Riding to the track - bad idea?

[nhbubba]

We don't have to wait for you - so no reason for us to get annoyed.

My mistake I guess. In the future I'll take my time.

[jwm2k3]

I wouldnt. Just borrow a pickup truck, buy a set of ramps...done.

[dannyjm]

I was planning on riding to my first track days, then decided to spend 260 on a uhaul trailer hitch installed, another 260 on a Harbor Freight utility trailer plus a bit more for chock, straps, tie down brackets, plywood and paint, and oh, yeah 120 on some aluminum arched ramps. Everything worked great and now I can trailer the bike whenever I want. My credit card is still ptsd though.

[brady]

If you're only way to get the bike there is to ride it, then so be it. Don't let that be the thing that stops you. Ride the track like its a nice spirited ride, just without cars, sand, cops, etc.

this

Yes, I was tired on the ride home, but not hazardously so. Yes, it made for a long day, but a FUN long day.

Once I was smart enough to stay hydrated (there's a reason TTD harps on this), the ride home was a relaxing counterpoint to the track day, but it's only an hour for me. It's a little more annoying in the rain, but it's still just a ride in the rain.

One other thing I found challenging was putting the bike back together at the end of the day... Putting the bike back together AND packing all my crap back on it AND THEN riding home took a non-trivial amount of time.

I agree, repacking at the end of the day was the worst part, but it still took me less time than many people with a trailer.

People at most of these events tend to be exceptionally helpful should you find yourself in a pinch.

Yup, and there are always people with extra hauling capacity, although I never needed it.

I wouldn't ever skip a track day just because I didn't have a trailer.

Unless you're an advanced group rider that wants to go balls-out with your beater track toy I don't see any good reason not to ride there and back. I think track days have gotten more aggressive since I started, but there is still no good reason to crash if you pay attention, follow instructions, and ride within your limit (sometimes easier said than done at a track day); all the same things you should do on the street. If you do crash it'll be safer and you'll have a lot more help and parts resources than you would riding on the street, and you still ride on the street, right? I was a more conservative track day rider than many (slow learner ) , but in 5? years of track days I only crashed once (T2 in the rain of course), and I rode to every one of them.

It got more complicated when I started racing . I relented and bought a trailer for my second season, but I want to ride to one round this year for old times sake.


After I bought tire warmers I had to fit a front stand on there, too.

[union]

Depending on the day you choose you might be able to arrange with PK to bring your bike there. Then you could just drive your car up. The catch is you need to get the bike to us in Bellingham.

[number9]

I think I'm going to register for the Penguin day on Friday the 27th of July.

[union]

I think I'm going to register for the Penguin day on Friday the 27th of July.

You mean the 26th right? We race on Saturday the 27th

[xsiliconkid]

If you ride up and back and for some reason you can't ride home...there are plenty of folks that could drop you off in Newton and one of use can haul your bike for later pickup...

ps a few years back almost 50% would ride up and back...... now it's less tan 10%

[MattR302]

Bike in a minivan is doable too, if you can borrow one of them. I've transported my ZX6R, DR350, and FZ6 in my moms 2004 grand caravan (not all at the same time).

[number9]

You mean the 26th right? We race on Saturday the 27th

Yep, I meant the 26th. I'm going to do the Track Experience class as I don't imagine I'll be racing within a year. I just signed up and paid my monies...