First Blog - an older post from 3 Sisters - Lily

Last year I wanted to get a minitwin and go back to racing what I like. Unfortunately at the time I couldn't find one I liked for the money I had. In the end I made a sudden decision and bought a CB500 instead. I raced the CB a couple of times in what is a great class against full grid (40- 50 entries per meeting) and did ok with a 9th being my best. But, my heart wasn't really in it as the bike just aren't nice looking. I tried by getting it painted but I couldn't find the love for it.

First race this year at start of March and I crash anyway and end up in plaster with a muppeted thumb
Roll forward 2 months and after a very quick discussion I am buying an SV and selling the CB - all change!
So on Tuesday I got the SV and on Wednesday I entered 3 sisters to give it a test.
Excuses first then.. new bike, never ridden an SV before, thumb that is still healing and has no grip on a circuit I have never ridden and does not suit me (I like fast and open).... But, the plan was to test the bike and see if I was ok to ride.

Race Day
Very odd going to a race on the morning of it and just turning up. Luckily Bongo already had the awning up so just went straight to scrutineering and then into awning. Then it started to spit... a bit.. gamble time...wets or drys??? decided to go for the wets and discovered we probably should have done a practice wheel change.. oh well. Finally in and sorted and I am ready for practice. I was only able to get in one race but the clerk of course let me go out with classic to see where the track went....
First test.. discovered the bike was race shift... oops
After 5 minutes sussing out where the track went it was out for my 10 minutes with the minitwins. Managed to follow Nige for a lap or two to try and get a rough idea of lines although i was still everywhere and finding it really physical.

Race 1 - 7 laps wet
Pulled position 6 from the bag and had an okish start but not aggressive enough so straight away was on the back of the group. Ok though and just settled into trying to ride. Couple of laps in and I am still with them but another rider decides I need to be nudged out of the way and tbh I didn't feel like pushing back, this cost me a dodgy gear change, half a lap in the wrong gear and off the back of the pack. Once recovered I think I breathed out for the first time and visor completely steamed up, so after this I then plodded round till then end of the race finishing in 8th place but not going very quick.

Race 2 - 5 laps - really fecking wet!
Grid slot of 8th this time and a much better pull off the line, but mugged into the first corner. Stayed on the back of the pack for 2 laps, not going to catch them, but wanted to stay in touch. Then a bit of an electrical gremlin (water onto plugs we think as I braked down hill) meant the bike stuttered for a bit and I lost the tow. Once again I plodded my way round last few laps and finished in 7th this time but actually enjoyed this a bit more.

All in all it was a good day out. I learned a bit about the bike and what I need to sort before the first real ride at the next TSGB round, I realised my thumb is not fixed. I had the first serious pain in my hip in about 12 months and finally I confirmed I don't like nadgery circuits