the bb trackday thread.
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm thinking about maybe doing a trackday this year, but not been on track since I came off badly in early 2017 (still been doing car days though so my etiquette hasn't gone).
I'm no longer looking to be in fast group, or use warmers, slicks etc, and I'd ideally ride the bike to/from the track. It'd be great to be able to ride the bike quickly, more than is sensible on the road at least.
I remember there used to be road bike only days, this still a thing with any TDO's or circuits?
I guess I could just book into novice group, but I've no idea what my pace would be like now and I'm trying to avoid potentially holding anyone up if I'm a bit of a slow old b
d.
Any advice? Cheers
I'm thinking about maybe doing a trackday this year, but not been on track since I came off badly in early 2017 (still been doing car days though so my etiquette hasn't gone).
I'm no longer looking to be in fast group, or use warmers, slicks etc, and I'd ideally ride the bike to/from the track. It'd be great to be able to ride the bike quickly, more than is sensible on the road at least.
I remember there used to be road bike only days, this still a thing with any TDO's or circuits?
I guess I could just book into novice group, but I've no idea what my pace would be like now and I'm trying to avoid potentially holding anyone up if I'm a bit of a slow old b
d. Any advice? Cheers
Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 3rd March 00:21
Pebbles167 said:
Hi all,
I'm thinking about maybe doing a trackday this year, but not been on track since I came off badly in early 2017 (still been doing car days though so my etiquette hasn't gone).
I'm no longer looking to be in fast group, or use warmers, slicks etc, and I'd ideally ride the bike to/from the track. It'd be great to be able to ride the bike quickly, more than is sensible on the road at least.
I remember there used to be road bike only days, this still a thing with any TDO's or circuits?
I guess I could just book into novice group, but I've no idea what my pace would be like now and I'm trying to avoid potentially holding anyone up if I'm a bit of a slow old bd.
Any advice? Cheers
Morning P167,I'm thinking about maybe doing a trackday this year, but not been on track since I came off badly in early 2017 (still been doing car days though so my etiquette hasn't gone).
I'm no longer looking to be in fast group, or use warmers, slicks etc, and I'd ideally ride the bike to/from the track. It'd be great to be able to ride the bike quickly, more than is sensible on the road at least.
I remember there used to be road bike only days, this still a thing with any TDO's or circuits?
I guess I could just book into novice group, but I've no idea what my pace would be like now and I'm trying to avoid potentially holding anyone up if I'm a bit of a slow old b
d. Any advice? Cheers
Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 3rd March 00:21
Brands definitely does road bike only days,if that's near enough for you.
If you used to be in fast.I'd probably opt for inters. On some days novice can be painfully slow and more than a little unpredictable.
Have a look here and filter on Novice or Road Bike only days.
https://bike.msvtrackdays.com/Calendar
Or just book in Novice group on any day.
https://bike.msvtrackdays.com/Calendar
Or just book in Novice group on any day.
Pebbles167 said:
Hi all,
I'm thinking about maybe doing a trackday this year, but not been on track since I came off badly in early 2017 (still been doing car days though so my etiquette hasn't gone).
I'm no longer looking to be in fast group, or use warmers, slicks etc, and I'd ideally ride the bike to/from the track. It'd be great to be able to ride the bike quickly, more than is sensible on the road at least.
I remember there used to be road bike only days, this still a thing with any TDO's or circuits?
I guess I could just book into novice group, but I've no idea what my pace would be like now and I'm trying to avoid potentially holding anyone up if I'm a bit of a slow old bd.
Any advice? Cheers
I'm thinking about maybe doing a trackday this year, but not been on track since I came off badly in early 2017 (still been doing car days though so my etiquette hasn't gone).
I'm no longer looking to be in fast group, or use warmers, slicks etc, and I'd ideally ride the bike to/from the track. It'd be great to be able to ride the bike quickly, more than is sensible on the road at least.
I remember there used to be road bike only days, this still a thing with any TDO's or circuits?
I guess I could just book into novice group, but I've no idea what my pace would be like now and I'm trying to avoid potentially holding anyone up if I'm a bit of a slow old b
d. Any advice? Cheers
Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 3rd March 00:21
Have a look at the James whitham days. Reduced numbers, very respectful riding and instructors police the groups moving people up and down as needed so you'll end up wherever you feel like being very quickly
Thanks for the replies about novice/road bike track days.
I'll check the Whitham school out too. I've heard good things and had forgotten it existed.
Might not be a bad idea to have a crack at the Ron Haslam day too, if that's still going. Might help me get back into the swing of things.
I'll check the Whitham school out too. I've heard good things and had forgotten it existed.
Might not be a bad idea to have a crack at the Ron Haslam day too, if that's still going. Might help me get back into the swing of things.
Pebbles167 said:
Thanks for the replies about novice/road bike track days.
I'll check the Whitham school out too. I've heard good things and had forgotten it existed.
Might not be a bad idea to have a crack at the Ron Haslam day too, if that's still going. Might help me get back into the swing of things.
