Author Archives: Big Kahuna

99 in the shade

99 in the shade
Some photos from an awesome day at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Thanks to CaliPhotography for doing their absolute best to make me look fast. 🙂

Thanks to Alan Bryant for following me on occasion and letting me know what changes I could make to better my cornering. It was so helpful to get advice from a friend I truly trust and rider who continues to amaze me.

It was good to get back on the track and try to put to rest the demons I found here the last time. I was finally able to get some laps on the new bike and become more accustom to its grace and precision. This thing is truly built for the track and dissimilar to the street bike I previously brought to the track. I felt stronger and stronger every time I went out and I could feel my heart pounding with excitement after each session.

99 in the shade

My new Janman leathers were awesome. It was so nice riding for the first time in leathers that were made just for me. They matched the bike perfectly and I may have been the best looking slow guy out there. 🙂

Oh, but did I mention the heat? It was hot, but that wasn’t going to stop our fun. Although at track speeds the heat was fine, the time in between sessions is when I really felt the sheer force of the blazing temperature. We rode well into the afternoon but decided to call it quits when it was just too hot to enjoy the rest of the day.

Thanks to Let’s Ride Trackdays for putting on another great event. Always a pleasure to ride with this group and I look forward to many more days to come.

99 in the shade99 in the shade99 in the shade99 in the shade

Janman Shop
http://www.janmanshop.com

CaliPhotography
http://www.caliphotography.com

Let’s Ride Track Days
https://www.letsridetrackdays.com

Buttonwillow Raceway Park
http://buttonwillowraceway.com

#AttackPerformance #Bazzaz #Brembo #Dunlop #Carrozzeria #FPRacing #Galfer #JanmanShop #MaximaRacingOils #Öhlins #RaceTech #Shorai #Yoshimura #Yoyodyne

Friendship Ride August 5, 2017

Friendship Ride August 5, 2017

It was a pretty small group this year, the usual suspects, some new riders and some friends I haven’t rode with in a long time. It was good to lead a small pack for a change as it seems I do get a little more stressed when I need to keep a large group together. It was nice to run our own pace and not worry too much about the schedule.

Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park seems to be everyone’s favorite place to finish the ride. Cool shade and a steady breeze kept us all pretty comfortable after our day. As usual, Becca from One Sweet Table had all the goods ready for eatin’. The BBQ pulled pork and chili beans, dogs, salads and fresh watermelon never disappoint. We were talking about maybe changing it up a bit next year, but you’ll just have to wait and see.  ðŸ™‚

It’s not the number of riders that makes this ride so special to me, it’s spending time with friends, family and meeting new riders that share the same love for our awesome mountain roads.  Thank you all so much for sharing this with me.

Until next year my friends, ride safe.

Friendship Ride
http://friendshipride.com

Biker Friendly
http://bikerfriend.org

Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park
http://www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org

Man down.. but still a fun day at the track

Man down.. but still a fun day at the track

It was great to finally get Juicy out on the track. Unfortunately during the second session I missed a corner and dumped it in the dirt. The bike has a few scratches but nothing broken. I did bump my head so they wouldn’t let me back out on the track, but I understand.

Man down.. but still a fun day at the trackMan down.. but still a fun day at the trackMan down.. but still a fun day at the trackMan down.. but still a fun day at the track

I was really starting to enjoy the bike and look forward to getting back out there a soon as I can. Thanks to Let’s Ride for putting on another great day. I’m sorry for the delay I caused the other riders. I’ve found that after riding Buttonwillow a few times now, the counter clockwise Off Ramp A-Section corner just did not jive with me. I think I’ll stick to clockwise for a while until I’m a little more familiar with the new bike.

Man down.. but still a fun day at the trackMan down.. but still a fun day at the trackMan down.. but still a fun day at the trackMan down.. but still a fun day at the track

Despite the riding ending early for me, it was a great weekend shared with friends and family. Thanks to everyone for being so supportive and those that helped me get the bike ready for its first track day.

Let’s Ride Track Days
https://www.letsridetrackdays.com

Buttonwillow Raceway Park
http://buttonwillowraceway.com

#AttackPerformance #Bazzaz #Brembo #Dunlop #Carrozzeria #FPRacing #Galfer #MaximaRacingOils #Öhlins #RaceTech #Shorai #Yoshimura #Yoyodyne

Sunny day

Sunny Day
Ah… the bikes are enjoying the sunshine during National Clean & Organize Your Garage Day! Got everything sorted out and the bikes are happily all situated in their new spots. Tomorrow, I’m hoping get them all washed up and ready or the season. Anxious to spend more time riding both on the street and the track this year.

