nydude2000

Hey Kelly I am kind of lucky...i use a regular small HD video cam mounted on gas tank..so i can see the vids after i finish...does help i guess.... btw what is ur track?? steve

Thanks guys. Yes it was a blast and exciting, the whole thing was very cool. I have to say though my thoughts in going faster (and no question i was going faster lol) were more in the lines that I refused to get lapped by anyone in my group than trying to pass lol....Will try it one more time this season....CCS at lightning. Big advantage doing it on a track I have been around 1000 times lol... V/r Steve d

Well i had talked about it here before...so I thought I should just let you all know (since CSS had alot to do with me getting there). I finished my first CCS race about a month ago at Lightning at NJMP! (actually a pair of em). Was a total blast. And yes if you look at the results I DID NOT FINISH LAST (just don't look too closely at the results lol). Kind of realized though that maybe I am just a weeeee bit out of my class!!!!...but I did accomplish my main goals.... I didn't kill myself...I didn't kill anyone else...and I finished...so Cobie...that will be your job at my lvl 4 coming up at TBOlt...get 10 secs of my laps times lol

Just finished first day doing the 66 config (2.9 miles) at Monticello Motorsports Club and what can I say but I just want to make ALL of you that don't live around here totally jealous. Just an amazing track with perfect traction. It def rivals Barber as my favorite. The back straight is 1 mile long!!! and peeps (NOT ME) get to 165++ on it, but it is all the turns and combos that are so much fun. Anyway...if you are ever around...make sure you ride it (North config is very fun too). Hope to see you all in Sept at CSS TBolt. When you watch vid don't be too critical of me...i do miss like one turn (well maybe like 1000 turns) but it was my first time on this config (well that is my story and I am sticking to it )

Not sure if this is right place for this post...maybe should go in "Tracks" section....anyway Just finished my first track day at Monticello Motorsport Club http://monticellomot.../track/circuit/ The run was on the north circuit and it was just really neat and I have to say one of the most enjoyable track runs I have had. Reminded me of kind of a Barber (my all time favorite track)/Streets of Willow combo track. Very technical with neat transitions and turns and seemed to really help me work on body position and transitions. The 66 "run" (combines elements of north and south course and is longer) is supposedly even better and I will try that out in July. The "whole track run is 4.1 miles with 22 turns!!!! (but not run very often). The north course can be run in both directions (not sure about 66) At the end of the day I was sore as hell and that doesn't happen at NJMP. I think this would make an excellent venue for CSS and it is a beautiful facility. Any thought on maybe making it part of the east coast CSS run?? (pic is turn 2. Turn 2 and 3 (right left combo) are maybe the most fun turns I have run)

I really like your post and I think we tend to forget this...I know what you say is true because there have been numerous examples of this..like my CSS at Willow (first time on that track)..first session I went off the track, hated it and wanted to stop (and Mikey just shaking his head with that pertetual smile and just saying to relax)..but by the end of two days was tootling around the track pretty well…and I am sure my track times were infinitely better than when I started..with no real effort on "improving lap times" I think it is easy though when you are just starting out since the learning curve is so quick and improvement comes easy. It just is harder as you get better, since the improvement is not so quick..and well… you just have to have patients and not push it…and like you said, it will happen.

Thanks Cobie….I actually did a CSS a week or so ago (first time back on bike) and talked to some of the coaches who said basically the same thing..as have pretty much all my friends and others that I have talked to since…crashing should NOT be part of your riding better scheme… Interestingly at the CSS, James T found I was doing something bad = weighting the handlebars IN a 'turn…opps…worked on that the whole time…and actually felt better so yes NavyDude (as we talked about)…I did #2 and #3… The post was started shortly after my mishap and I was still hurting and thinking negative thoughts…now I am feeling better and well…am itching to get back out….. I just think my approach is going to be very different…not trying to go faster (bad trap to get into) but riding better…as James T said to me…hit your points…turn the bike..then relax and enjoy the ride

Hy Greg I will just put in my.."what a great post" thanks I look at that pic and what I see is one stressed out #86 and although can't see your face just looking at your BP you seem totally relaxed..which bike would i want to be on..hummm...not a hard choice... I did a CSS Lvl 4 yesterday (first time back on a bike) and had alot of discussion with my coach. Interestingly he kind of said the same thing about going fast. He was racing trying to go faster and lap times were actually going down...was ready to quite and his buddy said just relax and have fun...doing that he had the second best lap time ever... Dave as to Motocross helping with control...I remeber reading a review in ?MC racing mag on Rich Oliver's Mystery School..As I remember it..talked about how is mentor made him do motocross and he said he owed alot of his sucess to that...Quote from this school (this one designed pretty much for track riders) "Learn to control a sliding motorcycle on the dirt at a safe speed, then take all that you learn here and apply it to whatever you ride or race." Anyway kind of interesting... Steve

