Attention connecticut riders

[Ducati999]

I thought i would pick up one of these for under my leathers. Dbout it will "wick" very well but should keep the sweat off of my suit!

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

I thought i would pick up one of these for under my leathers. Dbout it will "wick" very well but should keep the sweat off of my suit!

No.... let's be realistic. The wicking suit is good and all. But it is what is its. Ultimately, your looking for the ability to get the suit off easily and quickly.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by csmith12

No.... let's be realistic. The wicking suit is good and all. But it is what is its. Ultimately, your looking for the ability to get the suit off easily and quickly.

Which is what the psycleskins claim, sbtg says they bought the company that makes them once they saw how useful it was for motorcycles.

And honestly it was cheaper than under armor...

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=8415

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Something FABULOUS, thweety.

Drew, you wearing that lacy number you got for Christmas?

Originally Posted by csmith12

No.... let's be realistic. The wicking suit is good and all. But it is what is its. Ultimately, your looking for the ability to get the suit off easily and quickly.

I use under armour but cycle gear has some cooling stuff I've heard of but never used.

Remember to bring a fan and hanger to fan dry your suit between sessions. I also always bring a rug to stand on and put my chair on. This keeps your feet dry.

My Ducati Panigale buddy and his Ninja son from Rhode Island are supposed to be spectating so you all better be at the top of your game.

[Ducati999]

Just rented my truck to get the bikes there. Did not think it would be so hard to find a truck on a Friday but I got one. Now I just need to get fuel and start loading!

[csmith12]

I don't know why you didn't let me haul ya but....

Almost loaded! Tomorrow will be nearly all pavement pounding, please pick up my slack on the forums here.

[Ducati999]

Really appreciate the offer but I am getting everything done and I want the truck so I can lock the bikes up when I leave Sat night. I don't really believe anyone would mess with them but I have never been away from my baby before. This will be her first sleep over. Call me when you get close and you can swing by if you want before you hit the track!

[csmith12]

^^^ I feel ya. If you can, park the truck beside me and I will keep watch on things. I promise I will not molest it too much and if it is too much, you can smell my finger. I will give ya a buzz when I get close.

Truck/trailer is loaded aside of a few little things and suitcase.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Ducati999

Really appreciate the offer but I am getting everything done and I want the truck so I can lock the bikes up when I leave Sat night.

Darn. And we had such special plans.....

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by csmith12

^^^ I feel ya. If you can, park the truck beside me and I will keep watch on things. I promise I will not molest it too much and if it is too much, you can smell my finger. I will give ya a buzz when I get close.

Truck/trailer is loaded aside of a few little things and suitcase.

You can have your way with the SV (within reason) but the Duc is still a virgin and needs to be treated like a lady. I love my Ducati! I know there are better, faster and prettier bikes but I love this one it is perfect for me and I want to keep it as nice as a 11 year old bike can be.

[csmith12]

Good lord.... I am running so late but loaded and rollin' out now, see you cats soon.

[csmith12]

Only 700 more miles!!!! Lol

[adouglas]

Hail, hail, the gang's all here!

[csmith12]

The first session for us all a success.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by csmith12

The first session for us all a success.

As a novice (at this track) what is your opinion?

[backinthesaddleagain]

Penguin only runs it when they have airfencw available. Supposedly two area that are dangerous.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

As a novice (at this track) what is your opinion?

I am feeling pretty novice myself but I will offer up a day 1 opinion.

1st the runoff is pretty bad.
If you don't like Armco, your gunna want to think it through before riding here. Tony does a fine job with what he has to work with but still, it is what it is.

2nd it's a fun track! The transitions from the different sections of the track are pretty cool and the layout is very nice.

3rd turns 4, 5 and 6 are great technical turns. I have video that I will post when I get home.

My biggest beef.... We can't ride on the banking of the old oval. That would be seriously cool.

More to come....

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I am feeling pretty novice myself but I will offer up a day 1 opinion.

1st the runoff is pretty bad.
If you don't like Armco, your gunna want to think it through before riding here. Tony does a fine job with what he has to work with but still, it is what it is.

2nd it's a fun track! The transitions from the different sections of the track are pretty cool and the layout is very nice.

3rd turns 4, 5 and 6 are great technical turns. I have video that I will post when I get home.

