Post by: Mikku on January 08, 2019, 01:19 PM
Bikewise, the Crupi is unchanged from last year though I’ve recently been offered a set of carbon forks (Answer Daggers), so may possibly give those a try. Maybe. The same seller has also offered me a Chase RSP 3.0 but as nice it is, I have neither the skills or spare cash to justify replacing the Crupi, so will most probably give that a miss unless the deal is too good to refuse!! ::)
So that’s it for this first post of the year. As previously, I will try to update the thread with developments, pics and race reports. Comments, advice and suggestions are always welcome! fistblump
Post by: Mikku on January 10, 2019, 02:08 PM
Secondly, I've found another bmx track. It's not much nearer than the others, at over 3 hours by car, but looks quite good. Here's a link to a few races:-
Post by: Mikku on January 12, 2019, 02:41 AM
Post by: Drawn on January 13, 2019, 06:36 AM
Taking a guess that's the way they run it in Japan? Goes on a regional ranking or similar?
Would be pretty stuffed if that was the case down here, have a few too many Jerseys and Plates with numbers on them :-\
Hopefully you get out to a few races this year.
Post by: oldtired on January 14, 2019, 04:48 PM
Post by: Mikku on January 15, 2019, 12:19 AM
We've had some unseasonally good weather here recently, so I've been hitting the quiet, rice paddy roads for some training. Not sure what the locals make of a foreigner guy sprinting back and forth on a strange-looking bike (no-one rides BMX around these parts) but it's good to be blowing away the cobwebs! ;D
Post by: In2bmx on January 15, 2019, 10:50 AM
Post by: Mikku on January 25, 2019, 10:12 AM
Post by: Mikku on January 31, 2019, 11:24 AM
So onto the racing, apart from some pre-race nerves, the first moto was ok. I was a bit slow out of the gate and went into the first berm in 5th, which I held to the end. At least I wasn't last! The 2nd moto was a bit more exciting with a new guy to my left getting squeezed, leaning into me and then falling, thankfully without taking me down with him. I continued and again finished in 5th. The final moto was an interesting one. I had 2 faster guys either side of me on the gate but managed to beat them to the bottom of the start hill but they then nudged ahead of me over the first set of jumps and began dicing in front of me. At this point I made the mistake of backing off, fearing that they were going to take each other out. Sadly that didn’t happen and the speed I’d scrubbed off allowed the guy behind to beat me into the berm. I went high to get back some speed for the straight and started to catch up with both him and the 4th place guy but couldn’t get close enough to them to challenge. I therefore rolled in 6th, which was a bit disappointing given my good start but once again, highlighted my lack of racecraft. Or at least the need to keep racing as much as possible. I have all these ideas about what to do in this or that situation, which I often think about up on the start hill, but it all goes out the window when the gate drops!! I’m therefore keen to get back out there again, which I hope to do at the next scheduled race on 17th Feb, in 3 weeks time. :daumenhoch:
In other news, I’ve bought the forks mentioned above. I don’t need them but man they’re a lovely-looking set and are quite a bit lighter than the Sinz, so it’ll be interesting to see if they make a difference to the feel of the bike. I’m also on the look out for a smaller stem, as I think the 53mm I’ve got on there at the moment makes the front end a little too roomy. The forks might make the bike more agile, so I’ll see how I get on with those first then may pick up a 48mm stem. We’ll see.
