I would add a couple things. One good, one not so good... Uhaul rents this cool small open trailer that is perfect for a motorcycle. They are rare though and you might have to check a couple places. This means, though, you would have to have a hitch on your vehicle. Please have a contingency plan in case an accident happens. You will no doubt have enough people to help pack your stuff up, but getting home in case of an accident is something you should at least give some consideration. take it from a guy's who's crashed more than he should have. (That said, if you ride within yourself and don't behave like a jackass out there, the chances of crashing are probably much less than riding in downtown Chicago.) Hope to see you out there! I'm on a gsxr, too.
Interesting points. Realistically I think that I won't get a trailer for my first 1-2 times going out. Best case, maybe at my first event I can meet someone (or even before the first event) who has a trailer and room for a 2nd bike on it. I don't have a car right now that could pull a trailer, but next year I likely will. I figured worst case I could always catch an Uber back home? It wouldn't be cheap at all, but I hope it's an unlikely outcome as well. Not sure what I would do with the bike at that point....any suggestions? I certainly don't plan to be crashing....
Tried to reach out to Joe at Turn One, but still haven't heard anything back. Maybe he lays low during winter....
Dimitry, I got two emails from you that got dumped in my spam folder. Sorry for the delayed response. Hit you back. Look forward to helping you get ready!
My first 4 track days, I drove to and from the track on my street bike. Brought the tape and had fun. Then decided a track bike would be better. Handlebars kept getting in the way.
I'd strongly suggest posting in the "Ride Share" sub-board of this forum. There's bound to be a lot of people heading from Chicago to the area tracks and someone is going to have room for a bike. Everyone I've met doing STT days has been more than willing to help with just about anything, so it's worth a try.
Take that entire 20 minute session, and compress all it's Adrenalin into about 70 seconds....I do both and love both, but if you told me I could only do one or the other, I'd sell my bike TODAY. Those who do, can't explain; those who don't, can't understand...
Dimitry, Welcome! Every one is leading you down the right path. Just show up with your bike, a smile & the proper mindset of lots to learn! Ride share is a great option for your situation, lots of people come from the Chicagoland area for ACC Memorial Day Weekend. Generally everybody is nice enough to share things like a canopy, water, snacks and loan you small things you might have forgot to pack!
I have a final stupid question - all this bike gear is tight / tricky to adjust and put on. Do you guys just show up early and put it all on before riding? Are people helping each other with this stuff? Sounds like a stupid question, I'm sure, but here I am thinking if I need to bring a buddy with just to help me get in and out of this suit!
In novice, you've got about 20 minutes between the first classroom session and your first on-track time. So, it's generally enough time to suit up. (If it's a chilly morning, I'll put my suit on before the riders meeting though to keep warm!)
Wearing a base layer really helps the suit slide on and off. I just use an under armor compression top/bottom but there are Motorcycle specific base layers too.
Thanks. I will try this. It feels stupid, but with this suit not really broken in yet I think I have to actually practice getting it on and off a few times before my first track day.....wouldn't hurt for me to lose a few pounds too. I can already imagine getting sweaty on a warm day while trying to fit into the pants and jacket, while they are zipped together.
This. My suit is fitted to me, so it's extremely snug as well. I need help some times getting my arms out of the suit. If it's a new suit, as silly as it sounds, I would wear it around your place of residence a couple hours so it can break in/loosen up.
Signed up for my first track day at Autobahn this Sunday! Very excited. Took this long into the year to find a convenient date that works for my schedule. Eager to meet everyone then. Hopefully I don't forget to bring anything too important!