53Driver

A thousand thank-yous! You and Keith got the rust busted, and Ian, Jon, & Lonnie got me doing track stuff I've never done before. The photographs from Monday thru Wednesday really show progress in lean angle, hanging-off, and faster lap times. I had a blast! See you next year!

Barbers 2023 is "in the books!" Thanks to Cobie & Johnnie and their coaching staff, JJ and his maintenance staff, and Laura and her hospitality staff. Special thanks to Coach Laura and Keith on my first day for getting me reoriented to the track and busting the rust. Then big thanks to Ian, Jon, and Lonnie for taking my skills where they've never been before during the 2 Day Camp. Hope to see all y'all next year at Barbers! Cheers, Steve

Yup! Sure enough!

Well spoken, sir.

I have to ask...was that you in the beginning in the "giving advice" section recommending "more seat time"?

Original topic: aging (yeah, I'm 60) and wisdom (not terribly wise, per my SO)... - Eyes don't "flick" as fast as they used to. That 0.3 second timing to attain a focal point seems to be getting longer... - Glasses NEED the wider field of view lenses. - Brain tells our eyes what to look for and as age increases, this 'automatic' function can be misleading as it gets lazy. - To the point above, Strength Training is imperative for the aging body. I watched both my parents lose their "personal mobility" as they got older and became part of their recliners. I decided that wasn't for me, so 4 years ago I got a trainer and started. Neck rotation to see through curves ( 'A' vs. 'C' in the picture) cannot be lazy; this requires strong, flexible neck muscles. Being able to grip the bike with thighs and legs, to avoid hanging on to the bars, also requires strength. - The last part of aging and 'personal performance' is hormones. The 'acceptable range' for a male's testosterone levels has decreased in the past 20 years from 400-1300 to 200-700. Most of us are now being told by our GPs that out T level is 'acceptable' at 250 when it used to be 850 and to not worry about it. This is wrong on many levels. Aging women also need their levels (including T) checked based upon what is/was "normal" for the individual, not the current range set by the current batch of 20-45 year olds. Hormone levels play a huge part in how we see ourselves, the mental game, and slf-confidence. As far as cornering goes, the negative attack angle approach requires a quicker flick and more lean angle which is getting harder to reproduce consistently. Apexing too soon with premature throttle roll on leaves no one satisfied and is a recipe for a mishap. Racing & passing not withstanding, a nice leisurely positive attack angle works well on the streets for me. Cheers!

Good day all! I am returning to CSS this month and I'm totally stoked. I skipped last year due to an unfortunate incident, and I can't wait to get back. I'll be there 29, 30 & 31 May. Staying at the Hampton right outside the gate. Looking forward to seeing everyone again! Cheers, Steve

Currently I'm signed up for the One Day, and the Half Camp. I'm on stby for the Two Day. Ideally I want to do the Half Camp and the Two Day. I prefer the smaller student to coach ratio, plus getting to ride the 'specialty bikes' and the video bike. I'm still really learning this whole track mentality and it's fun. @Dedicated54 - Cheers! When they get that dang bridge fixed y'all can stop using my exit (22) to commute to work! Lol. Seriously, I hope that hasn't affected you. To your Level question. Red Baron is spot on. Whatever your first day there is, it's Level 1. Then your second day, be it the next day or next year, will be Level 2, etc. I did a regular Day for Level 1, then Half camp for Level 2, then Two Day covering Levels 3 & 4. I'm technically a Level 4 from now on....

Cobie, if I learned anything at Barbers last May it was that I'm still trying to figure out core "sportbike/track" fundamentals at a very rudimentary level compared to others there. Doing Levels 1-4 in 4 days was truly great and no one should shy away from it - thank you for that guidance. I'll be at Barbers again this May-Jun. Looking forward to meeting you there. Cheers - Steve

Great meeting you too! And again, thanks for making me feel welcome. I'll probably head out west next season - just to get something different, but Barbers is just too local to ignore. Maybe both? Lol

THANK YOU so much for that info! I know that will shape my plans - but which direction, I just don't know yet. My initial thought is that I'm not going for a racing career, so perhaps S@W would be the best place to work on cornering skills.

I just watched all the train tracks he was juggling at any given time. Hell of a logistician's mind in him. I'm planning a budget to come out west next year. 2 Day Camp. In the mean time, I'll work on what I learned and then be ready for more Level IV training. Hopefully get to meet you then. Cheers, Steve

I'm sorry I missed this post! I hope y'all had a blast!

