Thread: Ramblings from the blue side

One of my new rules is that I need to get to the track early so I can have the canopy up and bike out with excess time so I can attempt to relax and get rid of the “what am I forgetting feeling”. So day one starts bright and early and since I am so spunky in the morning I hit snooze.... or so I thought until I awoke to light. I jump up knowing I am late. Seems I turned the alarm off rather than hit snooze the first of the three planned times. Well I rush and get to the track at a decent hour anyway (7:30).

I get things setup and have a tiny amount of time left but no where near what I was planning. We head out to the track walk. After a lap on the bicycle (you other people can walk) I come in get a couple more things done on the bike and head to the riders meeting. The first session comes and rather than push it I decide to skip it and do the second. I go out in the second session and things are feeling good though there is no beacon so I got no idea on times. I come in play the setup on my cam system a bit and while explaining it have some ideas. I get it dialed in and working great (and replug and tape the video line). I also pull the canopy down as the wind is kicking it around a bit and I am tired of losing them. Session #3 I hit a time better than last years best by a tenth . Then I get excited and actually have times increase. That is it until lunch. The rest of the days sessions are good but with higher times.

Got to check out a cool hound and off course he liked me too.

The evening begins with the HG’s BBQ. More excellent company and food than anyone can stand. I even shared some Maple (cookies). As others have stated the rain came in right at the tail and hardly put a dent in the fun.

I stayed way to long since I was enjoying things and figured it was early (barbarians keep strange clocks and the heat off)

A great day though about 100% off my master plan.

I did get back in time to test the hot tub though

Day #2 the weather looks cloudy and it is FREEZING. The track is wet and I have slicks so in the pits I sit . After the second session I am debating putting rains on and waffling in my normal decisive manner. I finally am watching some people and talking to TornadoB8 and decide to go for the rains (hard decision since it was on the edge of dry/wet). As I pull the rear the rain lets up again and the wind picks up. I am talking with MaxiB as I pull the rear tire and the track looks to be drying... The patches are getting bigger so I am waiting a bit before actually putting the rain on. About the time I decide to not put it on TornadoB8 rides in to tell me that rains are a bad idea. I put the slick back on it time to go out the next session.

I am overly cautious and the small puddle in six was making me paranoid. Times were slower but still felt good to get out. The next session I step it up a bit even in 6, the patch out of turn 1 also looked wet but wasn’t so I was keeping my speed a bit lower in turn 1. Overall riding on day 2 turned out WAY better than I would have guessed looking at the weather in the morning. I didn’t really trust my tires all day though.

One session I did come up behind the elusive Orange Cow (CBRVFR) and ran behind him watching for at least 4 laps figuring I finally got him on cam though when I came in the switch was to the back came.

I did get out during the two up and followed (and led) the 08Silvers which was fun but I am terrible leading others at a pace.

Good day of visiting and riding but not a good one to build pace or rhythm (at least for me)

From there it was a quick pack stuff in the trailer and zip back to the Radisson to rinse off before the Timbers. Again the door card failed and they had to redo it (both cards). I get to the dinner a bit late but far from last.

Mr Depo was actually pretty mello. I got to munch some Buffalo and enjoy the excellent company for an great dinner. Seamus got in trouble.

I get in late again and crash on the count of one.

Oh and I for all those that were acting like the cold was not an issue and were spotted wearing coats

Day #3 start off a bit warmer but with low clouds as far as you could see. The clouds actually looked like the kind that just hang all day without doing much though.

I get out for a decent session but my ankle is acting up a bit so I could not do the whole session. My fault as I should have been stretching it for a week or so prior. Still my times are OK and the tires are feeling nice. Session two I go out hit some decent times again and then come in to rest a small amount mid session. As I pull around I spot the Orange Cow zooming by with a blue SV in tow (not sure who or even that it is an SV). I decide I need to follow CBRVFR so I tell the marshall I want to wait until they come around again. As they pass I jump in behind and lose a small amount of ground as I had zero rhythm entering the esses and wanted to be cautious as the tires had lost some heat. It takes a lap to catch up . When I catch the trailing rider going into turn #1 he drops a long way off his previous pace in 3/4 so pull around the inside and pass going over the hump into #5. I then start to make ground on CBRVFR and in process do my personal best ever lap. Down the front straight I catch him then shadow him for a lap before he waves off and we both come in. A fun session and a good top off the week.

I decide to sit out the next session and let my ankle recover since we have all afternoon. Well instead the rain came and that was the end of it for me.

Overall a great week.

Oh and I could have had the coolest picture. On day two I was walking back to sheep corner from the garages and the MaxiB's were coming in so I just eased over to let them drive by. I was not paying a ton of attention to much of anything when I hear the attack bird starting to cause a ruckus. I look up and the crazy this is coming at me and every feather is standing straight out. I guess the doubling of size was supposed to be scary. But I was laughing and detoured. No evidence other than MrsMaxiB saw the bird also, VERY cool looking. The other one doing the "my wing is broke chase me (away from the nest) I am easy eatin" was kind of cool too. I have never seen Kildeers down south and forgot how fun they were to watch.

Originally Posted by Steve

Yup, that was me on the blue SV.

