track days – Page 2

PeachesMag.com

September 4, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I recently had the privilege to write a post for www.peachesmag.com about my mission for MotoVixens. Palmer Davis, founder of peachesmag.com, was at the last Ducati Bellevue Women’s track event and did this brief video about our day. Peachesmag.com is a sexy site for women by women and their main focus is to empower women in every aspect of their lives. The following is the article I wrote:

A year ago, the idea of racing around a track would have seemed completely absurd and truth be told not even on my radar. Yet, here I am today not only racing in my novice year, but just getting my head around all the details of what it takes to be competitive. My introduction into motorcycling has been fairly current and it started as an escape, doing something that I feared, yet I knew would be empowering should I ever find that “zen” place so many motorcyclists speak of. There was something mysterious and intriguing about that and I started my journey only to seek that place of peace. Motorcycling was my escape from hardships I was facing, personal struggles that required and sucked every ounce of energy I had, it was the one place I could be that required full focus and concentration and forced me to leave all that “stuff” behind and be in the moment. Motorcycling helped me reconnect with myself and allowed me to see things differently, with more clarity and patience, it made me a better in every way.

I started with taking an MSF course, which I strongly suggest to anyone who wants to learn to ride, this will give you the “basics” of riding. However, those basics will only get you so far and won’t prepare you for the road conditions you face on a daily basis. I also encountered difficulty in finding gear and spent a great deal of time surfing the web and buying/exchanging items to find gear that actually fit. There are a few brands that carry gear for women, but they vary drastically depending on your body type and sizing is confusing. Male riders can pop into any shop and try things on, but women don’t have the same luxury since many stores don’t tend to carry much women’s gear, making it a challenge to find gear to try on for sizing purposes. Helmets tend to be easier, but boots and gloves are also an issue as most stores are limited in the sizes and styles they carry. Since I advocate all gear all the time, I bought whatever fit when I first started, but have since found which brands fit me best and tend to stick with those manufacturers. However, sizes do change from year to year, so what fits this year may not necessarily fit the next model year. Being female in a male dominated industry definitely does have its downsides. In my frustration, I decided to start a website for women riders, www.MotoVixens.com in hopes that uniting women riders would allow for us to one day have a larger voice in what we demand from manufacturers, schools, dealerships, etc.

I started the site as an educational resource with links to sites I found particularly helpful and had great success with in terms of gear, linked schools for continuing education and blogs pertaining to riding. I worked with Ducati Bellevue in hopes to open up an avenue for women riders to learn how to ride more competently and with more confidence. Since starting my website, we have been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of the best companies in the Pacific Northwest. Ducati Bellevue welcomed the idea with open arms and has been instrumental in hosting Women’s track schools in conjunction with their track days as well as clinics to educate women about their bikes. 2 Fast Motorcycle Instruction and Track Days has been responsible for the performance school provided by Ducati Bellevue for the Women’s Track Event. WMST is an instructional school that provides MSF, cornering classes, intermediate and advanced motorcycle training and I have since been certified as an On Street instructor (classes for women to be announced next year). In addition to the educational aspect of riding is also the technical and mechanical portion we tend to take for granted. Women riders face a greater range of issues from physical height and weight issues to not fully understanding proper maintenance of a motorcycle. We are only on two wheels, it is even more important for us to make sure those stay in contact with the road. Suspension is key to a secure ride, whether on street or on track. I would suggest that you have your bike setup to you to make your ride not only more comfortable, but safe. There is a resource page on my site that lists various companies that accommodate whatever needs you may have, take a moment to check it out and feel free to call them with your questions and concerns, they are always willing to help you any way they can.

My mission is be a strong voice for women riders, bringing their issues and concerns to those who can make the difference. This is why partnering with Ducati Bellevue and 2 Fast to provide a track school was so important…I hope in bringing events like this to women riders they walk away learning more than they could’ve imagined, sign up with their girlfriends, make new friends, gain confidence and feel empowered. The beauty of this event is that you can sign up as many times as you like and walk away with new knowledge every time. There is so much information being taught you couldn’t possibly digest it all in one day. I continue to learn something new every time I get on my bike, new ways to do things differently and more efficiently…turning, gear selection, positioning, etc. Take the school as often as you like, it can only make you a better rider and what can be better than that?

