I'd done 6 days and 1500 road miles on!
Day 3 back up into group 2, and I wanted to crack the 2 minute mark, couldn't do it at all with the best being a 2.00.30!
Day 4 I decided to stop chasing times and just enjoy myself. Ran a bit wide on turn 2 nd decided to head for the gravel. Managed to stay on but somehow ended up slightly bending the rear brake lever on my R&G rearsets. Wasn't happy with it so decided to swap to standard. Wht a difference!
I fitted the R&G's to get some more leg room and comfort 3 years ago when I bought the bike, but this was only for road use back then. With the standard parts on the bike responded so much better, I was smoother with position changes due to better foot positioning etc. Night and day!
I went out the following session and just went very steadily, and got a 2.01 straight away, how bizarre! The following session I went out pushing a bit more and managed a 1.56.85 after my outlap! Followed by a 1.56.55, 1.57.55 & 1.57.35. So had smashed my target and just felt a million times better. So much time wasted with those rearsets and the wrong position! Very low max speed on the back straight but I wanted a little more time to set myself for the corner so decided to sacrifice that. Fastest speed managed overall was 164mph.
Finished up with 1 more chilled session just enjoying riding with my mate and putting a smile on my face! So the last 3 sessions saved the whole trip for me which was lucky!
A few pictures below, including a Gino Rea photobomb! And also a link to my 4 fastest laps, be very greatful if anyone in the know wants to critique me, I know where a lot of my time is lost due to bravery but always welcome some feedback!
Will be back there next year 100%!!
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Day 1 I spent with Gino Rea trying to get some pointers and expert tuition. Ended up as a shambles as I just couldn't get anything right, not sure if it was the pressure of being watched, along with being tired and not on a bike for 4 months, but it was a washout.
Day 2 I got dropped to group 1 as my times were embarrassing, but got on with it and managed to get pretty consistent 2.01's. I swapped to my new Dunlop D212 tyres as well which gave me more confidence over the old M7RR's that I'd done 6 days and 1500 road miles on!
Day 3 back up into group 2, and I wanted to crack the 2 minute mark, couldn't do it at all with the best being a 2.00.30!
Day 4 I decided to stop chasing times and just enjoy myself. Ran a bit wide on turn 2 nd decided to head for the gravel. Managed to stay on but somehow ended up slightly bending the rear brake lever on my R&G rearsets. Wasn't happy with it so decided to swap to standard. Wht a difference!
I fitted the R&G's to get some more leg room and comfort 3 years ago when I bought the bike, but this was only for road use back then. With the standard parts on the bike responded so much better, I was smoother with position changes due to better foot positioning etc. Night and day!
I went out the following session and just went very steadily, and got a 2.01 straight away, how bizarre! The following session I went out pushing a bit more and managed a 1.56.85 after my outlap! Followed by a 1.56.55, 1.57.55 & 1.57.35. So had smashed my target and just felt a million times better. So much time wasted with those rearsets and the wrong position! Very low max speed on the back straight but I wanted a little more time to set myself for the corner so decided to sacrifice that. Fastest speed managed overall was 164mph.
Finished up with 1 more chilled session just enjoying riding with my mate and putting a smile on my face! So the last 3 sessions saved the whole trip for me which was lucky!
A few pictures below, including a Gino Rea photobomb! And also a link to my 4 fastest laps, be very greatful if anyone in the know wants to critique me, I know where a lot of my time is lost due to bravery but always welcome some feedback!
Will be back there next year 100%!!
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