Well I appreciate everyone's input and it has helped a lot I think. It probably isn't too much of a surprise that , yes I did very recently have a very bad highside crash and I think got away with my life! = no serious injuries…there were a lot of reasons that contributed (and all stupid) but basically it went exactly as Dave said in his post…coming out of a turn..went right past the limit..front end gone… have know idea why…crashed and I learned absolutely nothing except those crashes hurt A LOT! I think Dave kind of hit it though…you have to understand that point of traction/non traction and really know it! I think, Kiwi that is why Rossi hasn't crashed and can ride on the edge always…he knows exactly where and what that limit is. And I bet that probably is why Greg in his first post is doing some amazing racing stuff and still not crashing. Most of us mortals have no idea. And to be honest I still don't. So if you continue to ride seems like there are two solutions (if we say crashing is not an option) #1 Stay far away from that point and basically you will always be safe (baring stupid stuff) but probably never really achieve what you can; and this is where you probably should be until you have really perfected your riding (as CSS says ride 75%)…but at some point you are going to want to go faster and then -----> #2 some how try and learn where that limit is and what it feels like without going over. Maybe Dave's idea of motocross might be a neat way of getting that feel…

WOW Fossil...its like we are kindred spirts lol....you are so right about getting the feel...and no amount of coaching can make it happen...it can help...and it was painful on the snowboard but when you do get it ...it is so great...but it is different with the motorcycle...crashing ...well it just isn't a good option to get it right...got to figure how to get "THERE" and get the "feel" another way? And what makes matters worse for me is i am so visual in how i learn...if i can't "see" it in my mind...it won't happen...I know I have frustrated more than one CSS coach cause of that lol.... And which one wins?? Carving down a slop with perfect snow in perfect rhythym or...going around a great track with a great bike in perfect form...hummm....I think the bike wins....I know I am not there yet but everyonce in awhile on the bike I get a glimpse of that feeling...and it is so sweet ...and i know keith would like this..cause it is so ZEN...lol

Hey Fossil and Kevin Thanks guys for the comeback. Fossil you know you are my hero ...lol..we are about the same age...and what you are doing is awesome....thanks for your POV and keep us up to date with your racing exploits There is no question that CSS has kept me alive on the track!!!....I realized when I first started this track thing that i needed something to guide me or i was going to die...and CSS has been it....Having those set of skills to fall back on has been awesome Kevin...seems like I have gotten to know you from all your posts and like Fossil value your thoughts...its not that I was obsessed with the idea of crashing...but recent events have brought that into focus...I guess ultimately what is the goal out on the track...for everybody it seems to be: GO FASTER...and it is...everything we do and learn etc...is to go faster...so how do you go faster and not crash...seems like Greg knows how...maybe its not to make it the ultimate goal but just a byproduct of learning to ride "perfectly".... There is an analogy i think: I took up snowboarding pretty late in life too..lol...and the feeling of carving down the mountain is just amazing...very similar to that feeling of going around those turns on the track when everything just feels right...but damn as I got better = faster down the slope,,,,and anyone who snowboards knows this...that dam downhill side edge..when it catches...crapola...it is a hard painful fall...so I just stopped trying to go down the slope faster and just worked on the neat part..carving down I have to admit I do love the sport

Greg Thanks ALOT for the comeback...hearing about your experience and accomplishments WITHOUT crashing...is very reassuring. Very recently I have been having this internal debate now of whether at my age I really want to be doing this…maybe I should be taking up golf or something But I really do love doing it! But it sounds like you are definitely pushing the limit..and still staying within yourself…now if i go forward I guess I have to figure out how to do that…I don't think i will be happy just "tootoling" around the track... Oh…and congrats on what seem like some awesome track work Steve

Well I have kind of an important question to ask…mainly for the really advanced track riders and racers out there…It has to do with crashing… Do you think that at some point as you are trying to get better that you HAVE to crash??...in pushing the envelope...as 'you do with every sport Or asked another way: How many of the advanced track riders and racers out there HAVE NOT CRASHED??? steve

Thanks for the comeback.....i agree with you about looking ahead....and I think Cobie has said that as you go faster it becomes even more important...something that i tried to work on alot...i still like looking down at those dam red and white lines at the apexes as i pass them!!!....lol The track is sweet..i think you would really like it....alot of the "southern boys" seem to be heading up....Alot of the Track Clubs have 3 days weekends which might make it worth it....hit me with a private post if you need some info... steve

Hey Adam Yea Jody and I keep going on about TBolt lol It is nice to have such a sweet facility close. I think I know that turn you are talking about..the right after you crest over the hill...I know the adv riders just blaze thru that one... I know you guys have a couple of sweet tracks down your way. Another Aussie talked about one of them (can't remember which one) and I looked it up on the internet...looked pretty sweet...kind of hard for me to pack up the bike and drive down though ... steve

Steve, great progress. I think I have ridden with you at a NESBA day. T-bolt is my favorite track. Not to interrupt your thread, but will you be attending the T-bolt TD this Sunday? Hey Jody and fellow Tbolter... Thanks for reply... I do feel so much more comfortable.. And yea no question T-bolt is awesome...feel real lucky to have that and Lightning as home tracks I will send you a message..but will be at T-bolt this Sunday with Absolute Steve