Post by: oldtired on February 02, 2019, 02:37 PM
Post by: Mikku on February 07, 2019, 12:04 PM
A few bike upgrades to report. Swapped out the Sinz alloy forks for those carbon Daggers! Also changed the grips and brake lever. Took the bike for a spin today and it feels great, but we'll see what that translates to on the track, with the next race scheduled for the 17th. :D
Post by: Mikku on February 19, 2019, 08:58 AM
The next race at Midoriyama is the Kanto Open in March, but unfortunately I can’t make it, so my next outing will probably be in April and possibly at one of the other tracks in Niigata or Osaka, which should be fun! In the meantime I can concentrate on some fitness training and am also still toying with the idea of trying a shorter reach stem, so may pull the trigger on one of those soon. ::)
Post by: bmxmatt1974 on February 19, 2019, 09:43 AM
Post by: Mikku on February 19, 2019, 10:37 AM
Post by: griff on February 19, 2019, 01:33 PM
Post by: bmxmatt1974 on February 19, 2019, 02:36 PM
Nice one! What you riding? In any case, good luck with it and let us know how you get on! fistblumpPicked up an ssquared complete for £150 few weeks back. Mainly to ride with my 5 year old who has just started racing. Will post pic later :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on February 19, 2019, 11:45 PM
Great progress Mick - thanks for keeping us up to date :daumenhoch:
Thanks mate! 8)
Post by: bmxmatt1974 on February 20, 2019, 07:20 AM
Post by: Mikku on February 20, 2019, 07:45 AM
Post by: bmxmatt1974 on February 20, 2019, 08:50 AM
That's a sweet-looking rig!! :coolsmiley:
:daumenhoch: it rides nice too
Post by: Mikku on February 26, 2019, 10:44 PM
Post by: bmxmatt1974 on March 01, 2019, 10:08 PM
So.... how did you get on with Saturday's return to the track??? Get that race report posted!! :daumenhoch:
Ha ha sorry I forgot. I ended up getting 6th out of 10 riders. Had 2 thirds and a fourth in motos then into A final. Decent enough gate but not the power to keep up with guys who have done lots of racing while I haven't done any. Main thing though I didn't crash and I didn't come last either :)
Pic with my lad who got a 4th in his A final, his best race yet.. Only his 5th ever race.
[attachment=1][attachment=2]
Post by: Mikku on March 02, 2019, 01:05 PM
Back to Japan, it looks like I'm heading to Osaka for my next fix. Osaka has not 1 but 2 bmx tracks, which means I have twice the chance of racing there! This week I’ve been in touch with the track organisers and they both have classes I can enter, with a race coming up on March 24th. I was intending to visit Osaka this month anyway, so am now planning to drive there instead, putting my bike in the back of the Forester and having a quick butchers at and possibly a spin around both of the tracks. If they look ok, then I’ll try and make that race on the 24th. Otherwise there's another on 14th April. Hopefully by that time the Niigata track's season will have started, increasing my "local" track choice to three. :daumenhoch:
Post by: bmxmatt1974 on March 04, 2019, 09:40 PM
Nice one Matt!! Sounds (and looks) like you've done this before. When's the next outing?
Back to Japan, it looks like I'm heading to Osaka for my next fix. Osaka has not 1 but 2 bmx tracks, which means I have twice the chance of racing there! This week I’ve been in touch with the track organisers and they both have classes I can enter, with a race coming up on March 24th. I was intending to visit Osaka this month anyway, so am now planning to drive there instead, putting my bike in the back of the Forester and having a quick butchers at and possibly a spin around both of the tracks. If they look ok, then I’ll try and make that race on the 24th. Otherwise there's another on 14th April. Hopefully by that time the Niigata track's season will have started, increasing my "local" track choice to three. :daumenhoch:
Ha ha yeah done it before about 10 years ago. Never stopped riding just stopped racing. I may race again in summer series, not yet ready to race any regionals.
