Friday, November 21, 2008

Of Bikes, Race Tracks, Speed, and Longevity

Twenty-nine years on Nov. 17; That's how long ago my spouse and I were married. I would have to venture that I am one lucky SOB to have found someone who would put up with my moody ass for this long. My wife is one of the best people I know and she accepts my shortcomings with such grace. She is what defines who I am. God I love her.

As a testament to how generous and accommodating this woman is, she gave me the opportunity to spend a day racing my motorcycle at Infineon Raceway on our Anniversary! Not only that, she also put up with traveling almost 2000 in the company of 2 of my crude riding buddies (love you dopes!). My son and his lovely bride also accompanied us on the trip and my son joined me on the track.

The Bike:

is the Buell 1125R. The only real American made sportbike. A full 145 horse power Superbike capable of racing, in stock form, against the best bikes in the world. The first non-Harley and water cooled engine used by Buell. A wicked, fast machine!















The Track:

Infineon Raceway in Sanoma California at the south end of Napa Valley and just north of San Francisco. This is a very technical track with lots of elevation changes and tight, blind corners.

To say we had a good time would be a complete understatement. The weather was beautiful, the track was clean, the event was very well organized, and I didn't crash!

The track was set up with a tightening of turn 1 to keep speeds down just a tad so the track run was something like this:

Turn 1 set up as a sharp right-hander then a hard acceleration uphill into a blind right-hander that you start your turn before even seeing it. You are also cresting a hill so your tires are a little unweighted so you have to be gentle with your braking. Out of turn 2 accelerate hard into turns 3 and 3A, a fast left-right chicane where knee dragging is easy. Hard acceleration and then hard braking at turn 4, a hard right-hander. This corner was giving me trouble the whole day, I kept entering way to slow which led to a bad line. Accelerate hard out of turn 4 through a very fast turn 5, up hill into turn 6 'the carousel'.

Turns that have a name always have a bit of fame attached to them. They are either dangerous, technical, fast, fun, or all of the above. The Carousel is a hard downhill left-hander that is taken at very high speeds with an extremely wide exit. It is a great place to pass but it is also a little unnerving to be doing nearly 100mph leaned over so far that your knee is almost scraping the pavement. I loved that turn!

Accelerate very hard coming out of turn 6 up to turn 7. Turn 7 is a double apex corner that can be taken as a single radius or, a little faster, 2 hard radius turn. I always came into this one a bit hot and had to work hard late braking. the curves making up turns 8 and 8A are mostly straightened out apex to apex and are very fast. Out of 8A you accelerate hard and the track drops leaving you with the front wheel off the ground accelerating at over 100mph. You brake hard coming into the chicane at 9A causing the back end of the bike to fishtail like mad! Lay the bike over hard right and flop over to a hard left. This is a really fun chicane that if properly executed you can carry pretty good speed through it.

Then it is hard on the throttle through turn 10 and, once again hard on the brakes for the hairpin right-hander at turn 11. Turn 12 is taken on hard acceleration and as you shift up through the gears in the front straight you are generally wheelying as you pass the grandstands. Then you're hard on the brakes again to come into turn 1 and do it all over again..... but faster!

At the start:


Coming into turn 3:



The Carousel:



My lovely wife here to watch ME have a good time:


Coming out of turn 9A, the chicane:


Accelerating in turn 10:



A happy kid:


A fried tire:


Yep, a good time was had!
Cheers!
Ron

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Casa Edmonds Part Deux!

OK, here we go again…..

Construction continues. We went from nothing but concrete foundations and walls in my last post to actual wood walls and floors being erected.

First they add some floors:


And you can actually see a garage taking form!


This will be our new dining room.... someday.


Next, they add some walls:


Then, they add some more walls:


And then, some more walls:


And, Wow! This thing is beginning to look like a house!


The peeled log beams in this picture are going to look nice in the entry!


I doubt I'll ever get bored of this view - from my future living room:



I think I'm actually beginning to accept that this thing is really going to be built. I am also finally beginning to actually get excited about making this place my home. It has been such a long process and on so many occasions I really thought we would never be able to see the project through fruition. To see this home take shape and to be able to stand in what will soon be actual rooms really brings it all to life. About 7 more months from now I'll actually be having dinner in this room:


Until next time,

Cheers!


Ron

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Decision Has Been Made!

President Elect Barack Obama.....

Wow!

Stop and reflect for just a moment on the significance. This truely feels like a handoff of power from the older generation to the youth of America. I am hopeful and confident that they are up to the task presented to them in these historical times.

"a new dawn of American leadership is at hand."

"America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much
more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to
see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann
Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our
time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our
kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the
American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are
one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and
doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless
creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can."

Yep, change is good.

Can we get back to work now?

Cheers!

Cap'n

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

VOTE TODAY!!!

Today is the day.

Everyone needs to get out and vote. This is your opportunity to make a difference and have your voice heard. Make sure that you and everyone you know takes part in this historical election. Be a part of it. Be proud to tell everyone around you that you voted.


Never before have we seen the opportunities that are presented to us today in the choices for President. No matter who you choose, now is a time for change. A time for the leaders of our nation to represent US. Let them know how we feel.

Change is good.....

Cheers!

Cap'n