parabellum

As always, another great article. I especially enjoyed this one because of the history you go through...I took to doing google image searches of the riders you mentioned (most I knew already, a few I did not) to see exactly the progression you talked about. Thanks for yet another piece of instruction.

Talked to him recently, we should have him back at some schools soon, and he's working on a racing program for this year. C That is great news!

Man...he was haloed??? That really stinks. But I'm very glad to hear he is going to have a full recovery. This sport/passion of ours is the best until something goes wrong...and sometimes it can go very wrong. Thanks for the update.

Hey all. I remember a few months back, hearing that Josh was hurt in a pretty bad wreck on the track at an AMA race? I searched the forum but I couldn't find the thread. Can one of the staffers give us an update on how he is doing? There is the slight possibility that I am remember this this wrong...but I thought I remembered Josh going down and walking away...but then hearing he may have gotten a spinal injury? Josh is a great dude who was a blast to talk to and learn from...someone give me an update if you can! Best Regards. parabellum

HOLY ######!!!! Josh, man...I am SO sorry to hear about this! I just happened to check in to the forum and I see you suffered both a broken wrist/hand AND a C2 vertebrae fracture!!! My best wishes for a speedy recovery and I'm sure you will be back to helping n00bs like me go fast in no time!!!! Best wishes. Chris.

Wow, 48 views but no replys...lol...lots of lurkers I guess. :-)

Hey all. So I just finished doing Level 1 at Barber (August 24th, 08) and I can't say enough, how much I learned just in one day. I told this to Keith, but I feel that my riding improved more in that one day, than in the last 1-2 years of working on my riding on my own. When the day started, I was slow and unsure of myself....I was not able to pick and hold a line to save my life...every time I went into a corner (especially #2) I felt like I was doing something totally different than the last time (and NOT intentionally). Man...with each on track drill, I felt a small piece of the puzzle click into place. First, the throttle control drill got me out of using the brakes (SR) when I didn't need to, and gave me the confidence to enter some of the more tricky corners (#4, #6->7, #9) with much more entry speed than I thought was possible for me. It took me out of my 'comfort zone', and then I realized that my actual comfort zone was not based on the limits of the bike, but the limits of my MIND. This was an absolute REVELATION for me and my riding...and I have never had a single epiphany give me so much real confidence in my riding. Next, the turn entry drill...and that was the beginning of where I could start to see myself developing cleaner lines. I realized in this drill, that I was never really choosing a defined entry point before...I was just coming up on the turn and deciding to "go for it" when it felt right....and I wondered why I couldn't run consistent lines!!!! ARRGGGHHH! I wish I had taken this training YEARS AGO! The fast turning drill. Holy cow. Keith really hit a home run on this one when he said: "Hey, how many of you *feel* like if you turned the bike over really fast, that you would wreck?" Of course we all raised our hands. Then he says: "Ok, well I have surveyed dozens, probably hundreds of racers and ranked riders and I can tell you the number of them that has managed to lean a bike over fast enough to wreck....ZERO!" I know clearly that you can lean a bike over too FAR...but I always thought (another SR probably) that if I flicked the bike over fast, that it would destabilize things too much. Boy was I wrong. Again taking me out of my normal comfort zone, I trusted in the drill and trusted in the instructors and just flicked the bike over with real authority...and WOW. Not only did the bike get settled faster, but I was pointed SO much better that I could roll on the throttle MUCH earlier and still run a tighter, faster line. This drill was where I really started to see my corner exit speeds start to improve. (The speedo was taped over, so I don't know how fast I was going, but I always used the same gears for each turn and with each drill I could see the RPMs go higher and higher through the day as I exited). Then came the relax drill. LOL. Boy did I blow this one. I was so focused on "trying to relax" that I was all tense and my lines became super crappy. Cobie was really helpful on the track (more on him later), but I still just found myself out of "the zone" and struggling worse than in the first drill. This was NOT the fault of the instructors or the class room prep, this was 110% my fault. I just got so caught up in telling myself "RELAX!!!" that I psyched myself out completely. I returned to the paddox a little frustrated with myself, thinking about what might have been in my way of trying to relax. I decided to put it behind me and focus on the next drill, and interestingly enough, it was the next drill that finally brought EVERYTHING from the day together into a cohesive whole and then I was *super* relaxed. Last drill: Choosing an apex, or two part turning. This is what I needed....this is why I couldn't relax. The reason I wasn't able to relax, is that the previous drills had given me a LOT more speed to work with on the track, but I was still not able to exit where I wanted. I was exiting faster, and entering faster, AND turning the bike faster, but I wasn't able to relax because I wasn't sure where the bike was going exactly. It was more of a "wait and see where I will exit" kind of thing....and that was why I was tense. This drill made it all click. Not only did it get me looking MUCH farther ahead on the track, but by focusing on an apex point and saying "THERE...go THERE" I was able to finally nail the line I wanted. As soon as this happened (which was the first time I tried it...turn #1...I came through #1 SO much faster than before, and on a tighter line) I was instantly relaxed as can be. My hands and arms relaxed and I was really feeling the bike and what it was doing. Instead of wrestling with the bike, I felt like it was my dance partner and I was in the lead (not the other way around, which is how I started the day). That last session....I felt like I FLEW around the track and it felt effortless. I found myself passing a few guys that previously had pulled away from me, and of course the really fast guys were still blowing past me at light speed...lol. I know that I am NOT FAST compared to the truly skilled riders there, but for me, I was absolutely flying compared to how I started the day. Even the off track drill...Josh was awesome. He pointed out that I was using poor head position which was actually causing me to use some counter lean and as soon as I took his advice, those low speed turns felt a LOT smoother and safer. Now, at this point, I have to take a moment to thank Cobie. He was my instructor all day, and for our sessions it was one on one. I cannot possibly say enough how valuable his input and guidance was. Every time we got off the track, he asked me a series of hard questions that I did not have an immediate answer for. They forced me to *really* think about what I was doing instead of just experiencing it. He challenged me by asking me to focus on the corners I had the least comfort with, and by the end of the day, those became my absolute favorite corners on the whole track (#2, #4, and #6->#7). Jeez, I feel like I could write a book on all the things I learned yesterday. I haven't mentioned the awesome classroom experience, or how Judy is really a great mom to everyone out there, always taking care of all of us. I haven't mentioned that Barber is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL facility and that I was completely in awe of it. I haven't mentioned that we started the day with a drenched track and ended it dry. That was *perfect* because it really forced me to use smooth throttle control (what better circumstance to work on throttle control than a track with tons of water on it...), but by the end of the day, AFTER I had all the building blocks put together....the track dried up and I got to really increase my speeds and push my limits in a safe way. I came to the track with three goals: 1) Stay safe, keep myself and my bike in one piece. 2) Learn as much as I possibly can. 3) Have a great time. I can say that I got #1, #2, and #3....so much more than I could have expected. The skills made me safer, and greatly expanded my comfort zone. The amazing drills and classroom filled me with new tools that I can use on EVERY corner I ever take on the street or track, and as for the last one....well....there is really nothing in the world that is more fun than spending a day on the track with some of the most talented riders and instructors in the world. I will be back for Level 2 next year, probably at Mid-Ohio because I have always wanted to run that track. I cannot possibly wait to get back in the classroom with the CSS. For anyone reading this who is debating taking this training: DO IT!!!! Its worth any price. If it seems expensive (which its really not) just remember that you will spend more in GAS just trying to get this stuff down over a whole summer or two, and still you will never grasp it like you will when you are a student with the CSS. I can only say that I wish I had done this years ago!!!! THANK YOU CSS!!!! Chris Gleeson (parabellum)

