For those interested, here’s a longer, more detailed report of yesterday’s track class. If you’ve been thinking about a track day, taking a class in conjunction with the track day is an excellent way to ease yourself into it with more of a safety net. A great way to increase your confidence and learn skills that translate into safer riding on the street. I can’t vouch for other organizations, but 2Fast doesn’t just restrict these events to sport bikes. Any rider on any bike is welcome.

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I survived my racetrack experience. My bike and I came home in the same condition we left. I was faster at the end of the day than I was at the beginning of the day.  I learned much that will help me be a better, safer rider on the street.  And I foresee additional track days in the budget for next riding season.

All in all, a great day!  Unfortunately, there were approximately 8 accidents during the day’s riding sessions but no one was seriously injured. Statistically, it’s bound to happen with that many motorcycles exploring their limits on a racing track.  Still safer than riding on the street…

They had a pro photographer there taking photos on the track throughout the day. They’ll be available in roughly a week, so perhaps I’ll have something to show you late next week.

I need a rum and coke… but I don’t have any coke. I need it to recover from Walmart! Only one thing drives me to Walmart these days. It’s the only place locally that is nearly guaranteed to carry the oil I use in my motorcycle. Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40. The stuff works great in motorcycles, even though it’s designed for heavy trucks. Walmart also carries oil filters that fit my ZZR. The price and availability force me in, even though I dislike shopping there. I need to change the oil, and I need to change it before Wednesday.

Why you ask? (Ok, maybe you didn’t ask but I’m going to tell you anyway!) Because Wednesday the boy and his bike are heading to Pacific Raceways for an all day track class offered by 2Fast. I’ll spend most of the day riding around the track in between class room sessions and getting feedback on my riding style. I’m not really interested in racing or riding on the track, but it will impart skills that will improve my riding, and thus safety, on the street.

Frankly, I’m a little nervous but there’s really no good reason to be beyond fear of the unknown. I’m signed up for the “relaxed” class so we aren’t planning to set any track records. There’s nothing competitive about the class and there is no pass/fail of any sort. It’s really just a fun, educational day spent riding in a safe environment. Really the only issue is that Wednsday is supposed to be a bit rainy, but I’m fine with riding in the rain and that will just keep the speeds down anyway. Wish me luck!

This has been daddy/daughter weekend… and Lindsey and I spent today visiting the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park down near Mount Rainier. We had a blast! This is a zoo with an emphasis on wildlife from the Pacific Northwest.  They have a section you walk through that contains most of the predators as well as some of the smaller critters. They also have a roughly one-hour tram ride that is part of admission that takes you through the free-roaming part of the park.  This section is populated with “prey” animals such as deer, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, etc. A naturalist accompanies the tram and provides a running commentary on what you are seeing. Well worth the admission!

As usual, more photos on Flickr!

This week’s Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt theme is “Blue.” Just one photo this week, but hey isn’t it a nice one! My riding partner Jim snapped this shot of me last weekend while we were on our ride down to Stevenson, WA. In the bright sun you can actually tell my motorcycle is blue for a change, normally it looks much darker. And of course you can see the blue in my helmet. I normally wear a blue jacket too but I wasn’t sure what the weather was going to do last weekend and this black jacket is more adaptable to a range of conditions.

Stolen from Sandra and Stacy

1. How tall are you barefoot? 5′ 11″
2. What’s your favorite Christmas song? This one
3. Do you do push-ups? You bet, I love sherbet!
4. Have you ever done ecstasy? I have a motorcycle, I don’t need it!
5. Do you like Disney World? I have never been
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   Meme Madness

I can’t stop watching this video! They actually play the video at the beginning of the closing credits in the movie.

And, I have to confess I loved the movie. A decent combination of campy B-movie thrills and action. We cheered when certain cast members got taken out by snakes… I think the movie encourages it. Go with a bunch of fun, rowdy friends!

Entertainment Weekly has an interview with Jon Cryer about his role in Pretty in Pink and the upcoming 20th annivery special edition release. Yes, I will no doubt buy it even though I have a copy of the movie on my shelf already. I love 80’s teen movies. You could almost say it’s something of an obsession. I try not to think about it too hard.

This is a 7 minute video edited together from part of the ride I did this past weekend.  This is shot on NF-99, the road to Windy Ridge near Mount Saint Helens.  This gives you some idea what the road is like from a motorcycles perspective!

 Edited to add… Live Writer handles video embedding perfectly!

Isn’t it interesting what causes you to remember events or people? Today, it was shaving.

I’ve mentioned a couple of times the motorcycle accident I had in late 2005. It was fairly minor really, but I crushed my right ankle. Had to have it rebuilt, lots of pins and plates, etc. It’s still not 100% but I can walk without a cane again.

No, what nearly killed me was the saddle embolus I suffered when a blood clot blocked the flow of blood to my lungs while I was in surgery. Not that I knew anything about it, by the time I woke up the emergency was over. I didn’t even get to see my life flash before my eyes or anything cool like that.

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