This is just a follow up to my previous post ("Stuck in NJ" post in June).....and give a follow up for the advice etc.. I have had about 6 track days since last post (all at Thunderbolt NJ...hence title of post) and tried to apply some of the suggestions. Worked mostly on turn accuracy (and quicker) and trying to come off the turn sharper and then faster on the gas. For the most part I seem to have made some progress and feel alot better going around the track. Lap times have gone from 1:58s-1:59s to !:51-1:52 and now I am pretty consistant with the times and still real comfortable. This is link for video from last track day (3 track days and 4 seconds faster than the one you saw Cobie) and about 7 secs or so faster than the vid on previous post The second lap of vid I kind of remember and was one of my better ones.... Anyway...now of course I am stuck again..lol...but got a CSS coming in Aug at Tbolt and am pretty psyched about it since it is my home track and I think I am in a good spot in my riding to learn some good stuff..hopefully.... Anyway I appreciate the previous feedback and think it helped...and for all you coming to CSS in Aug...hope to see u there steve d

Hey hey and welcome...i am not a fellow Buellers...but hey what the heck...lol I sure there must be some on the board...hopefully you can bring them out... For sure you will have a blast at "school" steve

Hey Red Just thought I would say hi…you will have a blast with the 2-day and it sounds like you have a great attitude which will make it even better. Sounds like we have some stuff in common. My second track day I ran my GSXR K7 750 off the track trying to "follow" a control rider at my second track day. I knew I had to get some good training or I would probably kill myself. I signed up for a 2day CSS and got TOTW I and II and read them…just reading the books…it was like a light went on..or better yet like Keith hit me hard in the back of the head and said "you idiot". My riding get better almost instantly mostly do to the "novel" ideas of throttle control and turning points …lol But it was the 2-day Lvls I II that really did it. It was such a revelation, and it was so much fun doing it. (Did that one at LV and my second 2-day at Streets…you will like Streets a lot) Anyway…if you have any questions just holler.... give a comeback on the board afterwards to see how it went… Steve

Thanks for the offer and I will probably take u up on it and good luck on your endeavors ...keep us posted on how it goes

I really appriciate you post Fossil and your toughts! And although you must have mixed emotions still major congrats on your race and your results and also your boldness in taking that step!!!! I think one of my favorite quotes is this one: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.Helen Keller I have been toying with the idea of trying some racing and you may have convinced me to go for it (even though I am so old lol) steve

Hey Steve thanks for the welcome mate,Yep Eastern Creek is just outside of Sydney. Hoping to do level 2 in August and squeeze in a few track days before then. If you click on the link and scroll down the page you can see what it is like to ride there. Eastern Creek race track Dude that looks like one sweet track and facility Maybe I shuold come on down and try it out...lol

hey hey....great to hear from someone down there far away...is Eastern Creek in AU?? (I know totally ignorant american lol) Anyway it is good to hear that CSS seems to be great no matter where u do it lol... I have done I-IV and a redo of LVL 4 'and have had a blast and learned so mcuh.....you will love lvl 2... steve

hey Jeff.... Thought I might put my two cents in...hopefully Cobie and a few others from CSS can chime in with direct info. I have about the same experience as you...maybe one year less..but totally have the bug. I realized real early that if i didn't learn this right i was probably going to die so I started with CSS last year (2 day at LV) after about my 4th track day. It was like night and day. Since then I have done a second 2 day at Willow and a LVL 4 at my home track at Thunderbolt. The CSS school days are nothing like track days. MY general view of track days is you are on your own with maybe a brief something from one of the coaches. Its not that the info is bad..it just was never put together for me are really made sense. CSS is a really structured learning environment. They do have it down to an ART! I have only done one other school..so I can't really compare..but then again don't really have the desire to. Keith's method my not be the only one..but it is awsome...and he and Cobie have trained a staff to teach it in the most intense, friendly motivated enviorment you could find. (and no I don't work for them lol) The levles 1-4 are a basic progression of the riding skills you need. They build on each other. You learn about humm... 6-8 drills in each LVL. LVLs I and II focus alot on common errors and visual skills..LVL III builds on that and works on body position etc...LVL 4 works to tie it all together. By the end of the 4 lvls you are left with a set of drills/skills that you can constantly fall back on and use as you progress. I have done two ..two day camps and would recommend that if you can swing it. Smaller coach to rider ratio..more intense learning. I have done a one day LVL 4 and that was great too. I really can say you won't be disappointed if you do the school. I have not talked with any student in my sessions that didn't have a blast and got a ton out of it. Hope this helps... Oh and btw...not sure how far north in CT you are but heck..come on down to Thunderbolt or Lightning at NJMP...it is awsome..and CSS will be there in AUG.. Steve D

Well welcome to the family lol And you are so right about the CSS Team. I have done a bunch with em and it is always great. I tortured Mikey for two days at my second 2 day at Streets and he was great (he has such an unwavering positive attitude)..and well all the coaches I have had have been pretty great lol... Come on up to Thunderbolt in Aug CSS...I will be there Steve