Kevin. Thank you for taking the time to write that detailed reply, what you said completely makes sense. Another thing I wondered was if Level 1 students even go fast enough to make hanging off practical? I guess I'll find out when I get there! I'm an empty glass....ready to learn or relearn anything I can....so whatever they tell me to do, that is what I'm going to do. Best Regards. Chris.

Hey all. I have a Level 1 day coming up in august (23rd at Barber), and after reading a great writeup of a level 1 day, I have a basic question. While I know that the excellent staff will tell me everything I need to know when I get there, this is something I figured might be easy to answer beforehand. This will not be my first track day, and I have been riding for 8 years (almost all of that on sportbikes). Of course, I am going to be quite slow compared to any of the staff or more experienced riders, so my listing my experience I am NOT trying to seem experienced...just to list a reference point Here is the thing: About two years ago I started learning to hang off the bike (I bought TOW 1/2 and it was an epiphany). It changed everything for me. Now, I'm sure my form needs a lot of work, but hanging off, even a little, completely changed my riding. I got faster AND smoother, gained a TON of confidence, and it was the beginning of my desire to really learn the art of cornering well. My question: For a level 1 day, will hanging off the bike be encouraged or discouraged? Its gotten to the point where doing any kind of aggressive cornering (street or track) without shifting my weight to the inside, locking my outer leg, and dropping down is a little uncomfortable for me. I guess I'm saying that I hope it will be encouraged, since hanging off a little is really the center of my comfort zone. Any feedback is greatly appreciated Best Regards. Chris.

I'll be doing my first day with the CSS as a student in August, and reading this write up was very helpful. Thanks! Chris.

Soooo much great info in this thread. Thanks to all for contributing so noobs like me can learn more!