My biggest beef.... We can't ride on the banking of the old oval. That would be serriosly cool.

More to come....

Watching videos of the track I'd have to agree with the Armco and the banking quotes.

If you want to really enjoy banking you need to do Daytona (Team Hammer School or CCS) during Biketoberfest. There is nothing else like it. I remember a long time ago when we used to run Talladega but Daytona is the only Superspeedway still available for "full on" fun.

P.S. You don't want to do it on a 250!

[csmith12]

4 riders
1 track
0 crashes

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

If you want to really enjoy banking you need to do Daytona (Team Hammer School or CCS) during Biketoberfest. There is nothing else like it.

P.S. You don't want to do it on a 250!

Things you can do on a 250 while waiting for Turn 1 to come up at Daytona:

Check your email.
Shave and brush your teeth.
Have a nice little power nap.
Cook breakfast.
Eat breakfast.
Do the dishes.

[adouglas]

Just got home and still sorting out all I learned over the past few days.

HUGE thanks to my forum friends, pit mates, and their significant others. Laughs, excellent food, good natured disrespect, super-cute 10-year old kids, Ducati internals reaching the temperature of molten lead, Filipino desserts, stimulating conversation, solid advice, awesome shared experiences. What an incredible weekend!

I owe you all a great deal.

Casualties:
- Broken camera from dropping it on the ground.
- Busted trailer light from kicking it while loading
- The chicken strips on my rear tire.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I could have gone. I am signed up for the Razee ttd in September. Anyone else?

[Bigballsofpaint]

I had a blast, i would post more but im going to bed. Im exhausted, i dont know how your driving 13 hours home Chris! It was awesome to meet you and thanks for all of the advise, suspension included. Awesome to see you again Andy, and was nice to finally meet you Ant!

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

Awesome. Glad you enjoyed it. Wish I could have gone. I am signed up for the Razee ttd in September. Anyone else?

I'm thinking about September. I'm not sure until the last minute so I hope if I get the chance if it isn't too late (full).

I have to be in Boston in late August for a party so I'll talk to Gordon then.

Eddy is having a nightmare with his new Panigale! I wanted to go with my two kids, Eddy and his son, Emerson. It would probably be better without Eddy. I know I'd end up babysitting him around the track.


The track looks fun but it could be a two gear track (2nd and 3rd). Maybe a quick 4th on the longer straight. That makes it a lot easier for old guyz to get around. That shifting stuff is for kids.

[csmith12]

Still going!!! 450 miles to go. Us old farts have mad stamina.

[csmith12]

While the gas is pumping, here is a few pics to hold you over.

[csmith12]

.

[csmith12]

...

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

The track looks fun but it could be a two gear track (2nd and 3rd). Maybe a quick 4th on the longer straight. That makes it a lot easier for old guyz to get around. That shifting stuff is for kids.

Yep. I rode the whole lap in 2nd gear except for the front straight.

Being in the novice group, I didn't get up to real speed on the front straight.... no point. As it was, on a number of laps I was catching up to the people in front. So I just did a third-gear run up the straight at 100-ish mph in 3rd.

One gear for most of the track is good for a newbie. Less to think about.

Chris calls the track "point and shoot"... there are two sections that have more of a flow to them, though.

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I'm thinking about September. I'm not sure until the last minute so I hope if I get the chance if it isn't too late (full).

I have to be in Boston in late August for a party so I'll talk to Gordon then.

Eddy is having a nightmare with his new Panigale! I wanted to go with my two kids, Eddy and his son, Emerson. It would probably be better without Eddy. I know I'd end up babysitting him around the track.


The track looks fun but it could be a two gear track (2nd and 3rd). Maybe a quick 4th on the longer straight. That makes it a lot easier for old guyz to get around. That shifting stuff is for kids.

LOL - everytime I hear and see one of those ducs I get a bit envious, but then think how my kawi is so low maintenance. LOL - on the babysitting.

[Bigballsofpaint]

I think im goign to switch to the 15 tooth front now because of this track. Too many times i would back off or be just at redline just before a turn, so i wouldnt bother up shifting. I think the slightly longer gear will help a lot. I took the majority of the track in 3rd gear, i would bump to 4th just after turn 6 going into 7, and into 5th cresting the hill into the main straight and top out 5th gear by the end of the straight. Back down 2 gears and start again.

