TOUCHDOWN!!!

[The Bacon Junkie]

Well, after months of trying, it finally happened... Wasn't even using my normal line. Maybe that was the key... 
I am a happy man!   [moto]
got my knee down... Get your mind outta the gutter! 

[gm2]

cool 

where were you?

[Speeddog]

The report I got was it was just west of the RockStore.

[The Bacon Junkie]

The report I got was it was just west of the RockStore.

Yup.... It was the last left hand hairpin before the turnout at the top.
   Usually, I come into the right hander just before it in second, accelerate out to the top of second, then just roll off the throttle a bit to set up for the hairpin.  '99 Monster 750, btw.  Well, I came into the right hander a bit hotter than normal, so as I accelerated out, I clicked 3rd.     Oops!  Rolled off, slammed 2nd, slid my butt waaay off the seat, and cranked Rosie over. Back on the gas to settle her down a bit, and then.... SSSCCHH!!!   
I was gonna stop at the turnout, but there were about 15-20 superbikes/riders there (jeans/t-shirts/vests), so I flipped a u-ey, and went back down a bit to a dirt turnout to look at my knee.
There was just this itty-bitty, teeny-weenie little scuff on the puck. I thought, "no one will believe me..." so I went back up to try again!  Hehehee...   

Anyway, felt more comfortable this time and got it down a little longer this time.  Don't know if Paul was still out there taking pics or not, but I hope so.  Sunday pm session pics won't be up 'till tomorrow, though.  Grrrr!   

[hbliam]

And people wonder (and complain) why there is such a cop presence in the canyons. Knee down riding belongs on the racetrack.

[The Bacon Junkie]

I don't wonder (or complain) about cops in the canyons. If I get caught for doing something boneheaded, it's my own fault.
  The turn where this occurred is pretty much the only place I would even attempt it.  It's wide, smooth, plenty of runoff room, and very late in the day (i.e. Hardly anyone on the road).  Yea, there were a bunch of guys parked in the turnout further up the road, but they had been parked there, helmets off, sitting on the wall for quite awhile. 
   Also, not sure if I conveyed this correctly in the original post or not, but it was quite unintentional.  I was riding really relaxed and a bit better (more relaxed) than normal and it just happened.  Of course, I know nothing I can say will change your mind, but just once , try to be happy for a guy who is totally jazzed that is improving his riding, anylizing his experience, and learning more and more everytime he rides.   

Oh, and yeah, some think wheelies belong on the track too...  Not on the street in front of an office building... Assuming that's you in your Avatar...

[The Bacon Junkie]

So, re-reading my post, I realized my last few comments were a bit obnoxious... Even for me, but my iPhone won't let me exit for some reason. I will retract the comments when I get to a real 'puter.

[red baron]

I don't wonder (or complain) about cops in the canyons. If I get caught for doing something boneheaded, it's my own fault.
  The turn where this occurred is pretty much the only place I would even attempt it.  It's wide, smooth, plenty of runoff room, and very late in the day (i.e. Hardly anyone on the road).  Yea, there were a bunch of guys parked in the turnout further up the road, but they had been parked there, helmets off, sitting on the wall for quite awhile. 
   Also, not sure if I conveyed this correctly in the original post or not, but it was quite unintentional.  I was riding really relaxed and a bit better (more relaxed) than normal and it just happened.  Of course, I know nothing I can say will change your mind, but just once , try to be happy for a guy who is totally jazzed that is improving his riding, anylizing his experience, and learning more and more everytime he rides.   

Oh, and yeah, some think wheelies belong on the track too...  Not on the street in front of an office building... Assuming that's you in your Avatar...

Congrats.

[Max LeanAngle]

So, re-reading my post, I realized my last few comments were a bit obnoxious... Even for me, but my iPhone won't let me exit for some reason. I will retract the comments when I get to a real 'puter.

Don't you dare remove any of that!  I loved it. [moto]

[hbliam]

I don't wonder (or complain) about cops in the canyons. If I get caught for doing something boneheaded, it's my own fault.
  The turn where this occurred is pretty much the only place I would even attempt it.  It's wide, smooth, plenty of runoff room, and very late in the day (i.e. Hardly anyone on the road).  Yea, there were a bunch of guys parked in the turnout further up the road, but they had been parked there, helmets off, sitting on the wall for quite awhile. 
   Also, not sure if I conveyed this correctly in the original post or not, but it was quite unintentional.  I was riding really relaxed and a bit better (more relaxed) than normal and it just happened.  Of course, I know nothing I can say will change your mind, but just once , try to be happy for a guy who is totally jazzed that is improving his riding, anylizing his experience, and learning more and more everytime he rides.   

Oh, and yeah, some think wheelies belong on the track too...  Not on the street in front of an office building... Assuming that's you in your Avatar...

I'm all for you having fun and stoked that you feel your riding is progressing. And I'm not concerned with you getting a ticket. I was thinking more of you riding over your head on the street and getting yourself hurt. The track is safer.

As far as being unintentional.  ..."There was just this itty-bitty, teeny-weenie little scuff on the puck. I thought, "no one will believe me..." so I went back up to try again!  Hehehee...Anyway, felt more comfortable this time and got it down a little longer this time. "

As far as my avatar, A: It's not me, it's Ducati propaganda, B: It's not much of a wheelie, C: I would argue that a wheelie of that magnitude is safer then dragging knees in the canyons.

Have fun, just be careful. We have enough crash/death threads on this forum.

[gm2]

fwiw, the track is also exponentially more fun.

[arai_speed]

Congrats!  It's a great feeling the first time around and the 2nd and 3rd...

[The Bacon Junkie]

Thank you for being so concerned for my safety and well being, hbliam. It's rare to see such compassion for someone you've never met these days. Impressive.    

Coming into motorcycling a bit later in the game than most, I tend to be pretty level headed about my abilites.  (I'm 35, riding 2 years).  For instance, earlier in the day I was riding with a 999s and a GS 1200 adventure thingy. Now, one would expect the Duc to walk away from me (which it did), but to get toasted by a guy on an overgrown dirtbike?!  Well, I knew my abilities were nowhere near his level (ex-racer) and I just laughed in my helmet and let him go. Most other ego-driven sport riders would probably feel they had something to prove and get in "over their head", to paraphrase you.
   
In reference to the "went back up to try again" part of the show, the first one WAS unintentional. I gave it a go the second time only after realizing my abilities had improved, and it was with renewed confidence in my skill as a rider. 

Glad to know it isn't you in your avatar.. Damn Ducati and it's hooliganistic propaganda!   

Have fun out there all...      [moto] .... And of course,      !!!

[The Bacon Junkie]

Thanks for the congrats....     

Gm2, I've been looking into track days for months now, but working two jobs, 6 days a week  makes things a little tough. Gonna do a day at CA Superbike School in October, though.

 nomods... You is a funny lady!  Thanks!   

[Duck-Stew]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/capfacsurf/3835481952/#in/set-72157622079412704/

for the dis-believers.....