lowcel Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 I spent the past two days, Friday and Saturday, riding at the Mid-Ohio track. Prior to this I had only ridden at the track for one day at VIR with PRE and it was a very wet day. I have to admit I was a little concerned at how Mid-Ohio would compare seeing as how they aren't an organization, they handle their own track days through the track. Come to find out my concerns were not justified, I had an amazing weekend. When I got to the track on Thursday night the parking lot was pretty much empty. I was a little surprised since there was a line of 60ish vehicles waiting to get into VIR ten days earlier. I started setting up and I started speaking to one of the coaches, pretty sure his name was Eric, has a multicolored 08 CBR600RR. I am terrible with names. Eric kind of took me under his wing and helped me throughout the weekend. As the weekend went on the coaches / control riders just kept getting nicer and nicer. I don't believe there is anything these people would not do to help a new / fellow rider. Everything they did was positive. The teaching for the novice group was more than I could have ever expected. Friday morning I registered then attended the riders meeting at 8:20. After the riders meeting we met up in the "classroom" for our first lesson. That is where the main instructor, Mr. Clean since I'm terrible with names, introduced us to all of the control riders, established groups (2-3 people per group) and went into the basics. Approximately 20 minutes later we got out of the classroom, got dressed, then got on the track at 20 minutes before the hour. After our first session we put the bikes up, grabbed a bottle of water, then back to the classroom. The main lesson for the first session was to get the feel of the track and to learn how to get off of the track for pit row. For session two the goal is to get around the track without brakes to teach us how to better anticipate turns. This was a bit of a challenge but it was a great learning tool. Time to hit the track again. After the second session back to the classroom. This time they show us some basics about body position. Things most of us know but have a hard time actually doing, myself certainly included. I know I feel like I am hanging off the bike like Rossi. Unfortunately pictures and video prove otherwise. I am working on it though. For our third session we are working on entering the corner a little later and hitting the apex correctly. Time for the track. After the third session it is lunch time. The raceway provided huge subway subs, cookies, chips, etc. You couldn't ask for more. Once lunch was over we went back to the classroom. We reviewed everything we had already covered and talked about braking and acceleration. Simple things that are easily overlooked. Mr. Clean broke things down like you wouldn't believe. It was amazing. This time when we go back on the track we do leap frog. This means that the first lap the coaches lead. The next lap he goes to second and one of the riders go to the front. Then following lap the other rider goes to the front. This gives the riders a chance to be on their own and still have supervision before we are just "let loose" so to speak. It was awesome! After the forth session we go back to the classroom and are told that from here on out we get to go out and ride our own pace. Passing is allowed but only in one place, the long straight. Only "rule" is that it has to be a very safe pass with 15 feet between you and the other rider. On the track as a "free" rider was an amazing feeling. It let you know how much you had learned and how much more comfortable you feel on the track than when you started. The coaches / control riders would jump in front of you any time they thought you could use some help with lines. However they didn't do so in a way that made you feel like an idiot. They were perfect! At the end of the day I was exhausted, mentally and physically. After we were finished multiple coaches came up and gave me feedback. They were able to do so in a completely positive way. When they would tell me that I blew a corner they would take their time and tell me how I should be doing it. They didn't care to do this multiple times with the same two corners either. They understand that we aren't going to be perfect the first, second, or even 50th time. I ended up passing out in the back of my truck around 10:00. I got up the next day to do it all again. The only difference was on day two was that I did the "advanced beginner" course. With this course it is pretty much the same, exception being that you don't really do the drills. This allows you to ride at a little faster pace however still being supervised by the coaches. You still do the classrooms which is good since we were taught so much it is tough to remember it all. It was perfect. To make this day even better we got Pizza and apple pie for lunch. It was another perfect day! I honestly believe to get an equal amount of one on one (or two on one) coaching you would have to spend two to three times as much money. I still don't think you would ever find a better group of people though. To make all of this even more amazing all of these people are volunteers. It was also nice meeting some great forum members, Niles, Grant, Forest to name a few. Clif notes - Perfect weekend, perfect people, perfect coaches, can't wait to come back. Only difference is next time I'll be in intermediate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowcel Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Oh, one other thing. Doing a durability test with your GoPro tends to get you a black flag. Oopsie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Sounds like you had an amazing time. Most coaches do a really good job, the ones that don't are usually there for some free track time and don't last long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Is Monger's first name Eric?I usually see him out on the motard, but I'm sure he has a 600 as well. Don't know if it's a honda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowcel Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Is Monger's first name Eric?I usually see him out on the motard, but I'm sure he has a 600 as well. Don't know if it's a honda.This guy is from Michigan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Riding mid ohio in July and this just made me even more excited. I've done a few track days prior at mid ohio. Do they break the Novice group up into a slow medium and fast? