SheepOfBlue

I was going to add this to the updates thread but it is a bit long so.....

Grazing critique:
I get up at 3AM Sunday (well OK that was first snooze alarm) Very unsheeplike but I want to arrive at a decent hour.

Let me detour a second by explaining last year. As ALWAYS I had a great time. However my riding never linked nor did my mood. I was always in funk and not ever in the zone. I had decided this year was going to be better and thought a bunch about why last year was last year. Of course there was the tragic injury of a friend that was to later result in his death. Nothing I can do on that except pray the boss does not recall another of his finest for the final reward (at least until they are old and grey). Other than that I arrived at a couple of other reasons. Last year I had my shoulder operated on and just recovered prior to going, this meant little seat time and gym time prior to leaving sheep central. This year I did Baa-rber two weeks prior and was able to street ride a lot. Also I have been hitting the gym on average 2-3 times a week since the start of the year (I am sure y’all were overwhelmed by my new woolodynamics). Lastly I do REAL poorly when penned in. So I decided to stay out of the garages and under the open sky, this was maybe the biggest factor. My only goals being not to be in a funk and get into the 30’s (best last year was a 1:41.38 on day three) So with a early arrival I could set the tone of laid back vs nervous on day #0.

Well I get up early pull the truck out and put the car in the garage (it seldom sees it). Quickly hitch the truck and do a walk around. Everything is great and I am off in great time. Stop in TN and grab a biscuit. Looks like rain so I figure DD’s tard is going to get wet. Well I continue all the way to my turn off near Indy with no rain and little wind. Yep I had skirted the rain all the way up I65. At the bend I get a small sprinkle but not enough to use the wipers hardly. Took the wrong/right road in and enjoyed some winding road that was up and down in the truck. Had a Harley behind me and was waiting for him to pass but I think he was just keeping up .

Next stop Hammer’s. We unload some takeoffs and load his stuff. The trailer has plenty of room. With a bit of organization (I am improving) I could easily put three in but I doubt the small V8 in the truck would like that. Put some air in the rear truck tire (time for new ones and it leaks a small amount around ONE of the plugs ) We are off and headed to whalerama. It was nice to have someone to chat with (after 7 hours of metal ) and great to see Hammer again. Made the ride up go faster. We detoured on 50 in Michigan and got a real detour. Thought the time gained was going to be lost but the detour was tiny and we were on track fine.

Arrive at Grattan some hour... not sure which but it was early without everyone being at the gate. Plot one is successful. We unload, say hi to lots of folks and head to the Radison. Food is needed but Michigan insists on messing with the clocks and it is late on Sunday so everything is closing. We order some subs though and it hits the spot.

Waking early I decide the sleep number beds are overrated and I have slept on decent hotel beds that were as good or better. Hammer did not agree though as his went flat during the night .

Off to the track for day one! We get there and sign in. I forget my check book and have to ask Abtech not to BBQ me . I get sheep corner north set up and ready for the day. Out to the track walk, I decide that next year the bicycle WILL be there. No worries I cut some turns to rate the Grattan turf the way a sheep should (on hoof). My ankles are stiff but it will work out once on track. Out to the parade lap for which I am not at the tail end for once. I skip session one to get things in order better. Lots of time and no reason to hurry. Session two I did not have warmers on prior and the front is REAL dodgy. Things warm but between my lack of trust and the track being at winter temps it never really gets to temp. No worries plenty of time. Not sure of my best time since I had put my other timer back on and the RC makes it reset.

Session #3 (two for me) I go out with a bit more heat in the track and tires (still not warmers) and on lap #6 hit a 1:38.25! Goal achieved. I am having a bit more confidence in the front.

