the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
s1dew1nd3r said:
Got to start somewhere!
I've done the California Superbike School as well as Whithams track days.Both are very different to each other but you would still get a lot out of them.
The Whitham days are more like a regular trackday, but with fewer riders on track and a couple of BSB / Road racing riders on hand to give you riding advice.
The California Superbike School is, as the name implies, a bit more of a school. The drills are explained to the group off track before you then head out on track to practice those drills.
Speeds tend to be a bit lower than a regular trackday, but you can still get a crack on.
airsafari87 said:
s1dew1nd3r said:
Got to start somewhere!
I've done the California Superbike School as well as Whithams track days.Both are very different to each other but you would still get a lot out of them.
The Whitham days are more like a regular trackday, but with fewer riders on track and a couple of BSB / Road racing riders on hand to give you riding advice.
The California Superbike School is, as the name implies, a bit more of a school. The drills are explained to the group off track before you then head out on track to practice those drills.
Speeds tend to be a bit lower than a regular trackday, but you can still get a crack on.
Especially useful for new/novice riders but only part 1 or 2 , above that it becomes more track and body position focused
Steve Bass said:
I think the CSS gives training that can be relevant to road riding, especially understanding how to turn a bike properly, how much speed the front end can carry and explaining survivial reactions and where to look.
Especially useful for new/novice riders but only part 1 or 2 , above that it becomes more track and body position focused
Agreed about Level 1.Especially useful for new/novice riders but only part 1 or 2 , above that it becomes more track and body position focused
Ive been riding for a good while now and I wouldn't normally have done it. But it was bought for me as a gift and I have to say I really enjoyed it, I wouldn't say I particularly learned anything from the Level 1 that I didnt already know or do, but I can imagine a new rider would get a lot out of it.
I only got to do my level 1 before they went belly up last year.
I know they are back up and running again now though and I quite fancy finishing off the other 3 levels, especially levels 3 and 4 as I feel I should be able to learn even more from them.
airsafari87 said:
Agreed about Level 1.
Ive been riding for a good while now and I wouldn't normally have done it. But it was bought for me as a gift and I have to say I really enjoyed it, I wouldn't say I particularly learned anything from the Level 1 that I didnt already know or do, but I can imagine a new rider would get a lot out of it.
I only got to do my level 1 before they went belly up last year.
I know they are back up and running again now though and I quite fancy finishing off the other 3 levels, especially levels 3 and 4 as I feel I should be able to learn even more from them.
I think the 'no brakes' exercise is excellent if the student does it correctly, especially for newer riders. Ive been riding for a good while now and I wouldn't normally have done it. But it was bought for me as a gift and I have to say I really enjoyed it, I wouldn't say I particularly learned anything from the Level 1 that I didnt already know or do, but I can imagine a new rider would get a lot out of it.
I only got to do my level 1 before they went belly up last year.
I know they are back up and running again now though and I quite fancy finishing off the other 3 levels, especially levels 3 and 4 as I feel I should be able to learn even more from them.
Steve Bass said:
I think the 'no brakes' exercise is excellent if the student does it correctly, especially for newer riders.
It sounds mental doesn't it? And it was daunting going out and trying it for the first time, especially on the downhill approach to Mansfield.I'm sure the 2 gears only and no brakes rule applied for all sessions other than the final 2 on Level 1? With only the final session being all gears and using the brakes?
airsafari87 said:
I've done the California Superbike School as well as Whithams track days.
Both are very different to each other but you would still get a lot out of them.
The Whitham days are more like a regular trackday, but with fewer riders on track and a couple of BSB / Road racing riders on hand to give you riding advice.
The California Superbike School is, as the name implies, a bit more of a school. The drills are explained to the group off track before you then head out on track to practice those drills.
Speeds tend to be a bit lower than a regular trackday, but you can still get a crack on.
Have you seen the "i2i" courses before??? they are supposed to be very good have a look here if you havent.. https://www.i2imca.com/Home/CoursesBoth are very different to each other but you would still get a lot out of them.
The Whitham days are more like a regular trackday, but with fewer riders on track and a couple of BSB / Road racing riders on hand to give you riding advice.
