Killboy failure Dragon Fest

[rocker59]

This is purely anecdotal, and just my personal experience, but:

Back when I was first getting into riding sportsbikes here in the Ozarks, it was way too easy to cut a few corners to maintain my speed. I was more worried about being fast than being smooth.

I soon realized that as long as there were no surprises, crossing that yellow was a way to maintain my speed...

The really big problem is, though, that if you're travelling at a speed that "requires" you to cross the yellow on curves, you'll most likely be going too fast too correct and return to your own lane when you're surprised by a vehicle that "wasn't supposed to be there" because "you could see through the turn".

It's habit. If you get in the habit of using the oncoming lane, then at some point you'll have some close calls from vehicles that suddenly appear. I had one or two close calls, then quickly determined that staying on my side of the yellow was a good idea.

In the past ten years, I've attended some schools and trackdays. Now I'm faster in my lane than I ever was when cutting the corners, and my chances of a head-on collision have been cut down dramatically...

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by gogo gadget

maybe because you are entitled to your entire lane, but not the other?

Maybe because when you have a head on collision in your lane it is the other guy's fault?

+1

[viverrid]

Originally Posted by Boon Booni

Why use your whole lane then? Isn't taking the "racing" line in your own lane simply straitening out a twisty road?

You are entitled to your own lane, just like when I drove at the Glen I was entitled to the designated track for that event. Cutting across the chicane on a road course is a cheat, just like passing below the line on a Nascar oval, just like using the opposite lane if that's the only way you can get speed through a curve on a twisty public road.

It's like someone bragging that they can lap the track in 3:00 flat while the other guys are running 3:03, but that's only because they cut the chicane; they are NOT really 3 seconds faster. If you can run the Dragon in ____ minutes but only but cutting lanes, then no, you CAN'T really run it in that time. It's not the racing line if it's a cheat. Until such time as the Dragon is closed to the public for speed runs where you are given clearance to use both lanes, then it's a cheat and you're not really fast.

[triplenickel]

Originally Posted by pbarmy

Oooh I got called a "silly noob" for sayin that!

Friggin newbs.

[Beto]

[Beto]

[Beto]

[Beto]

[UncleDirt]

I'll take "Things that are about to Pop Up" for $300 Alex.

Originally Posted by Beto

[42]

Originally Posted by UncleDirt

I'll take "Things that are about to Pop Up" for $300 Alex.

I say he saved it.

[UncleDirt]

Originally Posted by 42

I say he saved it.

Gear says yes.

But right there, the answer is in his throttle hand, what did he do? Ride it out, or let off the gas?

Could be either way. But he does have a nice drift going if it was intentional.

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by viverrid

You are entitled to your own lane, just like when I drove at the Glen I was entitled to the designated track for that event. Cutting across the chicane on a road course is a cheat, just like passing below the line on a Nascar oval, just like using the opposite lane if that's the only way you can get speed through a curve on a twisty public road.

It's like someone bragging that they can lap the track in 3:00 flat while the other guys are running 3:03, but that's only because they cut the chicane; they are NOT really 3 seconds faster. If you can run the Dragon in ____ minutes but only but cutting lanes, then no, you CAN'T really run it in that time. It's not the racing line if it's a cheat. Until such time as the Dragon is closed to the public for speed runs where you are given clearance to use both lanes, then it's a cheat and you're not really fast.

Ok, so your original point about "straitening out a twisty road" seemed to imply that it wasn't as much fun.

Now your problem is with simply using the other lane.

And some blather about "cheating".


There are places in the world, on some roads where sight lines allow a rider, if they choose, to use the whole road. If a rider chooses to use the whole road in that situation, I have no problem with it. On top of that, I don't think using the whole road, when sight lines permit, takes any of the fun out of riding.

Whether or not the above fellow on the trike has clear enough sight lines, I don't really have a difinitive answer. I feel like I remember that curve, and if it is the curve I remember, it's blind at first, but as you come around one can clearly see 2 curves ahead. If that is the case, and the rider can clearly see 2 curves ahead, I have no problem with his line.

[Bill Harris]

Originally Posted by Beto

They've got The Attitude down pat. She's wearing a leather vest, he's wearing a feathered boa and they're both stone deaf...

Whew, The Dragon's going to be really, really live this year...

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by rocker59

This is purely anecdotal, and just my personal experience, but:

Back when I was first getting into riding sportsbikes here in the Ozarks, it was way too easy to cut a few corners to maintain my speed. I was more worried about being fast than being smooth.

I soon realized that as long as there were no surprises, crossing that yellow was a way to maintain my speed...

The really big problem is, though, that if you're travelling at a speed that "requires" you to cross the yellow on curves, you'll most likely be going too fast too correct and return to your own lane when you're surprised by a vehicle that "wasn't supposed to be there" because "you could see through the turn".

It's habit. If you get in the habit of using the oncoming lane, then at some point you'll have some close calls from vehicles that suddenly appear. I had one or two close calls, then quickly determined that staying on my side of the yellow was a good idea.

In the past ten years, I've attended some schools and trackdays. Now I'm faster in my lane than I ever was when cutting the corners, and my chances of a head-on collision have been cut down dramatically...

I agree, if you have to use the whole lane, and end up doing it out of habit on every turn then you are asking for trouble.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Beto

Two in the pink...

Jim

PS Beto ALWAYS brings it!