Who’s with me?

Track day anyone?

Track day anyone?

Well, Ol’ Yeller is officially retired.  Just added a new bike to the stable, a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R750.  This thing is set up for the track, with more gadgets and gizmos that I know what to do with.  It’s light, fast and is going to take a while to get used to but I can’t wait to get this thing out on the track and see what we can do together.

Track day anyone? Track day anyone?

#AttackPerformance #Bazzaz #Brembo #Dunlop #Carrozzeria #FPRacing #Galfer #MaximaRacingOils #Öhlins #RaceTech #Shorai #Yoshimura #Yoyodyne

Ol’ Yeller’s last stand?

Ol' Yeller's last stand?

Wow, what a great day. Temps were HOT, but on the track everything was cool. I had a little hiccup after the first session as I noticed my back tire was going flat. Took the bike over to Jason at Dunlop Race Tire Services but unfortunately he didn’t have a tire to fit my aging 18 year old bike. While I was contemplating my options of calling it a day, or making the drive to Bakersfield to pick up a new tire and try to salvage the rest of the day, Jason came through and somehow found a replacement tire for Ol’ Yeller. It was even the same make and model tire that had gone flat. Thankfully, the rest of the day went smoothly and without any more drama and it was fun enjoying the track with good friends and family. Thank you Jason, you really saved the day!

Dave Moss had Ol’ Yeller dialed in and after a few sessions had me glued to the track. If you haven’t use his service at the track, I highly suggest spending the $40 full a full day of adjustments. Dave has incredible knowledge and won’t make you feel like an idiot when you ask him stupid questions. 🙂

I’m thinking I may have to retire Ol’ Yeller from future track days as I think maybe it’s time to bring out a more modern bike even though the Repsol is over 11 years old. 🙂

Let’s Ride Track Days runs a great event and I’m looking forward to our next track day together.

Ol' Yeller's last stand?Ol' Yeller's last stand?

Dunlop Race Tire Services
http://dunlopracing.com

Dave Moss Tuning
http://feelthetrack.com

Let’s Ride Track Days
http://www.letsridetrackdays.com

Buttonwillow Raceway Park
http://buttonwillowraceway.com

#Dunlop #FPRacingUSA #RaceTech #PenskeRacingShocks #GalferUSA #BridgestoneTires #DrivenRacing #D.I.D.MotorcycleChains #Vortex #MicronExhaust #MaximaRacingOils #TripageLED

Back to the track!

Back to the track!
I can’t believe it’s been nearly eight months since my last track day. Can’t wait to get out there again and take some corners with some good friends. Ol’ Yeller is ready and willing and I’m looking forward to getting the old dog back on the track.

Let’s Ride Track Days
https://www.letsridetrackdays.com

Buttonwillow Raceway Park
http://buttonwillowraceway.com

#FPRacingUSA #RaceTech #PenskeRacingShocks #GalferUSA #BridgestoneTires #DrivenRacing #D.I.D.MotorcycleChains #Vortex #MicronExhaust #MaximaRacingOils #TripageLED

Friendship Ride 2016

Friendship Ride 2016
What a great day. Took another trip with an awesome group of riders this year. A bit smaller than what we are used to, but all good friends having a great time enjoying our awesome mountain roads. Wildfire smoke was at its lowest in years, traffic was smooth and flowing and the temperature was nearly perfect.

We ended the ride again this year at the Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park where Ian and Becca had ready some tasty BBQ pulled pork and chili beans. Michele and Skip got there early to set everything up and Michele also provided some awesome side dishes. Thanks to Elaine for providing the delicious chocolate chip cookies again this year, such a treat after a big ride and a big meal.

This ride never disappoints. What a great venue for spending the day with friends and family. Looking forward to years to come, riding with friends and remembering those that have left us too soon. Thank you to all those that have stood by me all these years. I could not do this without your help, you are truly appreciated.

Until next year my friends, ride safe.

Friendship Ride
http://friendshipride.com

Biker Friendly
http://bikerfriend.org

Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park
http://www.fresnoflatsmuseum.org

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