Track days (jerking off in public)

**madbikeboy** · 30th September 2008, 20:03

Originally Posted by R6_kid

next month, I shall be there... I too need to de-n00b my knee sliders again.

Ha! Me too.

**madbikeboy** · 30th September 2008, 20:05

Originally Posted by Number One

Good post enjoyed that thanks

I note with interest that MotoTT days are apparently the only track days my insurer will cover hands down no questions and I am in serious need of some cornering practise on the SV.

BTW - that lady of yours is clearly a keeper

Well, I'm in the dogbox tonight, so swings and roundabouts...

Well, you should get your trusty steed up to Taupo and come play.

**jrandom** · 30th September 2008, 20:16

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

Well, I'm in the dogbox tonight, so swings and roundabouts...

Which group did you ride in on Friday?

**madbikeboy** · 1st October 2008, 08:23

Originally Posted by jrandom

Which group did you ride in on Friday?

The novice... I got some advice a few years ago to ride with the novices, which I of course promptly ignored. But, the intermediate group gets perhaps 70% of the total pool of riders (have a mental picture of the bridge in gridlock). The fast group contains all the fast guys (no shit?), but I'm unwilling to ride in this group without race fairings as you tend to ride past your limits when you're getting egged on (self preservation gene kicking in here).

The novice group has about 20 riders at most, so you get more race room which equals more fun.

I think I just added some photo's - here is a little photo of me engaging in a little knitting while carefully balancing a Devonshire tea and debating the merit of Bach versus Mozart...

**Motardman** · 1st October 2008, 08:49

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

The novice... I got some advice a few years ago to ride with the novices, which I of course promptly ignored. But, the intermediate group gets perhaps 70% of the total pool of riders (have a mental picture of the bridge in gridlock). The fast group contains all the fast guys (no shit?), but I'm unwilling to ride in this group without race fairings as you tend to ride past your limits when you're getting egged on (self preservation gene kicking in here).

The novice group has about 20 riders at most, so you get more race room which equals more fun.

I think I just added some photo's - here is a little photo of me engaging in a little knitting while carefully balancing a Devonshire tea and debating the merit of Bach versus Mozart...

Good pics matey!! We always used to call the intermediates the 'axe murderers' in the UK....lol

As long as you're pretty quick the advanced group is good as on the whole they tend to know their lines and track etiquette better than most.....

**OutForADuck** · 1st October 2008, 09:14

I'll second the MotoTT days as well run, safe and excellent fun/training ground

Haven't been for a while and I am well due once I can afford it!!! my last visit I timed the three groups and there were riders doing pretty much the same fast times in all three groups. But there were no off's in teh fast group or slow group but a few in the middle.

Great write up BTW... roll on income an summer I have a new toy to try out

**madbikeboy** · 1st October 2008, 10:41

Originally Posted by mammaryman

Good pics matey!! We always used to call the intermediates the 'axe murderers' in the UK....lol

As long as you're pretty quick the advanced group is good as on the whole they tend to know their lines and track etiquette better than most.....

Yeah, the issue with the fast group for me isn't the fast guys, it's the slow old guy that I am trying to hold the wheel of the fast guys, but with less skill and brains... LOL!

**jrandom** · 1st October 2008, 18:45

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

But, the intermediate group gets perhaps 70% of the total pool of riders (have a mental picture of the bridge in gridlock).

Agreed there; it's impossible to ride smoothly in the 'medium' group.

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

The fast group contains all the fast guys (no shit?), but I'm unwilling to ride in this group without race fairings as you tend to ride past your limits when you're getting egged on...

I personally prefer to be out with riders who are going 5-10 seconds a lap faster than me than to be out with riders going 20 seconds slower. YMMV, etc. Try the fast group next time, you might be surprised.

**madbikeboy** · 1st October 2008, 19:07

Originally Posted by jrandom

Agreed there; it's impossible to ride smoothly in the 'medium' group.

I personally prefer to be out with riders who are going 5-10 seconds a lap faster than me than to be out with riders going 20 seconds slower. YMMV, etc. Try the fast group next time, you might be surprised.

I'll ride the fasts, but I'll put race fairings back on scoot. And agreed about the smoothly in the medium group, it's stop start, harder to keep the tires warm (especially at Taupo in september).

I need a 4wd to tow the bike trailer with, the grudge purchase (cage) that I have isn't man enough.

**DMNTD:Me** · 1st October 2008, 19:07

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

Yeah, the issue with the fast group for me isn't the fast guys, it's the slow old guy that I am trying to hold the wheel of the fast guys, but with less skill and brains... LOL!

Group 2 in my opinion is the "cleanest" and safest if you know how to peddle your bike ok.
Generally less "bunching" into corners and riders know how to react and adjust if required.
I am by no means "fast" but have learnt a fair bit riding with those that are a level "above" me when it comes to track riding.