9/5/10 - Best day of my life so far. (Okay, it's pretty close to the day my kids were born but that's another story)

A local forum that I am on decided to all pitch in and rent Putnam Road Course for a day. We invited a few other local forums to join in as well. In total there were about 54 (58 max) riders. We only had about 21 riders in the Novice group which is pretty minimal compared to when Cycle Options/STT hosts their track days.

Anyway - I was very nervous about riding at the track. I just could not comprehend how someone like me (hardly put 1,000 miles this season due to being a Mommy) would do at a track but I kept reminding myself that the track is the safest place to learn. It eliminates the cars, the misplaced trees, the crooked blind turns, and (some of) the animals... so I got over myself and I bought a spot from a friend of mine who had been in an accident a few weeks prior to the track day.

I had already bought my leather suit in May so I was pretty much ready to go.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_9887.jpg
Putnam Early Morning

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_9901.jpg
Going to tech and register (It was FREEZING, only 60 degrees that morning!)

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/DSC_0114.jpg
Thank God I found those boots in the back of my truck, LOL!! BRR

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_9924.jpg
Riders Meeting

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/DSCN0075.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/DSCN0074.jpg
LOL, My friend Terry has some fashion sense!

A few other random shots that I like!
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_1.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_2.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_3.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_4.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_5.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_6.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/9510_7.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/DSCN0174.jpg
Putting my boyfriend to work. LOL

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5303.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5304.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5305.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5306.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5307.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5308.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5309.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5310.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5311.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_5312.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_1414.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_1411.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_1183.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/IMG_0225.jpg

I can't wait to go back to the track. I want to get clip on's (which I'm researching on the site!) in the future since I'm leaning towards tracking the 250 out since I rarely get to ride on the street anymore. Anyway, sorry for the picture overload. I am just so happy that one of my dreams came true!

Looks like a lot of fun, I still need to get myself to the track since there is one only about an hour and a half away

Who did the lettering on your suite?

Glad to hear you track day went well, I will be back at Putnam in October hopefully. Work on your lines and the speed will come, the control rider last track day really helped me out with the statement "stick your knee over the stripes". That really helped me maintain speed coming from 2 through 3.

Looked like fun.

yaaaayy!!! nice pics! looks like a lot of fun! can we get a full on shot of you in the suit? gotta please all the "pink fans", right :D

AWESOME! Lookin good out there!

Looks like a lot of fun, I still need to get myself to the track since there is one only about an hour and a half away

Who did the lettering on your suite?

It was a blast. Putnam is a great first track. I'm definitely planning on going back and then hopefully doing Barber next season. A friend of mine owns a leather business, Spartan Leathers. He does custom suits for a great price. Check him out if you're looking. He has something for everyone!



Glad to hear you track day went well, I will be back at Putnam in October hopefully. Work on your lines and the speed will come, the control rider last track day really helped me out with the statement "stick your knee over the stripes". That really helped me maintain speed coming from 2 through 3.

Remembering the race line was the hardest part for me. The control rider let me follow him and then he followed me around to make sure I stayed in the line. Definitely can't wait to go back and practice some more. I need to tuck in a little bit better and lean further off the bike. Hope you make it in October. I should be there October 16 with Nesba!

Looked like fun.

It was amazing! :D


yaaaayy!!! nice pics! looks like a lot of fun! can we get a full on shot of you in the suit? gotta please all the "pink fans", right :D

Sure! I'll have to find a picture though of me in the suit. A good one anyway, LOL. I'll check some pictures that friends posted to see what they have. ;)


AWESOME! Lookin good out there!

Thank you, I wouldn't mind living out of a suitcase if it meant track days every weekend. I just need some money!

Great form, RC!! :D um... when riding the bike, too. :o

another one hooked, eh??? have fun! :ride:

Great form, RC!! :D um... when riding the bike, too. :o

another one hooked, eh??? have fun! :ride:

Aw, that means a lot coming from you! Do you guys have tracks in Hawaii? I wouldn't mind riding out there! Change of scenery if you will. And yes, I am beyond hooked. I have spent this past week googling things my bike needs for the track. I am pretty close to tracking her out and saying good bye to street riding! (Like... 75% close, LOL)

great pics and nice riding! I would like to do the same as you one day...

Nice tuning fork sweatshirt.

yep, should see you there; its the 16th event with nesba i am going to try and finish the season with

yep, should see you there; its the 16th event with nesba i am going to try and finish the season with

Awesome, come say hi if you see me! :D

Great pics, RC! :-) I love the action shots! Just like you're doing, one of my favorite things to do is look at my pictures from the mountains and figure out what I still need to improve. You look awesome, girl! :thumbup:

Great pics, RC! :-) I love the action shots! Just like you're doing, one of my favorite things to do is look at my pictures from the mountains and figure out what I still need to improve. You look awesome, girl! :thumbup:

<3! I can't wait until I make it down to the Gap myself this year. We are supposed to be there right now but couldn't due to some last minute changes. Oh well!

Those are ssome great shots. It looks like you had a blast.

<3! I can't wait until I make it down to the Gap myself this year. We are supposed to be there right now but couldn't due to some last minute changes. Oh well!

