Turn 3 at Loudon

 

Really awesome shot carving into turn 3 during one of my races in round #6

Bike is all ready for round 6!

I changed her oil, adjusted the rear set and shifter.

Added a shiny new sprocket guard

 

Added 1" longer clip ons

 

And a touch of bling to the front fender

 

 

I think I just got bumped to Amateur!

Can this be?  Did I just get bump to Amateur?

What an awesome race weekend!!

Well DiZ racing fans, I'm finally happy to state that I'm really gaining some serious strides this season.

I had a great set of practice sessions and set my all time best lap time 1:29.  I was stoked, I felt really comfortable, my body position was working really well and I jut enjoyed it.

Then my first race came and I nailed it with a career best time of 1:27.831.  That's really, really respectable for someone who has only been riding as long as I have.

Picture of me just before my first race on Saturday

Race report to follow shortly!

And remember, if you're gonna ride - remember to Twist It!!

-Diz

Time to prep my bike for Round #5

Stripping the race skins before I change the oil make a few other select improvements

Interesting ride today...

I've put a little over 700 miles on the track this season, that's a dream come true for me. While I have been modifying my track 848 a lot, I thought I might be moving through my mods a little faster than I really understand them. That had me a little concerned.

I also started questioning if I enjoy riding my street 848 around Cambridge. So I really haven't been riding that bike very much at all this season. I've got a couple of weeks till my next Loudon round so I really felt like riding today. I got out on the street 848 and really noticed that my riding position has changed. At low speeds the bike felt sluggish, I felt the preload too soft. I made a quick stop home and started clicking the forks. A few twisty spots to fine tune the damper and it felt a lot better.

I got on some nice back roads I enjoy and really appreciated all the training I've been getting from Penguin and other riders. Everything, even the way I scan traffic and make a few plans on the road seems to have improved. I noticed that I was grabbing the bars a little and started reminding myself to only use my hands to steer. You know T&F.

All of sudden it dawned on me, I really love riding. And it's so much more fun when you're riding deliberately. Riding well and using your bike as a tool. Not just letting it take you for a ride.

Can't wait for the 16th to arrive.

-diz

No races in July. Back on track in August

Even though I'll be traveling and won't be able to race, it hasn't been a slow few weeks at all.

Trimming out the van and getting it ready for the races 

I've been having trouble loading the pick-up by myself and the last track day was a real eye opener.  None of the people I normally ride with were around and everyone was really divided off into their own clicks.  I tried a few times to get some of the stronger guys to help me get the Ducati into the bed of the truck and they just goofed around and never helped.

How do I improve this?  Offer them beer and BJs? I don't think so!  I bought a new van and I'm converting it to carry my tools, gear and bikes.  I've already installed the winch and set most of the 1/2 inch plywood.  Once that is done, I strip the stands back out and install grey low pile carpeting.

This will be so good for many reasons.  I've got all the parts to install a shore power hookup and have a/c power,  I've also started laying out all the parts for a house battery and power inverter.  I've purchase a battery isolator and plan to wire that who system during the evening after work this week.

Once that is all done, I've got to start preppy the racer for her next LRRS round!!

Can't wait to tell you about all the server I'm doing since this is just about her half way through the season check-up.

Remember, if you're ride - Twist It!!

-dana