The California Superbike School is, as the name implies, a bit more of a school. The drills are explained to the group off track before you then head out on track to practice those drills.
Speeds tend to be a bit lower than a regular trackday, but you can still get a crack on.
Im going to go and do the i2i days definitely but i will have a look into CSS now aswell - im assuming its way more productive than the Ron Haslam days?
Another new(ish) rider here. I did i2i 1,2 and 3 last year,and can highly recommend it. Got level 4 booked for next week,which shows I'm putting my money where my mouth is!
I've started track riding this year as well,and have got a few under my belt,although progress been a bit sporadic! With this in mind,I did CSS level 1 last week,and was impressed by how I felt on the bike by the end of the day. Got Snett booked for Tues,so we'll see..............
I've started track riding this year as well,and have got a few under my belt,although progress been a bit sporadic! With this in mind,I did CSS level 1 last week,and was impressed by how I felt on the bike by the end of the day. Got Snett booked for Tues,so we'll see..............
Patrick Star said:
Another new(ish) rider here. I did i2i 1,2 and 3 last year,and can highly recommend it. Got level 4 booked for next week,which shows I'm putting my money where my mouth is!
I've started track riding this year as well,and have got a few under my belt,although progress been a bit sporadic! With this in mind,I did CSS level 1 last week,and was impressed by how I felt on the bike by the end of the day. Got Snett booked for Tues,so we'll see..............
So im assuming you found the i2i worth doing and would do it again if you had to start with a clean slate? PS Did you manage to get your knee down on the level 3 is it?I've started track riding this year as well,and have got a few under my belt,although progress been a bit sporadic! With this in mind,I did CSS level 1 last week,and was impressed by how I felt on the bike by the end of the day. Got Snett booked for Tues,so we'll see..............
s1dew1nd3r said:
So im assuming you found the i2i worth doing and would do it again if you had to start with a clean slate? PS Did you manage to get your knee down on the level 3 is it?
Definitely! it gives you confidence on your bike,especially after you've ridden around the cones no handed,turning by using your body to induce lean.
Patrick Star said:
Definitely! it gives you confidence on your bike,especially after you've ridden around the cones no handed,turning by using your body to induce lean.
Il be honest im not one of those thats dead unconfident on the bike, i can do bits on it but i just wanna follow the process because ultimately its just about being a better rider isnt it? Top pic btw mate.
s1dew1nd3r said:
Il be honest im not one of those thats dead unconfident on the bike, i can do bits on it but i just wanna follow the process because ultimately its just about being a better rider isnt it?
Top pic btw mate.
I think it's more about reinforcing the inherent stability of a bike,so when you take further levels, you're more comfortable with what seems like taking liberties.Top pic btw mate.
My mate,who did the courses as well,had 7 years riding experience and still said it was benfical.
Plus,the two coaches are top blokes.
I'll be interested to hear your opinion,if you do go,as I really rated it.
Cheers fella,only managed it a couple of times since.
Patrick Star said:
I think it's more about reinforcing the inherent stability of a bike,so when you take further levels, you're more comfortable with what seems like taking liberties.
My mate,who did the courses as well,had 7 years riding experience and still said it was benfical.
Plus,the two coaches are top blokes.
I'll be interested to hear your opinion,if you do go,as I really rated it.
Cheers fella,only managed it a couple of times since.
I will 110% be doing i2i mate it may end up being early next year now because i think there are only a few limited dates left this season and trying to make it happen with work etc might be a problem!My mate,who did the courses as well,had 7 years riding experience and still said it was benfical.
Plus,the two coaches are top blokes.
I'll be interested to hear your opinion,if you do go,as I really rated it.
Cheers fella,only managed it a couple of times since.
Krikkit said:
Nice lineup, from the view out my window today it looked like decent weather. How do you rate Oulton for bikes?
Oulton is my favorite UK track however I've not a had a good time the 3 times I've been there this year.First time it pissed down all day and I didn't have my wets with me.
2nd time I got the first session then the other 2 were Red flagged after 2 laps then 1 lap, the medical center was full of broken people so they had to stop for a while then it pissed down for the rest of the day.