Keep up the good reports from your racing, I'm enjoying reading about it and look forward to see how you get on 👍
Post by: Mikku on March 16, 2019, 01:32 AM
Here's the Osaka Calling thread:- http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,194754.0.html
& here's a bike pic showing the new forks and stem:-
Post by: Mikku on April 05, 2019, 10:52 PM
Post by: Mikku on April 18, 2019, 11:56 PM
In other news, the schedule for the Niigata track has been published. They're running a 7-race series, with basically one race a month starting at the end of April. There are a couple of schedule clashes with Osaka and I've already plans for the opening race day, but intend to make at least a few of their races. I therefore need to head up there at some point to check out the track. :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on April 20, 2019, 01:42 PM
The main difference between Kishiwada and the other tracks I've ridden is that many of the jumps have lips on them so you can't roll/pump them. Instead they chuck you up, which is great for jumpers but not for 49 year old novices!! Or at least this one!! Coupled with the biggest start hill in Japan, it makes for an "entertaining" track which explains why it has been the venue for UCI-sanctioned events. I spoke to one of the guys who works there and he said that not many of the older guys (ie, my age) race there because it's too difficult, which made me feel better. There's a race there on 15th May, so I want to have another practice session there before I think about entering. ;)
Some start hill pics below! What the pics don't show is me not pedalling! ::)
Post by: Mikku on April 20, 2019, 01:46 PM
Post by: Mikku on April 20, 2019, 01:54 PM
Post by: Drawn on April 22, 2019, 07:22 AM
Guessing they have a lot of smaller and more friendly tracks?
Just came across something from a Japanese rider and saw the same step up jump you had put a picture up of. Except hitting it backwards
Which then lead to understanding that you do a left hand corner, then 2 rights with that tunnel going back under to the start, which is pretty awesome.
The rider in question was Yuichu Masuda, i've seen him come down here a few times to race so you might see him out on his Formula.
Would be interesting to give it a go that's for sure.
Post by: Mikku on April 22, 2019, 01:57 PM
/>
As cool as it looks, I'm not up to that. "nono" However, this next vid (taken after the track was first built) gives me the answer I've been looking for. At 0:56 the rider manuals over the first part of the triple, which I reckon I might be able to do after some more practice. Maybe! :D
/>
On Saturday morning there was a beginner's clinic with another Pro Elite rider, Taichi Ikegami, who was on the Kuwahara factory team last year but is also now with Formula. I missed the clinic but afterwards we got talking and I jokingly suggested that I'd help him with his English if he helped me with my BMXing! Here's hoping!! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Drawn on April 23, 2019, 12:58 AM
Its one of those things I guess the more you ride (even on the street) the more you begin to play around and look for different lines or ways to toy around.
Its pretty amazing, that for you, the nearest is 3.5hrs or so to get there, makes you more determined when you are there.
The people down here that whinge when its more than 45 minutes is mind boggling. For some they can have 4 tracks within 20 minutes of home for them.
In my case my nearest is a 4 minute drive with traffic (10 minute ride), and within about an hour is about 12 other tracks.
That track does look like fun though and should certainly test and build your skills.
Post by: Mikku on April 23, 2019, 04:57 AM
As for track choice, it’s definitely a case of if the mountain won’t come to Mohammed! Plus I was quite lucky before with only a 30-minute drive to Midoriyama, so can’t complain too much. :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on April 27, 2019, 10:17 AM
This is all subject to the vagaries of the weather at this time of year! ::)
Post by: Mikku on May 03, 2019, 03:34 PM
Despite its length, I like Kanayasan. After the hair-raising ride at Kishiwada (and for that matter, Oizumi), it was good to be able to tackle jumps at full speed again without fear of killing myself. The proof will be in the pudding though, as I plan to make the 8-hour round trip again on Sunday for the postponed race from last weekend. Race report to follow!! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on May 03, 2019, 03:37 PM
Post by: Taipan on May 03, 2019, 06:27 PM
Post by: Mikku on May 05, 2019, 01:44 AM
Have just arrived at a very sunny and not very busy Kanayasan! I fear that my class will be combined with other classes and therefore younger and faster riders!! "nono"
Post by: Mikku on May 06, 2019, 12:18 AM
Despite the result, I really enjoyed the day. Both the track and the venue are great and everyone was very friendly but I have to say that unless there’s a better turnout in my class, it’s not worth the 8-hour/550km/£100 round trip. Whilst I could always do with more track time (I spent an extra hour practising after the racing had finished), what I really want to improve is my racecraft. In the last few races at Midoriyama I’d been mixing it with other riders and that puts a whole different perspective on riding, as well as being more exciting than racing yourself at the back of the pack. Another older guy did turn up in the afternoon for some practice (on a sweet-looking, new school, baby blue PK Ripper) and the people I spoke to said that there were other riders in my class, so I’ll give it another chance at the next race (scheduled for May 26th) then see where we are. :daumenhoch:
