Wow, I thought this day would never get here.  Like Christmas.  Went to California Speedway in Fontana, Ca to play on the Infield track.
(track shown here: http://www.fastrackriders.com/tracks/cal-infield.html )

If you haven't been paing attention, my bike is a yellow 2004 GS with no HP mods, except stickers.  It has SM2 bars (out of which both bar ends fell out and were lost last week), SV650 rear spring, progressive front springs (shouldof got the race tech straight rates), and steel brakelines.  I put new tires on it last week, Dunlop Sportmax somethingorothers (got the biggest that would fit--rear has like 3mm clearance to swingarm).

Luckily, I only live about 20 minutes from the track, so no long drives for me.  We set out at 6am to get to the track when it opened at 6:30.  Borrowed the trailer from a friend of my Dad.  Worked great.





Nice garage for everyone to park in.

As this was my first day at a track, I enrolled in the "Novice Riders School".  Here we are just about to take our "sighting laps" around the track before our first class session.

The day consisted of alternating 20 minute track sessions and 20-30 minute classroom sessions.  Each class would address a different topic, then you would try to apply that on the track (Ex: track lines, track safety, body position, countersteering, suspension setup).  Each track session you would follow an instructor, then they would follow you and give some critique on how you are doing.  My instructor, Emilio, was great--very professional.


Going from class back to the track.


Someone riding in level one, stuffing noobs in the corners crashed during the first session.

Level 1 riders.  Yes, I was the only GS there. A couple SVs there, lots of big fast bikes.









If you have to ask why I included this one, you have not been on this board long enough.


It took me half the day to get the courage to hang off the bike like they kept telling me to do.  It didn't help that it was tough for me to get a good hold on the GS's big ol gas tank with my thigh to lean off without feeling like I was going to fall off.  I got better though, really.


Something is following us home!!

By the end of the day I was so tired!!  Today my legs are sore!!

if I wouldn't of had to work, or had I not just recently gotten back from New Mexico, or had the money.... I woulda joined you... and stuffed you into a corner.

HOLY ROADSTERGAL!  The third to the last picture looks just like her.

Congrats.  Turd = jealous.  Awesome write-up and great pictures!

-Turd.

SWEET! 

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!!!!! 

Quote from: pandy on September 25, 2006, 12:10:49 PM
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!!!!! 

+1

+847. Im jealous also.

Jen, congrats on hitting up your first trackday. nice bum shot. Isnt that nearly as good as sex (I said nearly)? I love trackdays. I'm going to Fontana on Nov 25th but thats the big AMA course (fast track!)...

Looks like you had a great time. How did you like the school? Do you think it was worthwhile? I ask because I had considered it back when I had the gs, after talking to some fastrack instructors I met at Newcombs.

Good for you! Now, when's the next one?

Quote from: TragicImage on September 25, 2006, 10:32:46 AM
if I wouldn't of had to work, or had I not just recently gotten back from New Mexico, or had the money.... I woulda joined you... and stuffed you into a corner.

and likely crashed...

Thanks Pablo -- had to put that one in there.   

It was a great time, and suprisingly hard work!

I think the school was great.  It took away the scaryness of getting on the track.  Also, no offense to some of the guys I ride with regularly, but they are full of shaZam!.  It was nice to get technique advice that made sense and was coming from professional riders/racers/instructors.  It got kind of tiring going track-class-track-class without any real break until the class was done and then most of us just skipped a track session--but we were learning tons.  It was really a "focus on the basics" sort of thing.  Guys came in wanting to learn about things like gear selection, but the instructors forced them to not worry about advanced stuff like that, and focus on first improving your line, body position, countersteering.  They stressed working on "one thing at a time" on the track.

The level of instruction was perfect for anyone coming off the street like myself.  The instructors also do private lesson type things which might be the better option for more advanced riders.  But it is really great to get immediate feedback from someone who was just riding behind you.

I really am lucky to not have crashed.  After the first session, my instructor told me to slow down.  I was leaning the bike over but not hanging off (scraped my toes a few times).  One guy in my group lowsided from dragging a peg, and I was really close to that (although those rubber GS pegs might be a tad forgiving).

