Getting Softer

After the new snow of the last 36 hours I had high expectations for today's session. And while it was much, much softer than it has been, I'd still classify the surface as firm. However, given the rather difficult start to the 2011-12 season we're experiencing, I'd still rate today as the best so far.

I was riding new boots (Garmont Delirium), skis (Volkl Bridge in 187), bindings (Marker Jester), and insoles (custom made by Black Diamond). My takeaway from the 2 hours I rode today: My new boots are stiff! We're talking a 130 flex rating compared to my old boots which were 80. My nice, cushy, comfortable backseat is gone. When I'm aggressive and charging the new boots are awesome. However, when my legs are burning and I start to ease up I quickly discover there's nowhere to relax. Long term I think this will be a good thing, but I'm beginning to realize that the next few weeks are going to hurt as my legs adjust to being on the throttle full time.

Sunny Day

Cruised around with the kids for a couple of hours today. I was a bit worried about conditions, but ended up being pleasantly surprised. There were patches of ice here and there, and some sections of trail are getting quite thin, but overall the riding was good. It was Kate's first day this season and her first run was very cautious, which sounds nicer than saying she was skiing extremely slow! However, with each run her confidence grew so that by the end she was skiing very well.

Brrrr!

First Day at Brighton

Alder and I started our 2011-12 ski & snowboard season today at Brighton. We got a late start and rolled into the lot about 10:15 which resulted in a 3rd row parking spot. On a normal Saturday the lot would have been almost full, but given the lack of snow (relatively speaking), and the resulting limited terrain that's open for riding, we are still very much in the pre-season.

I had set my expectations really low, so was pleasantly surprised with the good condition of the groomers. Coverage was good, the surface was firm without being icy, and all of the traditional groomed runs were open off of the Explorer, Majestic, Crest, and Snake Creek lifts so what little traffic there was on the mountain was widely dispersed.

Venturing off the groomed runs quickly revealed how thin the snowpack really is with a multitude of rocks, branches, and vegetation waiting to bite your bases.

One Lap of the Full Track at Miller Motorsports Park

This was filmed during the September 5, 2011 APEX track day at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah.

Turn 1 Crash at Miller Motorsports Park - West Track

In case anybody's curious as to what caused the huge dust cloud on Turn 1 about 12 minutes into the 4th B group session Friday night here's the video of my crash. After watching the video a million times and talking to different people the consensus seems to be that the small rocks and dirt on the outside of the turn caused me to go down when I turned the bike in after running too deep on the brakes. To avoid the crash I should have done one of two things differently:

1. If I had turned into the racing line as usual, albeit carrying a bit more speed (for me), I most likely would have been fine.

2. If I had stayed on the brakes and continued in a straight line, not turning in once I entered the junk, I most likely would have stayed up, even if I ran off the track a little.

I was able to walk away with just minor bumps and bruises. To be safe I went to University Hospital to get checked out after I had a short period of fuzziness in my left eye, and was released with a mild concussion and no restrictions on activity. I could have ridden Saturday had my bike and helmet been up to it, but my left fairing is pretty worked, as are my frame sliders, clutch lever, and footpeg.

I'm going to replace the factory plastic with race plastic (probably Hotbodies as they are running a 2 for 1 special in August) so the bike will be track only going forward.

My leathers need a few patches, and I'll need to buy a new helmet, but overall I think it was a good learning experience.

This was my 4th track day but it won't be my last. Assuming the bike comes together I'll be at the Apex track day on September 5th to check out the full track!

Kinda feeling a mustache after watching this