On the bike front, I really enjoying the feel of the shorter/lighter front end set-up with one unexpected exception. During the pre-race, gate practice session I couldn’t hold my balance for more than a few seconds! I know it’s been a few months since my last race but I had been getting more and more confident with my starts, so was really surprised by the sudden change. Thinking about it afterwards, not only is the Funn stem 8mm shorter than the Promax, it’s also lower, so the combination of the two has definitely had an affect on my balance point. I’m therefore going to have to work on that at home before my next race this coming weekend back at Kishiwada. The plan is to head down there on Saturday to get in some extra practice on that difficult triple jump, not to mention that flippin' gert start hill, then stay with friends overnight and go to the race on Sunday. :D
Post by: Mikku on May 11, 2019, 02:32 PM
More tomorrow! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on May 12, 2019, 01:38 PM
Post by: Mikku on May 12, 2019, 11:45 PM
There were 4 riders in the over-30 class but the 2-man cruiser class was amalgamated with ours making a total of 6 on the gate. Talking of gates, I had none of the balancing problems I had up in Niigata, which leads me to think that the Niigata start hill is not as steep as others I’ve ridden on. In any case it was a bit of a relief to be able to focus on the start cadence instead of worrying about putting a foot down. However, I still didn’t have the courage to pedal all the way down that hill!! :-[
So how was the racing? Well not too bad. The cruiser guys were literally a class apart but the rest of us were not too far apart from each other. I couldn’t quite keep up with the 3rd-placed guy but managed to keep the other two behind me. That’s how we finished in the motos and main. I therefore finished 4th overall, which would have been a podium without the cruisers. No worries though as I was relieved just to be mixing it with other riders again after my lonely outing in Niigata. Plus I didn’t crash, which is always a bonus, especially with a 3 and a half drive home! That said, I nearly came a cropper on that flippin’ triple jump, which I still can’t get the hang of. I tried backing off in one of the motos but it feels so unnatural to do that, so I’m going to have to rethink that strategy. Hopefully I can make it back to Kishiwada for a decent practice session some time as that’s definitely a weak point for me, and I do plan to race there again later in the year.
However, after 2 race weekends in a row, I deserve a bit of break, as do my aching limbs, so will just do a bit of light riding/training and bike maintenance over the coming fortnight before my next scheduled outing back in Niigata on Sunday 26th. Looking forward to it! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on May 17, 2019, 11:06 PM
Post by: Taipan on May 20, 2019, 08:53 AM
Post by: Mikku on May 24, 2019, 12:42 PM
Race report to follow next week but in the meantime, here's another pic from this morning's early morning ride:-
Post by: Mikku on May 25, 2019, 09:29 AM
Post by: Mikku on May 27, 2019, 01:19 PM
Post by: Mikku on May 28, 2019, 01:18 PM
I had some good battles though and remembering the advice given in previous posts, rode more aggressively than normal to try to keep the whippersnappers behind me. That included moving across out of the gate and cutting across the bows of one guy in the first berm. It was good fun, even though I ran out of steam and was overtaken by the third straight. Despite the result, it was good to be battling on track again. :daumenhoch:
The next race is on June 23rd, with both Niigata and Oizumi holding races that day. Although it’ll be rainy season then, I’m hoping that the distance between the two tracks (500 kms) will mean that at least one of the meetings will escape the rain and go ahead. Ideally I’d like to have a crack at Oizumi but will otherwise head back up to Niigata to get my fix, even if that means racing (and losing) against 14 year olds! :D
Post by: Mikku on June 05, 2019, 12:36 PM
& following my recent start hill wobbles, I've also rigged up a start gate, or rather a balance gate, round the side of our garage. :slayer:
Post by: oldtired on June 17, 2019, 07:31 PM
nice to see yer proper fizzogg , was begining to think you'd had that helmet welded on :LolLolLolLol:
Post by: Mikku on June 18, 2019, 01:04 PM
Have been feeling under the weather this past week in two respects - suffering from a niggly cough and the rainy season has been living up to its name. There are 2 races this weekend at Osaka and Niigata but the forecast is looking a bit iffy, so we'll see what pans out. If the Niigata race is rained off it'll be postponed to the following Sunday. There's also another race in Osaka that day, so I'm hoping that I can get to at least one of these 4 races!!
