Rich Oliver’s Mystery School

I truly didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for this school, but I knew that I had to have another tool in my box and from everyone I knew that took this school, this one was essential to becoming a better rider/racer. Days before I left I was excited, the day before I attended the school I was anxious and unable to sleep, the day it was over…I was banged up, bruised, full of knowledge from a pro (that I will be able to refer to when I need) and man, I slept like a rock!

Coming from only understanding and riding for the street/road, this concept was very foreign and hard to remember at times when we were practicing drills. Dirt riding is all about maneuvering the bike underneath you and slightly offsetting your body to counterbalance the bike. Using your foot as a pivot point and keeping those arms up and out of the way while keeping your body towards the front of your bike and if you needed a little extra traction rolling it back to shift the weight to the rear tire. The transfer of weight wasn’t hard to remember however remembering to keep my elbows up was a challenge and something I will work hard on in the future as dirt bikes will add to my skill set.

I was amazed at how each lesson introduced yet another skill that built on the last, until we were all sliding out bikes in a slalom course at pretty decent pace. By the second day, we were all ready to run the courses set up in various combinations. After a very humbling run on a mud course (imagine riding on glass), we did 5 lap races for the majority of the day, ending up with the main event…a 25 lap race with a prize of a life-size foam cutout which would be mailed to you.

Rich Oliver instructs the school, his wife makes sure you are well fed and comfortable and his kids are the instructors and track supervisors. The school is well thought out and very helpful for the first time dirt rider as well as those with experience. From the viewpoint of the first time rider, it was eye opening and overwhelming at the same time, but if you want to learn proper skills and be ahead of the curve, Rich doesn’t disappoint. If you are a seasoned dirt rider, Rich would be an amazing source of information and give you the added skills necessary to edge out a buddy in your next dirt adventure. This school is geared to teach every level of student, be prepared to learn a lot, fall a lot and have fun. Rich’s idea of learning is a lot of time on the bike with little classroom time and discussion, it truly was an experience that I would repeat again.

I realize this blog is a tad bit late, but us vixens can be excused our little slip ups. I hope everyone had a wonderful new year and that it has gotten off to a great start. Many things have been happening since I’ve last posted including traveling abroad, the redo of my track bike (check out the pictures), getting sponsors for the upcoming season, getting coached for voice overs (and headed into studio for my demo soon), working out the details of my involvement with different track companies (2 Fast, OPRT, Ducati Bellevue and a newbie) and working with the newbie which you will hear about very soon. There is always opportunity knocking and it just requires finding the ones most beneficial to making us successful…look for some changes in the new year and the ability to purchase MotoVixen apparel at track events.

The redo of my track bike has been a bit of a challenge as we found that my subframe was cracked, my front master cylinder was gone, body work was just trashed and the poor thing is in the need of a good service and some tender loving care. My forks and rear shock are in at KFG Racing to get cartridges and a rebuild so we can really push limits and gain some major speed. A new front and rear sprocket with less teeth (I had a stunter sprocket) and a new chain, new rear sets since my last crash literally bent it over forward onto itself and a rebuild on the steering dampener should all make me and my bike way happier this year. I also had the opportunity to sign up for a 2 day class down in Fresno at Rich Oliver’s Mystery School to really learn how to slide a bike the first week in March and am so excited to get dirty and beat up. The knowledge I will gain from that class will give me the confidence to translate that to my racing and my street riding.

For next year’s track days there will be some fun changes which we will divulge when we confirmation, I know you guys/gals will love it! As you can see the event calendar is riddled with copious days to get your adrenaline high, so save that for the track and don’t be a total tool on the street (I didn’t say don’t ride fast so don’t start bombarding me with angry comments). I tend to be a bit heavy on the throttle too so who am I to judge? I do look forward to many more women joining in on track days and if I can count on all of you to spread the word and let me know I can organize a full session (minimum participants will need to be met) just for women of all levels. The boys won’t know what to do and actually it would be a win-win for the track companies since where there are gals, there are tons of boys 😉 just saying! As always, chime in with suggestions I am open to hear and relay them confidentially to the track companies they always want feedback.

As always Vixens, just Ride!