Utter shame… I hang my head low…

I am what I have hated.  Years ago when I was more involved in the pursuit of Going Faster, I would scold and criticize and ridicule people for this sin… and I am now one of those sinners.  Years of driving trucks has ruined me… made me grow soft.  I hated being behind those people… and I am now one of them.

I am…

An Early Apexer.

I need to return to a School of Fast and retrain my Line.

18 thoughts on “Utter shame… I hang my head low…”

    1. No… Nothing dramatic. Just slow exit speeds. My Father would just slowly shake his head in disappointment and walk away.

  1. I have mentioned the lead wrist syndrome that strikes every time I got on a motorcycle of 500cc displacement or more. Keeping my head up looking ahead for the points. The plotting of two counter steer points on sharp curves despite the fact it would take me into an oncoming lane and the where to brake before the first point and then roll it on at the second point, and this was just a trip for groceries.

  2. It sounds like you are either being too aggressive or “rushing” the corner. Try waiting a fraction of a second longer and roll on the throttle once you hit the apex and you should rocket right out of the curve. Your only limitations would be low foot pegs and/or exhaust that would prevent you from a good lean into the corner.

    1. That’s exactly right. Turning in too early. I used to be able to carve an Apex like a surgeon. I’m going to have to get out and practice more… Like… right now.

    2. I did this today with my shopping cart at Wally World. Almost ran over a little old lady. ‘Bout bit off my tongue apologizing profusely.

      Any tips for that? 🙂

        1. Won’t have to soon. Got a Publix opening here this winter, but until then Wal Mart is about the only game in town. Everyone else worth anything is gone. 🙁

  3. Publix is the world’s best grocery store.

    Practice your lines slowly. The purpose of cornering is to get you to the next corner first. Fast exit speeds allows overtaking of opponents in the straights. Races are won in the straights, straights are won in the corners.

    The best book ever written on road coarse driving was back in the seventies “Driving in Competition” Takes a half hour to read it. A lifetime to learn it.

  4. Publix is the world’s best grocery store.

    Practice your lines slowly. The goal is to get on full throttle as early as possible. The purpose of cornering is to get you to the next corner first. Fast exit speeds allows overtaking of opponents in the straights. Races are won in the straights, straights are won in the corners.

    The best book ever written on road coarse driving was back in the seventies “Driving in Competition” Takes a half hour to read it. A lifetime to learn it.

  5. If you are still a little rusty try taking the outer most line as it will allow more error in your technique while still maintaining your speed into the corner without having to be so aggressive. Once you master the outside then you can work on tightening up your technique and then you will be able to pick any line you want with the same end result.

    1. The fastest way through a corner is the longest. This is true on bikes or in a car. I have one beautiful curve in my daily commute. On the way in to work, the curve is easy. One the way home, its a decrease radius turn so the line tightens up. I’ve dragged a peg on it already. Fun… It’s a fun curve. One of many. Ever since I moved out here to Ogre Ranch, I’ve wanted to ride a bike on this road. 20 miles each way. It never gets boring for me.

  6. I know what your saying, a few years ago I had to sell my 525 HP twin turbo 300 ZX. I found myself racing at the drop of a hat. Two of my last races had one of my children in the car (one adult one teen). I had to sell it and then explain to them the evils of my ways.
    Man I miss that car, but in the end its all pride.
    The crazy part is, in a round about way “I am the law”.

    1. Sounds awesome. I am looking forward to getting down there… I really am. It’s just about getting the time, and I’m banking my vacation time!

  7. You guys have inspired me with all of this talk of motorcycles and speed. I enrolled in a motorcycle safety course at the local tech school for a slot in mid July today, and I have my eye on a Honda CBR250. Let the good times roll!

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