Post by: Mikku on June 22, 2019, 08:29 PM
Post by: Mikku on June 24, 2019, 03:20 PM
However, one thing that could be improved is the organisation of classes, with the over-30s being lumped together rather than separated into Novice and Masters classes, as at Midoriyama. On this day both of these were mixed to make a total of 16 riders, split into 2 full gates! I was in the first of these and I knew I was in trouble when we were lining up in the holding area and I noticed that everyone else was riding with clips! That concern turned out to be the case when I was beaten to the first jump let alone the first berm in all three motos! I was fairly close to the 7th placed guy throughout the day, but never close enough to mount a challenge. With only the top 4 in each class going through to the main, I therefore watched that from the sidelines. :-[
Despite the results I had a really good day, enjoying both the venue and the track. Of the three new tracks I've now ridden at this year (Kanayasan, Kishiwada and Oizumi), I think Oizumi is best-suited to me and my skill level. It's certainly fun, a feeling that's mirrored off the track, with lots of people striking up conversations and the kids trying to practice their English with me. I think I may have found my local track, if you can call 236km/146 miles local!! Am therefore looking forward to my next outing there in July. In the meantime there's a race at Kishiwada this coming Sunday, so I may make the trek back down to Osaka for that. :D
Post by: Mikku on June 28, 2019, 09:42 PM
My next scheduled races are therefore on the 14th and 28th July at Oizumi and Kanayasan respectively. :slayer:
Post by: Mikku on July 08, 2019, 12:11 PM
Post by: Mikku on July 14, 2019, 11:56 PM
Post by: Mikku on July 27, 2019, 02:03 AM
Post by: Mikku on August 25, 2019, 01:46 PM
If next Sunday does go ahead then that'll be the first of 3 consecutive races scheduled for September, as I'm planning to head back to Oizumi Park in Osaka on the 8th, followed by the night race at Midoriyama on the 15th. Should therefore be a busy month, or at least a busier month than the last 2!! Hopefully! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on August 31, 2019, 11:47 AM
Post by: Mikku on September 05, 2019, 01:00 AM
/>
Post by: Mikku on September 08, 2019, 03:36 AM
Post by: Mikku on September 09, 2019, 08:56 AM
Things I learnt and need to remember for next time? First, keep to my routine. My 49 year old limbs definitely need warming up before (and cooling down after) each race. Second, drink plenty of fluids on hot days! I thought I was drinking enough but I was feeling light-headed after the first moto and had a headache by the time I got back to the car. Third, keep on going! I was a bit despondent after the 2nd moto but dug deep for the 3rd moto and had my best race of the day. :slayer:
So next weekend is the Japan Open back at Midoriyama. Haven’t raced there since February, so am looking forward to catching up with the locals, plus seeing if my experiences at the three tracks in Niigata and Osaka make a difference to how I view and ride the track. :D
Post by: monkian on September 09, 2019, 09:48 AM
Post by: Mikku on September 10, 2019, 03:14 PM
Post by: Mikku on September 18, 2019, 04:23 AM
Post by: Mikku on September 19, 2019, 03:14 PM
So I ended up watching the mains from the sidelines, rethinking my races and wondering if I could have done anything different. Tbh, I don’t think I could’ve done much more than I did. I definitely feel that I’m now a little faster and more confident over the Midoriyama jumps than before but my biggest problem has been the one that I’ve had from the beginning, namely a lack of stamina. I’m therefore feeling now that I should really try and do something about this, so am going to do read up and some research to find a user-friendly way to build up my stamina without visiting a gym! Any suggestions would be welcomed. In the meantime, I shall continue riding my bike as much as possible and hope to be out racing against next month, possibly at Midoriyama again on the 20th and/or at Niigata on the 27th. :daumenhoch:
Post by: Drawn on September 20, 2019, 08:53 AM
Night before have a good meal of carbs and protein. Its not always easy, especially as say steak in Japan can be expensive, but even a good spaghetti dish is a good way to fuel yourself. Then on the day ensure you have plenty of fluids, lots of little snacks (no massive meal before racing) and go from there.
