November 2-3, 2013
Laguna Seca –
Alberto takes a Riding Lesson With Reggie Pridmore
I am determined to learn more about riding techniques. You know, counter-steering and the like. I had seen Dan, to me, aka Rocket-man do his thing on the Death Valley “twisties” (what a silly name) leaving me behind like a falling dry leave. Shameful. Not that I want to ride as fast as he does; heck NO! or hell NO! Sorry for the profanity, but truly I had in mind a far more descriptive profanity, care to guess which one?
To The Race Track I go.
I called Reggie Pridmore’s Class Motorcycle School and found lessons being given at Laguna Seca. November 2nd and 3rd, being the earliest classes coming up. After a few questions these I gathered:
$325 a day - suggested – do a 2 day event (but not required). Format: 20 minutes lecture, 20 minutes track. Student to teacher ratio: about 5 to 1. Repeat from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm - hour lunch.
A few requirements
95% tread on the tires (basically new) Cover your rear red lights 6+ inch long numbers on the bike Leather outfit (well, no mesh type outfit) which you can rent for $50/day. Bike noise level limited, many standard mufflers do not pass the county inspection.
There are NO REFUNDS! (Gulp, swallow).
The data and the description are so alluring that I had no choice, “sure, sign-me up”. The nice British sounding lady replies, “Sorry, love, we are sold out for Monday. Want to try for only Tuesday? Well, one day better than nothing. “Sure, sign me up”.
As it turns out, later I received a call from Ms. British indicating that, if I wanted, I can get in on both days… Do I? Yep!
She quickly got me all set, and I was $750 poorer. This lady is good!
Lucky me, I have a few days to think it over, but soon enough they will make a reserved space for me at the Laguna Seca track at which point you are committed with no refunds coming.
That is my status; there is no going back. Huh? You’d say. Why would anyone cancel? Scared shitless seems to be my reason, does that count?
For the last week I have not slept well. Turn No 8 is all over my dreams. You know, the corkscrew.
There, in my dreams, I am doing 80 MPH on the track. Ahead I see turn No 8 with nothing behind it. Up the short blind slope. There is no view past the crest, which is coming fast at me. Left? Right? (I know it’s left but it does not help at all)… All I see is the crest coming at me. After a week of this, I have yet to make it over! Be right back… Excuse me, I had to go and take a Prozac.
Today is Sunday, time to really panic. The day is in the 70s, clear as far as the eye can see. Rich Pembroke and I are riding south on our way to Monterey. Laguna Seca and all it’s reputation expects us, no time to panic… I am way past that.
A Day Later, Monday, November 2nd.
We had to be at the racetrack by 7:00 am to register, sign disclaimers, motorcycle tech inspection and clothing gear inspection. All that went quickly. Now, we commence the day: 20 minutes lecture and alternate with track practice of the lecture. No time lollygagging. These people want you to move! So, Move!
The instructors separate us into two groups. Those who ride over 100 mph and those under 100 mph. How’s that for simple?
The lectures are quick moving. At first it seems it is all mumbo-jumbo, pep-rally talk. Their first objective is to introduce you to the Laguna Seca track, and before you know it, there you are, mounting your bike and off you go following the instructor.
Soon enough came another lecture. And before you can gather your wits you are back to the track, but this time you are on your own! Yes, Go for it!! It is now up to you and no one else. I thought: “I’m not ready” and, I was right.
The lectures.
Interspersed with the mumbo-jumbo are snippets of technique, and pep rally. When you think about it the technique is subservient to safety, which I thought to be mumbo jumbo. Safety is the basis for technique. Cannot be separated. I can be an absolute idiot! I am no longer bothered by the mumbo-jumbo. In fact I am enjoying it.
Probably you’d like to hear what were the techniques taught. Ahhh, you are about to be disappointed. Remember I said “snippets” of technique? Listen, a lightly mentioned technique goes right by you and you take only what makes sense to you… The rest is pure mumbo-jumbo UNTIL you are ready to comprehend other things been said.
You guessed it! My ignorance was so thorough that 90% of what I heard was mumbo-jumbo. A lot of mumbo-jumbo came the way of this “genius” (I told you I am an idiot… did I?)
Fortunately, 20 minutes lecture and 20 minutes track gives ample opportunity for “aha! Moments”. So, now I can tell you: I have gone from absolute ignorance to really knowing how little I know. But, with a huge difference: I now have a road map to follow.
Yet, aside hints, there was specific technique taught. While on the track the instructors (of which there are plenty) ride around among the riders (and by the way, you are riding on your own). Soon enough a teacher latches on to you and non-verbally indicates, “Follow me”. I was about to get a one-on-one lesson.
By motion on his bike he displays with exaggerated motions what he wants me to do - I make a feeble effort, which he rewards with a “thumbs up”. Aha! And, again and again we repeat and at every thumbs-up you grow in confidence. He tells me to go forward and I am back on your own to practice as I see fit. Take it, and take for all you want to take it. Up to you but there is no mistaking that you have been given something huge that you can bank on it.
During the two days I had an instructor latch onto me only twice. But I had no less than six aha-moments in the lecture room. Every lecture-aha-moment was as revealing as when I had the instructor latch onto me while at the track. UNREAL!!
The first day’s improvements on my riding I believe were enormous. I told my friend Rich, “What can these people do on the second day, tomorrow?”
I was resigned to accept reality, well, my own version of reality.
Day Two, Tuesday, November 3rd.
The next day started as a repeat of the first day and I was prepared to have a “long day at the track”. Yes, yes. I was going to “track” my way round-and-round until tired and go home. Fool! Little did I know!
On the second day, I was not given any more hints than on the first day. The hints had been there all along. Simply from yesterday, I was better informed and from it a better listener. At the end of the day, I was beaming! How did they do it? A better second day than the first! The answer is simple… I am getting better, and I know it!
Listen, these people generously give their knowledge, but are you ready to receive? The odds are yes; you are ready to receive but only a part. The rest will be, like it was for me… Mumbo-jumbo. Later as I practiced my first baby-steps, I realized, some of the mumbo-jumbo were amazing hints to aha-moments! I had learned “how to listen” to the instructors. Also realized that there is no alternative… it will take time. However long it takes, I will enjoy the journey, which is what this all this is about.
Okay, you are still wondering: “Should I take the Class?” Here is my ultimate evaluation of what I have done. I spent “reluctantly” $750 for two days, but for safety, thinking how much is my life worth? Today I can assure you: I got my money’s worth ON THE FIRST DAY! These guys threw in the second day for free!
What did I learn? And I only scratched the surface… I know it!
You do not need the rear brake, get rid of it. It is all in the front brakes. Ride on your toes Give up counter steering (which is not bad, but not that great) do body steering instead. On the turns, shift your weight to the inside peg and open that knee.. On the corners understand the “four” points (gear/brakes, turn, apex, exit) Keep your revs up in the turns if you want your bike to talk to you - engage the throttle!
Enough said.
If you care to hear what my Aha-Moments were, get in touch with me. I can really get long-winded! By the way, my friend’s aha-moment were almost the same as mine… just not exactly the same. Like I said: Up to you. I concentrated on some things and he on different things. At the end of the day during dinner, discussing our discoveries, we kept interrupting each other with enthusiasm (well, I interrupted him).
Alberto