Props to all the riders who can hang off!  I had been doing this cheater-style hang off--sticking a knee out, kindof hanging my torso off, sliding my butt over a bit, but never really getting up off the seat.  Also, I had never been putting my feet in the right place (ball of foot on peg, heel up on heel plate) and I found it tough to do on those rubber pegs.

Can't wait to go back!!  But I don't think I want to go back on the GS.  It is scary being blown by on the straights.  Also, the shape of the GS tank isn't workin for me.  Stomp-pad traction thingie might help.

Now I just need to find a money tree...

crash? me? Never!?!

Wow, kudos for doing it.

Living 20 minutes from the track doesn't suck.  My closest track (Shannonville) is 300km away.

Quote from: daneilah on September 25, 2006, 05:12:08 PM

Wow, kudos for doing it.

Living 20 minutes from the track doesn't suck.  My closest track (Shannonville) is 300km away.

Mosport is closer and if you are ever at McBride Cycle in Toronto, they organize track days at both Mosport and Shannonville. Don't think they offer instructions, just go out and ride.

Cheers,

Doug.

I'm not taling to you any more.  The closest track to me is New Hampshire Int. Speedway.  Over four hours for me.


Kudos to you!   What's with the covered gauges?

Quote from: jen_ on September 25, 2006, 03:44:38 PM
...
Props to all the riders who can hang off!  I had been doing this cheater-style hang off--sticking a knee out, kindof hanging my torso off, sliding my butt over a bit, but never really getting up off the seat.  Also, I had never been putting my feet in the right place (ball of foot on peg, heel up on heel plate) and I found it tough to do on those rubber pegs.

Can't wait to go back!!  But I don't think I want to go back on the GS.  It is scary being blown by on the straights.  Also, the shape of the GS tank isn't workin for me.  Stomp-pad traction thingie might help.

Now I just need to find a money tree...

There is nothing like doing 20 minutes worth of mini-squats. 

Over time you will feel better about hanging off. I used to practice (while street riding) moving off the seat, even when I did not need to. This gave me more confidence and a better sense of balance. Also, do not try to get a knee down. It will happen...and usually when you do not expect it. I sometimes get spooked the first time of the day but then it is all fun from then on.

I hate rubber pegs and always replaced them. They seem to stick to my feet, especially since I move them around a lot on the pegs. Raising the pegs also helps lessen leg fatigue, at least it did for me.

Track days are an addiction....

Quote from: daneilah on September 25, 2006, 05:12:08 PM

Wow, kudos for doing it.

Living 20 minutes from the track doesn't suck. My closest track (Shannonville) is 300km away.

unfortunately this particular track is the most expensive track around, costing $260/trackday where elsewhere you can get on track for as little as $110-$140.

Quote from: The Post Whore on September 26, 2006, 07:33:06 AM
Kudos to you!   What's with the covered gauges?

Covering your speedometer forces you to shift based on revs, and not think about speed.  I'll admit, it is unnerving to hit the gas hard and shift up through the gears tearing down the front straight---then right before turn #1, brake hard, downshift, downshift, downshift---all never really knowing exactly how fast you're going as you dive into the first turn...

And that track is stupid expensive, but you save on gas and travel expenses also.  Worked out schedule wise for me, so I thought the $$ was worth it. 

Great pictures and congratulations!  I had excellent instruction at the Kevin Schwantz School at RoadAtlanta.  It's a great time if you make it out East.

Wow, congratulations on your first (and probably not last) track day.  The track looks fabulous!

Quote from: jen_I was leaning the bike over but not hanging off (scraped my toes a few times).  One guy in my group lowsided from dragging a peg, and I was really close to that (although those rubber GS pegs might be a tad forgiving).

Good advice!  I wasn't leaning nearly enough my first few times out and managed to scrap the crap out of my peg feelers.  Not good and a bit scary  .  I wasn't so fortunate my last time out though.. wet track, cold/old tires and a nasty crash during the fourth turn of the warm up lap.  Good times regardless 

Quote from: TM_Dearborn on September 26, 2006, 06:20:08 PM
Great pictures and congratulations! I had excellent instruction at the Kevin Schwantz School at RoadAtlanta. It's a great time if you make it out East.

I just read about that school in Motorcyclist (I think). Sounds like a great school. I'd love to do it.

Are those sm1's or sm2's?

edit: nvm sm1's, nice me too!!