The past weekend was spent at Streetmasters Cornering Workshop on one of the best weekends that it could have been held. The sun glowed, the wind kept at bay and the Horse Thief Mile offered up a perfect riding surface. This was my second year at Streetmasters, but after two months of rainy winter weather, the class seemed like a wonderful way to polish up my skills and get me ready for the new riding season. Honing your skills will not only keep you alive on some tough roadways, but will also help you to relax and enjoy your riding season.
I took the “strange” way to Lancaster, CA from Sacramento and ended up lost somewhere east of Merced–not exactly lost, as I have a GPS, but let’s just say confused. The point was to get in some twisty riding since I had spent the last two months doing zero riding due to the torrential rains we were getting in Sacramento. Well, I did accomplish that, as well as make for a long day in the saddle. Once I got to the motel, it was time to join my fellow student riders for dinner. We gathered, ate, had a beer and spent hours bragging about our bikes and great roads.
Blues skies on this anonymous back road heading south.
My fellow riders and the red shirted Dennis on the right, one of our wonderful instructors.
The instructors in their red Streetmasters shirts and more students. This was quite a large group, about 31 bikes. Walt, our fearless leader, is third from the left.
Nancy in the foreground, with Phil and one of the invaluable track moms!
It was an enjoyable evening and a fairly early nightcap call. We’d be seeing one another around 6:30 am.
The day begins early with a tech inspection of the bikes, then a sit down with Walt and Nancy, the co-owners of Streetmasters. First, we check in, our names are taped to our helmets so they know exactly who is who while riding. Then they begin to tell us what is ahead, some things to expect and the skills we’ll be concentrating upon. They also talk about dehydration and let us know the track MOMS will be force feeding us liquids. Well, not exactly forced, but “strongly” suggested since they don’t want to see anyone get dehydrated. The course held at Willow Springs Raceway is usually quite hot, windy and very very dry! Plenty of water is a must to keep a cool head and an error free ride.
Most people don’t realize that the number one cause of rider fatality is rider error. It’s often misjudging corners, camber, radius and elevation change, all of which the amazing instructors at Streetmasters will help you to fine tune. I can’t think of a rider out there that wouldn’t benefit from their guidance and counsel, especially since the delivery is often with a smile a good story. Mike, one of the instructors, always had a tale to share, one of which was, that as you critique each student, you should provide them with something they have done well or that is good, even if it’s simply, “Nice shirt”. It got to be the joke of the day as after each exercise he told me, “Nice shirt, Donna”. I knew then that I needed to work a little harder.
After the morning briefing we mounted our inspected steeds and headed for the Horse Thief Mile in groups. The weather was simply outstanding!! Upon arrival, and in our preassigned groups, “A” group hit the track and “B” group worked on slow speed maneuvers and safety strategies. Then we switched after about 2 hours. By 11:30ish it was time for a nice catered lunch and then we again switched for more practice. After all, riding is why we were all there. People were beginning to look a bit tired but all were smiling!
The final of the day is set up on the paddock. Cones are laid out to mark the skills practice and then an instructor demonstrates the route. Of course it’s complicated and I chuckled to myself as I heard the comments around me like, “no way, I can’t do motor cop drills”, or “I stink at this sort of stuff”. All the while I was thinking to myself, that’s exactly why we have been practicing all day. The course provides the skills you need on the road, in the local market parking lot, and when that side road you took becomes dirt, it’s nice to know how to turn around smoothly and safely. I smiled, mounted my bike and rode the course, but not without missing two cones. I’ll keep on practicing and I will get better!
We made it through and received our certificates.
From the paddock we took the last few victory loops around the track, staying under 50mph. This class is about precision, not speed, and the Horse Thief Mile is the perfect place to preform! They let us loop the track, practicing what we spent the day learning and then they signaled us off the track and the day was complete.
I am sunburned, tired and totally satisfied with a great day of riding!
Well, most people would think the story would end here. Not so for me. I spent another night and met some friends for drinks. The following morning we had a great debrief with Walt and Nancy before saying our goodbyes and heading in the direction of our homes. I debated what route I was going to take and ended up deciding on the fastest, easiest and least resistant path, and it’s probably a darned good thing. This last picture shows my final destination home.
Yep, the beautiful Bandit got to ride home on a tow truck. Near Turlock, I stopped at a roadside rest, turned off the bike and that was the last time that day I was to hear its lovely hum. 🙁 Now this is where the beauty of the tale comes in. Another rider on a big black Harley rode in and parked. He stretched and looked around and was about to make a phone call as I approached. I asked if he knew anything about electric systems on newer bikes. He admitted he too was at a loss. He then asked me if I had AAA. Well, I looked into AAA several years ago when I first began riding and the state of CA did not offer AAA towing for motorcycles. So, mine is AMA Motow, which I have used in the past but limits your towing distance. I knew I was right around 100 miles from Sacramento. So, Russell, my newly discovered shining white knight, offered up his card, made the call and waited with me until the bike was towed. It was amazing. Russell, you are why I ride motorcycles, to meet other riders and celebrate the camaraderie of riding. Riders helping riders, like an unwritten code of ethics or a secret handshake. They simply ask if help is needed, then provide!
The Suzuki shop was closed today, but first thing tomorrow I’ll have it towed in. I am guessing it’s something simple, like an electric relay or something in the kickstand relay, but it wasn’t going anywhere for the time being and I knew it. My friend Dave arrives tomorrow for the onset of our great southwest trip. Guess it will be delayed a day or two. But upon departure, I’ll be feeling good about my riding skills once again, thanks to my awesome friends at Streetmasters.