Looking back at my time with NESBA since 10/2006, I've learned a lot about this passion of ours. I've also learned a lot about myself, my friends, my abilities & limits. I say this to say that being "bumped" to "A", has been a rewarding experience for me. All of the help & information I received from the CR's, some of my friend's mainly Rude (Rasta) & Ant, my brother Austin has put me in the NESBA Advanced group. To some, that may not mean much for whatever their reasons are. To me, it means a lot because it shows ME that I applied that given information to my abilities & exceeded my self imposed limits while having some of the best if not THE best fun in my life around some great people that share this passion.
A few years earlier, Rasta told me after his first couple of days in A that it was like being in the B group again. I partly understood what he meant but, it took my first full day to truly understand & see for myself what he was talking about. For me, My first day was like being placed in the "B+" group. This is by no means a slap to or at my fellow NESBA members that ride in B. It is purely for me the best way to describe the brand new learning curve I have experienced so far. Let me elaborate......
In these very early days of riding in "A", I've been privy to see some very fast riders pass me as if I weren't even moving while trying to maintain a consistent pace, hold my lines & be as predictable as possible all while relaxing, absorbing information & having fun. Trying my best too not get caught up like a spectator as I get buzzed on the inside of turn 1, the entry to the chicane, & any of the other turns I was slapped around in, I found myself becoming more & more relaxed. The very first session, right out of the gate it was ON! Not for me....lol, the fast ones. I found myself doing my usual slow laps, getting my head wrapped around this new environment. I was also pumped because I was riding with 3 of my boys (Rasta, Rick211 & Ant) & added a new friend Allen. This to put it into perspective was a very good feeling. I've been riding with Rick for a couple of years in "I" but, I haven't ridden with Rasta or Ant for a few years now. This was the start of a brand new day of "school" so to speak. I saw that there are so many different lines to take, differing paces, saw that some riders brake hard & early while others wait to the last possible minute & brake hard & trail brake through the apex then hard on the gas. There was one rider in particular #511 big guy, red suit that stuck out in my mind. He FLEW past me as I was setting up my entry to turn 1 & next thing I know, he finally hits the brakes, turns & is gone. He then looks back at me approaching turn 2 & disappears into the chicane (I have it on video...lol):haha: *youtube user*: beeblewbyu
I did make some nice passes during the day, even some in the first session. Passed in places I've never passed before like between turns 1 & 2, on the inside of the left after the hill (some say turn 5 & a few others. I learned even more on how to setup a few riders on bigger bikes than I (07 R6) & was able to pass some in turns & one on the exit of the last turn under the bridge on the drive & was able to keep the rider behind me. These are some the things I've learned in my progression from B to A but, now it's at a faster pace. Everyone is fast now. While off the track, my friends & I discussed how I felt, how I looked & what I should work on. Having them with me on the track at the same time is a big help & learning tool. They've been in "A" for a couple of years like I said & have some valuable info to share.
Overall, I had a lot of fun, learned a lot & can't wait to get back out there to work on some of the things we spoke of. I hope there's something in this post that can help someone in some way. I just wanted to express how my first day was & how the learning never stops.
Ride safely all
A few years earlier, Rasta told me after his first couple of days in A that it was like being in the B group again. I partly understood what he meant but, it took my first full day to truly understand & see for myself what he was talking about. For me, My first day was like being placed in the "B+" group. This is by no means a slap to or at my fellow NESBA members that ride in B. It is purely for me the best way to describe the brand new learning curve I have experienced so far. Let me elaborate......
In these very early days of riding in "A", I've been privy to see some very fast riders pass me as if I weren't even moving while trying to maintain a consistent pace, hold my lines & be as predictable as possible all while relaxing, absorbing information & having fun. Trying my best too not get caught up like a spectator as I get buzzed on the inside of turn 1, the entry to the chicane, & any of the other turns I was slapped around in, I found myself becoming more & more relaxed. The very first session, right out of the gate it was ON! Not for me....lol, the fast ones. I found myself doing my usual slow laps, getting my head wrapped around this new environment. I was also pumped because I was riding with 3 of my boys (Rasta, Rick211 & Ant) & added a new friend Allen. This to put it into perspective was a very good feeling. I've been riding with Rick for a couple of years in "I" but, I haven't ridden with Rasta or Ant for a few years now. This was the start of a brand new day of "school" so to speak. I saw that there are so many different lines to take, differing paces, saw that some riders brake hard & early while others wait to the last possible minute & brake hard & trail brake through the apex then hard on the gas. There was one rider in particular #511 big guy, red suit that stuck out in my mind. He FLEW past me as I was setting up my entry to turn 1 & next thing I know, he finally hits the brakes, turns & is gone. He then looks back at me approaching turn 2 & disappears into the chicane (I have it on video...lol):haha: *youtube user*: beeblewbyu
I did make some nice passes during the day, even some in the first session. Passed in places I've never passed before like between turns 1 & 2, on the inside of the left after the hill (some say turn 5 & a few others. I learned even more on how to setup a few riders on bigger bikes than I (07 R6) & was able to pass some in turns & one on the exit of the last turn under the bridge on the drive & was able to keep the rider behind me. These are some the things I've learned in my progression from B to A but, now it's at a faster pace. Everyone is fast now. While off the track, my friends & I discussed how I felt, how I looked & what I should work on. Having them with me on the track at the same time is a big help & learning tool. They've been in "A" for a couple of years like I said & have some valuable info to share.
Overall, I had a lot of fun, learned a lot & can't wait to get back out there to work on some of the things we spoke of. I hope there's something in this post that can help someone in some way. I just wanted to express how my first day was & how the learning never stops.
Ride safely all