So apparently "tomorrow" means "more than a week" to me (I've actually just been super busy with work).
Some thoughts as a follow-up to my last post(s):
HOLY. F**CK. This suspension is amazing.
So as I was saying, I rode this last day with a friend who was setting up his brand new suspension on a bike he hadn't ridden in over a year. We signed up for C group (errr, Group 1) and immediately, upon mounting my steed and rolling onto the track, I regretted it. Or rather, my ego regretted that decision. The first session of the day was a "follow-the-leader" 40-50 mph snooze around the track. F**king terrific, what have I gotten myself into? No matter, someone ate it with something like 10 minutes left in the session so we pulled in and I got to formulating a plan.
Immediately noticeable, even from that painfully slow jaunt around the track, was that my suspension setup from Big Willow was way too stiff for Streets. I probably undercooked my riding ability a bit when I ordered the carts and TTX. I was 2 clicks out from full-stiff on front compression, almost no front rebound though: 19 clicks out (weird) and the rear was max stiff in compression, 1 click out from full stiff in rebound. The bike (especially rear) feels rock hard in the paddock but out on big willow I was using all of that travel as I dove into corners and all that squat as I drove out of them. The settings were great.
I come up with the plan of backing everything down bit by bit. I take 2 clicks out of the Compression F and R and 1 in the Rebound (except the front, as I'm almost nothing there).
The next session feels better right away. The slower speeds on streets was keeping me from using the suspension. By the 3rd or 4th session I had dialed it a bit more, I ended up taking out 1 more click everywhere and the bike started jamming. I was already passing people left and right (I tried not to be a dick about any of this) and then I came up to pass this one group for the second time and I started picking the pack off a few at a time. I made it all the way up to the front but I kept my manners, I'm not going to go stuffing an instructor into the Bowl just because he had a group of new riders behind him and was cruising along at a snail's.
I duck in behind the instructor on the straight leading up to the Bowl (CCW) and he checks, sees me, taps his tail and then pins it on his Gixxer 750. F**K. Here we go. I don't get nearly as good of a jump as he does but straight away I realize how much fun this is going to be.
Shit, I was in 3rd on that straight and now I'm banging the limiter.
Click down.
4th.
Pinned.
SHIT.
Brake late --- OH that line!
Off brakes --shit that was actually too much braking--
Click up 2.
2nd into the left-hand bowl.
Wait. Wait. Catch him.
Bang down on the knee and drive out better than him.
WRENCHED over --shit that's close to an elbow down, f**k.
Flip back right and get on the gas.
Catch him. --Flick left-- Gas. --Flick right-- tight line to be wide for the entry into that tight left. Don't lift. Close that gap.
Bang -- down on the knee going left down the hill (that picture you guys like so much) and then right and wait... wait... turn in and full lean, full throttle, stand this shit UP, wheelie up the hill.
Wait, wheelie up the hill? Where's my braking zo--
F**CK, grab the brakes at the top of the hill. Shit, too much. Missed you entry marker. Catch him, close the gap. Down the hill.
Click down.
3rd.
Hold the line through that turn.
Click down.
4th.
Pinned.
Front straight. Catch up under braking.
F**k yeah, let's do this thing!
I ended up chasing him around for the next lap up until we got the checkers. Pulled in and had a good laugh about it. What about your class? "Oh they'll be fine." Haha that was awesome. "Want a bump? Go into 3 (Group A)." Nah, I'm just having fun with my friend today. Taking it easy. "That wasn't taking it easy."
Well that certainly showed me the ropes around here. I didn't miss any session for the day, I kept working on the lines and braking points. Especially with my size I can brake a lot later than most. (I'm not huge 6'2" ~170ish) but I can load the front real good and then hang off the bike a lot to get it turning, change the CoG, add centripetal force, etc.
New thing was to start at the front of the line during grid. Head out first, start passing the back of the pack by the next lap, pass the group a few later and start again. Pass everyone twice. Not being a dick about it. A lot of times I would duck in behind a faster rider in the group and follow for a bit trying to pass between corners using different lines, etc. This is where I realized SHIT I was having fun. Not a big-fish-in-small-pond thing, more of a no-ego, use this to learn things kind of way. Where can you pass? At what point do you need to commit? etc.
It was so fun. And I gave tows to guys who were coming up afterwards talking about trying to follow me here or there. Ah, line up with me next session and I'll take you around start of the 2nd lap. After a break and some setup stuff my friend got his bike working well so he joined in on the fun too. It was awesome. So much fun, we ended up with a few 5 or so people bullshitting and hanging out between sessions and stuff. It was a great time.
When I look back and think about the clear track I had in those sessions, I remember how great my bike felt. I could feel the shape of the valves in this forks through my hands. I could feel the tires pushing and clawing for grip. Heating up and getting nice and soft, squishy. I started the day thinking it was going to be annoying and how soon could I get out of this group, to ending the day relishing the double-lap challenge, picking your way through a crowd with minimal time lost to get into that open air and free track.
Too many times I guess I happily sit behind someone riding at their pace. This day gave me a lot more confidence in what MY pace is, and how to get up to it. Thank you, Group C. That was a f**king blast!
Aside: I have GP-A take-offs and no tire warmers. Shit, it's Rosamond the ambient is 100-something and I take a medium-pace lap to warm them up before pushing. I know the reason and use for warmers, but I'm sorry girl-and-boyfriend/husband-crew in that awesome Toy Hauler with your generator, shade tent, folding chairs, hats and brand new shiny tire warmers and slicks on your race-replica bikes... I passed you a million times and I assure you your pace is being HURT by running those tires. You aren't getting them warm. You aren't using them. They probably feel mega sketchy. I know it's fun to play the part but I mean... c'mon! Also, do the new rider school, those control riders are clearly good enough to give anyone at the track pointers. And what's with all the mean scowling looks when I ride/walk past? For f**ks sake, it's not like I was the only person passing you guys. Your fancy-ass get-up sure makes you look pretty but it's not doing anything to help your riding... at least not from what I can see.
But I digress, I don't know everyone's story (and they probably don't know mine). That could have been their first time back on the track after a bad wreck and they are normally in AMA (they certainly tried to look the part). Who knows. Could have been any thousands of stories. All I know is it didn't look like they were having much fun. Meanwhile... well, I don't need to tell you guys twice: that was an epic day. Ohlins, I love you.