Ive recently started trying to have a steak and chips sort of meal the night before as its Protein and Carbs and it actually has helped a lot.
Sometimes though its just getting out and riding more to build up the "engine" and working on building up the legs to go with it.
If you are keen on doing sprints try to include some longer ones with leg speed maxed, and stage it so that you just have to keep pushing it through.
Basically tiring your legs out but still pushing, so a bit downhill is good as you arent trying to build muscle but build the ability to keep going.
You're getting there though, it just takes time.
Keep at it and the results will follow.
Post by: Mikku on September 20, 2019, 12:25 PM
Post by: Drawn on September 21, 2019, 06:11 AM
Used to often try for the idea of pasta if possible but that was about it.
Wasn't until travelling to a few interstate and national events with a mate it kind of made sense.
Its one of those things that the main goal is to find out what works for yourself and go from there.
I've found the protein part has helped in the legs not tiring out quite so quickly or as much throughout the days racing.
Often I will have 1 or 2 tiny chocolates between races or a banana for a bit of an energy kick, and its not too heavy either.
Same as drinks like Gatorade. Its not about smashing it down but having a bit and then also having water.
Pretty common to have about 1 per race day, but its normally just a mouthful at a time.
Mind you, I do have a fondness for coffee and especially one of an iced variety, so that may blow out the good eating and drinking haha.
Alot does come down to finding out what works best for yourself though.
Fuel in is fuel out, but it has to be the right stuff.
Oh and a good nights sleep can make a massive difference, especially for the longer term energy for the day.
Post by: Mikku on September 24, 2019, 09:03 AM
Post by: monkian on September 24, 2019, 09:35 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190924/ddbf5cf3c7e91635968cc36afa593ba5.jpg)
Post by: Mikku on September 24, 2019, 09:51 AM
Post by: Taipan on October 19, 2019, 09:22 PM
Post by: Mikku on October 19, 2019, 11:17 PM
Had been thinking about heading down to Midoriyama's race this weekend (so I had an excuse to go to the MotoGP) but had to shelve that plan for non-BMX reasons. Have therefore been continuing my morning practice sessions in the rice fields, as pictured below earlier in the week. Next race should be this coming Sunday 27th, back up at Niigata, with their final race of the season. Haven't been there for a few months now, so am looking forward to it. :D
Edit:- Just received an email saying that today's race at Midoriyama has been cancelled. Am now VERY glad that I didn't make the 7-hour trip for that!!! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on October 24, 2019, 11:56 PM
Post by: Mikku on October 26, 2019, 02:16 PM
Post by: monkian on November 01, 2019, 10:42 AM
Post by: Mikku on November 05, 2019, 11:58 AM
Post by: Mikku on November 10, 2019, 11:21 PM
Anyway, onwards and upwards, as this Sunday I should hopefully be racing back down at Oizumi Park in Osaka. Looking forward to it, though with one eye on the weather forecast, as always! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on November 12, 2019, 01:57 PM
Post by: Mikku on November 18, 2019, 12:22 PM
Post by: Mikku on November 19, 2019, 09:52 AM
So back to last Sunday, the over-30 mixed class had 23 riders, by far the most popular, so were split into 4 motos, with six riders in mine. I had a ding-dong battle with the same rider in all three races albeit at the back of the pack. I was slow out of the gate in the first moto and although I was close and at times level, I couldn’t quite slip past. Determined to do better in the the second moto and lining up together on the gate, I got my bars in front, moved across and went into the first berm in 5th. However, despite covering my line, I was picked off coming out of the second berm and it stayed that way to the end. I was gutted to have lost the place and was fired up for the 3rd moto. Once again, I made it into the first berm in 5th and