First of all I want to say that my track day at Autobahn North this Saturday was AWESOME!!!! I got there late Friday night and Travis and Lance gave me a walk of the track(Despite the coyotes) It was a nice thing to walk it and see what the surface was like. I would have to say that other than the big drainage ditch dip towards the back it the only really oddly placed bump in the track. It's so conveniently right where you would want to turn. On the bright side it taught me to trust my suspenion. That really helped boost my confidence in my bike. I also wanted to thank the group 2 instructor James for helping me out. I was struggling a little bit early in the day, but he REALLY helped me out tremendously. He also told me to carry a higher gear and try carrying more corner speed through the turns. Well, I tried it on my last session and I actually touched my knee down on every single corner on the last session. I know it's not all that matters, but that is such a good feeling and I had the biggest grin for quite a while. I really learned alot more on Saturday than I thought I would. I'm definitely looking forward to getting alot better. Now about the bummer transport home. I was on the way to my friends bachelor party that night and I happened to hit a rather large pot hole. I figured that I would open up the trailer to make sure that my bike was ok and sure enough my instincts were right. I hit the chuck hole so hard that my rear end on my bike bounced enough for my bike to fall over in my trailer. It didn't do tons of damage, but my pretty paint job is not exactly pretty no more. Also when it fell over my right handle bar went through the plywood in my trailer and dented the skin in my trailer. Not only that but now I also have to get new handle grips and a new front brake handle because that broke too. I'm currently in the process of making something for my rear wheel in my trailer so the same thing doesn't happen again. It's just ironic that my bike got damaged and I wasn't even riding it. Well, I can talk forever and I should get to work now. Take care. Rabbit
sorry to hear about your trip home after such a great day! FWIW, i always strap down the rear, just in case. :wink: i was there on sunday and had a great time. it was great chatting with monte and troy in the afternoon. and a big thanks to troy for following me around the track and helping with my form. i made a quick adjustment to my clipons and was getting way off the bike after that.........and consequently, faster! :twisted: i'll take you up on that offer to ride in advanced next time!
Yeah I know. I did strap down the rear suspension, but I don't think that it was enough. I'm making a rear wheel chock at work to solve the problem now though. I'm glad you had a blast too. :wink:
I also had a great Autobahn weekend. It was my first weekend in the Intermediate group, and I started out as the slowest in that group on Saturday morning. By Sunday afternoon, I was still the slowest in the group, but I was a lot faster and a lot more comfortable. My wife and I met a lot of great people, had some awesome BBQ and just had a wonderful weekend. Thanks everyone! -Wes
Wes, glad you enjoyed the bbq! I'm from Iowa City, too. my last paying gig there was as a Chef & Sommelier at the Motley Cow Cafe, on Market St. I built the restaurant, too, for my best friend, back in '99, I think. Chris, it was good to meet you. sorry to hear about your mishap coming home. see y'all at the track again soon. Lance
Lance, Thats wild. "Tom" is the proprieter of that cafe, yes? My wife and I thought you looked familiar, I guess we were right. Small world. -Wes
Tom was the original proprietor, now owned by our friend David, who was also one of the chefs... I was also a fixture at the Foxhead, back in the day...
wes, by you posting i'm assuming you made it home safe! it was great meeting you and your wife. and thanks again for the company and help throughout the day. maybe we'll cross paths again soon! 8) take care, jason
It was good to meet you to Lance. I never came over for the BBQ and it sounded really good, but I stuffed myself with that sub sandwich and I was busy trying to relax between sessions. (Less time off inbetween in Novice.) I'll see you again though. :wink: