mrinflux

Quaker, Clear your head and get plenty of rest. Avoid stress and distractions. You want to arrive well-rested, calm, and focused. Elton

Gary, There's pros and cons to either, but when all is said and done, I think it makes more sense to ride one of CSS's bikes rather than your own. Using your own bike is just one more thing to worry about. If you use your bike, you have to get it to the track and back. That means either hauling it or riding it. Riding it is a bad idea 'cause you're gonna be exhausted after CSS and in no mood to ride your bike anywhere after a day of CSS track instruction. Hauling it isn't as bad as riding it, but you'll still have to load up at the end of the day, and that's a hassle when you're exhausted. Trust me when I tell you, at the end of CSS, you're gonna be sore and tired. It'll be nice to just slip off your leathers and get into your car without having to deal with loading up or riding out. Also, the economics of using your own bike doesn't really add up. Using a CSS bike costs a couple hundred dollars more a day than using your own bike. But if you use your own bike, you'll put some serious wear on your tires. (Depending on your riding style and the tire, 2 or 3 track days is about all you're gonna get out of a sportbike street tire before it's spent.) When you factor in tire, (and, to a lesser extent, engine/brake/suspension), wear, it doesn't make sense. Why wear out your own tires? Save your tires for the track days you're gonna do waiting for your next CSS day. And with Keith switching over to the new BMW 1000RR, this becomes a no-brainer. We can all ride our respective bikes whenever we want, but when and where else are you gonna get the chance to ride an RR on the track? Just my opinion. Elton

I ride with NESBA, Absolute, Roger Lyle, and TPM, among others. It's always the same: Three groups. The Novice Group is filled with first-timers and people with little or no track experience. This group is nerve-wracking because people with little or no experience are completely unpredictable. Then there's the intermediate group. This group is filled with, a.), a bunch of novices who don't want to admit they're novices, so they signed up for, "intermediate," b.), some intermediate skill level riders, almost all of whom have had no formal training, so they're all riding way over their skill level and creating an inherrently dangerous situation by riding too fast for their ability, and c.), some back-of-the expert-class guys who would rather be the fastest guys in intermediate than the slowest guys in expert, so they're out there riding like they were in the expert class, scaring the Hell out of the the beginners who lied about their skill level to ride in intermediate. A frickin' zoo! And then there's the "expert," class. Filled mostly with a bunch of cowboys who think they're Casey Stoner, except almost all of them have no formal training whatsoever, and are riding waaaaay over their ability. Not for the faint of heart. Add to the equation the fact that even though it's not a race, most everybody in every group is riding like it is. And most clubs put 40 to 50 riders in each group. That's a whole lot of untrained, poorly regulated, high speed traffic to contend with. I don't like any of the groups. Each has its inherrent dangers. I ride in the, "intermediate," group where I'm typically in the top third. On several occasions, CRs have told me they're bumping me up to, "expert." I politely decline. Of the two groups, I feel safer in intermediate than expert. Don't get me wrong, I love track days, (currently signed up for over 30 this season!), but the way they're, "run," is maddening and often, downright dangerous. One trick is to wait until the afternoon. Attrition plays its role. Many of the cowboys crash out in the morning sessions, and the heat takes its toll, so that by the afternoon, groups that were 40 to 45 guys are often down to 20 to 25 riders. Much more manageable. What I would really like to see would be track clubs putting some sort of training requirement on members before they let people loose on the track. But, for obvious reasons, that will never happen. And that's why I'm signed up for all 13 CSS days at Thunderbolt this year. I'd rather spend a bit more money and do track days with CSS then duke it out with the cowboys at club track days. Elton

I'd like to make an observation about the, "Code," method, and crashing: I did all four levels of CSS last year at Thunderbolt. For most of the four days, my coach was James Toohey. I don't know if that was by accident or by design, (I suspect the latter, I've spent some time wondering about how coaches are paired with students, but that's the subject for another thread), but suffice it to say, I found him to be an amazing coach. It's one thing to be able to ride fast, and quite another to be able to show somebody else how to ride fast. James is very adept at both. In any case, after our first sesssion on day 4, I pulled in for the customary debriefing. What James said to me has been bouncing around in my head ever since. What he told me, (and I'm paraphrasing now), is: "Elton, you're going much faster now than you were on day 1. You're on the verge of crashing, and you don't even know it. You're scaring me; I'm worried you're gonna crash. You're making some mistakes that you were making on day 1, but on day 1 you weren't going fast enough to matter. Now that you're getting closer to the edge, it matters a whole lot. You're about to low-side. I want you to slow down about 5% and let's go back to some basics." And with that, he coached me on body position, pick up, and a couple of other things. Within a couple of sessions, I was back up to speed, and smoother and safer. What struck me about this conversation was how in-tune James was with where I was in my training, both mentally and physically. He allowed me to develop, gain confidence, and then, reined me in a bit before an accident. An accident that likely would have shaken my confidence, ruined my day, set me back in my training, and cost me money. This incident is an example of a CSS coach putting into practice the principles Keith is writing about in this article. Amazing! And at the same time, simple. It's no coincidence that CSS has less crashes. I didn't know the numbers until reading them in Keith's article, but given my experience at CSS, I wasn't surprised. Exchanges like this are why CSS is worth every penny. This is the difference between following some CR around at a track day, (who may very well know how to ride fast, but probably doesn't know the first thing about teaching somebody else how to ride fast), and professional coaching. And this is the reason I've signed up for all 13 CSS days this year at Thunderbolt.

