110 miles to no where

Today I rode 110miles and never went anywhere. All while averaging ~27mpg. So what was I doing?
I convinced Tony from EuroSport that my VFR was a Sprint ST and went to his track day at Motor Sport Ranch

Having never done this before I was quite unsure what to expect. Asked around here on TWT, read through Sport Riding Techniques, strapped a cooler and a chair to the back and headed out.
Arrived in Cresson at 0800 and got started taping the bike off (no truck/trailer) At first there weren’t many people there, but they gradually started filtering in.

While I was going through tech, Loyd, apparently he had convinced Tony that his CBR600RR was of European descent as well.

As I was starting to gear up, Loyd decided that I should at least try on his spare set of leathers, to my surprise they actually fit. Well, except for the sleeves, but I haven’t found much that fits my monkey arms. So now I’m looking the part and take off around the track behind the instructors (Tom and Guy) they are taking the track at a “leisurely” pace. I’m riding along thinking “this is fast enough for me!” fortunately for me, a few laps had me feeling much more comfortable with the track. Then it was back to the classroom while those who could actually ride took to the track.

As the day wore on, my confidence level increased and I was actually getting around the track. Nowhere near what would be considered fast, but I had a hoot and that’s what mattered.

At the end of the last session before lunch, I pull off towards the pits and notice a familiar face standing on the wall. Pull around and attempt to figure out what this foreigner is doing so far from home. Turns out she was headed home from the CheapSTOC event and made a wrong turn :-P seeing as she was there, she thought she’s stop in and take me to lunch


I’ve never ridden vitch so it was a new experience. It seemed to be a day for them.

In the first session after lunch, I was attempting to pass a Connie, panicked and ran off in to the grass/mud. Guy stopped and we rode back to the pits at a super slow pace. Don’t want to get mud on the track for the rest of the riders. He explained what I had done, what I needed to do to correct it and sent me off. I kicked myself and headed off to wash off the tires for the next session.

I wasn’t the only one to leave the track today. Couple other folks messed up turns and went on “agricultural trips”. Loyds dad got clipped in a corner and crashed. Fortunately no one was injured.
Sadly, the crash ended both Loyd and his dad’s day at the track. I had to give the leather back, so I finished the day out in my gear. Which by the way, is MUCH warmer then perforated leather!
Back on the track the next time I concentrated on just being smooth and trusting the bike. Things went great so I picked up the pace next time around.

When the day was over I was sweaty, tired and happy. I’d successfully completed my first track day and kept the shiny side up on the bike. I’d improved my riding and gotten ride of those darn chicken strips. Drug the left peg feeler twice, and Guy was telling me to take the center stand off for next time as it was dragging.

So yeah, I had a blast. Learned to trust the bike more and had a blast! Did I mention I had fun?