Why I Advocate Track Training

July 18, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I recently bumped into some individuals who became members on my site and asked why I was purely a track related website…I had to correct them that this site was created to inform and be a resource to all types of riders. I only use the track as a training tool and heavily advocate track training purely because outside of MSF courses and even specialized on street courses, there is no where to really up your confidence at real life speeds. MSF courses are fantastic and teach you safety and maneuvering, but at very low speeds and as all riders know it is not realistic when applying it to everyday situations. It is like getting your graduation certificate and then getting that smack on the ass to say, “Good luck!” Scary as hell when confronted with a situation at speed and have to recall the training you received at say 20 mph. Having the confidence to know you can avoid these situations, corner with confidence and educating yourself (as you would in any endeavor) can only be a benefit to you. That is why I post so many track days and track school events, education and hands on learning are the only ways to improve your riding abilities and to gain the confidence you need to apply to your everyday street riding.

I have teamed up with 2 Fast Track school, Ducati Bellevue, OPRT (where I will be one of their new rider instructors) and WMST to continue my quest to educate and empower women riders. I hope that you take the opportunity MotoVixens tries so hard to provide when we bring these special events to you at discounted prices. Every time you sign up, you show the schools and dealerships you are serious about learning and they will continue to give us the opportunity to provide these events for you. Track days and events are not just for racers, many individuals sign up to hone their skills and new riders sign up to gain the confidence they need to street ride competently. I commend those individuals because they take their riding seriously and quite honestly most who try track days get hooked, they get to go way above speed limits and not worry about getting ticketed as well as not worrying about some car coming at you unexpectedly. If you never have tried a track day, join us (look in the event section) and if you have, I won’t have to twist you arm you already know it is a blast. In August I will be receiving my certification for On Street training and will be able to help you ladies in the future through WMST and possibly through private instruction. I will notify you of the details and hopefully see you out there with me soon. Vixens Ride!

June 10, 2013 Women’s Track Event

June 13, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

I could never have imagined that a simple idea and dream of sharing my love of riding could open an opportunity to bring this love to other women. This idea has blossomed into partnering with Ducati Bellevue, 2-Fast Track Days and Instruction and WMST to bring you events, instruction and clinics geared toward empowering women riders. Monday, June 10th was MotoVixen’s first Women’s Track Event and I couldn’t have asked for better weather, people and track to be on. It was an amazing and exhausting day. Mark DeGross of 2 Fast led the classroom sessions and his instructors (special thanks to Steve-O, Scott, Davey and Jason) took 2-3 gals under their belts to guide them around the track like ducks in a row. It was reminiscent of those ski schools we went on as little kids behind the lead instructor, remember those? I had fun going around the track to break in my new ride to come up on the tail group and watch them, pass and come up on next group and so on. Throughout the day, I watched each gal improve, not only with their skills, but with their confidence as well. I saw the excitement in their eyes and some were so bouncy from it you could tell that they were going to crash on the way home once that adrenaline wore off. Luckily they all heeded my suggestion in having Ducati transport their bikes (which they did for free) and drove to the track so they wouldn’t have to ride home after a long day.

I took some pictures but not nearly enough, however, there were plenty of cameras and videos being taken so I knew we’d be covered. In fact Jason Tanaka took professional pictures (which he says will be linked to his website at www.jasontanaka.com on Friday) and there are some videos that will be posted on youTube in the next week from other track participants. I will try to get as much information as I can and relay it as I get it. If you have pictures or videos you would like to contribute to the site, email it to me (caroltcarpenter@motovixens.com) and I’ll see if we can include a special section on the site to include all of them. The one thing though that the pictures can’t capture are our ear to ear smiles in our helmets, the feeling of accomplishment and the excitement pinging from every fiber of our being. There is nothing like riding on the track, if you haven’t, please try it. Just do it with a reputable company and not an open track day at a track where it is a complete free for all, that is where most crashes happen. We are just so fortunate to have the support of the best companies in the PNW behind us and a curriculum that has been proven to work.