Sorry about that, I'm still not so comfy in 3 and I mess it up 3 out of 4 tries.

ZERO problem I was just surprised as you had been running right with CBRVFR then on that lap dropped back. When we talked he had said he hadn't passed anyone almost like two different riders between that lap and the others where you were right with him. I think I had been behind you a couple of other times and you were always running nice and steady and quick. Of course on the straight the RC wins even with a fat old sheep on it

Of course I did take the opportunity to wave at the cameraman in that corner instead of just trying to look fast They missed it though strange they never miss stuff.... probably an anti sheep thing (j/k NH).

Oh and on a different note all together, I think sheep up 2009 paid dividends. While by the scale I was up a bit this year vs last. I could tuck better and mostly had better endurance (though with the weather it is hard to compare) And my weight was more stable. If I stay employed (they have a great gym at work ) and keep on the plan I think there is long term hope.

A special thanks to JH41 for the custom shirt also

And JetBDude and Veronique assured that when world domination by sheep occurs they're safe and protected

Thanks for posting the vid, Rob - I wish I knew there were other people on the track - I thought I was running around by myself - could have given you a better chase.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Oh and I for all those that were acting like the cold was not an issue and were spotted wearing coats

wind cuts through those underarmour type shirts and really makes things seem colder than they are. that and I have no wool or blubber insulation.

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

wind cuts through those underarmour type shirts and really makes things seem colder than they are. that and I have no wool or blubber insulation.

Yeah I was nice and toasty. Unfortunately, I weighed myself friday morning, and depending on which scale you believe, I am tipping the scales at 275lbs . Thats without gear. No wonder I couldnt catch you on the straight!


No Brownie a la mode for me next year.

In fact, my legs are so sore, I'm never eating or riding a motorcycle ever again!

I wish to extend my appreciation for your posting the vid. Vereey nice!!!

jh41...you and I will be leaner, meaner and faster next year. I am starting day after tomorrow. 20 lbs in 362 days will get me back in boots and should be douable. The BBQ overnight should a non issue. You with me on this???

Yes, and I believe SoBwill join us!

Originally Posted by maxib

I wish to extend my appreciation for your posting the vid. Vereey nice!!!

jh41...you and I will be leaner, meaner and faster next year. I am starting day after tomorrow. 20 lbs in 362 days will get me back in boots and should be douable. The BBQ overnight should a non issue. You with me on this???

Yes, and I believe SoBwill join us!

I was leaner but not lighter this year. I plan on 20 LONG before next year

I still need to look at all my video. I plan on sending CBRVFR a full res on and one of the two up session to C&S

Originally Posted by maxib

I wish to extend my appreciation for your posting the vid. Vereey nice!!!

jh41...you and I will be leaner, meaner and faster next year. I am starting day after tomorrow. 20 lbs in 362 days will get me back in boots and should be douable. The BBQ overnight should a non issue. You with me on this???

Yes, and I believe SoBwill join us!

I'm definitely with you. CBRVFR can be our inspiration.

I thought I was following CBRVFR and finally getting him on cam. Little did I know that the cam was on rear not front Well it actually turns out there is a cool section of it. Not the fastest laps but there is a ton of people in it.

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

Thanks for posting the vid, Rob - I wish I knew there were other people on the track - I thought I was running around by myself - could have given you a better chase.

Don't you hate that. I was out there once giving it hell for 10 minutes and looked ahead going onto the sweaper.. then turned around and looked behind. No one as far as I could see. Then there were times I was being lazy cruising around, got off the track and some says "hey I got some video of you". Well if I would have known...

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Don't you hate that. I was out there once giving it hell for 10 minutes and looked ahead going onto the sweaper.. then turned around and looked behind. No one as far as I could see. Then there were times I was being lazy cruising around, got off the track and some says "hey I got some video of you". Well if I would have known...

When you're as fast as I am, start first and no one will ever film you.

Originally Posted by ONEvcs

When you're as fast as I am, start first and no one will ever film you.

Starting early for the sandbagger award for next year aye?

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Starting early for the sandbagger award for next year aye?

Er, I was trying to say I'm so fast no one ever catches up to me.
I figure we've got a bunch of sand-baggers so I better go for slowest loud mouth. There seems to be much less competition for it.

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

Of course I did take the opportunity to wave at the cameraman in that corner instead of just trying to look fast They missed it though strange they never miss stuff.... probably an anti sheep thing (j/k NH).

You have to hold it out there for more than a third of a second...

Originally Posted by JH41

Yeah I was nice and toasty. Unfortunately, I weighed myself friday morning, and depending on which scale you believe, I am tipping the scales at 275lbs . Thats without gear. No wonder I couldnt catch you on the straight!


No Brownie a la mode for me next year.

In fact, my legs are so sore, I'm never eating or riding a motorcycle ever again!

I'm taking those sun chips away next year. we certainly did not miss a single meal even on the road. I just hopped on the scale (just ate a hot dog and 2 burgers) and I'm a whopping 119lbs. That's probably the heaviest I've ever been.

I've got to say, of the three years I've seen you ride at Grattan, Sheep, this was your fastest one by a very healthy margin. Good improvement.

Originally Posted by nhfirefighter13

You have to hold it out there for more than a third of a second...

Lightning fast