One of my dreams was to take a motorcycle really fast on the track.  I just did, and wow… time of my life.  Taylor my brother in law came with me on his really fast R1 Yamaha 1000 and me on my Suzuki SV650 (which did really good).  This was an event for Racing 2 Save Lives.  They raise money for Children’s charities like The Children’s Hospital and Make a Wish.  So the money we pay money people pledge with us goes towards this.  So go have fund and have it go for awesome places.  We got there early to get registered, take the saftey class, get our coolant changed and rent our leather suits (which my wife thought was HOT! and not from the sun :’).)  

My Smokin' wife and me in my 'Hot' Leathers

In the safety class they explained the proper way to exit and enter the track.  What each flag meant and what to do when they waved the flag.  I saw three throughout the day.  Yellow waiving was Caution, something is either on the track coming up or just by it, sure enough someone had gone off and they were getting the bike loaded.  The other was a Black flag with a red dot.  They pull that one out, wave it and then point it at the rider they mean.  Not sure what the real name of the flag is but in the class they called it the A-hole flag.  Somebody passed me a little wild like and he got the flag.  He knew it to as he sat up and went slow back to the exit so they could talk to him.  The last one I saw was the checkered.  No, not a race but rather to get off the track next time around.  This was sometimes very sad and other times welcomed as I was so dead tired and could use a break.  Every half hour they would switch us from East to West track then back.  Racers on one side and Street Riders on the other.  What I really liked was having coaches go out with us.  He would follow me for a few laps then have me follow him.  He would point out things while riding like where the Apex should be (Where we should be closest to the inside turn at a particular point)  I was always going in to the turn too late, I then started working on cutting the turn later which would help pop you out to the straight a little faster.  I liked following good fast riders as I could imitate what they were doing, and see how fast they could go through the turns so gave me confidence I could as well.  Also like see how low they were, knees touching and knowing I was right behind them doing the same thing.  I could in effect see what I looked like.  There is nothing like it.  I remember going around one 180 degree turn, my suspension compressed as Gforce was in effect, ground was RIGHT there, and I look at how fast… 65 sometimes 70 miles an hour around a tight turn.  Was I screaming?  Oh yeah.  Then got to where I wouldn’t brake going into a turn, you let the turn slow you down.  Yes there were much faster riders and when they would scream by my mouth would drop.

That's me third back

I told Jenny my fun level exponentially increased as the day went on.  I became more confident, went faster and faster, and lower and lower.  Then was just getting more fun as the day went on.  However, riding like that for hours does take a toll on your body.  Taylor bugged out for a few sessions and took a nap.  I wanted more and couldn’t get enough.  

Sweet!!!

Mom and Dad, Jenny and the kids came out.  Really thought that was nice as it was a long drive and may not be the coolest thing to see for some.  Thank you for making the effort.  I know Jenny had a ton going on and I was glad she not only let me go spend the day but took time to come see us as well.  Thanks Honers.

 

 

 

 

 

What a day.  Beat tired riding about 7 hours.  Felt really good.  Oh then Taylor asked me to get my bike off his trailer and ride home as he had some girls he wanted to hang out with.  He said, I kinda feel bad.  I replied with, ah don’t worry about it but I won’t let you live it down.  Have to mess with him.  So I rode home via Butterfield canyon.  Found out it was about 2 miles of dirt close to the top.  Pretty canyon.  Thanks Taylor for hanging with me there.  Had a sweet day.  

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