Do you ride to the track?
Discussion
Recently got back in to riding.
Looking to do a few trackdays, however I don't have a car that I can fit a tow bar on to currently and I don't have room for a van.
I've always trailered bikes in the past but that's not possible at the moment.
Does anyone ride to the track? I would be doing Oulton to start with which is only 40 minutes away.
Thanks.
Looking to do a few trackdays, however I don't have a car that I can fit a tow bar on to currently and I don't have room for a van.
I've always trailered bikes in the past but that's not possible at the moment.
Does anyone ride to the track? I would be doing Oulton to start with which is only 40 minutes away.
Thanks.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
I do (I rode to a trackday in France). Does mean you have to forego warmers and a camping chair.
The big danger is of course how you get home if it goes wrong.
I worked as a trackday marshal at Snetterton years ago for a while when between jobs.The big danger is of course how you get home if it goes wrong.
A fella came off going round Riches (the fast first corner) and when we were digging his GSXR750 out of the ploughed field on the outside and avoiding the oil pouring out of it as we tried to drag it out I asked the German rider where his van was parked. Yep, he responded with he'd ridden over on the bike so he had no idea how he was getting home!
I will probably start riding to the track again once my current car is sold. I think just ride within your limits and hope for the best. If you come off you will just have to rent a van and go back to pick it up another day I guess, and phone a friend / misses to get you a lift home on the day.
I notice the paddock does get quite a few rental vans so that could be a good option for roughly £80 for 2 days rental
I notice the paddock does get quite a few rental vans so that could be a good option for roughly £80 for 2 days rental
I used to ride to track, tended to take a few phone numbers for bike recovery services incase I couldn’t ride home. If the worst did happen then could always ask around a few garages to see if anyone with a van is going your way, folk are usually pretty helpful! (As you can see from last few replies!)
Krikkit said:
Not a long-term solution, but if you're at Oulton and come unstuck drop me a line - I'm only about 20-30mins away.
jackh707 said:
I echo this, I’m 10 minutes away
Very kind of both of you. Thank you!Another reason why I wanted to get back in to riding, it’s like a community.
I’m going to ride to the first one and take it easy. As I get quicker I’ll start to look in to other solutions. Also if anyone has any days at Oulton booked in, please let me know, I’ll be in the novice class once again but would be great to meet some fellow riders.
Edited by samjlevy on Tuesday 28th June 20:52
I've ridden to and from the track on each of the trackdays I've done. I don't go often and I just wobble around in the slow group so I figure it isn't worth me renting a van, etc. I am consious that I need to ride home when I'm out there so I guess it does make me a little more careful but it's not an issue for me. Having said that I did have the perfect combination of too much adrenaline and testosterone mixed with not enough talent at Rockingham once and managed to put the bike in the travel. I needed to not only ride home but also to work the next day so I was cursing my stupidity but luckily the bike was still rideable so managed to get going again (and to work). If and when I go back to the track, I'll still ride there and back.
I did for my first 2 trackdays. But the question indeed became : "what happens if I crash?".
Saw it live during my first trackday of this year. Young bloke, first ever trackday, "enthousiastic", went off in a fast right hander during the 3rd session, bike = scrap...
Luckily the organisers agreed to take the bike with them to their storage facility and he caught a lift home. But it still isn't a situation I want to find myself in.
Saw it live during my first trackday of this year. Young bloke, first ever trackday, "enthousiastic", went off in a fast right hander during the 3rd session, bike = scrap...
Luckily the organisers agreed to take the bike with them to their storage facility and he caught a lift home. But it still isn't a situation I want to find myself in.
When I was doing trackdays I used to ride there and back. I did all the local circuits but finally drew the line at a 2 hour ride each way - was a very early start and I was absolutely knackered getting home. Renting a van was too expensive and I didn't have (or want) a trailer
Haven't done one for a while now though
Haven't done one for a while now though
I rode to the first few days but then ended up renting bikes. Although upfront is seems pricey compared to using your own bike you aren’t incurring any wear and tear nor risk seeing it wrecked. If you are only doing a few track days a year easier and possibly cheaper than having to have a trailer, track bike, etc.
Another risk I found of riding back is that it is difficult not to ride too quickly as you’ve just been riding much faster than normal.
Another risk I found of riding back is that it is difficult not to ride too quickly as you’ve just been riding much faster than normal.
Skeptisk said:
Another risk I found of riding back is that it is difficult not to ride too quickly as you’ve just been riding much faster than normal.
A mate of mine who is quite a handy rider had a big crash on the road going to get fuel during a track day. Quite easy to still be in the track groove without fully recognising it.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff