David Allingham, 2020 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship rider

I met David Allingham at the Donnington round of British Superbikes 2020. 

David Allimngham

David, aka D-Bomb, has been riding a 2019 Suzuki GSXRR1000, which is a Michael Dunlop bike, in the 2020 Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship. David really enjoys riding for Michael’s team, he finds it has a relaxed atmosphere about it to work and there is lots of banter and David sees himself riding for Michael Dunlop in 2021 although as yet, there is nothing set in stone yet.

David very kindly took the time to answer some questions for me.

What is the best feeling about being on a motorbike?

If you have a good result when racing then you can’t beat that feeling. When you are riding, you’re on your own, you've got speed and adrenaline and when you almost highside the bike but you save it, you get such a buzz, it is probably the best feeling you can have.

2019 Suzuki GSXRR1000

What is the one thing people would never know about you just by looking at you?

That I am bad tempered! I can get angry really fast – it’s the red hair, makes me fiery!

What was your most embarrassing moment on a motorbike?

OMG I remember! I was at Donington and I had finished 4^th in a race, I was coming through the pit lane behind Tarran Mckenzie and I turned to the side to high five my brother who was on the pit wall. As I turned back round, I realised that Steve Rodgers from McAms Yamaha had come out of his garage into the pit lane in his wheelchair and I needed to take evasive action in order to avoid him. I swerved into the back of Tarran, we both ended up going down but not before I went over my handlebars. I ended up on the pit lane floor with a couple of broken ribs! Not my finest moment.

What is the worst thing your mum caught you doing as a kid?

I have never been into cigarettes but when I was younger, I had just got off the school bus and I was holding a cigarette for my friend when my mum saw me and she clouted me round the ear!

Do you have a lucky thing/ritual before the start of a race?

I lost my little sister when I was young and before a race I always say a little prayer to her.

What was the first motorbike you owned?

I got myself a Mini Moto and took it home but before I got to ride it, my brother took it out for a ride, crashed and wrote the bike off!

David and his bike

What is your favourite stretch of road to ride on (not including a race track)?

I don’t ride on the road, I wouldn’t trust myself if another biker overtook me on the road to not go after the biker and start to race. 

My favourite race track though is Oulton Park as it is a circuit that has uphills, downhills and different elevations. A great fun circuit to ride.

If you hadn’t been a racer, what would you have been?

Tennis. I love tennis. Unfortunately no one will play tennis with me any more as I am too competitive.

Would you ride pillion? If so, who with?

I would never ride pillion. If I did though, it would only be with my girlfriend, Megan, no one else.

If you got arrested, what would your friends and family assume you had done?

That I had fallen out with someone and started fighting – probably whilst playing tennis!

BK

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My First Ever Track Day Experience

Ron Haslam Race School

So I have a birthday coming up and the o/h asked me what I would like. Now, this might surprise you (but probably not) I’m not one for jewellery and stuff like that, I like practical presents, things that I will get use out of or develop my learning with. To give you an idea, one year I had a set of door trims for my MGB GT, and a couple of years ago I had a BikeSafe course! 

I had been thinking for a while that I would like to do a track day. I have never really enjoyed corners and it is something I felt would benefit from guidance in a safe environment ie. not on the public road but I was really worried about taking my bike on track and binning it. 

I had been looking at the Ron Haslam Race School at Donington Park as not only do they provide the bike but they can also supply the leathers, boots, helmet and gloves too if you want to use them (I opted to use my own gear). So the o/h booked me on a Premier Experience which is a morning’s course with three 20 minute track sessions and one instructor to two pupils. 

Rider Briefing

So on the morning of my track day, to say it was raining is somewhat of an understatement. It was pouring down. I was nervous about doing a track day to start with and now that it was raining and knowing the track was going to be wet was not helping in the nerve situation. 

I arrived about 8.30 in the morning to sign on and headed over to the briefing garage where we were met by a chap who told us what the Ron Haslam school was about and what the plan for the morning was. 

There is a big board with a map of the track for everyone to see and on there are red, yellow and green arrows at every corner. The red arrows indicate the braking zone, the yellow the turning point and the green is the apex of the corner. Likewise we were told that on the track we would see red, yellow and green cones. We were talked through how to make use of these markers when on track and how to (or not to) go into corners and the best way of achieving the maximum we could from the session and from our instructor. 

We were told about track discipline and what is and what is not acceptable behaviour whilst on track and above all we were told to relax and enjoy the day. Easier said than done, I was really nervous by now and was asking myself if a pair of earrings would have been a better present to ask for! 

In the pits

After the briefing we then headed to the next garage where we would meet our instructor and find out who we had been paired with and which bike we had been allocated for the morning. My instructor was a chap called Rob Mawbey, I was paired up with a very nice chap whose name I apologise, but I have forgotten but for the purposes of this blog I will call him Trevor, and I was allocated bike number 17! 

