VIR 2006

VIR 2006

Can I do this? Is this a good idea? The nerves started to take over the week before the scheduled departure. I have to take the race school and pass in order to ride the following two days. What is that school going to be like? What on earth made me think I could even do this? Oh yeah, I know, Derek. Derek said that he had confidence that I could. I trust him, but do I trust myself?

After working all day on Thursday, and what a busy, stressful and tiring day that was, I drove directly to Norwood to hook up with my ride. Thankfully we have loaded all the bikes the week before. It’s 5:30 and we hit the road driving straight through the night with only two very quick stops for fuel. We arrive at the gates of VIR just after 5:00 am all of us in desperate need for sleep only to find out that we will not be allowed in until 7:00. Unseasonably cold was that day, I am sure it felt colder to me due to my lack of sleep. I was glad I was not riding that day, too tired, too cold, and still very much too nervous.

Saturday morning arrived much too quickly and I arose to my first peak outside to see rain. De ja’ vue. Last year, same time, same thing, only last year we were lucky and the rain stopped just in time for our first session and we were blessed with a beautiful spring day. Will I be that lucky two years in a row? Rain on the day of the school, not what I wanted to even think about. Short of a few local jaunts over the course of the winter months, I have not been on a bike for what seems an eternity. Unfortunately, we do not head to the track quite as early as I hoped and after stopping for gas we arrive only to hear final call for all students to be in the classroom in full leathers. Gasp…my bike is still two deep in the trailer. I have to pass tech, complete the medical form, check in, change, have my bike, gas, and stand on pit row and be in the classroom….all, right now! Luckily, Jim and Chad took care of me and got all this done while I was in the first classroom session, however, did I even hear anything they said or was I only thinking about if I was to be ready to roll on time? The nerves are shot by this time. Running late, wet track, unprepared bike, and a total lack of confidence is all leading to a feeling in the pit of my stomach that was not to disappear until mid-afternoon. Needless to say, my own mind prevented me from riding anywhere near my ability so my focus changed for the day to only survival. Get through this day and get your certificate and start again, fresh, tomorrow. I did in fact pass the class and was rewarded with a certificate awarded to “James Phair”. While nothing went drastically wrong, nothing was right that day, but I survived.

Sunday morning once again arrived too soon. With coffee as my savior I prepared for yet another day on the South course. Confidence in me was at an all time low. I sucked yesterday and how will I bring myself out of the funk? I sat out the first session, took a few deep breaths and decided today was just about having some fun. My first session out I was stiff and still not feeling myself, still convinced in my head that I did not like this track, and still thinking about how cold it still is today. Too many off camber turns. Before I knew it something clicked. I found the rhythm. Looking through the corners I was struggling with the day before, picking up speed and coming back to the pits with a smile as large as can be. This is why I came 12 hours to this track! I kick myself now, as I think back, why was I unable to have this much fun on the track the day before? It all went to prove, that riding is not just physical but very mental, indeed.

It’s Monday morning, let’s go, let’s go. North Course today!!! I can’t wait. Monday was an incredible day and made the trip all worth while. After two laps with an instructor to re-introduce me to the line he gave the thumbs up and I was off on my own. A day I did not want to end, even though my body was telling my otherwise.

This year, once again, I was impressed by the level of commitment to the riders, the kindness, instruction, attention, patients and positive feedback received from the instructors of Cornerspeed.

So, when can I go back???

Digits

Digits

1 bike...600 cc’s…3 days…1 new tail bag ..9 tanks of gas...950 miles...2 rain storms...2 states...2 ears...3 waterfalls…12 bridges…triple digits, triple the limit…Rte 100, 9 and 2…1st time on the Mohawk Trail…1 pair of new boots, 0 blisters…1 wrong turn, 6 miles of dirt road…1 full daytime moon…1 eagle, 1 otter, 1 flock of geese, 1 cow crossing…12,000 rpm’s…1 sensory overload on 108…countless passes….0 run in’s with the law…miles of mountains on the horizon…1 simply amazing trip…1 very tired Jaynnus…1 Happy Fathers Day, this ones for you…6…19…2005.