Booked Fast group with MSV. First track day this year. In fact first time on a bike this year as the road bike MOT has expired [add to do list].
Can't wait to hear how your times are. As you're well aware, there are those who slot right back in to where they left off, and others who need a few session to get up to speed. Hope the weather's good for you!
Are you close to Cadwell? I'd like to do a few different tracks (not that I'm a regular) - my "local" track is Brands hatch that I have ridden to in the past about (15 mins away) I'd have to either ride up the night before/early morning or get a trailer etc.
Could you consider buying a crap van if you want to do them regularly? That would be my first option.
Yes, that is a consideration....the first consideration would be my missus ordering me to get rid of the fekker off the driveway.
I would agree if I stuck to the Blade, but don't forget I'm taking a CB500 too now. I'm around 45mins away from Cadwell when towing. I've been venturing further afield lately, but no more than a couple of hours as I try to get them in with only 1 day off work. My wife is like that with my trailer. It was one of the few arguments that she lost
respect to them bsb riders, its insane how they get air over the mountain, how fast are they hitting the bend before hand, think I might have go when there on, to ring a bikes neck with over 200 bhp around there, two words fuck me!!
Caldwell is a PITA IMO. No garages so you need a genny for warmers and the "pits" are basically a field so shite all.over your tyres. Also, you can't see where you queue to go out on track so you have to go when they call the group so there is a big queue with your dirty tyres going cold. Also, pit exit is on a short straight so if you are late there they hold you at the exit for ages for a gap. Tracks OK though. Oh, if you are near London it's WAY TO FAR to ride up, do a TD and ride back in a day IMO. I took car/trailer and camped overnight........And why the feck do people feel the need to start their bikes at 6:45am!!!!!!
All very true. I'm pretty biased in a way as it's my local track. You can be savvy about where you pitch up to limit the run to the holding area, but lack of power is an issue. If it wasn't for Cadwell having no power then I wouldn't bother with a generator and would stick to only tracks with power. Anyway, I'm now ready for 2mo. Sunny and 15 degrees
What a great day yesterday. Weather was good, especially in the afternoon. I'm still fettling with the CB500 as it's grinding out on both sides when leaned right over and am stiffening up the rear suspension bit by bit to get to the sweet spot, but I can't believe how I'm currently only 6 seconds slower on a bike with over 100bhp less than my Blade.
First session at Bedford on Monday I noticed a bike up my arse, so I pulled over on the straight to let it past - realised with shame it was an ancient CB500, so patiently waited behind it on the straight before it could disappear into the distance round the next set of corners It was quite well ridden to be fair
I could agree with u Cream if weather was wank it would of put an edge on it, but it was nice, and I have a genny, cold 1st session tho, biggist fucker was setting off at 5am and getting home at 8;30pm, felt like I was tripping I liked the track, struggled with the jump bit, kept fucking it up, muffking what times are inters and fast group round there? mines at kais at mo getting done, usual procedure buy bike, take kais get sorted yeah they seem fast around a short track them cb500,
Like most tracks it's more about ability than pace as the quick riders will find a way around you. I've only ridden the CB500 twice now and my pace started at 1:59. It's really about not being a liability on track which is why I'm happy in Advanced group away from some of the liabilities in Inters. My pace on the Blade is 1:48 which is at the pointy end of Inters - bottom end of Advanced, but it's an old bike now, so quite down on power compared to many other litre bikes on track.
1st track day so had go in novice which wasn't a prob really most people where ok on straights easy pass, but some where slow around the mountain section, had learn track also so wasn't in a hurry, track was free in 7th session it was mint, its a new bike so I was struggling with being in road shift getting my boots under to shift up and I've had my centre finger pinned only b4 crimbo so couldn't hold on properly to accelerator, only did about 500 road miles last year, so took till 3th session get going loading front up again in corners, got told about the cones 4th session, never timed myself all I no I was hitting 145 on straights but that's with shit corner entry on to the straights with the probs I was having, I'll be better next time ill go in inters mix it with the loons when I'm there next, I'll do same at oulton next week so I know track plus i need get back up to speed,
Best advise I can give based on what you said is:- Don't worry about road shift, that's what I use on all of my bikes so I don't get them mixed up. Consider a quick action throttle. It's a reasonably easy and cheap mod, which will help your wrist and more relaxed grip on the bars. Bear in mind that there are some very quick guys in Inters, usually those who couldn't/wouldn't go in Advanced. Stay relaxed and enjoy it. Nobody goes home with a trophy, but plenty go home bruised.
Just got the first picture through. Explains why the bike is grinding out, that body position is awful, looks like I'm riding it like a sit up & beg! On the bright side there's room for improvement.
