My Impression of CSS (First Time Attendee)

[Graybeard]

A little about me. Quite a bit of track experience for myself and a few of the guys in our group. We all knew each other quite well. All of us knew we had things to work on as we went into this experience with a lil anxiety, but open minded at the same time. Lots of unknowns for sure.

First off, Everyone I dealt with, starting with initial registration was very professional and courteous. Once at the track, everyone was very approachable and would answer any questions that seem to pop into your head. 

Four of our group was slated for for Level 2 on 30 July, but only three of us were able to take the second class. I unfortunately could not attend for a medical reason that reared its ugly head, preventing my to hang around until morning. My apologies for bugging out, but I had a helper to drive home and I took advantage of it.

The BIG day. 100% GET YOUR BEST REST the night before. You are in for and information packed, rigorous day. They have a pretty nice spread for the continental breakfast they provide. Coffee, Espresso, Water and a damn good tasting electrolyte drink called Spharck or something like that. Either way, I highly recommend indulging in it.

Green Flag Waves: And you're off.  Classroom instruction was very informative, easy to comprehend along with some fun thrown in and a little cycling history thrown in. It's probably safe to say, 100% of didn't know the bicycle history Dylan Code was referring to. Hey, we all learned something in that moment. Dylan was great at getting the message across in a way you could easily apply it on track. Dylan was the instructor for the entirety of the classroom instruction. Each lesson is structured towards a specific drill you will apply on your on track session. You are given a CODE WORD. Remember this!

To The Pit Lane: You report to PIT OUT to your appointed place according to the grid folks. At this time, you will be met by your assigned Coach. Our Coach was Coach James, the Bald one! This was fitting for our group as we were all bald...lolol...

Post Session Feedback: We connected with James right off the bat. He articulated feedback in such a way there was no way you couldn't pick up on what he was telling you on track or wasn't able to remember where you were making mistakes. The coaches off track time with you is limited, as they have three other groups they are coaching students in,  so don't miss out on the opportunity of their invaluable feedback. If you apply what they tell you, there is no doubt your laps times and progression in your understanding of the training and applying it as directed when on track, there is no way you cannot improve. 

Session Progression: By the time you get to session 3 and especially 4, if you apply what they tell you and in the fashion they tell you, you will not only see, but you will feel the improvement happening. I can say I learned quite a bit and throughout the day, James my Coach noticed it as well. 

Overall the single day classes are somewhat structured like a trackway, but NOT exactly. It's close, but you are fairly busy every hour of the day and if you have any sort of pace in your riding, you WILL be tired at the end of the day and you will sleep well after dinner 🙂 The off track drills were beneficial a way, that you didn't realize you were doing it wrong until they pointed it out to you. The CSS folks are really proficient at what they do.  BTW, Dylan Code and quite a few others are INSANE fast!!!  You likely won't out pace them, but you may outsmart them, depending the line you choose going through traffics... LOL right James 🙂 

 

I had an amazing time, learned a ton and I felt the improvement happening on track the more relaxed on the bike I got.  I look forward to getting to complete Level 2 like I was signed up to do today. 

Cobie, It was great to finally meet you. Ian, good chatting wit you. Trevor, Thanks for keeping things flowing  in pit lane and the conversation about my issue. That was very much appreciated.

Coach James, You are a hell of a Coach. Enjoyed your feedback and conversation . We have unfinished business!!!

[Hotfoot]

Great write-up! Sounds like you had a wonderful day and I am sure we will see you back again for more.

The hydration drink is called "Skratch" from Skratch Labs, good stuff and absolutely helps and tastes good, too.

[Graybeard]

@Hotfoot Thanks. We all had a great time! Will definitely be back for more when the time is right. I have a lot more to learn. Quads got a seriously insane workout on Monday. I will be purchasing that electrolyte drink for my track outings in the future. 

[gpounce32768]

Lol, quads, oh yes, I was sore for a couple days afterwards.   I tried the skratch.. was pretty good OTOH early May up in NJ was cold, so coffee too.   Concur the coaching was on-point.   He gave me feedback and suggestions and let me do my struggling until learning occurred.  The last 2 sessions were a BIG improvement over the first few- I found the coaching key to improving.  The cameraderie with my coach's other guy was great, we had a lot of fun.   I was in for the cornering not straight line speed, which was not a problem.   I still find the improvements on my cornering pretty much amazing.   I'm easily up 5mph on my slow corners and there is no fear pushing for more.   My commute has a "racing" merge into a highway meat-grinder, the CSB experience has got me up and out, merging with confidence.  I'm not pushing for more speed there because stuff with the surrounding vehicles happens fast, but the removal of leaning fear on the ramp is a big difference.

[Cobie Fair]

Hi Graybeard and GP, very nice to see this, thanks for the write up!