TCARC Level I on Saturday, probably going to rain...

[dgm]

Really looking forward to this Total Control Clinic on Saturday in Indy, but unfortunately it's looking like it's supposed to rain all day.  Just curious if anyone has taken this course in the rain before and comments they might have.  I'm also curious as to what people might have to say about wearing my leathers all day in the rain.  I have to be honest... my leathers probably cost more than my wife's wedding dress back in the day and I'm a little nervous about wearing them in the pouring down rain all day long. 

thanks!

[bdub]

Rain suit

[bdub]

How was class???

[dgm]

well, it was good for the most part!  I had studied the book pretty well ahead of time, so I think I personally would have benefited from more riding/practice time and less class time.  Not that there was anything wrong with the class time at all, but it was very largely a repeat of the book. 

However, in the afternoon when we were working on body positioning for cornering, I was pretty determined to get a knee down.  Just about then it started raining, but I was further determined to not let that scare me and I didn't, BUT I ended up low-siding on the bike's left side.  I did get my knee down!    broke my shift lever and damaged my mirror a little, but other than that the frame and front axle sliders did their jobs very well and so did my leathers.  So, I spent the rest of the afternoon watching the rest and trying to rig up a way to make my shift lever work for the ride home. 

Now, the ride home was an hour and a half on the highway in POURING down, cold rain.  Pretty miserable. 

All in all, good learning experience.  They say they will email me about offering what I missed in the afternoon again at no cost, which I thought was pretty cool. 

[bdub]

I have always wanted to take that class but ---time and money-----. It sounds like a really good way to learn some usefull skills. Sorry about your bike, that also has been a fear of mine. I'm thinking of doing a track day this summer. I'm about twenty miles from Summit Point and have always thought a track day would be better for me before an ARC class. I would benefit from class time. I'm not very skilled and mostly ride back and forth to work and riding around on weekends. I also have read his books and read them over a bunch.

Glad you are okay and I hope things get sorted out. Also, I wasn't kidding about a rain suit. I did my MSF in the rain and got beyond soaked but now I don't fear the rain.

[dgm]

Yeah, I think it's a worthwhile class for sure.  Kind of expensive compared to something like the cost of the MSF I guess, but still not outrageous.  I actually have 7 track days booked for this summer and my thinking was that the ARC class would be a good step between MSF Experienced and Track.  I think I would still recommend an ARC or something like it before going to the track.  I can see myself developing bad habits on the track that would later need to be broken.  I'd rather learn the techniques and then try to practice them correctly on the track. 

...oh, and you were definitely right about the rain suit.  it was a miserable 75 mile ride home in the pouring rain in my leathers. 

[bdub]

I thought track daays were to prevent bad habits. Maybe what I'm talking about is a class held at the track. I don't do well keeping up wiyh the nomenclature. (i think that's the word) Anyway the trck is closer to me than the closest place the ARC classes are usually held. I haven't signed up for any yet but plan to if I can save the money. My dealer here in Virginia really helps me out and I end up taking his advice on pretty much everything motorcycle related. I'll find out and do something, even if it's wrong.