California Superbike School (Silverstone): 20 Apr 08 - Page 6

**sweetpea** · 08 Jan 08, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David.Hicks

If you sign-up they might put the two of you in the same group.

Okay as they only have one place left I am going to book it now. I like the idea of being in the same group as Mrs H

Sorry to anyone else that was planning to go it looks like you are too late

**sweetpea** · 08 Jan 08, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpea

Sorry to anyone else that was planning to go it looks like you are too late

Or apparently not........ I have just been back on their site and they still have one place left! Maybe I have just fallen for a good marketing trick

**David.Hicks** · 08 Jan 08, 06:59 PM

No child-care so it is going to be a family weekend-away for us - which means that we can't both ride-up and we are going to need to bring my car with the kids and luggage in the back.

This raises the question of bikes. We defo need to bring Mrs H's 620 Monster for her on the Sunday because that is all she rides. If I were to use her Monster for my session on the Saturday as well then I could ride the bike up there and back and Mrs H could drive the car with the kids.

Alternatively, if I want to use one of my own bikes then I will have to put two bikes on the trailer and I will drive up and back with MRs H and the kids. This means I will have to get a tow-bar put on my new car (not a problem - been meaning to do it anyway) and the journey will take longer.

I dunno ... anyone got any comments or observations? I've just got random thoughts at the mo, but can't make my mind up ...

Help!

Obvious advantages to using a bike I am used to and usually ride
The SPS is the one that I really want to improve my skills on
But maybe the SPS is too much for this ... it doesn't get into its stride till 100+
Maybe the SuperDuke would be better ... great handling but not as fast as the SPS
But having to drag a trailer up there and back will be a right pain - much easier and more fun to ride there
The Monster might actually be best - easier to ride than the SPS, but with a similar riding position to the SuperDuke
I think the TTR250 is out of the running
So I could put the SPS, the SuperDuke and the Monster on the trailer and decide when I get there

**RodH** · 08 Jan 08, 07:40 PM

Why don't you hire a van for the weekend, then you could put the bikes & luggage in the back and drive up with the wife & kids...........maybe better than a trailer.

**David.Hicks** · 08 Jan 08, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodH

Why don't you hire a van for the weekend, then you could put the bikes & luggage in the back and drive up with the wife & kids...........maybe better than a trailer.

Could be an option. Are you allowed two adults and two kids in the front of a van?

You've done CSS Rod - was it at Silverstone Stowe? Would you advise me to use the SPS in preference to the SuperDuke or the Monster.

**Steve GD** · 08 Jan 08, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singletrack

That's a great idea!

Quote:

Originally Posted by David.Hicks

Could be an option. Are you allowed two adults and two kids in the front of a van?

You've done CSS Rod - was it at Silverstone Stowe? Would you advise me to use the SPS in preference to the SuperDuke or the Monster.

Most vans do not have four seats, so 2 adults and 2 kids would be a no-go. Only exception I can think of would be the "crew-cab" style with 2 rows of seats, but I cannot recall seeing them for hire, generally.

**RodH** · 08 Jan 08, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David.Hicks

You've done CSS Rod - was it at Silverstone Stowe? Would you advise me to use the SPS in preference to the SuperDuke or the Monster.

I did both Level 1&2 in the UK at Brands, so don't know Silverstone Stowe at all.

As far as the bikes are concerned the courses are not bike specific its the skills that you are learning. Having said that, if you ride the bike that you normally do it will allow you to develop your skills based on the handling & power characteristics of that bike. So in your case I'd probably opt for the SPS as you don't really ride the Monster, and out of the Superduke & SPS, the SPS is the more focused.

**Paivi** · 08 Jan 08, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David.Hicks

So I could put the SPS, the SuperDuke and the Monster on the trailer and decide when I get there

Oh, the problems some people have...

I'd go with the above option. Don't know if you have to use just one bike, so if not, gotta be worth your while taking the SPS and the Monster. Funnily enough, I haven't got any probs taking corners on the scoot, only on the Monster, so I'd still only take the Duchess.

**Paivi** · 08 Jan 08, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpea

Okay as they only have one place left I am going to book it now. I like the idea of being in the same group as Mrs H

Sorry to anyone else that was planning to go it looks like you are too late

YEEHAA! You totally made my year, Suze!!!

:b anana:

:ban ana:

How cool is it going to be girlies! And Phil...

**sweetpea** · 08 Jan 08, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

YEEHAA! You totally made my year, Suze!!!

:b anana:

:ban ana:

How cool is it going to be girlies! And Phil...

Oh dam Paivi and there was I thinking that you might be just a little bit pleased that I was going - Oh well.....

**Paivi** · 08 Jan 08, 09:44 PM

Nah, it's really neither here nor there, Suze...

**Ghost** · 08 Jan 08, 10:38 PM

I'm pleased I got a mention, I thought I was going to be outcast when you all get together.

Phil

**frenaugo** · 15 Jan 08, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyb

My point is that on a wide one way track the shape you make through a corner includes the word apex........on the road it doesnt.

Hi Andy

The point is that the CSS is good for getting to grips with corners and a enjoyable learning experience, whether you decide to use the word apex on or off track (it is still a feature of every corner after all).

**955SP** · 16 Jan 08, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paivi

I've booked level 1 on that date (Sunday); they've got another 19 places available for that date, who's joining me?

Ive just signed up & I just wanted to say thanks to Paivi that you gave me confidence to do so. I have been avoiding getting on a track for a while because I dont think Im good enough and dont want to make a prat of myself but it sounds like you want to go to improve your riding just like me and my fears that everyone else will be hacking around & I will be in the way may not be the case after all.

Does anyone know if you can get insurance for your bike on the day? Think I will bring the 848 cause the 748 will have gone by then and I dont think it would be wise to take my 955SP and all its nice carbon bits to the track

.
But if the 848 I hope but then I have to get 600 miles on it and get the first service done! otherwise I will really have to potter round!
Oh... guess I have to hire a trailer? Guess I have to learn how to drive with a trailer!

See you ther Paivi.

955SP / Hugh

**Paivi** · 16 Jan 08, 09:40 AM

Cool, more friendly faces!

A few of us are overnighting at the Buckingham Travelodge, are you joining us?

I'm insured with Ebike, and sadly, no insurance for this day. Just have to try to stay upright....and hope the crash bungs work. Am taking my mirrors and indicators (if I can) off to minimise any potential damage.