Re: [ST] Track Thoughts (was: Spastic Turn Signals)

["Garry Simmons" <garrysimmons@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well said Marc. At 45, my desire for self-preservation easily wins over my 
ego when it comes to pace (on the street or the track). I have no problem 
being the "slow guy". I ride my own ride. I only compete with myself (to get 
better). No exceptions. I have no need for triple digit speeds or adreneline 
rushes from near misses (mistakes), despite enjoying several high risk 
sports.

For me, the track is a great place to ride a little more aggressively than I 
ever do on the street, but not at 10/10s pace for sure. My skills get 
better, my comfort with corner speed and lean angle improves (even if I 
don't go there on the street), and my smoothness improves. My lap times are 
pretty pathetic though as tend to ride "The Pace", even on the track. No 
hammering the throttle on the straights followed by hard braking for the 
next corner. I'd rather try to see how much corner speed I can carry and how 
little I can use the brakes. For me, it's all about "flow", be it the street 
or the track.

Garry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marc Van Est" <MarcVE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2005 5:12 AM
Subject: Re: [ST] Spastic turn signals


>I used to think I was a classy rider, until I did my first track day in May 
>of this year.
>
> It was a very humbling and intimidating experience, especially when I was 
> battling to stay halfway up the slow group.
>
> I now have 1000% more appreciation for the guys who ride in the major 
> racing categories, they are true "extreme" sportsmen.
>
> Four track days later I've improved a bit, can manage to ride in the 
> middle of the medium group, but I'm a looong way off the pace to be able 
> to ride in the fast group.
>
> Riding at a race pace requires skills and guts (or stupidity?) not too 
> many riders have, even if most of them think they have.
>
> I might have been able to do it if I'd done track time aged 20 something, 
> but this 40 year old has a self preservation level setting that will 
> prevent me from ever being that quick around a track.
>
>
> cheers
>
>
> Marc
> Cape Town, RSA 

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