Cobie, When and where is the dealer intro? Elton

Yeah, won't be long now! My goal for this year is to break into the 1:30ties, so I can keep up with you! Except in turn 6. If you don't mind, I'm sticking with my line through turn 6 rather than adopting your rim-bending, low-siding line! That was quite a crash, dad!

JR, Yeah, I'm obsessed. It's all I think about. I'm going crazy waiting for the winter to end. Thankfully, my friend and I are driving down to Jennings in a couple of weeks for two Absolute Cycle track days, (Jan 23rd &24th), so I'll soon get a track, "fix." And Will from CSS is meeting me there with my brand new '08 ZX6R that I just bought from CSS, so I can't wait! Elton

Cobie, I'm the middle-aged white guy with the pony tail. Here's a couple of pics; maybe that'll help. (Sorry about the low-quality cell-phone pic!) Elton

Cobie, No worries mate, I knew you were joking. I was joking also. You were joking about me needing some professional help for my obsession, and I thought it an interesting twist that my obsession is all about getting professional help, albeit of a different sort. See you at Thunderbolt! Elton

January 23/24, Jennings Racetrack April 3/4, Thunderbolt Raceway April 17/18/19, Thunderbolt Raceway May 7/8, Lightning Raceway May 10/11/12/13/14, CSS @ Thunderbolt Raceway May 22/23, Beaver Run June 1, Miller June 28, Lightning Raceway July 25, Lightning Raceway July 26, Thunderbolt Raceway August 2/3/4/5, CSS @ Thunderbolt Raceway August 21/22/23, Lightning Raceway September 6/7/8/9, CSS @ Thunderbolt Raceway September 13, Thunderbolt Raceway October 11, Little Talladega November 11, Thunderbolt Raceway

Cobie, You mean, above and beyond the 13 CSS days? I can't afford any more professional help! Is there a race track at the Poor House? Elton

Guys, Ok, I'll admit it, I'm obsessed. I'm signed up for all 13 CSS days at Thunderbolt next year! And I bought a season pass with Absolute Cycle, that's another 15 track days at NJMP. Plus 2 days at Beaver in May, and a day at Little Tally in October. And I'm driving down to Florida for 3 days at Jennings in January. All totaled, I'm looking at over 30 track days next year. I can't wait! Elton

Frankly, since becoming a track junkie, I don't even enjoy riding on the street any more. The track is a controlled environment with no unknown hazards; the street is the exact opposite. An unknown obstacle can await you in every turn. Gravel, a stalled car, water, a dog, a kid on a bicycle, a snake, for Pete's sake, the list is endless! Before I started going to the track, I used to rail around the turns, telling myself it was safe 'cause I was only giving it 80%. What a bunch of horse hockey! Now I creep around the turns, terrified of what might be awaiting me just after the apex. I suppose it doesn't help that my riding buddy was killed this summer, avoiding 3 young teenagers on bicycles who were in his lane, coming towards him, as he came around a turn. My friends are all teasing me now 'cause I go so slow on the street. I don't care. I'm taking my sport bikes off the street, and I'm buying an old Boxer, or a GoldWing, or Harley chopper, or Triumph Scrambler, and I'm gonna start cruisin'. And I'm buying a second dedictated track bike to supplement my '02 R6, and I'm going to the track every weekend I can. And to all my friends who are teasing me about how slow I ride on the street, I say, "No problem, I'll see ya' at the track!" Elton

Jody, Wish I was going to CSS in Vegas with you rather than staying here in Philly, working! Good luck with everything. Last Sunday at NJMP turned out to be a great day! Check out this pic of me draggin' a knee through the carousel on T-bolt. In particular, check out the guy in the back, crashing! Cool, pic, eh? Elton

