Tony Davis, friend and supporter of 250, took himself and his bikes to the Motorcycle Garden Party of the year, The Malle Mile, prepped with new kit and determination to have a good time. And he did just that! Here's his review of a ruddy good race!!
OUR MAN AT THE MILE
This Malle Mile was the fourth and the third I've entered. It has grown bigger and bigger year by year, starting with a group of mates riding there on mainly customs. It's since expanded into a huge event with over 400 bikes competing. Each year there's more and more MX and Enduro bikes entering, with some decent riders that race regularly, so it's become more competitive. I went into this year's with two bikes my SR500 that came 2nd in the Malle Mile sprint final and I took a XR400 for the hill climb.
SPRINT
First thing that caught me out was two corners put in the sprint to slow it down. I never raced dirt when I was younger so it's something that doesn't come natural to me, especially corners! Anyway I got knocked out pretty early in the sprint so headed over to a new event for this year the Malle 100. I'd entered the dirt bike but thought it would be more fun on the road based bike. It had a Le Mans type running start and funny enough although last in line managed to get away quick and squeezed straight up into 3rd, but soon got beaten up on the many twist and turns, until the bike cut out towards then end of the last lap.
UP THAT HILL
Then it was over to the hill climb so I jumped on the dirt bike. It felt good in practice started to get in the groove, won the first round then narrowly lost the next. Long hot day was over so time for a beer and catch up with friends. The Malle is one big party and social. Sunday I lined up in the Hill climb again and they seeded me with the eventual winner, so only one winner there, I got mullered and stalled in the next race, after giving someone advice how to be relaxed on the line ha ha. I lined up for sprint finals on the dirt bike and everyone was avoiding this guy on a new electric mx bike. He'd won several races already, that bike was so quick off the line. I tried to block on the first corner but the silent whizz just flew past on the next. It was strange watching the presentation this year having been on the podium last year but that's the way it goes sometimes.
NEW 250 CLOBBER
It was great having a 250LONDON kit customised especially for me and made me look like a champ, even though I rode like a chump! The latest MX pants are amazing, brilliant fit and so comfortable, even in that intense heat. I will certainly wear those a lot on the trails when I go laning this year.
UNTIL NEXT YEAR
So next year is my 60th year on the planet and maybe I should be slowing down and taking it easy or maybe spending my weekends at garden centres or something more sedate.....not a chance! I'll be there again maybe I'll go small bike in the lightweight class, a different challenge, and maybe I'll get around the Malle 100 a bit easier. If you've never been to the Malle Mile go check it out probably the most fun you can have on two wheels.
TONY DAVIS
Big thanks to Tony for the lowdown on his awesome weekend at The Malle! Follow him on Instagram HERE! Tony is also an ace Mechanic by the way and runs Masterclasses, see more about that HERE! And we'd all like to say a massive thanks to Marek Puc and Beatriz Cedlran for the great photos above.
And if you're now considering riding the Malle yourself next year, click on the image below to follow through the Malle London website and keep your eyes peeled for details in due course...
