First Wey Valley Observed Sunday

 

First Wey Valley Observed Sunday.

 

It is called the First because it is the first official gathering of the club since March 2020. It was great to see people in the flesh and we  have all suffered from the enforced incarceration by restrictions imposed up till now. We have all become a little older, greyer, heavier but no less enthusiastic to be out on our bikes again after so long. It was a day to remember not only to refresh acquaintances and meet new faces but it turned out to be an electric day.

I had planned to be at our new venue, the Cobham Village Hall by nine in the morning to help out with the shop but a very late night with friends had slowed my morning progress and I was about forty minutes late. When I arrive at an observe Sunday I usually take a few photos to commemorate the day and this was an exceptional day. The car park/bike park was full to overflowing and so was the overflow parking area. It was double parking everywhere. There were a few electric bikes in one corner and there were offers of test rides during the day. I was a bit behind and not quite ready for a new experience and carried on to the shop.

Rob who manages the shop was there with some books and tee shirts laid out on one corner of the stage. It was the first time of doing it at Cobham and things need to be worked out on where the shop area needs to be located and what to display. I felt refreshed after a mug of tea and a sausage sandwich and talking to people. There was more food to come with a hog roast at lunch time. The pairings had mostly been organised on line so there was none of traditional pairings announcements only a few things from our new Chairman. New recruits were sent off for briefing and the hall quickly cleared as observer and associates when to their bikes for their sessions. Gita was to arrive about twelve so there was about an hour and a half to wait for those on observed runs to return. I went to move the Buell to the main parking area. It was the only bike remaining there. To get there I went by the electric bikes and was drawn into the conversation of how they work. I explained some of my reservations of the lack of clutch, the riding style or the correct gear for the speed and manoeuvre and range anxiety. The challenge was to try one and then make an assessment. Take one for a ride. They were all made by Zero. Four types of sports bikes and one dual purpose. 

The sports bikes weighed in around 210kg and the dual purpose in at 185kg. I did a quick spin around the car park and found it strange as there was quite a long movement on the twist grip before anything happened. The uptake was gentle and progressive. It was not like the switch I had half been expecting but then I was not giving a handful. It was a pussy cat. The take up was smooth and manageable with feet up as soon as I was moving. I needed to turn it around. It did not freewheel but slowly ground to a halt mid turn. I wanted a clutch to do that. Try that again, keep a little throttle on to keep the momentum and I managed an ungainly turn. 

I would have to learn some new techniques for this type of bike. To make a turn or any slow speed manoeuvre throttle in slight excess and control the speed on the back brake so it does not get away from you. Talking to Conor of Spark Motos www.Sparkmotos.com I declined a ride out then as I wanted Gita to come with me on a proper ride another day. Conor was kind enough to take a video of me going around the car park. I did this after collecting the Buell from the other parking area. I’ll book a proper test ride soon and will let you know how it goes.