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Published: August 6th 2013
The Daily Dose
People don’t always have the time or opportunity to get outside every day. That is why I created The Daily Dose. The Daily Dose is just a glimpse into nature, something to keep you in touch with the out of doors until you are able to get out in it yourself.
The Daily Dose may include a story, or, at minimum, a couple beautiful pictures taken on of my local hikes. As you look at each picture, I encourage you to imagine what it might smell like there. Is it redwood forest? Eycalyptus? And then imagine the temperature. Does it look hot? Breezy? Really take a step outside and get your Daily Dose!
EVENT DATE: 8-5-13 I have a lot of work to finish today, but I definitely want to head down to the track to say hi to the boys and take some pictures. Staying focused, methodically checking things off my list, I’m about ready to bail! I think I’ll get there at just the right time. The morning fog should have burned off and there may still be a session or two left for
the A group before lunch.
I pull in and it looks like a full day for Keigwins. Once inside the track gates, it’s time to turn down the music and be alert for bikes. Pulling around behind the bleachers towards the usual spot, I’m wondering how the bike is running.
There’s been an issue with the transmission popping out of gear so today is a test. To see if the recent work helped, or, if it’s time to tear the transmission apart. FOOT put in a shift star in as well as making other adjustments, so the bike should feel different one way or another.
I park the car and head over to base, noticing all the bikes gone, meaning the boys are out on the track. I must have arrived just in time for an A group session! I make time over to the grand stand and confirm with a guy watching that A group is indeed out on the track! Sweet! I’m off to grab a vantage point when I notice no one is coming back around. Further pause allows me to realize everyone is exiting the track. Darn, I must have arrived right at the
end of the session.
Once back at base I hear from the guys that the session wasn’t over, it was black flagged. There have been lots and lots of crashes today already. Was it wet in the morning? Nope. Apparently overcast, but dry. Hmm. So, #994 hasn’t yet had the opportunity to test things as the first two morning sessions were cut short by crashes.
It’s great to see all the fellas hanging out, enjoying the day. Foot, Fierce Frank, Rob C. (Mr. Collins Mr. Collins, PLEASE . .Mr. Collins!!) and Dirty Dan. Everyone’s bike is running well except John isn’t sure about his yet. Talk of the crashers is high and so is the irritation with their behavior post-crash. DD openly expresses his annoyance at those that crash out and then just stand there. Staring at their bikes, causing a flag to be dropped and ending the session for everyone else. “Just pick it up and get it out of the way!!” Soon thereafter, the conversation turns to Tire Talk and as expected, my eyes start to glaze over and I drift off.
Rob says the magic words and I’m back in the present. My
day just got exponentially more enjoyable! “You can use the XR anytime you want.” Well alrighty then! No point in wasting any more time! I head straight over and fire her up. I grab my camera and take off, appreciating the excellent condition Rob keeps his little 100 in. Pulling off into the dirt and getting on the gas just a little, I feel the bike squirm underneath me and feel satisfied to be on something motorized in the dirt!
The view from the top of the track is spectacular. You can see Mt. Diablo in the distance, the bay beyond and the endless, brown rolling countryside. Thank you Mr. Collins! I would have rode John’s bicycle up here, or walked, but taking the XR makes it just that more enjoyable for me! Gals too, feel the need for speed. J
Back at base the boys are making their final adjustments, listening for their queue of “A Group, 5 Minutes.” It’s a beautiful day, warm but not too warm, and not too windy, yet. Overall, very temperate for Sears.
Time is up so leathers are zipped, goggles put on, ear plugs in and
helmets cinched down. Tire warmers come off and the bikes are released from their stands. The boys back out and head for the pits for what will hopefully be a stellar session! After pulling FOOT’S rear warmer, I hop on the XR and chase the boys as far as the pit entrance. I cut around the back of the track, angling for my favorite vantage point. Directly across the track from turn 2.
