Trackday questions Thinking of booking my first trackday at cadwell think it's about time I saw what all the fuss is about! I'd be riding there on the morning from York as I don't have a van to put the bike in. Just wanting to know: What to take with me? Is there anywhere to keep belongings? (probs just a rucksack) How to prepare the bike etc Which group to go for.. guessing novice! Are roadsmart 2s grippy enough for track use? What to expect for the day Fuel stations nearby Documents needed I have read through the info on the nolimits website but just wanted to get some input from people on here. Thanks in advance
Found this site today, should cover most of your quezzies Bike Track Days Hub - Advice, Guides, Tips, and Ramblings
Trackdays start early, IIRC the brief at Cadwell starts at 07:30 so you would be on an early start. They let you camp there for about £5 or £10, and they have a shower block. Quite a few people stay at the Green Man or one of the other B&B/Hotels in Horncastle. Nowhere really to leave kit with the possible exception of the Club House so could be worth asking the organisers if they do anything for this. They have fuel on site but it is pricey. There is a fuel station a few miles down the road (out the circuit and turn left) which isn't quite as bad. If it's your first trackday you should go into Novices, organisers may put you in Novices anyway. Don't worry if you are a lot quicker they will bump you up to Inters if there is space. As for bike prep there is loads of info out there. Basically take mirrors off, tape up/disconnect lights, and tape up your speedo. Some people say to remove/tape up registration plate in-case you have an off, but personally I think this is a waste of times as the insurers will quickly suss it was a track ooopsie and you will be in big doo-doos if you tried ti blag it and got caught. Road tyres will do you fine on track. You can drop a couple of PSI from the tyres, but if you don't have a pump with you remember you will need to get some air back into them before the trip home. You should be able to borrow a pump as most people on track days are pretty friendly/helpful. Trackday organiser will tell you the docs you need, normally both parts of license and their paperwork i.e. indemnity form. Also take money. You can get food and drinks at the clubhouse, food is pretty good, and also there are normally tyre/suspension/shiny bike bits people there.
Cheers mate really helpful advice there. I have grandparents in hull so could stay there making it a 45min trip next day. Obvs riding the bike there id have to just fold mirrors in and tape everything up. The bike has new tyres, oil and tightened chain, new oil and filter, plenty of meat on pads, pcv yosh pipe and map. think im ready to go! Gonna book as doon as i get paid tonite. eeeeeek well excited!!
Go for it, it's a great circuit! And very tiring so make sure got plenty of food and fluids to keep energy up!, I live in Horncastle so if you go for a B&b and wanted somewhere to keep the bike room in my garage, and when first out go steady round hall bends as can be a bit damp under the trees, best of all is the mountain, guaranteed wheelie for sure!!
Cheers blade thats really kind of you!! Im looking at b&bs dont really wanna spend more than 20-30 quid cos ill be up too early for breakfast anyway. struggling tho may just have to ride from hull 6am
Really don't want to bring you down Tyke but do you have a contingency plan in case the unthinkable happens? You need to bear it in mind. Last trackday I did at Oulton someone spewed oil all over the track, the rider stayed upright but four peeps went down behind him, one of which rode to the track. When you sign on that dotted line you give up all your rights to any kind of recourse.
Havent really thought about it mate tbh but youre right. Whats made me want to do it is the price more than anything. My bike is my only mode of transport but i dont know anyone with a van really. Just sucks living in york!!!
You could always hire a van Tyke, it certainly takes the worry out of the situation although the cost of the day soon mounts up. With some forward planning you could always ask if anyone on here wants to share the costs.
I havent done my driving test planning to do it this year before my 25th. maybe i should wait till i can get a van then get.into it will be a lot easier and i (hopefully) have many years to enjoy riding tracks ahead of me.
Do it mate, take the chance, you're not guaranteed to stay upright riding on public roads! After your first trackday you'll be more motivated to take your car test.
Local B&B's to try, green man in scamblesby, 5mins from Cadwell, and the red lion and bull hotel both in Horncastle about 15mins from Cadwell Just an option for you
If the worst does happen and you have a smash, push it to the main road and call the AA claim it happened there
They are pretty clued up to this mate. I've heard (not sure if true) that the insurance companies have spotters on the day marking down plate details for this very thing. This is the reason why most people on road bikes remove their plate at the gates.... Still it never put me off, rode to and home from trackdays a few times and never had any bother. Well apart from the badger strike on the way home from snett lol The risk is high I guess but it's worth it, and it's pretty risky on the roads... Personally when I was using the road bikes, I just took my plate off, and if the worse would happen, I'd et someone to van the bike home, leave it in the garage a couple of weeks, then phone the insurance
Gonna give it till a week before so i know the weather is right and then book it. I rode round europe last year and did the nurburgring, that was waaaay riskier come to think of it!!!
God yeah!! The ring is FAR more dangerous than a TD in my opinion.... Be careful though mate, they book up quick now the weather is improving
Yeah im gonna make sure its nice weather tho jimbo, if it books up then I can just do a different one, all i know is ive got the bug now!
