This place is so awesome I want to write an expletive filled review telling everyone how f*cking RAD this group is. Instead, I will fill you in:
Who: Me, total newbie to the track, relative newbie to riding with 6000 miles and ten months of (primarily) commuting experience under my belt.
What: Beginner track day with TrackTactics.
When: October 17, 2011
Where: Buttonwillow
Why: To learn to be a better rider. The why matters the most of all.
How: Read below
My beginner's track day included instruction time in the classroom to talk about lines, turning technique and what goes into turning well. We also discussed track etiquette and safety. In fact, we talked about safety a LOT which is as it should be. Safety is very important to this outfit.
After our initial 20 minute lecture in the morning we were led around the track along with C group. (Track days are broken into A, B, and C groups for those who don't know). The beginners wore mesh vests over their leathers so we were easy for instructors and C group riders to spot.
Being led around the track was awesome. I don't know if this is standard but it's a great idea because it let's us ride around the track at a sane pace for the first go round. Truth be told, I was the slowest person on the track during this session. I was stiff and no having much fun. After round one an instructor, Will, came up to me and said I seemed stiff. I told him I am a slow rider and he said, "No, you are cautious. Next session I'm going to work with you."
Come session two Will and I took off last in the group and he told me to follow his lines and relax a bit. I went faster this go round. Will was checking me out in his mirror as I rode to see what I was doing. We exited the track after two laps and talked body position. The remainder of the session was AMAZING. Will's tips about positioning made sense as soon as I started using them. My speed increased a lot and I felt much smoother. I passed another rider. I can't explain how good that felt.
Our next session Will led me then followed me around for a bit. Afterward he gave me feedback. The rest of the day I was riding around on my own. Honestly the first session after lunch I felt a little intimidated without Will but I soon regrouped. Will's tips stuck with me and some other fortunate student benefited from his excellent advice and instruction.
What made Will a great instructor was his patience because there's nothing worse than trying to learn new tasks and feeling like your teacher finds you stupid or slow. It adds unnecessary stress, the last thing you want when hurtling yourself around a racetrack pushing yourself to the edge. Every piece of information he shared was useful and applicable to what I was doing. He had an excellent way of breaking down the series of motions to position my body properly depending on the type of turn. I really cannot say enough about what a great instructor he was.
I left my track day a 100% better rider. I learned more about turning in one day than I had since I started riding. To a non motorcycle rider this review may not make much sense. To someone who does ride, I hope you understand how meaningful this day was, how very beneficial to my riding. I am now more planted through my turns on the street and this makes me safer. If you have NOT done a track day I highly suggest you check out TrackTactics. The price is fantastic, they rent leathers so that takes away one big excuse and did I mention how fun it was? I spent the 3.5 hour drive home chattering happily about EVERY detail of my day. I'm still smiling just thinking of how much fun I had.
I honestly cannot wait until my next track day. If you're track curious, check them out. You will not regret it.
Cootz OUT! read more
