DGR was different this year. In many ways, this was a new beginning for me. It was the first time that I have ever been on the track. It was the first time that I tried to put three distinct riding styles together in one rally (although it didn't really happen). And it was the first time in a while that we saw 20+ bikes at DGR. I feel very blessed to have such a great event, with so many cool people show up to make it happen.
In the beginning, there was the track. I am happy that Matt talked me into going and let me say that the Tuono was the right tool for the job. I got to VIR Sunday afternoon after some initial issues including a grumpy teenager and an overheating car. But I made it there and started the anxiety build up. I wanted to know everything about everything that would happen at the track and the answers weren't coming fast enough. Matt didn't seem to be worried at all and carried on lackadaisically, but I was amped. Thankfully Sultan was there to explain things.
We went through tech inspection Sunday night so I wouldn't worry about it all night. The process was easy actually and I was ok'd to get on the track pretty quickly.
Monday morning came and one of the themes of this track day event was that I was up early and ready to go. Matt, my roommate, wasn't his chipper self in the morning. On Monday I was out of the room by 5 am where I went to buy some things at Walmart and ate breakfast. The riders meeting was scheduled at 8 am so I found myself with time to kill.
Sunrise
Wild Geese and I are the only ones moving at 6:30 am
The organizer called all the riders to the mandatory riders meeting where some basic rules were discussed. Jake Zemke was introduced as the guest instructor for the classes that were held for everyone doing the two-day event but mandatory for the beginner's group. I found a lot of what Jake said to be informative. As a matter of fact, the entire instruction portion of the day was pretty informative. The first bit of instruction talked about the layout of the track, how the instructors would work with individuals and small groups, hand signals, flags and so on. Then it was out of the paddock and onto the track.
The Viking at the riders meeting
Jake Zemke
Line up
Following an instructor learning the line
Running the track
The remaining classes discussed controls, especially throttle and brakes and how to roll off/on both. That was pretty good information for me. Body position was another big one and as you can see in the pictures, I do not get my ass off the seat. I'm trying. And then MattB and Sultan came back into the picture with great tips on one of my hangups, getting more speed out of the straight. Those guys were in the 170 mph range and I couldn't seem to get to 150. Then Matt explained the line he took and Steve gave me his visual clues and with the two of them I started feeling much better about getting there. Next track day at VIR I'll have a good basis to work on increasing my speeds and lowering my time. I also got a chance to run with Matt in the last session of the day. Following him around the track I gained more insight into where to go fast. There was a section called the S's where Matt just went straight where I was leaning the bike left and right. I increased my speeds dramatically through this section with his guidance.
Trying to hang off!
The Kink
Track day salute
The Happy Viking
In the beginning, there was the track. I am happy that Matt talked me into going and let me say that the Tuono was the right tool for the job. I got to VIR Sunday afternoon after some initial issues including a grumpy teenager and an overheating car. But I made it there and started the anxiety build up. I wanted to know everything about everything that would happen at the track and the answers weren't coming fast enough. Matt didn't seem to be worried at all and carried on lackadaisically, but I was amped. Thankfully Sultan was there to explain things.
We went through tech inspection Sunday night so I wouldn't worry about it all night. The process was easy actually and I was ok'd to get on the track pretty quickly.
Monday morning came and one of the themes of this track day event was that I was up early and ready to go. Matt, my roommate, wasn't his chipper self in the morning. On Monday I was out of the room by 5 am where I went to buy some things at Walmart and ate breakfast. The riders meeting was scheduled at 8 am so I found myself with time to kill.
Sunrise
Wild Geese and I are the only ones moving at 6:30 am
The organizer called all the riders to the mandatory riders meeting where some basic rules were discussed. Jake Zemke was introduced as the guest instructor for the classes that were held for everyone doing the two-day event but mandatory for the beginner's group. I found a lot of what Jake said to be informative. As a matter of fact, the entire instruction portion of the day was pretty informative. The first bit of instruction talked about the layout of the track, how the instructors would work with individuals and small groups, hand signals, flags and so on. Then it was out of the paddock and onto the track.
The Viking at the riders meeting
Jake Zemke
Line up
Following an instructor learning the line
Running the track
The remaining classes discussed controls, especially throttle and brakes and how to roll off/on both. That was pretty good information for me. Body position was another big one and as you can see in the pictures, I do not get my ass off the seat. I'm trying. And then MattB and Sultan came back into the picture with great tips on one of my hangups, getting more speed out of the straight. Those guys were in the 170 mph range and I couldn't seem to get to 150. Then Matt explained the line he took and Steve gave me his visual clues and with the two of them I started feeling much better about getting there. Next track day at VIR I'll have a good basis to work on increasing my speeds and lowering my time. I also got a chance to run with Matt in the last session of the day. Following him around the track I gained more insight into where to go fast. There was a section called the S's where Matt just went straight where I was leaning the bike left and right. I increased my speeds dramatically through this section with his guidance.
Trying to hang off!
The Kink
Track day salute
The Happy Viking
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