PLEASE READ...Ride Your Pace at the Gap!!!

I want to start talking about this now. I know some of you have already talked about it but it needs to be on the forefront of everyone's mind heading into this trip. Deal's Gap is a very fun road but also very challenging and not forgiving for mistakes. And same goes for all the roads in the area. You CAN get seriously hurt and damage your bike severly. I don't want that to happen at all, and I know nobody else does either. Here are a few things that you need to remember to do and not to do. *Ride your own pace. Do not let anyone sucker you into riding over your own pace and comfort level. *Respect the bike and the roads you are riding on. We will all be on very powerful bikes with very tight roads. Throttle control is key here. *DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT try and push anyone to riding over what they feel comfortable. i.e. don't tell someone how to go faster especially if they don't ask! *If you see someone in front or behind you riding out of control or not being smooth either stop and let them by or back off of them. You might be unintentionally bringing them into riding over their head and vice versa! *Smooth is the key to having a good time in the mountains. You don't have to go balls to the wall all the time to enjoy these roads. Some of my most fun rides have not necessarily been my fastest. *I guarunteee there will be guys there faster than you and there will also be guys slower than you so don't worry about how fast or slow you are. It will be lots more fun to come home in one piece and also your bike in one piece. This will be a very fun trip for all. It is my goal to have ZERO wrecks or injuries. If we do all of this above it will help our chances tremendously. If anyone has anything to add please do so. Chad

dont watch your mirrors or try to move out of the way for someone. They will find their way around you... YOU WILL blow a corner or two, especially on the gap. Shake it off because you will have about 3 seconds before the next one :yesnod Good post chad :thumbup

i am living proof it is not very forgiving. Also oREVwa is also proof

CHECK OUT YOUR BIKE BEFORE YOU MAKE THE RIDE!!! Don't take a chance on worn tires, brakes, lines, etc. Granted you won't be hitting triple digits you will still be putting alot of stress on various parts. Clutch adjustments, fluid levels, brake pads, etc. should not be overlooked. Just some simple precautions to prevent an accident from mechanical failure. Just my .02

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 dont watch your mirrors or try to move out of the way for someone. They will find their way around you... YOU WILL blow a corner or two, especially on the gap. Shake it off because you will have about 3 seconds before the next one :yesnod Good post chad :thumbup Good point Phil:yesnod

Originally posted by 1700warrior CHECK OUT YOUR BIKE BEFORE YOU MAKE THE RIDE!!! Don't take a chance on worn tires, brakes, lines, etc. Granted you won't be hitting triple digits you will still be putting alot of stress on various parts. Clutch adjustments, fluid levels, brake pads, etc. should not be overlooked. Just some simple precautions to prevent an accident from mechanical failure. Just my .02 very good post. I just changed my oil again today. Will be swapping tires and bleeding the brakes before I go too. Not to mention loc-tite on the bolts that rattle and other preventive stuff. I know those roads down there are public roads, but even at 60% riding capability it might as well be a racetrack. Your bike takes a lot of stress and will rattle to pieces:fact

One more thing: Every night at midnight we will be doing timed runs down the gap for pink slips! Go hard or go home!!! :rock

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 One more thing: Every night at midnight we will be doing timed runs down the gap for pink slips! Go hard or go home!!! :rock :lol :lol I think it will be you and Eddie first:D

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 dont watch your mirrors or try to move out of the way for someone. They will find their way around you... But do slow up and let them pass safely to avoid them over cooking the next corner trying to pass you in the 50ft straight. I will slow and flag you by in a second as soon as I notice your there. Remeber the corners are the fun part so take it easy on the straights.

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 One more thing: Every night at midnight we will be doing timed runs down the gap for pink slips! Go hard or go home!!! :rock If by some miracle I can make it I'll put on the the light show with the pegs.:rock :lol :thumbup

Originally posted by gawarrior :lol :lol I think it will be you and Eddie first:D OK, but I get a 3 minute handicap:butt

Originally posted by motopsyko32 i am living proof it is not very forgiving. Also oREVwa is also proof Was that with or without the shades? Voodoo

Holy shit for pink slips, are you serious?

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 OK, but I get a 3 minute handicap:butt I'm the only one that gets to use their head lights. :thumbup

Originally posted by gawarrior You will need more than that:D I got first dibs on the Flordia boys:D ah yea.... you didnt run with us on satuday did you? I'm finally getting the hang of the gap, and learning it a little. Just dont be suprised if you get :owwn3d a few times:lol let the shite talking begin.:sneaky isnt this great that this is a "stay safe" and "ride your pace" thread