I park the XR and get situated. Get my camera ready and start looking for #994. It’s hard to see, the sun is bright and I’m having trouble finding John. Usually I identify him by the sound of his bike and the style of his riding, but I can’t seem to do it today. I snap off a couple pictures of . . .whoever, waiting. Hmm. . . Seems like too long. There he is! Hand up and getting off track.
Back on the XR and back to base. Maybe the bike isn’t running well? John’s already busy, hands in the toolbox. “How’d it go?” I asked. “I crashed” he said. Oh shit. . Turn 3, second lap. No wonder
I couldn’t find him.
He looks okay. I ask if he’s alright and he says Yes. He anticipates some bruised ribs later today, but all in all, not too bad. I glance at the bike and it too, doesn’t look that bad. He anxious to take off the bodywork, check the front end and get her back on the track a.s.a.p., so I step out of the way.
The session ends and the rest of the guys come in, stands are up, and they’re straight to discussing their latest experiences. I head over to Dirty Dan and Rob and ask if John got his bike out of the way fast enough after he crashed. They laugh and say, “Why yes!” He did a great job, fast enough in fact, that the organizer did not flag the session. Rob said John was towards it running before his bike even stopped sliding. Way to consider the other riders experience FOOT!
Johnnie starts disassembling the bike, checking everything along the way. He decides to switch out the front tire to a harder compound. Not knowing if the old tire was the reason for the crash or not, he
opts for trying the only other spare with him. He seems determined and ready to get back on the horse. See if #994 has what it takes to make the last AFM round this season without a transmission job.
Dan is having great rides, times in the 45’s. He’s fast and I know FOOT is hoping to get his bike back together so he can chase that carrot. Rob’s bike is working perfectly and he’s enjoying his day like always. Frank keeps getting stuck behind riders who are slower in the corners, yet have more horsepower in the straights, making them impossible to escape. So he’s wishing for some jet fuel right about now.
It’s lunch time which is always way too long for me. I’ve stayed longer than anticipated as well, but since John crashed out, I want to see if he gets the bike running and has a satisfactory session before I split.
Well – here it is! The time of reckoning. Humpty is back together, now let’s see if she starts. Of course she does!! And she’s purring. She’s ready to go! The 5 minute call comes over the loud speaker, suits are on, warmers and
stands away, and off he goes.
The ever reliable XR takes me quickly up above turn 2. I see FOOT come by for a couple laps and he looks smooth. The A group is packed, which makes for more interesting photography. And more challenges for the riders. After just a few laps, I see Johnnie exiting the track so I mount my trusty stead and head back to base to see what’s up.
The bike is running well, the handlebars are slightly bent, but overall good. He wanted to bring her in to double check that nothing was leaking and that all was buttoned down tight for the next session. Wherein someone is planning on bringing some heat and testing this B@tch out!! Although taking it easy for this post-crash ride, FOOT is still running in the 47’s and feeling pumped for the next session.
We discuss the crash later that night and he described it like this: “This crash was really different from my other crashes. I’ve been in crashes where I was thrown in the air and then slammed on the ground, and then that’s it, the crash is over. And then there are crashes where
I tumble and tumble, and get so disoriented I really don’t know what’s happening. But not this crash. This time I just slid along. Watching my bike, thinking, ‘Oh no. That’s going to be expensive.’”
I asked about his crashing form and admittedly he has a couple things to keep in mind should he find himself in a similar situation. I wanted to know if his crash form crossed his mind while he was sliding. “Nope. I was just watching my bike, feeling bummed already about the damage.” But as it turns out, the damage is minimal.
The rest of the day reveals that opening up the transmission is a necessity. The bike continues to pop out of gear and/or shift really hard. He’s new to transmission work, but hopefully he can get her repaired before the last race of the season.
The time I spent outside today was time spent at the track. With great people and beautiful views. The air was clear and the wind was cool. It was a most enjoyable Daily Dose!
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chrly
non-member comment
Worth waiting for ..
Nicely done Michelle.. Glad Johns slide was somewhat gentle as those things go. Nasty luck with the trannie tho..IT is a shame that Johns' kind of talent is not being turned loose ...See ya soon..