We took the Dommy to Weedon Beck, Just off the M1. TWICE!!
A test track open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
£10 to play all day. Bargain.

The first time I rode there the dommy was exactly as standard except for the knobbly tyres and lower gearing (13/47). Lights, horn the lot, even a number plate. It was far too heavy, under sprung and under damped. To make matters worse I'd wound a load of pre-load off the rear in an attempt to gain trail - hence making it "stable on the loose". What it actually did was buck me out of the seat at every opportunity because the suspension bottomed out over every bit of rough and collapsed at the mere sight of a jump ! 
I had on the flimsiest amount of second hand off road gear you can imagine which did nothing for my confidence and the thought of lobbing it not only meant financial ruin but probably hospital food for a month while they extracted the dommy from my back passage! Needless to say I had fun but in a reserved "I WANT TO LIVE" type fashion.
It was exhausting but I didn't slip off even once and came away much impressed with the overall lay out of the track and the smiles per pound offered by one of the simplest pleasures I've discovered to date. I'd had a play with a couple of riders, even getting the better of one or two which was a real hoot. My wrists and legs were aching as was my face from grinning so much.

So.......... next time I went better prepared !
Everything that could be removed was removed in an attempt to reduce the mass and help not only the suspension cope but also the rider ! The rear shock had been rebuilt by REVS RACING and was ten times better than before - actually slowing the suspension in both directions, which was nice ! I was kitted out in full body armour and riding gear which boosted both my confidence and the overall appearance of this otherwise road orientated machine/rider combination !
I was much more committed as the machine felt completely different with its stiffer shock, higher ride height, rebuilt forks sporting thicker oil and a smaller air gap than standard. The body armour gave me the confidence to push a little and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. 
Still couldn't get it to jump properly as the front suspension was still way too soft and would bury itself into anything resembling a ramp forcing the rear end into an over taking manoeuvre in mid air! Managing to over come the urge to stick my knee out in corners was hard work, as was hanging onto the bars as they continually attempted to wrench them selves from my grasp. Not the most powerful of engines but making good traction due in part to it's sheer bulk. 
Geared down nowhere near as much as the first time (14/45) it managed to pull itself along at a fair lick without revving it's balls off and overall it performed rather well for such a big bike. Despite all the exercises I found myself unable to continue much past 3 laps for sheer exhaustion. Better get out and pound the pavement to build up my stamina.

One things for sure, even a little track like this makes green laning feel very tame ! Don't think I'll be wrecking my knobblies on tarmac in search of any more local lanes, saving myself for the main event from now on instead.

Dez Chand.