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowcel Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Riding mid ohio in July and this just made me even more excited. I've done a few track days prior at mid ohio. Do they break the Novice group up into a slow medium and fast?When you are in the first class they have you line up (in the classroom) where you think you would belong slow to fast. After your first session you can move up or down. It is very relaxed and informal. The only exception is be there when you are supposed to be there. Time is limited between sessions. You ride 20 minutes, class is about 20 minutes, then you have 20 minutes to go to the restroom and get ready to start all over. Also, after the first three sessions it really doesn't matter what group you are in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHill Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 I'm so jelly....should have went to this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niles Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 I'll second Bruce, the instruction was great. It was a bit cold to start each day, but comfortable as the day went on.I think Mr. Clean's name is Mike. LOL.I worked with Perry for two days, really good dude and he brought me up to speed quick. Second day was knee down, parts dragging, lot more speed all over. TONS of fun. Perry was seriously the man, he took some videos while following me so I could really see what to work on. The group was pretty small so there was plenty of clear track for everyone.We had a few characters in the group which made it even more entertaining.I am seriously exhausted today.Good meeting you guys. Bruce let me know if/when you'd like those sliders cut.Now I want a second set of wheels with track tires. I'm ruined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 And best of all, zero crashes Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowcel Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 And best of all, zero crashes Friday. Yep, just wish the same could be said for Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habi Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Wish I would have known you did Saturday. I would have caught up with you. It was hard to trust the track on Saturday but I think I was overly cautious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habi Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 And best of all, zero crashes Friday.To bad that didn't continue on Friday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 You pussies are skeerd of the Midget, thats why you waited till Sat to chrash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habi Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) You pussies are skeerd of the Midget, thats why you waited till Sat to chrashI saw the ambulance go out twice. You missed out MT. I don't believe anyone was injured though. Edited April 21, 2014 by Habi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 I slept almost all day on the couch in medical Fri lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aforrest4 Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Lowcel had a great time riding with you this weekend! Looking forward to seeing you in Intermediate next time around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Glad you had a great time. The Eric you referred is Eric Pinson. Good dude. Just a side note and since we were not full like typical, we let it slide. You had placed your canopy in front of the garages. Typically, that area is designed to allow the vehicles of those paying for garages to park in front of the numbered garage they paid for and be able to unload and travel back and forth. Just keep that in mind next time as if it is full, we will have to ask you to move... Nicely of course. I recognized your bike when I saw it, but wasn't sure who you were. Got to meet some new faces from OR that I haven't seen before and it was pretty cool. Yeah... The red flags... Todd jinxed us when I was doing Rider's Meeting and he blurted out that yesterday (Friday) we had zero red flags!!! Damn car guys... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowcel Posted April 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 (edited) Glad you had a great time. The Eric you referred is Eric Pinson. Good dude. Just a side note and since we were not full like typical, we let it slide. You had placed your canopy in front of the garages. Typically, that area is designed to allow the vehicles of those paying for garages to park in front of the numbered garage they paid for and be able to unload and travel back and forth. Just keep that in mind next time as if it is full, we will have to ask you to move... Nicely of course. I recognized your bike when I saw it, but wasn't sure who you were. Got to meet some new faces from OR that I haven't seen before and it was pretty cool. Yeah... The red flags... Todd jinxed us when I was doing Rider's Meeting and he blurted out that yesterday (Friday) we had zero red flags!!! Damn car guys... Thank you. I had absolutely no idea that I wasn't supposed to have my canopy there. Had I known I would have moved it immediately. It won't happen again. I just keep learning things. Edited April 21, 2014 by lowcel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 One day maybe Ill get off the couch in Med center and actually ride with you guys........maybe lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Thank you. I had absolutely no idea that I wasn't supposed to have my canopy there. Had I known I would have moved it immediately. It won't happen again. I just keep learning things. Nah, it was all good. Hence why I didn't approach you about it or any of the other coaches. It was fine. No way I want a guy to have to move. We would have accommodated. Hell, I parked my car in front of garage 7 as it was so open this weekend. The point was for you to have fun and enjoy the event. Sounds like you did. Mission accomplished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidewinder600 Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Bruce, it was my pleasure holding up both you and Pat. I look forward to being your moving chicane in intermediate eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 When you are in the first class they have you line up (in the classroom) where you think you would belong slow to fast. After your first session you can move up or down. It is very relaxed and informal. The only exception is be there when you are supposed to be there. Time is limited between sessions. You ride 20 minutes, class is about 20 minutes, then you have 20 minutes to go to the restroom and get ready to start all over. Also, after the first three sessions it really doesn't matter what group you are in.Awesome. Thanks for the heads up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowcel Posted April 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Glad you had a great time. The Eric you referred is Eric Pinson. Good dude. I looked up Eric Pinson, I don't think that was him. The guy I am talking about had an orange multi-colored CBR, slept in his white van while he was there, and ended up with a burnt up tire warmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owndjoo Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 that's paul. Him and Pinson were sharing the CBR. Pinson burnt up the warmer... lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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