this time kept the ol’ legs spinning to finish in that place. A victory of sorts, and a good way to end off the day even though I didn’t make the semi-finals, with only the top four from each moto going through. One benefit of not making the main is that I can watch the other races. Not just from a spectator point of view but it’s also good watching the lines that other riders take and how they tackle the various parts of the track. There were some good dices but the best was left to the last race of the day, which was the elite class. The large turnout for my class was not quite mirrored in the top class, but with six riders taking the gate, it was the largest turnout of elite riders I've seen in Japan. It was great watching them in practice, let alone the racing. Oizumi has two back straights, with a separate set of jumps for elite riders and they made small work of the big jumps there. Amazing to watch! Just wish I had those skills. Or for that matter, those balls!! :nuts:
Back to reality, here’s a selection of pics including some gate shots! :daumenhoch:
Post by: In2bmx on November 19, 2019, 11:35 AM
Post by: Mikku on November 19, 2019, 12:22 PM
Post by: monkian on November 19, 2019, 07:19 PM
Post by: Mikku on November 20, 2019, 12:23 AM
Two more races to go this season - back to Oizumi on 1st Dec then the Final Race at Midoriyama on the 8th. As always, looking forward to it! :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on November 30, 2019, 11:49 AM
Post by: Mikku on December 02, 2019, 10:38 AM
So this coming weekend I’m planning to head down to Kanagawa for the “Final Race” at Midoriyama. The weather's looking ok at the time of writing, so hopefully that lasts through to Sunday. Membership renewals are due for Midoriyama, so I’ll need to have a think about whether it’s worth paying the £33 membership fee for 2020, given how little I race there now. I probably will but may wait to see if I can off-load some of the stuff that I'm taking there to sell! ;D
Post by: Mikku on December 07, 2019, 08:42 AM
Post by: Mikku on December 11, 2019, 12:48 PM
The good weather had also attracted a decent amount of riders and there were 9 of us in the over-30s, split into 2 heats of 5 and 4 respectively, with me in the first. Moto 1 saw me in lane 1, and I got out well, slotting into 3rd place, which I held to the end - a good start to the day. Starting from lane 6, I got away in third again in moto 2 and held on to that place despite not being able to see well after forgetting to pull my goggles down! I finished third in the third moto too, though had to fight off the attentions of the 4th-placed guy as my legs started to give up the ghost! With 3 thirds, I qualified for the main and lined up on the gate in lane 6. I got away ok and lining up three abreast as we neared the first berm, I held both my nerve and line and just about managed to nudge in front of the riders either side of me. Now in 5th and with the first four too far ahead, the ol’ legs just about hauled me round to finish in that spot. A great confidence-booster, particularly the dice on the first straight. Actually, that was one of the best things I took from the day - being more aggressive out of the gate and holding my line, especially going into that all-important first berm. Finally, I’m starting to listen to my own advice!! ;D
Buoyed by the good result and a few sales from my parts box, I decided to bite the bullet and renew my JOSF membership for next year. I’ll probably only make a few of the races but always enjoy catching up with everyone, plus Midoriyama is still the track I know best. :daumenhoch:
Post by: Mikku on December 11, 2019, 12:58 PM
Post by: Mikku on December 26, 2019, 11:33 PM
Next year I plan to continue racing at Osaka and Niigata, with the occasional visit to Midoriyama. If I could take in another new track some when along the way that would be good too. Whatever happens, I’ll continue to share my efforts on the home of British BMX. Keep it RAD! :radbmxsmilie:
Post by: HUTCHMAN on December 26, 2019, 11:50 PM
Post by: hotdog on December 27, 2019, 06:08 AM
Post by: oldtired on December 29, 2019, 12:03 AM