I'm with Red_Baron on this one...I haven't been able to peel the smile off my face long enough to give any sort of accurate debrief. I parked my RV in the Paddock area on Saturday afternoon and was immediately invited to relocate it in a tighter spot, but among veterans of CSS. Thanks to Rhino & Elizabeth, Sam, and Merlin (El Colibri) for making me feel welcome. We had a really cool little community thing going on there. I awoke Sunday early, poured some coffee, and began to watch the CSS operations. I had never been to a track before, never seen CSS work before. I wanted to get an idea for what I would be doing come Monday morning. I saw "Registration", "Leather issue", "The Morning Introductions" and what amused me most was Keith Code walking around & talking to people. As a retired Marine pilot, and a LEAN 6 Sigma Black Belt, watching how units deploy and operate always has its comedic moments. Not CSS. Their work employment model of who does what role, when and why, immediately surfaced as professional & efficient. When units take their show on the road, efficiency of manpower is key: people are expensive, good people even more so. CSS proved they got this. After watching the riders zorch around the track for awhile (lots of Level 4s!) I admit I got a little apprehensive. This is the major league. Back at the paddock that night, I listened to the guys talk about how great the track is, with its fresh pavement and just a few races to get a nice surface. They told me that since this is my first experience, I was about to be spoiled rotten! I went to bed a little nervous. Four consecutive days of this? (a "One day", a "Half-Camp", then a "Two Day Camp") I'm 57 years young! What the hell was I thinking? Lol.... Monday morning arrived and I was awake several minutes before my alarm was to sound off. Had a cup of coffee and some oatmeal. I was ready...lol Registered, met Trevor (I don't know his salary, but I believe is underpaid for all the logistical train tracks he manages in his wheelhouse), and then spoke to Coach Johnny, and then Coach Laura, and then Coach Keith. All made me feel welcome. (Never got the Hotfoot story...hmmm) Got into the Green Group and was sent to the Classroom are where Dylan Code was setup. Got the track brief from Trevor then Dylan told us all about how the day would go. 5 Classroom Sessions, 5 riding sessions where we would attempt the instructed technique, while not forgetting previous lessons. After the first Lesson with Dylan, I got suited up and went out an introduced myself to my 'dance partner' for the day, #24. She looked nice enough, but I knew she could be hell on wheels if mistreated. As I mounted her, I was praying the astronaut Alan Shepard prayer "Dear God, please don't let me f**k this up." As it turns out, I was able to hold my own fairly well at 65-75% effort while navigating the course in 3d & 4th with No Brakes - as per the Lesson Plan. The bike was in Rain Mode - which kept us both calmer - and I progressed through all five of the lessons uneventfully. Coaches Rick & Johnny were very insightful and I got a lot of great tips. After leather turn-in, I made my way back to the paddock area and the grin on my face could be seen a mile away. Tuesday's "Half camp" brought rain all day, but #19s electronics were nothing short of witchcraft. Same battle concept, same execution, same ontrack coaches, but at a slightly more cautious pace. The "Half-Camp" has 5 lessons, but seven riding sessions. The last two plans are what you and your ontrack coach decide upon. Wednesday the skies cleared and the "2 Day Camp" began. (OBTW: the morning breakfasts are better at the "camps...") I got a new ontrack coach, Mark, and I told him that I wanted hear it all and he readily obliged. I got another 'dance partner', #22. 5 more lessons, 7 more rides. I was getting more & more comfortable at faster speeds, although I didn't know what those speeds were as the "mph's" were taped over on the dash board...Dylan continued to provide more insight into the mechanics & theory of riding while Coach Mark made sure I was 'getting it' while ontrack. Day 4, Level 4. Different format. Keith Code briefed all the new Level 4 riders on what this personalized training would entail. He has 199 different exercises for Level 4 riders, all custom tailored to fit/unscrew whatever the rider, the ontrack coach, and the Level 4 advisor think needs polish. After riding the wet track, Coach Mark and I chatted about 'headwork & judgement' and I went to see my Level 4 Advisor - Keith Code. This was amazing. Keith Code himself was going to be advising me on my riding for the entire day! As I progressed through the day, we found a few things that needed some tidying up and there's a lot more out there that I know I haven't uncovered - yet. I was especially happy when Coach Rick saw one of my later runs that day, and came up to tell me how much I had improved in Turn 5 from Mon/Tues. I finished Level 4 completely fatigued and very happy with the progress I had made. It was really enjoyable to be a student again. I took the RV to Cheaha State Park - about 90 minutes from the track - and just chilled for couple days, built a fire and reflected on my notes and what I had learned. I learned two main things: 1. I am not interested in actual racing or 'reducing my lap times' although it IS REALLY FUN to go fast. I went to CSS to become a better cornering rider. Hence, I don't think I'll ever qualify to be a CSS Coach. They are literally the best of the best and I'll never have the racing experience required to do that job well. 2. I really enjoyed learning again. Too often, as an MSF Rider Coach, I am in a coaching role, regardless of where & whom I ride with. It was SO GREAT to put that hat away and just be out there learning. Thanks to the CSS staff, Student Control - Laura & Cammie, Race Control - Trevor, the coaches - Rick, Johnny, Mark, Laura, Dylan & Keith, and the Code Family for making this experience possible. I think an annual pilgrimage to a "Two Day Camp" will be in the budget forecasting for the next several years.... Cheers, Steve

Well, I made it! Made some "new best friends" in the paddock area. Met Coach Johnny Haynes. Met Keith Code. Let the fun begin! Cheers, Steve