RE: [ST] Re: The Dragon/Deals Gap

[Matt Knowles <matt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Personally, I *don't* want to ride my bike on a race track. Tracks 
>seem to be made for much higher speeds than I'm interested in. I 
>have zero interest in doing 140+mph on a straight, or 100+mph 
>sweepers.

Of the three tracks I've been on, Laguna, Sears Point, and 
Thunderhill, my top speed was probably 120, and the fastest corners 
were probably taken at 90. Average speeds were probably around 70. 
These are all tight road courses with no real long straights. Even 
though that is much faster than what you would do on the street 
legally, it is a far safer feeling since you can concentrate totally 
on your riding without the worries of cops, gravel, traffic, etc.

Trackdays split the attendants into groups, usually on speed so you 
don't need to feel like you're going to be holding up anyone. On the 
trackdays that I went to there was always enough room on the track 
that unless you wanted to ride with someone, it was easy to find a 
clearing.

Actually racing was a different story and I found it was safer to 
ride on the street than race, due to the other racers getting in over 
their heads. But the relaxed atmosphere at track days since no 
trophies are being given out means you can and should ride your own 
pace.

Other benefits of riding on a closed course is that you get to 
repeatedly attack the same corners over and over so you can learn 
them and get the satisfaction of doing them better and better as the 
day goes on. There is also a great comfort in knowing that there is 
an ambulance on scene in case the worst happens.
- -- 
Matt Knowles
Aesthetic Design & Photography - www.aestheticdesign.com - (707) 786-4643

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