48 hours in a pair of pink crocs

**Number One** · 25th January 2009, 08:52

PREP

My first track day on the SV. Phoned the friendly team at Kiwibike and sorted my track day insurance but the increase from $500 to $2K in the excess had my butt cheeks puckering slightly about the prospect of taking my bike to the track.

People say track days are safer than riding on the road and I agree...to a point.

While there may not be power poles, gutters and people coming at you from the other direction there are twats who bring broken bikes along and ride them causing others around them to crash, there are also those that (clearly not balzy enough to attend a proper race day) feel the need to try to show everyone they are in fact the next Valentino Rossi and merrily go about (feeling like big men) carving up all those that are out there practising, trying to learn their machine and lines and body posture etc etc

Luckily for me none of those people could bare the shame of being in the SLOW group nor were they SLOW enough clearly

Anyway - considering the excess decided it was only sensible to take all the pretty road warrant worthy bits off and replace them with the lovely purpley black race bits off Sully's. SO SEOB was once again reborne. Last time - Cliffhanger.

Taking apart the bike was cool. I had to do fairings, wheels and tyres, brake discs and full brake assembly on the front. Learnt heaps and can now (though not when physically tired) do all these things unsupervised! I even know where to start now

SO bike done we waited for the LIttle monster to be collected by nana and the Dirty White Van Driving Arseholes decended on our home.

Off we headed - quick meet up with the Kendogs at Mana and we were on our merry 80km per hour way. A few stops and chats and texts back and forth kept us all amused and we were very considerate of other road users tending to drive on the brakedown lane whenever and wherever possible.

We found our camping ground, cordoned off a section of it, unloaded the bikes, set up the crash pads and set about having a good night on the turps. Flame arrived looking sexy as ever and we all just chilled

BBQ was well cooked by the ladies and dishes were done by the boys - suckers!

Rather a good night was had by all...for me slightly too good a night

but I did sleep pretty well and it was the first time we'd slept in the back of our HOMY.
AND yes all this time I was wearing my pink crocs! They go everywhere man! In the garage, in the kitchen, in the campsite showers - everwhere AND SO COMFY!

The Massif camps out http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/pi...ictureid=16025

**Number One** · 25th January 2009, 08:53

Part 2 when I can be arsed

I'm writing this up for my own memory

**EJK** · 25th January 2009, 09:00

Originally Posted by Number One

Part 2 when I can be arsed

I'm writing this up for my own memory

Wait, you mean the event that happened last week? Wow you've got some good memory!

**Number One** · 25th January 2009, 09:04

Originally Posted by EJK

Wait, you mean the event that happened last week? Wow you've got some good memory!

I tell ya I'm just barely hanging onto them so I best write them down eh? Early on set dementia is closing in I can feel it

**Dooly** · 25th January 2009, 09:18

Hiya, I was there too, first ever trackday.
Was in medium group.
What a blast eh?
Know what you mean about getting carved up a bit. Was trying to learn the lines and get into it, but found by removing my mirrors it took all the distraction away from looking at who was coming up behind you.
Heres my take on the day from the HB thread.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...postcount=6041

**EJK** · 25th January 2009, 09:32

Ah which reminds me of Pete Tanner during that event... Bloody awesome bike & rider!

**Number One** · 25th January 2009, 10:40

The day dawned wet and yucky.

We got up, packed up the campsite (always the stink part of camping if you ask me), loaded the bikes and headed off for the track.

I might have been a bit bleary eyed and not quite awake before I started out for the track but by the time I was there I was well awake on account of the damn bike alarm going off every so often

Parked up (near the loos...us girls need easy access!) unpacked and popped over for riders briefing and sign in. Still wet I was feeling pretty apprehensive about heading out. We were on slicks but as the rain seemed to be settling we whipped off the wheels and brake discs and swapped them for my road ones. This was to be my first ride in the wet on the new tyres.