I will be doing a Level 1 day on August 23rd (Saturday) at Barber. And yeah...I know the heat is going to be killer. However, I have survived trecking through the Ugandan rainforest in 100 degree temps, touring Singapore in 110F/100% humidity, etc....so I just plan to stay hydrated, stay out of the sun as much as possible, and keep my electrolytes up. Man...110F + 1.4mm BLACK suit (perforated thank god) + boots + helmet + gloves + bike heat = Flipping HOOOOOT!

Racer. Thanks for the reply! I am really excited to come back out and the fact that I can play a small role in helping the CSS is a VERY proud thing for me. I am honored to be assisting you guys. And what you said about the CSS being top notch is really true, imho. If you just take a peek at the trackday listings in Road Racing World....look at the prices of the other schools AND their student to instructor ratio. Its almost impossible to find a school that has a 2:1 student to instructor ratio that doesn't cost thousands for a single day. My hats off to you all! Chris.

Hey guys and gals. I am very excited to be here. I took a rather unusual route to get booked with the CSS, here is my story. I am a software engineer by education and profession. I work for a company called SoMat which makes high speed, high precision, rugged, mobile data aquisition field computers (whew, a mouthful huh?). Keith contacted us about collaborating on a project to setup one of the school bikes for full telemetry data aquisition, that that is how this all got started. Now...a step back, I have been riding motorcycles for eight years. Its my passion. Riding is the air I breathe, and I'm sure anyone taking the time to come to this forum probably understands what I mean. Riding has saved my life. I got started with private instruction from an established AHRMA racer, who happens to be my father in law. He spent so many hours working with me in parking lots that its not even funny. Before I had my M class license, I probably had 40-60 hours of instruction and training from a very talented rider. It was a GREAT way to get into this amazing sport. In the last eight years, I have owned starter bikes, cruisers, and sport bikes...and I have discovered that sport riding is my real passion. The technical aspects, the discipline it requires, the fact that any rider can always learn, always improve....it really gets me up in the morning. So, a few months ago, my marketing manager steps into my office and says "Hey, have you heard of Keith Code?" My reply was: "Yeah, how many of his books to you want to borrow? They are all right here." As I turned and showed him TOW 1 and 2, which reside next to my desk pretty much all the time. Their pages are worn and dogeared....passages are highlighted and circled...they have been read, reread, and read again. Well, that pretty much sealed the deal, I convinced him that SoMat should do whatever we can to assist Keith and the CSS with this project...and it was all set up. So, about a month ago I came out to Willow Springs, with an engineer from Dynamic Research in Torrance CA. Dynamic had been hired to put sensors all over the bike, and it was my job to configure our system to take all the data. We spent two days wrenching on the bike, tweaking things here and there, calibrating and re-calibrating sensors, and had a blast. John and I arrived at Willow Springs with the bike mostly ready to go...and I was BLOWN AWAY. The CSS is one of the most well run, organized, and professional groups of its kind. I was just floored by the entire experience of working with Keith, Will, and the others I got to meet that day. Of course...it was absolute TORTURE for me to be there, with all the bikes and the smell of leathers, sweat, and gasoline...and not be riding. My hands twitched at the thought of climbing on my 600 (or one of the school bikes) and doing a few laps. I decided right there that I would take EVERY chance to be a student of the CSS as often as possible. Well, the data logging project was a success, and I am returning this Friday to LA to meet the CSS at Willow Springs on the 23rd and 24th of this month to do it all again. I am very excited. Also, I am booked for a Level 1 trackday at Barber in late August...so I will finally get to throw on my leathers and become a student of the CSS, which is a dream come true. Here are some pics from my last day out with the CSS (Will is the one riding...boy you guys are FASSSSST!!!!): (I'm in between Will and Keith) Here is the bike, hooked up to my laptop so I can download the data from the Edaq (our data aquisition system, its the grey box on the tail of the bike). Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself. As a student of the science of motorcycle racing, and as a motorcycle junkie, being able to work in a professional capacity with the CSS is literally a dream come true. If any of you guys are out at Willow this Monday and Tuesday, feel free to flag me down and ask any questions about the data logging you may have, I will be glad to talk with you about it. Right now, we are setup to measure: Front brake pressure, rear brake pressure, front wheel speed, rear wheel speed, throttle position, front suspension compression/extension, rear suspension compression/extension, GPS position and speed data, pitch rate, roll rate, yaw rate, and this monday we will be setting up to measure front steering head torque as well. I can't wait to come out and improve my riding with the CSS. Seeing you guys out there is a humbling and inspiring experience!!!! Best Regards. Chris.

Hey guys and gals. I am booked with the CSS for a Level 1 day at Barber in August (23rd) and I really appreciate the info posted here. I have been studying Barber for the last few weeks to learn as much about the track as I can before I get there. Anyway, the info here was really helpful, thanks again. Best Regards. Chris.