The day was so successful that there will be an announcement on Ducati’s website of another Women’s Track Event coming up on September 23, 2013 with a new rider’s clinic on September 19, 2013 to be headed by Mark DeGross and myself. I am looking forward to some returning ladies and many new ladies, spread the word. We will perfect this program for both returning and new ladies, you will not be disappointed, ask any of the gals that attended. If you have comments, concerns or suggestions please leave them here, I want to hear everything from complaints to raves.

Time to Take Your Skills to the Track!

April 4, 2013 By Carol Carpenter

Ahhh…. The smell of race gas, testosterone and ego in the air… bikes sitting perched on their stands, tires snuggled in toasty Chickenhawk warmers… everyone bustling about last minute tire changes and chores in between sips of hot coffee… The race track is a beautiful thing. But for many female riders, the track can seem too daunting and maybe even downright intimidating. After all, have you seen some of the instructors padding around the paddocks? “No thank you, I think I’ll stick to cruising the back roads.”

I cannot begin to express the countless ladies I’ve spoken to at different events that shared this opinion, giving me the same nearly word for word response when asked if they would consider doing a track day. Despite their competent riding abilities, many women feel they won’t “measure up,” or that they will be a hindrance to other riders, and pride gets the best of them. Shiloh Pyne, who has been riding for several years and at one point was even the Vice President of an all female riding club, expressed this same concern, “I’m afraid to hold people up in the corners. I want to be “really good” before I go do a track day. I don’t want to feel like the worst one out there.”

Though understandable, the problem with this line of thinking is that the track is undoubtedly the greatest venue to develop your skills. Whether you are a seasoned motorcyclist or as green as a new filly out to pasture, this is where you want to be. Mark DeGross, owner of 2Fast Trackdays & Instruction, is a huge advocate for teaching riders at every level new principals, thus overcoming barriers and ultimately becoming more confident riders. DeGross says, “The repetitive nature of the track is paramount. By putting in lap after lap, students will quickly learn where the track goes and soon will be working on skills and technique, which will dramatically improve their riding. The intimidation seems to come from thinking they are expected to be fast and thus they put pressure on themselves. It’s my opinion that this perceived pressure keeps them away, when in fact, we preach competence and confidence at our 2Fast schools, not speed. We could care less how fast students go, just as long as they are in control of their machine and running at a pace they can duplicate over and over. Once they can let go of their own speed persecution, the epiphany moment happens and women really start having fun, improving their riding, all the while gleaning skills that will make them safer on the street.”

Many women are also put off by some of the chauvinistic attitudes often found in the paddocks, and rightly so. Who wants to have “that guy” stroll into your pits and arrogantly bless you with his magical advice? Thankfully, as more and more females enter the sport, he’s a thing of the past, passed up by some of the ladies laying down blazing lap records on the competitive level. With that, there are also more smiling, female instructors happy to tow students around, offering a bit of advice, all the while and putting an ear to ear grin on faces.

Often, body mechanics and physical strength can also be a barrier in women shying away from the track. Christi Midlam, of Sportbike Track Girl, explains what she has found working with her female students, “It takes far more physical exertion for a woman than it does a man. For example, I can’t hold up a tall bike whereas a man usually doesn’t have to worry about height. Even if a man is short, his inseam and hips and leg strength make it far easier than for us. But that being said…women are far better learners in this particular sport. Women are much more humble than men. They crash way less often… not because they are slower, but because they weigh consequences and adjust behavior accordingly.”

If you’re anything like I was, the track brought on butterflies of great magnitude doing circus flips in my stomach and regardless of my capabilities or recent years riding on the street, a feeling that I had to make my pit mates proud. Ultimately, my competitive nature prevailed in this area, and after six track days I decided to get my novice race license with Oregon Motorcycle Road Racing Association. I cannot begin to illustrate the adventure that has been, or the invaluable skills I have been taught since. Shortly after I graduated to expert, I began instructing for a number of track day companies and I am always more than happy to answer questions, tow students around or help facilitate involvement.

Now racing might seem a little extreme and may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the collective idea here is one of encouragement. Ladies, put down that article about Adam Levine, grab your helmet and sign up for a track day with your local provider. (You can find links to recommended organizations here.) Vixens, you’ll be glad you did!