Rob explained that we would get on our bikes and then follow him round the track keeping a safe distance and we should follow the lines he takes into and out of the corners. If there were faster people coming alongside on track he would put his left arm in the air and we should keep to the left of the track until he lowered his arm whereupon we could use the track as normal. Rob would also be indicating for me and Trevor to switch places at times. 

Setting off for first session

We walked to our bikes and Rob talked about the bikes and then he told us to get on the bikes and wait for him to pull up alongside and then follow him out. OMG perhaps a bracelet would have been less nervy to receive for my birthday than I am right now. I have driven cars around race tracks (not Donington) but never a bike so this was a whole new experience for me. I was hoping the rain would have eased by now, but unfortunately it was still raining heavily! 

Rob lined up followed by Trevor and then myself at the end of the pit lane. We were given the signal to go and off we went. By the time we were half way round, I thought to myself, okay, this wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, it’s just like riding on the road but with no cars to worry about. By the end of the first lap I could feel myself grinning, I was loving it. 

After a couple of laps Trevor and I changed positions and I was behind Rob. I could tell that Trevor was a lot faster rider than I was and I was concerned that I was holding him up but just tried to concentrate on what I was doing. The chequered flag came out and that was then end of the first session I couldn’t believe we had been out there twenty minutes. I was loving it. Into the pits we came and parked up the bikes. 

On Track

Trevor and I went into the garage with Rob to have a chat about our session. It turned out that Trevor used to race bikes a few years ago and this was my first track day! Rob spoke to the garage manager and he went off to find another instructor for me as we are supposed to be in similarly matched pairs. 

Whilst waiting to go back out on track for our next session, in the garage there were two bikes on paddock stands. Each of us had to sit on the bike and Rob gave Trevor and I instructions on how we should be positioning our bodies, arms, feet etc. when going into corners and he would lean the bike over for us. I found that really useful and now just had to take that information back out onto the track. 

It was time for our next session and Michael Waring, introduced himself to me as my new instructor. Michael said to stay behind him and follow him making sure to follow his lines into and out of the corners. I was far more relaxed on this session I felt a lot happier going into the corners. I had learnt where to start braking, where to turn for the corners and the lines to take. I was loving it. Again, all too soon that chequered flag was waving again! 

Session 3

After we had come into the pits and parked up, we then went into another garage where the chap from the morning’s briefing was going to talk to us about how we were finding the track and if we had any questions. 

My final session was here and I jumped back onto the bike and followed Michael out onto the track once again. 

I was absolutely loving it. I really got into the flow of riding the bike on the track and I felt that I had improved significantly from my first session. I was relaxed and enjoying myself. 

I really didn’t want this session to end, I just wanted to keep riding round and round. Yes, you guessed it, that damn chequered flag appeared again and that it was it, into the pits we rode. I can honestly say when I pulled up, I had the biggest grin. 

I absolutely loved every minute. I know I wasn’t the fastest on track by a long stretch but sometimes it’s not all about speed, it’s about learning and improving your riding and most importantly, enjoying yourself. 

A very wet lap

When I got off the bike in the pit lane, Michael said to me that I was a really confident rider and it’s all in my mind, I need to believe in myself. My riding is very smooth and consistent and I could be as fast as anyone else out on the track, I just need to work on my confidence. 

Walking back to the garage I saw Ron Haslam so I went up and introduced myself to him and thanked him for a great day. I was really nervous about doing a track day before coming here and now I really, really wanted to do another one. 

Ron Haslam and myself

We then met inside the cafe for a debrief and were each given as assessment certificate for our riding. We were graded A to E (A being top, E being bottom) on track awareness; entry to corners; corner exiting; throttle control; braking; confidence; consistency and style – I was graded A’s & B’s on all and scored 90%. 

Michael’s comments on my riding were: Very well done in really tricky conditions. Great lines through the corners, turning in apexing and use of track on the exits. Just need to work on your confidence because you can ride a bike well. 

Praise indeed for which I am really proud of myself. 

Definitely, by a long stretch, a track day is waaaaaaay better than a pair of earrings :-) 

BK 

Ron Haslam Race School

Not Spain & Portugal! Part 2

So we were coming to the end of our not Spain trip in Wales before heading down to Cornwall.

Devils Bridge Waterfalls

We wanted to go back to Devils Bridge (we had stopped there earlier in the week but it was so busy we decided to leave it for another day). The weather was not looking good but we set off with the intention of playing it by ear.

As we were riding it started to rain and we got as far as Llandridod Wells it started to rain really heavily so we decided to seek shelter in a cafe for a late breakfast and a few cups of coffee whilst waiting for the rain to ease.