The gsxr front brake helped a lot and i know im still not using it to its full ability, i was seeing my rotors edge turn a little blue though by the end of the day, so i was at least using the brakes a good amount!

I followed Chris's track day routine (mostly) and it helped a lot. I ran off the track twice when i felt like i couldnt make the turn. In reality i prob could have but i didnt want to commit to something i wasnt confident in, both times it was due to shift, messing up a shift or 2 or forgetting to downshift completely at the end of the main straight. Pulled off, refocused and got back on the track when there was an opening. Passed some people and had one of the best day ever. I was amped all day so i didnt sit any sessions out, but i didnt over eat at lunch so i wasnt sluggish. The last session of the day though i started feeling knot or cramps in my chest so i said this is my last lap, ended up being the last lap anayway but i remembered that i should just call it quits when im not feeling it.

I hit the hotpit once when i couldnt get passed a rider and got frustrated, waiting for an opening and got right back out, my baseline suspesion felt good and the only adjustment i made was dropping my tire pressure after the second or third session. Starting the day doing follow the leader i was thinking to myself, "They call this fast street pace, this is nuts" But by the end of the day finding some good lines i was feeling awesome. Control riders said i was doing great, my upper body is getting off the seat nicely, my lines were good but i need to work on getting a full cheek off the seat.

My last session on the track, i ran off because i messed up my shift twice and just didnt want to push it.

http://youtu.be/lF_2sI2Ui3U

[backinthesaddleagain]

Hey if any of you do the special Tonys Razee day it's like $175. Not on Tonys website but on Razee motorcycle website. Same Tonys staff same rules. And last two years Yamaha do rides. Not sure about this year for demos though. I've ridden with cc on the road and had a good time hanging with him at the Daytona races along with the owner of razees and I think we should get cc up here and turning some laps. Who else is up for it.

[csmith12]

Quotes from the weekend...

Yea, I drove from KY to Thompson... It's just a hop, skip and a jump away. - csmith12
Oh Yea!!!! - adouglas
You have to eat or they will think that you don't like them. - Ducati999
That got pretty hot. - csmith12
Look your bikes got caught in a spider web. - csmith12
Trail braking feels natural. - adouglas

I was pleasantly surprised by the end of the weekend with the general chatter about riding in the paddock. I don't go to all these tracks and work with all the new riders just for the heck of it. I get my jollies off by the smiles and their success. I left real happy.

[adouglas]

*wrist slap* You passed that motard in Turn 8!

Looking good, man. I was hoping to find a video shot at red group pace and this is it.

[Bigballsofpaint]

Originally Posted by adouglas

*wrist slap* You passed that motard in Turn 8!

Looking good, man. I was hoping to find a video shot at red group pace and this is it.

I did, i was setting it up for the end of turn 6 and i was already committed. I knew how his line was since ive been stuck behind him a few times and i just went for it......i was thinking "Im not supposed to be passing here, oh well" haha. I was surprised he didnt shoot past me at the straight though.

[csmith12]

Lol!!!! I am going through the pics my daughter (Jade) took. 100 or so bike pics, 1000 pics of Jay's dog pics. bwahahahahhaha

Here are few nices ones;

WERD!!!

Left to right
@Bigballsofpaint, @adouglas, @csmith12, @Ducati999

Quality father and son time at the track. This pic made my whole weekend. ijs....


Hey girl!


Jay aint even lookin' at none of dat armco. hahahahha

[csmith12]

Oh snap!!!! What is wrong with this pic?

[Ducati999]

Sorry I have not had any time to chime in! We got unloaded and returned the truck ate dinner and got to bed at midnight. Up at 3am and back to work, legs really tired. Had the time of my life with all of you. My wife is pretty much 100% for next year. My father is even considering doing one day. He was really impressed with Chris and Andrew and how nice they were to talk to. I will have a little more time tomorrow and I may even get to pull the clutch on the Duc! Pic to follow

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Oh snap!!!! What is wrong with this pic?

Absolutely nothing!

thanks for the great photos!!!!! Love the group shot!

[backinthesaddleagain]

Just signed up for August 18 ttd there. Glad you guys had fun. What time do they run there? Are Sundays different times than weekdays? Ct has always been tough on motorsports and start times and minimum age of riders.