I'll admit it, I have a very compulsive personality. When I do something, I just plain do it. The same held true when I decided to start a Helmet Harbor Race Team. It started off slow, but grew into a huge deal and expense. Huge enclosed trailer, truck, 3 race bikes, 4 easy-ups, outdoor coolers, fresh tires twice a weekend, you name it. Not to mention the 4 National race schools I attended to get "just a little faster." When all was said and done, I had a HUGE amount invested in equipment, and each weekend (sometimes 3 a month) were costing me 3k.
I get asked, "What happened?" all the time. I simply say, all involved got mentally tired. What started as fun, turned into stress. We stopped being thrilled to just be on the grid, into "I've got to beat that guy, and that guy, Hell, all of them." If one of us did poor, everyone felt it. Attitudes toward the sport simply changed.
Personally I could see a change. When I started I was in the back. Everyone beat me. Near the end, I felt I had a chance to win. I had bumped to the expert class, and was finishing high. I was actually hanging with guys who were AMA fast. In a nutshell, I got good. The younger guys on our team could feel me breathing down their necks, and because of that, didn't have an issue stuffing me in corners to keep ahead. By the way, this was mutual. In some races our team finished 1, 2, 3 and 4, and from the stands we looked like a freight train going around the track. Our bikes matched, and it was easy to see how well we were doing as a team.
The end came rather simple. Near the beginning of year 4 I put my guys in a room and asked if they wanted to continue. All said that they had enough, and that fast it was over. The trailer was sold, the hauler traded, and the bikes/gear placed in storage. Other than the occasional track day, we never came close to a track.
This brings me back to the present. I've had a break, and the itch is returning. However, this time it's going to much more simple, and would need to be for me to even think about a comeback. No team, just me. I hauled bikes for others for 4 years, I will be getting some payback. No trailer, hauler, just me and my bike.
Why, after a 3 year break? Simple, my attitude has changed, and I'm not all about beating, anyone... I think this time I will focus more on helping younger, and new riders. Put those schools to work and try to pass on a little of what I've been shown. Sure, I can see myself racing a little, but back as a amateur. Good bye white plate, hello yellow. New bike? Maybe, but I don't see it happening anytime soon. My old trusty steed will do just fine for what I have planned.
I was told by a track manager that, "Todd, if you get your times down, I will bump you to expert. You know that right? I don't see you with a yellow plate long." Well, if that holds true, and I'm at that level again, I guess I'll bump. Funny how before bumping up was all I thought about, now it sounds disappointing. The difference this time will be, I won't be pushing myself to make every pass, or out to out-break everyone. If it happens, great. It's going to be about going out, having fun, and having new stories to tell. That simple.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Live in the South, and still wear a leather jacket?
Owning a store located on the surface of the Sun, we figure out real quick what works in the heat. Leather isn't one of them.
I've heard it a thousand times. "I really want this leather jacket, is it perforated? I don't want to get hot during my rides." I can do nothing short of chuckle out loud. I can't count how many times I've spoke with customers who have visited other stores, have been told that Cordura and leather work great in the summer, as long as they're vented. I lecture every day that you can have 50 vents on either of these jackets, and you'll still cook above 90 degrees. Simply, these two materials should be your last choice.
Leather retains heat. I've gone out on test rides, cooked, and then tossed the jacket on the couch after returning home. 30 minutes later the jacket is still warm to the touch. Leather soaks up and retains heat. It's that simple, and 100 vents or perforation isn't going to fix that.
Cordura is a tight weave cloth, and allows zero air to pass through. Yes, you can add vents, but look at the next Cordura jacket you see. Most of the time the vents are designed to keep out the wet, and use Velcro to make this happen. Often, what vents are there will close by themselves, and now you have zero ventilation. It's like pulling on a trash bag. It's also why most of the winter jackets are made out of Cordura.
Mesh jackets are the only way to go. Many have an inner rain liner that you can remove. Others have both a rain liner and the thermal liner to keep the cold at bay. Here in AZ you simply have a jacket that works year round. I've actually ridden with my mesh jacket, with the liners installed, all the way down to the high 20's. In the summer the whole jacket is a vent.