Session #4 I bounce around in times but hit a 3:37.99. After lunch I go off time a bit but no worries that is normal but still hit a 38 again. At this point we go from three groups to two so the sessions go to a half hour. Session #5 I hit a 1:36.61 almost 5 seconds under my best of last year. Best of all I average 1:39.61 which means I average my goal for the year the entire session Last session (for me) of the day my minimum goes up a bit but my average drops into 38’s. I am on the sidelines for #7 and see the red and then the ambulance easing down. Not good, who is it? Well it was poor OneVCS. Everyone gathers to get status. Bike is got a bit of damaged and sadly the clutch master cylinder reservoir is toast. The MOST important thing is that he is mostly OK with a sore hand and calf. Looked very pale. Careful that last session guys (at all days) we CAN have to much fun, if you are tired or feeling sloppy get off and save it for another day. Typical McAdx days reaction though as everyone is checking on him and trying to figure what parts are needed and do they have them.

Now onto the HondaGals BBQ! This year was fabulous and maybe one of the best ever and that is saying a lot. To much food, to many great people and just a hoot all the way around times 10.

Back to the Radison. Yep camping is a blast but this year there is a hot tub and sauna . The hot tub is great but the sauna is cold. Seems these barbarians think it is warm or something. I turn it on but the temp only gets to southern Ohio at best. Lessons learned #1 turn on the sauna on the way in.

Day one is a roaring success. Way to fun and I figure that may be the peak of the whole trip.

Day two starts with Hammer not having a flat bed. Better but zero upgrade for the flock as mine worked Sunday . We head out and stop at the iHop and get some pancakes. Decent but I could have done with Blueberries sans jelly.

We get to the track and I get setup quick. Ready to go with warmers and the first session. I head out a bit nervous that today could not possibly be as good. I ease around since the track is cool (OK it was polar) staying the 40’s. Yep the day will not match day #1. I had started the day with very sore hoof tops and they are starting to go numb a bit on the longer session. So I ponder it and decide to go to my Utah strategy of riding about half the session pulling in for a lap or two at hot pit (or the center for Grattan) to recover then finish the session. Next session I drop to 38-39 near the end, then after the rest pull out and below 1:38.13. The day is getting better. Of course all through the sessions I am visiting/irritating my org friends in between. Session #3 I get LOTS of laps in that average below 40’s, then head out for a couple of slower laps to finish a long session. I am getting a touch of a headache and eat some ibuprofin to help it. I ease around only getting a 39 once and hoping the headache does not set in. Back in the pits it is not gone so I rest and actually nap a bit. I wake with just a bit but head out. The last session for me the headache goes away during the session, very slow laps but ending the day on a good note. Challenges but actually another great day! Got to see lots of people and even meet Mrs CBRVFR!

Day #3 the beds all stay inflated and we head to Hammer's new favorite for breakfast Perkins! J/K the pancakes were decent but the meat was a bit off.

Day #3 starts with a headache. Sorry this one is a rain front headache I am sure. Hope the rain holds out and the headache recedes. Session #2 (I skipped #1 hoping for the drugs to kick in) I am just easing around. I rode decent but did not want to heave the RC to hard for fear of a effort induced pain spike. Interestingly this pace matches some of my best last year.

Session #3 headache mostly gone and I go back to my Utah strategy of split sessions with a decent and a great second. Session #3 rocks I settle in laptimes are dropping. I hit a 1:36.38 (my best for the trip) and am looking to out brake someone into turn #1 to keep rolling. Timing is excellant and I go by clean thinking Bawhahahahahaha! that last a tenth of a second as Bwhip comes up inside of me on the breaks with perfect timing beats me to the turn point and WAVES So I decide I am getting a tow. I follow him fairly decent until the hump. Well he gets by a rider and I get hung up.... tow lost I get around after the bowl but Bwhip is gone beyond tow rope range. I keep going though and hit a 1:36.76. I wonder it I had a 35 with a full tow...I think so

After lunch I go out and run slow times and am feeling the strain of that many laps. I am not missing my turn points or getting sloppy but feel like my brake hand is using 95% and turn in is also. Time to stop as next session would be slower or worse.