We set off again and although the roads were wet it was still a good ride and the scenery along the way is lovely.

Devils Bridge: Three Bridges

Having arrived at Devil’s Bridge and parked up, it started to rain again so we took shelter in the pub and had another coffee (and, I’m not sure how it happened, but a slice of gin and blueberry cheesecake with ice cream appeared with my coffee and it would have been very rude to turn it away so I had to eat it!)

When the rain had eased we paid the entrance fee and took a walk along the nature trail, waterfalls and three bridges. It was a lovely walk but there are a lot, and I mean a lot, of very uneven steps (I believe the lady on the entrance said about 700 steps) but we just took our time and enjoyed the views and scenery as we went along.

The Bay Tree Vintage Cafe

By the time we had finished the walk it was raining again so we decided to go back to the cottage and chill in the summer house with a beer but stopping on the way via the quirky tea shop in Welshpool, The Bay Tree Vintage Tea Room, for a gorgeous slice of Snickers cake and a rather large pot of tea. I am so going to have to diet when I get home and I haven’t been to Cornwall yet – eek!

The following morning we were riding down to Sennen in Cornwall which is basically Lands End, some 320 miles! We set off at 7 am and it was really, really cold. We only rode for 60 miles before we stopped for a coffee to warm ourselves up a bit and it worked really well because we didn’t then stop again until services on the M4 when we needed fuel and we grabbed another coffee here too and got on our way again.

By the time we got to Okehampton my bottom was absolutely killing me! We parked the bikes and just walked up and down for a bit to get some feeling back in our legs and for the pain in my bum to subside! We found a pub and had a long lunch and a cuppa or two!

Penzance

The final stop was at Penzance where we fuelled up and had a drink before the final jaunt to Sennen. We arrived about 3 o’clock, parked and unloaded the bikes, made a cuppa and then chilled for the rest of the day. I slept well that night I can tell you. That was a lot of riding in one day but it was good riding. Although it was cold, the roads were dry and it wasn’t raining.

Sunday we did no riding at all, just walked along the coastal path to Lands End and then back into Sennen for coffee and cake (that surprised you didn’t it!) A nice chill day was just what we needed after the ride yesterday!

The following morning was a misty start to the day but it had cleared by 9 o’clock so we rode along the coastal rode into St Ives. This was a very twisty and at points narrow road but it was very scenic and way better than riding along the main road. We wound our way to the harbour car park in St Ives and sat on the harbour wall in the sunshine eating a pasty and drinking coffee. What a perfect way to spend your day – biking, eating and drinking coffee!

Marazion #JamFirst

After lunch we rode to Marazion. We were hoping the tide would be out so we could walk over to St Michael’s Mount but it was most definitely in so we found a lovely little tea shop and had afternoon tea and most enjoyable it was too #JamFirst

After wondering around Marazion for a while it started to rain so we hopped back on the bikes and rode back home for a beer and to dry out!

Lands End

The next day the sun was shining and it was lovely blue skies so we rode the bikes to Lands End to have our photo taken at the famous sign post. It’s so beautiful at Lands End, the views are amazing and there are a few things to see and do too.

After having our photo taken and as it was such a lovely day, we rode to Porthcurno and had a wander down to the beech followed by a coffee in the Telegraph Museum cafe (okay, it may have been two coffees); then rode to Penwith beach (no coffee here); then to Lamorna Cove which was absolutely stunning and we sat and ate a late lunch overlooking the cove; then off to Penzance where we parked up and had a wander around (and coffee) and then on the way back we stopped in Newlyn for an ice cream. Absolutely no cake was consumed at all today!

The end of our holiday had arrived :-(

Lamorna Cove

Unfortunately the day we were riding home there was heavy rain and winds forecast. I was hoping like mad that they would have got the forecast wrong but for once it was spot on. We set off early in our waterproofs and only got as far as Penzance before stopping for a coffee and to psyche ourselves up for the ride ahead.

I can honestly say I never ridden in such strong winds before and I can honestly say I never want to again. It was horrendous especially going over the moors where you are so exposed. The spray from the traffic was not nice at all and I was constantly wiping my visor to gain some visibility from the rain.

I was not enjoying the ride at all. My waterproofs, as it it turned out, are not waterproof and I was soaked to the skin. My gloves were not waterproof (I had mistakenly gone away in my summer gloves) so my hands were not only wet but they were cold too.

Marazion

We stopped at services a few times for fuel, coffee and a warm up and left a little puddle of water where we had been standing each time. Going for a pee was fun too as everything was just so wet and trying to pull up wet leathers is not fun I can tell you. It’s just ewww!