Maybe we'll meet up! :-) I think our next adventure is going to be to take the Blue Ridge Pkwy as far north as we feel like. :-) I'm not sure if we'll make it to the Gap that trip, but I bet we'll sure try! :)

Nice photos, looking good RC :thumbup:

That's awesome!

May I suggest buying some better boots (ie. race boots).

Nice photos, looking good RC :thumbup:

Thank you! I can't stop looking at them. LOL

Maybe we'll meet up! :-) I think our next adventure is going to be to take the Blue Ridge Pkwy as far north as we feel like. :-) I'm not sure if we'll make it to the Gap that trip, but I bet we'll sure try! :)

Absolutely, my in laws just came back from the Women's Sportbike Rally (I wish I could have gone) so I am definitely going to try and make it down to TN next season.

That's awesome!

May I suggest buying some better boots (ie. race boots).

Absolutely! I am going to buy a pair for sure when I can save up some money. That's the only thing about this life of ours, this stuff ain't cheap. I saw some A* for $200 and some Sidi's for ~$300, so... we'll see what happens!

That's awesome!

May I suggest buying some better boots (ie. race boots).

well, at least she didn't use these on the track. :p

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/DSC_0114.jpg

http://www.kneedraggers.com/image_storage/c/9e/c9ed3c4dcad8996f54c2b1e88b034533_refined.jpg
Sidi B-2 Ladies boots.
http://www.kneedraggers.com/product/618052/Sidi-B-2-Ladies-Boots

well, at least she didn't use these on the track. :p

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/rothana/Photogs%209510%20Putnam/DSC_0114.jpg

I am so glad I found those boots in my car or else I would have had frozen toes that morning. :p

http://www.kneedraggers.com/image_storage/c/9e/c9ed3c4dcad8996f54c2b1e88b034533_refined.jpg
Sidi B-2 Ladies boots.
http://www.kneedraggers.com/product/618052/Sidi-B-2-Ladies-Boots

Thanks for the link! That's the cheapest I've seen Sidi's!! :thumbup: Definitely going to be my next purchase.

Well glad your hooked. :D There are other tracks that arent all that far from you. (3-4 hours) Theres Autobahn in Joliet Il (3 tracks in 1 location), Gingerman in South Haven MI, Grattan in Belding MI and Blackhawk farms in northern Illinois.
If you do Putnam next year with Sportbiketracktime Ill see you there. I rode the track for the first time this year and Im in love. GREAT TRACK - FAST FAST FAST and FLOWING. I LOVE IT.
Just a FYI STT has 3 dates and 3 tracks to end the season this year that do not require a membership to ride. Autobahn 9/25 & 9/26 north and south course. (north is PERFECT for the 250) Gingerman 10/2 & 10/3 for $110 a day (my favorite track) and Grattan 10/16 & 10/17 for $110 a day. You didnt say weather your north or south of Putnam but If you live north of the track your even closer to the "other" tracks than you might think.
WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION....:D:D:D:D

Awesome! Great pics!:thumbup:

Well glad your hooked. :D There are other tracks that arent all that far from you. (3-4 hours) Theres Autobahn in Joliet Il (3 tracks in 1 location), Gingerman in South Haven MI, Grattan in Belding MI and Blackhawk farms in northern Illinois.
If you do Putnam next year with Sportbiketracktime Ill see you there. I rode the track for the first time this year and Im in love. GREAT TRACK - FAST FAST FAST and FLOWING. I LOVE IT.
Just a FYI STT has 3 dates and 3 tracks to end the season this year that do not require a membership to ride. Autobahn 9/25 & 9/26 north and south course. (north is PERFECT for the 250) Gingerman 10/2 & 10/3 for $110 a day (my favorite track) and Grattan 10/16 & 10/17 for $110 a day. You didnt say weather your north or south of Putnam but If you live north of the track your even closer to the "other" tracks than you might think.
WELCOME TO THE ADDICTION....:D:D:D:D

I hear you, it's definitely a "crack day". I can't wait to get some real track boots! Barber is on my to do list and so is Road Atlanta. We were going to do Gingerman a few months ago but those plans didn't work out so well. I live South of Putnam so it's about 2 hours north of us. I would love to race at every track in the US and then if I ever become a millionaire hit up some European tracks... but that's only if Rossi accepts my marriage proposal. :cool:



Awesome! Great pics!:thumbup:

Thank you... I wanna go back in time so bad. It was THE perfect day. The weather was amazing (it wasn't too hot, and just perfectly breezy) ... sigh.

:( Bummer, those boots are size 40. I need 38/39.

:( Bummer, those boots are size 40. I need 38/39.
Check these A-stars. Womens Stella S-MX 5. They are available in 38.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/2/45/17095/ITEM/Alpinestars-Womens-Stella-S-MX-5-Boots.aspx

Oh Joel! Thank you!! I'd add rep but I don't think we have that option!

No problem RC, anytime.
BTW Motostrano has the B-2s in 38. Those A-stars look good, but I just looked at the vid and those are geared for street riding (i.e more comfort) and may be a little too flexy for the track IMO. I would go with the Sidi boots, which are track oriented and provide good ankle protection.
Here's a link to Motostrano.
http://www.motostrano.com/sib2labo.html

You're pretty handy! Thanks for all of the links - I'm hoping they stay this cheap until month end so I can save up $200.