Three great days off riding ending on a fabulous note. I visit some and order a picture CD. Seeing lightning on the horizon I would have been off the track instantly anyway so at most I missed a lap. Time to begin loading up. I am almost to pushing the RC up the gate with the canopy being collapsed next. Well as I am in the trailer it starts to sprinkle, time to hustle. As I am heading down the tail gate it picks up and Firefly is headed over. Before I could even get to the bike the wind whips up and starts to move the canopy. This is with it tied to the cooler and generator! Thankfully Firefly grabs it and gives me a second to get there saving it from kiting toward everyones car dragging my generator. Battle is on and the wind is ridiculous Firefly wisely escapes (likely still getting soaked) and I decide the best coarse is to hold on and get part way under the canopy. Well after getting soaked all the way it slows. Canopy is a wreck but it did not damage more. I load up some and start the RC to blow any water out of the pipes.

After I get mostly loaded we get Hammer’s in then the tard and it is time to head south. I had hoped to have Hammer drive to his place with me resting but the weather was still REAL wild and I did not want to have him drive a strange truck with a full load behind and on dodgy tires. We head out and down to Ionia where there is hail banks on the ground! The way down into Indiana was not bad with occasional down pours except the idiots driving with flashers going. If you are a hazard get the #### off the road!

At Hammer’s I was offered a bed (thanks for the offer Mr & Mrs Hammer) but was feeling pretty spunky still and decided to head on in. The rest of the drive was uneventful with a couple of short rest area naps. On getting hope I slept a bit then picked at things slowly unloading over the course of the day (and reading others posts)

I had multiple people state they taped me so hopefully I will have some following (or leading) video in addition to my on bike. The cam was acting up most of the time so I only got about 3 tapes though I think that might include some of my best.

Overall a fantastic 3 days topped with a wild ending. Lots of friends, lots of track, very safe riders. As always there was lots of serious riding and improvement to everyone but yet events like the two up, pocket bikes and whale kept anyone from getting serious or full of themselves. The best ever AGAIN!

Attached Thumbnails

         

   

__________________
By the way, do rodeo bulls in the northern hemisphere tend to spin in the opposite direction as southern hemisphere bulls?

Baketech

Great story SoB, thanks...

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

Shenders1

The Blue RC was definitely quicker this year than last. Must be all the trick new parts.

Good writeup, was good chatting with you again.

maxib

Thanks for your report, and I am glad you made it home safely. Looking good out there!

Jetbdude

Sheep, I have to admit your riding as impress me. I got behind you in the first day and I was " Is that sheep, there's no way that's sheep, sure looks like him........?????"

You highly improved since last year, very impressive.

__________________
#20

evl_twn

, much improved riding. Sheep even passed me on day three

SheepOfBlue

Jailbreak while you were on someone else's bike Sorry about that I would have waited had I recognized it .

The thing is that despite the length I left out at least half the trip (the dinner for instance) and everyone could write their own version. I hope this helps anyone that is thinking of making it next year

__________________
By the way, do rodeo bulls in the northern hemisphere tend to spin in the opposite direction as southern hemisphere bulls?

ND4SPD

Nice job SoB. Sounds like you're improving quite a bit. At this rate you'll be riding with the whack pack next year.

__________________
"This is your life - are you who you want to be?"
Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X

CBRVFR

Yeah, if aluminum foil helmets are approved for that group...

Sheep has made significant improvement in his riding, no doubt.

__________________
"I tell ya, I'm feeling pretty good right now, I'm only five-foot-five, but I'm feeling five-foot-eight."

Chris Carr, after breaking the motorcycle land speed record in 2007

Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

bwhip

Nice job, Sheep, and great write-up. You looked much more confident and quick out there.

__________________
My Gallery

SheepOfBlue

Thanks for the generous comments everyone.

For CBRVFR a preview... My new sponsor has a made a prototype and my test rider was fitted....

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
By the way, do rodeo bulls in the northern hemisphere tend to spin in the opposite direction as southern hemisphere bulls?