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How do you get to the track?

GixxerTravis

By GixxerTravis
in Track is Crack

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MidgetTodd Grand Master

MidgetTodd

Posted
Posted

Don't ride to the track.

Water, gatoraid, bannanas, water, lunch meat, water, power bars, water.

Go with a few that have done it before on your first trip.

Pay attention in the riders meeting and class portion.

Use the coaches/control riders.

Ask for help, tips, tow

Leave your ego at home.

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3.504 Proficient

3.504

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I like pitbull trailer restraints. They're expensive, but a great piece of insurance, and they're fantastic when loading a bike all by your lonesome.

If you don't have a truck, trailer hitches for cars usually run around $200 and a small, used open trailer can be had for under $500 pretty easy.

Choose novice for your first track day regardless of what you think your skill level is. That way you'll go through an instructional and get heavier involvement from the control riders. They also teach you cool stuff, like the most efficient line.

Ride your ride. Relax and have fun. You won't be setting any lap records, or winning any money, so no need to bring the competitive attitude.

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oldschoolsdime92 Grand Master

oldschoolsdime92

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This spring I want to go to Mid Ohio with someone experienced and just learn.  Then on another trip I'd like to ride around the track at my own pace if that's possible

 

While mid ohio is a fantastic track, I like to suggest putnam for a first track day. I have no idea what your riding level is, but for some people having a direct line of sight makes learning the track game little easier at first. Mid ohio doesn't have near the line of sight putnam does, and mid ohio also has some pretty good elevation change. Mid ohio is an absolute hoot IMO though. They have a wonderful novice program. 

 

As far as getting to the track, I use a truck, and trailer. I have a honda elcamino ( errr I mean ridgeline) and I pull a 6x10 open trailer. 

 

As everyone said, go with someone the first time. Novice class. I don't care if you've ridden on the street for 50 years and old the world record at deals gap. 

 

water

cooler

bananas

water

light snacks

tools

well rested

leave your ego parked on the back porch at home.

 

enjoy. 

 

On the topic of learning the track at your own pace. Novice. Put yourself in the slowest group. It will be painfully slow, but you will learn the lines. As you feel more comfortable, you can move up in the groups(novice has sub groups). My first time ( and only time) at mid ohio. I wanted to learn the track, so I stuck myself in group 6 out of 9 total groups. By the end of the day, I had my own control rider, and we were going out in front of the "Fast" group. Probably the most fun track day to date. 

Edited by oldschoolsdime92
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oldschoolsdime92 Grand Master

oldschoolsdime92

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i should give some detail on that session. We were playing a common track day game called leap frog. the control rider leads a lap, and then you lead a lap, and then the control rider will lead another lap, and show you your problem areas, and what to do to fix it. If you noticed at one point, the CR points at a spot on the track. He was telling me my bike should be there, not where I was at the previous lap. In novice, there is no passing, unless the pass is negotiated by the CR which you can also see happen in my video. 

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