2014 Racing Season

I am seriously considering spending my next racing season focusing on my rudimentary skills with a lightweight bike.

Honda CBR 250

 I've been a percussionist for a very long time and I've taught a lot of students in my day and one thing I have noticed is that one particular method seems tremendously successful...

Kawasaki EX 300

Hyosung  GT250/R

 1) Dive in deep; maybe over your head a little and find out if you've really got the passion. Passion makes anything challenging: fun. At first, trying to 'will your way out' of boundaries will build persistence and an ability to measure small improvements. Even if there may be a few minor bad habits forming.

2) Once you find that you love the 'art' of something; tear down what you've learned and seek out skilled instructors. Focus on basics while you continue to enjoy expressing more primitive 'play time'

3) Make a commitment to 'reset' both behaviors starting with the rudiments again but this time, play with them too. Realize that it will seem like negative improvements for a while and resist strengthening the hold of the stuff you faked to push out your limits.

4) Rinse and repeat from #1.

Kawasaki EX 250

 I think practicing and riding in the Formula 300 class might be a really great means to reset some of the habits that the 848 has allowed me to use to power through. I do have concerns, one of which is as a Novice, I don't get many races. How difficult is it to consistently beat the 1:45 bump requirement? I would prefer to do a season in which I don't run medium weight until I see measured improvement in my lightweight venture.

Yamaha WR 250 X

 Any thought or opinions? Play nice please.

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