The bike has Continentals on it. A 'road attack' on the front and a harder wearing 'motion' on the rear. This rear was well rather yucky in the conditions. Sully even commented on it...though of course he still got his knees down and looked styley doing it

I had a wee slide going up into the centre left hand hairpin, that was interesting but I have a new found appreciation for staying calm and riding things out on the SV now...which before I only had on the bucket. Annoying how not everything magically transfers from one bike to the other.

Then a blessing! The sun

Ok, so on the one hand I was thinking aww fuck now we have to change the tyres and brakes over again but on the other hand I wanted to get on the track on better gripping tyres.

SO we set to work changing things back.

OMG this was brilliant...although....I struggled all day with the feeling of being 'on the track on my commuter'. I have been riding really defensively and moderating my speed strongly and being really aware of riding within my limits on the road...this has on many occasions helped me to avoid getting into trouble.

THE PROBLEM with that is I couldn't snap out of that mindset. Then though, I got out on the slicks and it felt so good and I started to throw the bike around and I had this brain fart and felt like I was on the Ledsled racing...felt just the same as when I race the bucket...then I did a bad bad thing.....I shifted gear as if I as on the sled....reverse pattern...OUCH Scary wee lock up and chirpy fart and slide from the rear...right in front of the marshalls

just barely avoided a high side there I think - felt a bit crossed up...oh dear

So from there on in I resolved to just practise the lines and practise the body positioning trying to lean off a bit more. Kendogs have a photo of me staring into the in field watching everyone else as I tootled down the straight...I was having a lovely wee ride in the sun

Me? I keep my race face for Bucket racing...I mean I didn't even hit anyone at the track day

Anyway - a great weekend!!! Loved the opp to get my bike out on the track and though I didn't feel really comfortable trying to push things much I have found being back on the road so much easier so a few more of these required I'd say.

SLOW BUT HAVING LOTSA FUN

Good to meet some other characters too...

Chanceyy I am still pissed about the cake

RED and Balzy - I hear you ate my cake!

Thanks to the DWVDA

you guys rock it was lovely spending time with yas.

VMCC and Clive - thanks for the info leading in and good management of a great event on the day. What a steal! Thanks so much

**Trudes** · 25th January 2009, 10:49

Sure was a good time. Must be doing the White Van Driving Arsehole convoy again sometime soon.

**Number One** · 25th January 2009, 10:56

Originally Posted by Trudes

Sure was a good time. Must be doing the White Van Driving Arsehole convoy again sometime soon.

Oh I think so!

**EJK** · 25th January 2009, 11:18

Originally Posted by Number One

Oh I think so!

The winds on our way back to welly was a terror! Gosh the wind was literally pushing the van sideways.

**Number One** · 25th January 2009, 11:23

Learning

So I had planned on doing this track day to learn some stuff and learn I did. Not just about the bikes working but also about how it can be ridden (that second bit from watching Sully on it) and of course I learnt a bit about riding it myself too. Especially don't change down under acceleration when you mean to change up

OH and all painted lines ARE slippery in the rain....STAY AWAY

BIGGEST THANKS need to go to two people.

Sully60

and FLAME

Sully60 patiently guided me through the dismantling and rebuilding process involved with preparing the bike for the day and getting it back into race trim. Also as always my man is great company in general, patient in his advice and encouraging to a T. Love you babe.

AS for that wonderful woman Flame

The woman not only rearranged her working hours to join us but joined us under the notion of being there only to give instruction. She followed us willing ones around at what can only be described for her standards as 'snail pace' watching us to provide feedback then led us round for a bit. She showed us great lines, provided guidance for where she thought we could handle braking into corners and still get around..and was as always encouraging and just good fun to be around. Thanks for making the trip and letting us learn a little from you...now to continue practising it all

**flame** · 26th January 2009, 09:40

Awesome write ups hun, your a crack up!

Was a load of fun hanging out with you guys for the weekend

. Loved seeing your confidence grow on the track too! You were doing really well out there, wet tracks are pretty daunting at the best of times. More than happy to help if I can anytime.

Bring on the next track day! ohhh and the dirdy white van camp trip