Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Suiting Up

In another small step toward racing season preparedness I got my suit back today. My trusty leather racing suit that you see me wearing in all my photos. There's a funny story behind why I have that suit. I was wearing this tattered old suit that I bought used and had a leather patch with my name put on it. It was ugly and worn when I got it, and I crashed it a few times so it really was ugly. Well back in 2006 my mom told I was embarrassing her with my tattered looks so she gave me some money and told me to have a proper suit made. Along with some of my own money I had a custom blue and yellow suit with my name properly cut out and added some SFMC patches. I fell down a few times on it, and have had it repaired a couple of times. This time around it needed a piece replaced that had rotted. Too much salty sweat. I need to do a better job of oiling it every now and then. I also added my Tommy's patches to the arms. One more thing checked off the list. Getting closer. I hope to make it to Thunderhill this weekend if the weather holds. I really need to get some practice, and get a feel for the new suspension. Fingers crossed!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Forks of Fury

Things are really starting to come together in the pre-season racing preparation. I knew that my forks needed freshening up, but I wanted to investigate options for improving them. So off they went to my trusted suspension shop and sponsor Catalyst Reaction Suspension Catalyst Reaction. I can't praise these guys enough. I've been working with them since 2007, and in 2008 when I got my new bike they agreed to sponsor me. Having Dave and Jim available to work on my bike on race weekends is like having my own personal suspension technician in my garage. It's awesome to be able to ride up to their tent, tell them about what I'm feeling, what the bike is doing, and they make adjustment based on that feedback. I've learned so much about suspension setup, bike setup, how to communicate about what the bike is doing, and even how to ride by working with these guys. I've learned to trust them. As long as I communicate clearly and honestly what I feel then they have carte blanche to to twist and turn the knobs. So off the forks went, and a couple days later I got a call from Jim telling me what he saw, what he thought, and what he recommended. It didn't take long for me to say give me the works. New springs more appropriate for my weight, a custom shim stack specific to my bike, and riding style, and of course all new bushings, seals, and oil. I'm so excited to try out the new set up. The forks should absorb bumps better while also being more consistent throughout the stroke. I should be able to brake later, and carry the braking deeper into the turn with more speed, and still not upset the chassis. The one fear I have is that 2 years of suspension data I've been collecting at each track is now thrown out the window. I'm starting from scratch, but with a lot more sense of what direction to go. I'm planning on attending a pair of trackdays at the end of February to test out the new bits. I can't wait!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

And then there where 4

Today I sold my beloved Honda Superhawk. That was not easy. I've had that bike for 8 1/2 years. We've been through some times that bike and I. I know it was the right thing to do. I bought a newer more upright riding style bike at the end of last year, and I needed to make room in the garage and bank account, but still. It's not easy saying goodbye to an old friend. Not to say that it never let me down, oh no, it definitely stranded me a time or. But still. A lot of memories. Good and bad. The new owner is kinda kooky and passionate about owning it. He has other bikes. The one thing I asked of him was to ride it hard, and fast like I used to. He said that was the intention. Goodbye old bike, ride fast, take chances.

Here's some photos



Me and my new toy, something like October of 2001

















What happens when an asshole turns left in front of you while it raining, March of 2002










Fall of 2002 rebuilt with sexy new forks, mean looking and ready to ride. It would stay looking like this for 8 more years.










First weekend of October 2003 at the summit of Tioga Pass in Yosemite. It would snow 2 days after clearing this pass, and the road would be closed for the rest of winter.








Same trip, but leaving the Brody Ghost Town. I love this picture.