Ron Haslam School finished in 2019. Have a look at British Superbike school. They do a track day where you use you're own bike but limited numbers on track and with an instructor. I'll check the Whitham school out too. I've heard good things and had forgotten it existed.
Might not be a bad idea to have a crack at the Ron Haslam day too, if that's still going. Might help me get back into the swing of things.
Back from Almeria which was a good freshener for track time
I didn't ride as quick as the previous year only getting into the 1.45s and consistent low 1.46s when no traffic Vs 1.44s pb previous year
I put it down to (I think) the rearset peg change when I crashed in may 22 I fitted some cheap Chinese ones which I only realised at track were slightly longer. I kept decking my toes down no matter how much I tried to tuck them in. Otherwise I felt like I was riding how I normally do...I dunno maybe it was in my head
Didn't help I fell out my loft dislocating my elbow 5 days before and was trying to deal with that being very tender and just to finish it off I got that bloody cold going about so had wonderful snot being sprayed inside my visor
Anyways enough of the frustrating bits... The rest of the trip was brilliant
Great company with a good bunch coming out with me. Jenni Tinmouth was out there testing and was consistently 1.5-2 seconds a lap quicker than me. Really nice person too when I briefly popped over for a chat
Took an RSV4 out last day and got myself sold on that but will need to look at finances end of year
Quick edit video from one of the days here https://youtu.be/Fi1PIdLz28I
My ol'Suzi looking a bit scuffed but didn't miss a beat while out there
There was a slight mishap in the hire car where we left a dozen Banana's in the back with the bottles of water and the Spanish hire car GP on way to track squished the poor innocent souls. It had a certain fragrance for the rest of the trip in there
I didn't ride as quick as the previous year only getting into the 1.45s and consistent low 1.46s when no traffic Vs 1.44s pb previous year
I put it down to (I think) the rearset peg change when I crashed in may 22 I fitted some cheap Chinese ones which I only realised at track were slightly longer. I kept decking my toes down no matter how much I tried to tuck them in. Otherwise I felt like I was riding how I normally do...I dunno maybe it was in my head
Didn't help I fell out my loft dislocating my elbow 5 days before and was trying to deal with that being very tender and just to finish it off I got that bloody cold going about so had wonderful snot being sprayed inside my visor
Anyways enough of the frustrating bits... The rest of the trip was brilliant
Great company with a good bunch coming out with me. Jenni Tinmouth was out there testing and was consistently 1.5-2 seconds a lap quicker than me. Really nice person too when I briefly popped over for a chat
Took an RSV4 out last day and got myself sold on that but will need to look at finances end of year
Quick edit video from one of the days here https://youtu.be/Fi1PIdLz28I
My ol'Suzi looking a bit scuffed but didn't miss a beat while out there
There was a slight mishap in the hire car where we left a dozen Banana's in the back with the bottles of water and the Spanish hire car GP on way to track squished the poor innocent souls. It had a certain fragrance for the rest of the trip in there
Birky_41 said:
Back from Almeria which was a good freshener for track time
I think you were there the same time as me - I was on the BMW event with Kate etc (I think I saw a pic of your nipples on her Instagram?! 
). Great track, but definitely one that needs more than a day to get used to!Birky_41 said:
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
I think you were there the same time as me - I was on the BMW event with Kate etc (I think I saw a pic of your nipples on her Instagram?! ). Great track, but definitely one that needs more than a day to get used to!
Ah yesss...that was me ). Great track, but definitely one that needs more than a day to get used to!
Really enjoyed the track though, just trying to round up some others to head away again later in the year.
My times were apparently atrocious, but I had friends getting far quicker than me who I’d then catch without too much grief if I saw them ahead, which eased the pain.
Swapped bikes with a friend for a couple of sessions on the final day and loved his little CBR - struggled to change gear on the damn thing, but in the corners it just seemed to go where I wanted it to.
He now wants to swap bikes as he reckons mine is much better for him too, but that won’t happen.
Might stick up a few pics later to give a bit of ‘contrast’ to Birky’s ones….
My times were apparently atrocious, but I had friends getting far quicker than me who I’d then catch without too much grief if I saw them ahead, which eased the pain.
Swapped bikes with a friend for a couple of sessions on the final day and loved his little CBR - struggled to change gear on the damn thing, but in the corners it just seemed to go where I wanted it to.
He now wants to swap bikes as he reckons mine is much better for him too, but that won’t happen.
Might stick up a few pics later to give a bit of ‘contrast’ to Birky’s ones….
Drabbesttunic said:
Use your SRAD, ride there on it, have fun in the novice group and ride home.
Don't overthink it, have fun then decide if you want to do more of them.
So, just got back from Brands, this was good advice.Don't overthink it, have fun then decide if you want to do more of them.
Apart from having brake fluid leaking out of the calipers after the first afternoon session all went well!
Made it home alive and will be back for more in May.
FML.
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