John, I did all four levels this year at Thunderbolt Raceway in NJ, (Levels 1 & 2 in May, and Levels 3 & 4 just two weeks ago). I thought about this issue also, but in the end opted to go with CSS's dedicated ZX6R trackbike rather than my own bike. I'm glad I did. Advantages: 1. No wear and tear on your bike. Tires wear quickly at the track. I figured, why wear out my tires? 2. Unless you already own a ZX6R, this is an opportunity for you to try out a new bike! I have to say, I loved the ZX6R. But for CSS, I would never have had the opportunity to ride one on the track. 3. No hassle in getting your own bike to the track. There's really only two ways to get your bike to the track. You either have to ride your bike to the track or trailer it to the track. Both are a hassle. When you get done with your CSS trackday, what could be nicer than slipping off your leathers and getting into your comfortable car without having to worry about loading up your bike onto a trailer, or, (worse yet!), making your bike street legal again and getting back on it for a ride home? 4. No worries about mechanical issues. If your bike has a problem, you've got a problem. But if CSS's ZX6R has a mechanical issue, ride it into the paddock, and Will Eikenberry will put you on a different bike. It happened to me during level 3. The bike I was riding was dogging. I brought it in and Will switched me to a new bike. This was so nice! Disadvantages: None that I can think of. Leave your bike at home. Use their bike. You won't be sorry. Oh yeah...have a blast!! Elton

Guys, I was back out on Thunderbolt last Sunday. This was my first track day since having competed the 2 day CSS program last May. I have to say, it was very frustrating trying to remember everything I learned at CSS! I defininitely was faster and more comfortable than any of my pre-CSS track days, but it wasn't the same as having a CSS coach right on your tail all day. This was also my first track day with my new, (at least, "new,' for me,), R6 track bike that I bought immediately after doing CSS in May. While I don't like the R6 as much as K. Code's ZX6Rs, the bike performed flawlessly and I warmed up to it quickly. I also was lucky to run into Jody, (whom I had met at CSS in May), who had come down the night before. He had rented a room and paddock, and he insisted on sharing his paddock with me. It sure was nice to have a place to get out of the heat during the day and a place to take a quick shower during lunch. (Thanks Jody, you're the man!) Based on my having completed the 2 day CSS course, Absolute Cycle put me in Group 3 even though I initially asked to be in Group 2. I was definately in the bottom half of Group 3, speed-wise, so I concentrated on following faster riders and and tried to keep up. But by lunch I was exhausted with the pace and asked to be moved down to Group 2. Afternoon sessions were much better. Morning sessions were quite crowded with 40+ riders in each group. But between crashes, (which were quite frequent, 3 or 4 an hour, all morning!), and attrition due to the heat, (it was in the mid 90ties with high humidity!), afternoon sessions were much less crowded. Additionally, I was one of the faster riders in group 2, so I got some practice passing, which I definitely wasn't getting in the morning sessions with group 3, where I was struggling to keep up. Afterwards, a couple of people mentioned to me that I should have stayed in Group 3, 'cause the only way to get better, (short of going to CSS, of course!), is to push yourself by trying to keep pace with faster riders. There's a certain logic to that, but I don't know,...thoughts/opinions? One thing for sure, I'm looking forward to returning to NJMP for the CSS 2 day school in two weeks! Elton

For me, it started almost 40 years ago in 1970 when my dad bought me a 65cc Yamaha Mini Enduro. Since then, I've never been without a bike of some sort. About 8 years ago, my interest in motorcycles became much more focused when I purchased my first Ducati. (I now own 4 Ducs and an MV Agusta, among others!) Last October, after nearly 40 years of street and off-road riding, I did my first track day at NJMP, in Millville, NJ. I didn't expect to be Casey Stoner, but with almost four decades of riding experience under my belt, I figured I'd at least be competent. I couldn't have been more wrong. To put it bluntly, I sucked! I immediately realized that there was a whole lot more to riding a motorcycle fast on the track than I had thought. I knew I needed some professional help. To that end, I signed up for CSS's two day school last May at NJMP. What a difference that made! In two days, I improved my lap times by almost a full minute. I was going faster, feeling much more in control, and having way more fun. In short, I was hooked! I've now bought a dedicated track bike, ('02 Yamaha R6), no longer enjoy riding my sport bikes on the street, and I'm seriously thinking about buying a Gold Wing, or an old Boxer, or a chopper, (or all three!), and selling my street sport bikes. Since CSS, I'm no longer comfortable riding fast on the street. I'm currently signed up for a track day with Absolute Cycle this Sunday at NJMP, and I'll be back at NJMP for two days with CSS in August. I can't wait! Elton

Jody, I second your comments. I did the 2 day school at NJMP in May also, and I can't say enough positive about it! Definately a blast, well-organized, very helpful, applicable, useful lessons, excellent coaching, and all of it done with a positive vibe and great cooking! And just in case you're wondering if you're really making any improvement, daily time sheets show you something tangible you can turn to. It doesn't get any better than this! Like you Jody, I re-upped for the 2 day school in August! See you there. Elton

I was at the 2 day camp also, with Jody. I second his words. Street riding no longer has the same appeal. I haven't moved as quickly as Jody did procuring a track bike, but I've been out shopping for one since the 2 days at NJMP ended. Jody, - what did you buy? I've been looking at ZX6Rs! Big surprise, right? I loved those little bikes! They were a blast! Oh, and btw, I had so much fun last week, I signed up for the 2 day camp in August! How about it? You coming back? Elton