The one question I get more than any other is, "I've heard that the mesh will melt in a crash if you drag long enough." Look, if you start melting a mesh jacket, that's your last worry. You have greater issues to deal with...LOL Yes, mesh, Cordura, and even leather will grind through if you slid on one spot long enough. The jackets seams are what to focus on. The seam is what will fail first, which if happens, will expose your skin to the concrete. I've seen too many mesh jackets to count after they've been crashed. The mesh is damaged, but didn't cause injury. Simply, they are safe.
In a nutshell, if you ride in the heat you owe it to yourself to purchase a mesh jacket. You'll thank me for it later.
I've heard it a thousand times. "I really want this leather jacket, is it perforated? I don't want to get hot during my rides." I can do nothing short of chuckle out loud. I can't count how many times I've spoke with customers who have visited other stores, have been told that Cordura and leather work great in the summer, as long as they're vented. I lecture every day that you can have 50 vents on either of these jackets, and you'll still cook above 90 degrees. Simply, these two materials should be your last choice.
Leather retains heat. I've gone out on test rides, cooked, and then tossed the jacket on the couch after returning home. 30 minutes later the jacket is still warm to the touch. Leather soaks up and retains heat. It's that simple, and 100 vents or perforation isn't going to fix that.
Cordura is a tight weave cloth, and allows zero air to pass through. Yes, you can add vents, but look at the next Cordura jacket you see. Most of the time the vents are designed to keep out the wet, and use Velcro to make this happen. Often, what vents are there will close by themselves, and now you have zero ventilation. It's like pulling on a trash bag. It's also why most of the winter jackets are made out of Cordura.
Mesh jackets are the only way to go. Many have an inner rain liner that you can remove. Others have both a rain liner and the thermal liner to keep the cold at bay. Here in AZ you simply have a jacket that works year round. I've actually ridden with my mesh jacket, with the liners installed, all the way down to the high 20's. In the summer the whole jacket is a vent.
The one question I get more than any other is, "I've heard that the mesh will melt in a crash if you drag long enough." Look, if you start melting a mesh jacket, that's your last worry. You have greater issues to deal with...LOL Yes, mesh, Cordura, and even leather will grind through if you slid on one spot long enough. The jackets seams are what to focus on. The seam is what will fail first, which if happens, will expose your skin to the concrete. I've seen too many mesh jackets to count after they've been crashed. The mesh is damaged, but didn't cause injury. Simply, they are safe.
In a nutshell, if you ride in the heat you owe it to yourself to purchase a mesh jacket. You'll thank me for it later.
2008, what a mess...
I've been around since the late 1990's, and I've never seen anything like 2008 when it comes to product. Or should I say, lack of product so late in the year. Nothing is more frustrating, and time consuming as try to get product that doesn't exist.
Now why this is happen appears to the great mystery of the century, and not just one company is involved. I've seen it from Bell, all the way down to HJC, AGV, Tourmaster and Cortech. How can a company advertise a 08 product in November of 07 and still not have it in June?
Some say it's the weak dollar. US companies are holding off their purchases hoping the dollar gets stronger, and thus they pay less. Others say it's nothing more than strong demand because of the high gas prices. More people are riding, more product is being sold, and less is available.
Regardless of what's going on, or the excuses behind the issue, it equals a HUGE pain for everyone involved, right down to the customers. All I can hope is that those in charge make some good choices and make things happen. If not, you'll see Dealers like myself start looking harder at product that we can actually sell. If I was a young company looking to break into the market, this looks like a gift. Let's see if they take advantage of it.
Now why this is happen appears to the great mystery of the century, and not just one company is involved. I've seen it from Bell, all the way down to HJC, AGV, Tourmaster and Cortech. How can a company advertise a 08 product in November of 07 and still not have it in June?
Some say it's the weak dollar. US companies are holding off their purchases hoping the dollar gets stronger, and thus they pay less. Others say it's nothing more than strong demand because of the high gas prices. More people are riding, more product is being sold, and less is available.
Regardless of what's going on, or the excuses behind the issue, it equals a HUGE pain for everyone involved, right down to the customers. All I can hope is that those in charge make some good choices and make things happen. If not, you'll see Dealers like myself start looking harder at product that we can actually sell. If I was a young company looking to break into the market, this looks like a gift. Let's see if they take advantage of it.
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