This time. 4 laps first session Red flag, 1 lap 2nd session Red flag 3rd session 4 laps then Red flag, waited in pits, got cold tyres 2laps. 4th session we missed it due to being at the back of the car park and not hearing them say the groups had been moved time wise due to Red flags in the other groups and the medical center being full of broken bodies again.
After dinner a few laps then Red flag. next session didn't even finish the first lap and again another Red flag.
MSV can go and f
k themselves until they get some yellow flags.I gave up and so did the others and went home.
Biker's Nemesis said:
Oulton is my favorite UK track however I've not a had a good time the 3 times I've been there this year.
First time it pissed down all day and I didn't have my wets with me.
2nd time I got the first session then the other 2 were Red flagged after 2 laps then 1 lap, the medical center was full of broken people so they had to stop for a while then it pissed down for the rest of the day.
This time. 4 laps first session Red flag, 1 lap 2nd session Red flag 3rd session 4 laps then Red flag, waited in pits, got cold tyres 2laps. 4th session we missed it due to being at the back of the car park and not hearing them say the groups had been moved time wise due to Red flags in the other groups and the medical center being full of broken bodies again.
After dinner a few laps then Red flag. next session didn't even finish the first lap and again another Red flag.
MSV can go and fk themselves until they get some yellow flags.
I gave up and so did the others and went home.
Yeah I can agree with that, when you spend so much money and then you get there the briefing overruns by 10 minutes because the person doing it likes the sound of their own voice, meaning the first session is cut short, so you end up with 4 laps till the flag comes out, then they piss around with the timings and you miss most of the 3rd session because they have swapped things around, then they red flag every other session because someone has parked in the gravel, I'm just a (very) casual TD'er but experiences at Oulton and Anglesey have put me right off, I got 17 laps at Anglesey, and it cost me £600, its not good value at all and I doubt I'll be doing any more.First time it pissed down all day and I didn't have my wets with me.
2nd time I got the first session then the other 2 were Red flagged after 2 laps then 1 lap, the medical center was full of broken people so they had to stop for a while then it pissed down for the rest of the day.
This time. 4 laps first session Red flag, 1 lap 2nd session Red flag 3rd session 4 laps then Red flag, waited in pits, got cold tyres 2laps. 4th session we missed it due to being at the back of the car park and not hearing them say the groups had been moved time wise due to Red flags in the other groups and the medical center being full of broken bodies again.
After dinner a few laps then Red flag. next session didn't even finish the first lap and again another Red flag.
MSV can go and f
k themselves until they get some yellow flags.I gave up and so did the others and went home.
Oulton Park is my favourite track in the U.K. to ride, closely followed by Donington and Anglesey in that order. Sadly, none of them are quite what they were due to overly zealous officiating.
Oulton will throw a red flag for every single on track incident now, no matter how small, as it has significant issues with the HSE. This ruins the days there, as there seems to be a recent trend of people thinking it’s a badge of honour to crash on track / not follow briefing instructions and get over the barrier. Equally poorly maintained bikes, or even someone running on and being miles away from the track means a red. This ruins the day for everyone else.
Donington is starting to follow suit, as it’s now run (but not owned) by MSV like Oulton.
Anglesey is much better for flags and especially for noise limits (effectively there aren’t any), but Wales and their approach to coronavirus has pretty much ruled it out this year.
I did one day this year and had what was described above at Oulton, packed up at 3pm and it was enough for me to decide that I’ve finished with trackdays now for good.
Oulton will throw a red flag for every single on track incident now, no matter how small, as it has significant issues with the HSE. This ruins the days there, as there seems to be a recent trend of people thinking it’s a badge of honour to crash on track / not follow briefing instructions and get over the barrier. Equally poorly maintained bikes, or even someone running on and being miles away from the track means a red. This ruins the day for everyone else.
Donington is starting to follow suit, as it’s now run (but not owned) by MSV like Oulton.
Anglesey is much better for flags and especially for noise limits (effectively there aren’t any), but Wales and their approach to coronavirus has pretty much ruled it out this year.
I did one day this year and had what was described above at Oulton, packed up at 3pm and it was enough for me to decide that I’ve finished with trackdays now for good.
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