Eventually we made it home, 350 odd miles in heavy wind and rain. Not a pleasant journey but we did it, the bikes were brilliant and we made it home safe. I lit the fire and literally sat in front of it all night trying to warm myself up.

What an absolutely fabulous trip. We found some great biking roads, ate lots, drank a bit and had a great time. Bikes, great mates, great food, great time – perfect :-)

BK

Devils Bridge Falls

Sennen Cove View

Lands End

Telegraph Museum

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Not Spain & Portugal! Part 1

We had booked to go touring Northern Spain and Portugal for a couple of weeks this September but, as with a lot of things at the moment, this has been postponed to, all fingers and toes crossed, next year.

Elan Valley

So where to go instead?? After chatting at a bike night with a couple of people who had recently been to Wales, I had a look online and booked a cottage in Welshpool which is kind of mid Wales giving us a great location to explore mid, south and north Wales.

Old Stores Cafe

We set off up the A5 on the Saturday stopping at services on the way for fuel and a coffee and carrying on to Pontblyddon to a cafe I had seen online called the Old Stores which I thought would make an excellent stop for brunch.

Wow! What a cool place the cafe is!!! There is so much bike memorabilia all around the place and indeed even bikes to look at. 

It is such an interesting place to wander around and read/look at and the food is very good too :-)

Old Stores Cafe

We sat outside in the sunshine and enjoyed our food. Afterwards we chatted to some other bikers and had a look at the bikes in the car park. Definitely a great place to re-visit.

We hopped back on the bikes and headed for Welshpool to find our accommodation for the week. We struck lucky with the cottage I had found, it was literally in the middle of nowhere so the bikes would be safe and yet about a twenty minute walk to the nearest pub – perfect!

Our cottage for the week

The following morning the sun was shining so we set off for a ride through Elan Valley stopping at the visitor centre first for breakfast and, as it later turned out, one too many cups of coffee (there are no toilets en route through the valley)! 

Elan Valley

The ride through Elan Valley was breathtaking, the scenery was
amazing. We stopped at each of the dams to have a look around and a chat to some other bikers that had the same idea as us. 

One of the chaps we spoke to said if we were heading into Aberystwyth, we should get on the B4574 out of Devils Bridge and then onto the A4120 which takes you there as it was a good biking road.

Old mining village

We carried on through the valley and stopped at the old mining village to have a look around before carrying on making our way down to Devils Bridge Falls in Ceredigion. We had intended to stop here for a cuppa but it was soooo busy we decided to leave it for another day and carried on the recommended B road into Aberystwyth. 

What an amazing road that road was, I can thoroughly recommend it – thank you to the chap who told us about it.

Aberystwyth is a lovely seaside town and we parked in designated motorcycle parking on the promenade which was really handy. Coffee and cake was found in a little cafe – that surprised you didn’t it! What a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Lifeboat at Aberdovey

Another sunny day beckoned the following morning and we headed to Aberdovey stopping in Machynlleth for breakfast. You guys are going to think all I do is eat and drink copious amounts of tea and coffee which, to be fair, is a pretty accurate assumption to make but hey, we’re on holiday and I shall be using that excuse all week!

Aberdovey

Aberdovey is another seaside town and this time we sat on the beach, ate ice cream and watched the lifeboat launch (thankfully only an exercise and not because of an emergency). We headed back to the cottage to chill in the summerhouse with some beers before dinner.

Ponderosa Cafe

Before we came away, everybody we spoke to about Wales said you have to do the horseshoe pass and stop at the Ponderosa cafe so the following morning we headed to Llangollen with the intention of so doing. As we headed out of Llangollen to pick up the horseshoe pass, there was a sign to say said road was closed!!!

Luckily you could still get to the cafe but you had to go via a lane which, to be fair, was a good ride and produced some amazing scenery. 

The cafe I have to say, did a cracking sausage bap and coffee and although it was pretty windy as it is very open there, it was lovely and we spent a while having a look around.

Ponderosa Cafe

As we were heading to the cafe, my friend John, managed to get stung on his eyelid and his eye was beginning to swell. Luckily one of us had some antihistamines so John took one in the hope that it would ease the swelling.

By the following morning, John could barely open his eye and literally one side of his face had swollen. There was no way John would be riding today, nor indeed the rest of us. We walked along the canal into Welshpool to find a pharmacist to take a look at John’s eye. 

The pharmacist thought it was a horsefly bite and gave John some strong anti histamine to calm it down.

Cake @ The Bay Tree Vintage Cafe

In the name of medicine you understand and in order to cheer John up, I found a quirky tea shop, The Bay Tree Vintage Tea Rooms, which did these amazing cakes and huge pots of tea. 

I definitely have to make a return visit here ……..

Stay tuned for Part 2 where we continue our holiday in Wales and then onto Cornwall.

BK

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