THE DAY

Three groups will ride five, twenty-minute sessions each. The Women-only Group III will ride three sessions in the morning with the option of joining Groups I or II in the afternoon. They’ll ride in order Group IV, then Group II, then Group I, then Group III. Each group has exactly 20 minutes to get on the track, ride, and get off. There will be about five minutes between each session for stragglers and for the corner workers and volunteers to move around. It’s important to the other riders that when you see the red flag at the end of the session, you get off the course on that lap. We’ll exit the course on the west side, we’ll enter the course at the east side.

Group I: Street Skills - Control

Group II: Street and Track Skills - Speed

Group III: Street Skills - Control (Women-Only)*

Group IV: Racers and Track Junkies (approval required)

*The women-only group was created at the request of women who had participated in Group I. The class size is smaller, the speeds are slower, and the environment is much better for women learning to ride and learning to master their motorcycle.

If you've never done this before or are a newer (less than two years) rider, go with Group I or Group III. If you are an experienced rider or wannabe racer, go with Group II. Riders in Group IV must demonstrate to the organizers that you know what you're doing (preinterview and observation of the first session) otherwise plan on Group II.

We’ll start promptly at 8 a.m., so plan on arriving well before then. You will need to check in and sign your waiver form. Everyone will get a numbered T-shirt to wear over their gear.

MENTORS AVAILABLE: Riders in Group IV and instructors have offered one-on-one coaching and feedback on your riding. If you’d like a mentor, you have to ask ahead of time. Contact Pat at ridesmart <at> gmail <dot> com.

We will provide lunch and there will likely be some refreshments, but it’s not a bad idea to bring your own water or juice or snacks or whatever trips your trigger.

WHAT YOU NEED

You need full protective gear: DOT helmet, eye protection, good gloves, good boots or over-the-ankle shoes, a good motorcycle jacket and good motorcycle pants. Leather or synthetic, we don’t care, but you have to have it. If you don’t have all this gear, you don’t ride. Note: Several members of Minnesota Sportbike group have offered to let participants use their extra riding gear if they need it.

If you need something, either post your own note to the group or contact Pat at phahn <at> mnsbr <dot> com and he’ll contact them for you.

Remember this is a driving course for tractor trailers, and not a racetrack. REPEAT: THIS IS NOT A RACETRACK. There are no soft barriers or hay bales to slow down an out-of-control bike. The runout area is either grass or gravel or fence. STAY IN CONTROL OF YOUR BIKE. Most turns are easily negotiable at 20-40 mph. Some allow speeds up to 60 mph or so, one in particular (Turns 17 and 17A—see the map) is an off-camber, double switchback that requires you to be at about 10 mph!

THE RULES

The rules out there are simple. Stay in control of your bike, practice the drills/techniques outlined by the instructor, allow other riders the space they need to ride safely, and HAVE FUN. Passing will NOT be allowed, except in some instances on the back straight when another rider waves you by or is flagged by a control rider. If you crash, plan on sitting out the rest of the session and possibly the next session.

Rule 1: This is NOT a race track. This is a place to practice your cornering skills without having to worry about sand on the road, oncoming traffic, etc., but it hurts just as much when you wipe out. STAY IN CONTROL OF YOUR BIKE. If you look like you’re getting squirrely out there, we’ll pull you off the track. We want ZERO crashes.

Rule 2: No passing is allowed without permission. If the rider in front of you slows down and holds up their left hand, they are giving you permission to pass them. Control riders will do this often so they can follow you and watch you ride. We’ll have riders of all levels of experience out there. Don’t be offended if you need to let others pass. It will take us a couple sessions before it gets sorted out and we get into a rhythm where passing is few and far between. Pay attention to who you usually follow and who usually follows you. That will make it easier to line up for the beginning of each session.

Rule 3: If you feel like you’re holding someone up, it is SAFE and COURTEOUS to move over to the right, hold up your left hand, and slow down. After turn 8, when you reach the long straight, take a quick look at your mirrors and allow people to pass.

Rule 4: Enter the track from the east end. Exit from the west end. WELL before you exit the track, hold your left arm out straight and gradually move over to the left.

THE FLAGS

Green Flag: Course is open. We’ll send you out about 5 seconds apart so you can get spaced out. Each session will last 20 minutes.

Yellow Flag: A problem NEAR the track. Waving Yellow Flag: A problem ON the track. Use caution and slow down until you’re past the hazard.

Red Flag: A hazardous situation on the track. Slow down and use caution until you’re past the hazard, and get off the track on that lap, the session is over.

Black Flag: There’s a problem with your bike, probably mechanical, but potentially dangerous. If we point or wave this flag at YOU, hold up your left hand, slow down, check behind you, and move to the LEFT side of the track. Exit the track on that lap.

Blue/Yellow Flag: Rain developing or a slippery substance on the track. Use caution until you know where and what it is.

Checkered Flag: Session is over, exit the track on that lap.

OTHER NOTES

There are more than 20 people working on any given day who have volunteered a lot of time and energy to help you ride safer and better. Please take time out to meet them and thank them. You meet the nicest people here! Ask the volunteers for feedback on your riding.

We’ll also appreciate 8 or so of you to work corners after the last session of the day so the volunteers can go ride a little.

The water coolers are there for everybody—USE THEM. Don’t get dehydrated! Drink plenty of water. Lunch arrives about 11, eat anytime you want.

If you have any questions about anything discussed here—concepts, terms, etc., please post your question to Minnesota Sportbike—it will generate some great discussion.

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