Originally posted by LINK80Reid Holy shit for pink slips, are you serious? Nah dude, we are just messing with each other. I really want everyone to be safe and have fun at the Convention and hopefully be incident free. There is always someone that trys to get others to ride over their comfort level and I am trying to warn people and discourage that early. P.S. we will do night runs though:rock . YOu have to be even more on your toes then.:yesnod

no... you guys will do night runs :lol I'll be :beer

Originally posted by gawarrior I really want everyone to be safe and have fun at the Convention and hopefully be incident free. There is always someone that trys to get others to ride over their comfort level and I am trying to warn people and discourage that early. P.S. we will do night runs though:rock . YOu have to be even more on your toes then.:yesnod :iamwithst Let the fun begin.............. No rain, no rain, no rain

Originally posted by gawarrior :lol :lol I think it will be you and Eddie first:D How about me and you first , loser pays for the next gap trip !:lol

Originally posted by BKR1 How about me and you first , loser pays for the next gap trip !:lol OK, you are on;) :D. Now I got to do Barber next weekend to get ready:lol j/k

Originally posted by gawarrior OK, you are on;) :D. Now I got to do Barber next weekend to get ready:lol j/k Barber next weekend is impossible for me , but the next Barber date is very possible for me , esp. with my new gas saving wagon ! Yesterday was my cheapest track day yet , costed me about $70.00 in gas , I slept at the track in the wagon , and you guys feed me , hell I could do 2 or 3 more this year at that cost !:cool:

Oh yea , great thread ! I just want to add that if you follow these suggestions you WILL have a fun and safe trip . Just take your time and get more and more comfortable with the roads , you will be passing Earache and gawarrior in no time !!:D

Originally posted by BKR1 Barber next weekend is impossible for me , but the next Barber date is very possible for me , esp. with my new gas saving wagon ! Yesterday was my cheapest track day yet , costed me about $70.00 in gas , I slept at the track in the wagon , and you guys feed me , hell I could do 2 or 3 more this year at that cost !:cool: Yeah, no way I will do Barber next weekend either. I will probably do the July or August one though, that will be the only chances I will get to get the BUMP.

Originally posted by BKR1 Oh yea , great thread ! I just want to add that if you follow these suggestions you WILL have a fun and safe trip . Just take your time and get more and more comfortable with the roads , you will be passing Earache and gawarrior in no time !!:D Very true, except the passing Gawarrior and Earache part:D

can't wiat to get there, and to meet all of you. Should be a great time

Same here.

Me too:riding

Hey guys, I came across this on a message board that I frequent. I just thought I'd share it. Seems appropriate for your upcoming trip. The street is not the track - It's a place to Pace Two weeks go a rider died when he and his bike tumbled off a cliff paralleling our favorite road. No gravel in the lane, no oncoming car pushing him wide, no ice. The guy screwed up. Rider error. Too much enthusiasm with too little skill, and this fatality wasn't the first on this road this year. As with most single-bike accidents, the rider entered the corner at a speed his brain told him was too fast, stood the bike up and nailed the rear brake. Goodbye. On the racetrack the rider would have tumbled into the hay bales, visited the ambulance for a strip of gauze and headed back to the pits to straighten his handlebars and think about his mistake. But let's get one thing perfectly clear: the street is not the racetrack. Using it as such will shorten your riding career and keep you from discovering the Pace. The Pace is far from street racing - and a lot more fun. The Pace places the motorcycle in its proper role as the controlled vehicle, not the controlling vehicle. Too many riders of sport bikes become baggage when the throttle gets twisted - the ensuing speed is so overwhelming they are carried along in the rush. The Pace ignores outright speed and can be as much fun on a Ninja 250 as on a ZX-11, emphasizing rider skill over right-wrist bravado. A fool can twist the grip, but a fool has no idea how to stop or turn. Learning to stop will save your life; learning to turn will enrich it. What feels better than banking a motorcycle over into a corner? The mechanics of turning a motorcycle involve pushing and/or pulling on the handlebars; while this isn't new information for most sport riders, realize that the force at the handlebar affects the motorcycle's rate of turn-in. Shove hard on the bars, and the bike snaps over; gently push the bars, and the bike lazily banks in. Different corners require different techniques, but as you begin to think about lines, late entrances and late apexes, turning your bike at the exact moment and reaching he precise lean angle will require firm, forceful inputs ant the handlebars. If you take less time to turn your motorcycle, you can use that time to brake more effectively or run deeper into the corner, affording yourself more time to judge the corner and a better look at any hidden surprises. It's important to look as far into the corner as possible and remember the adage, "You go where you look." DON'T RUSH The number-one survival skill, after mastering emergency braking, is setting your corner-entrance speed early, or as Kenny Roberts says, "Slow in, fast out." Street riders may get away with rushing into 99 out of 100 corners, but that last one will have gravel, mud or a trespassing car. Setting entrance speed early will allow you to adjust your speed and cornering line, giving you every opportunity to handle the surprise. We've all rushed into a corner too fast and experienced not just the terror but the lack of control when trying to herd the bike into the bend. If you're fighting the brakes and trying to turn the bike, any surprise will be impossible to deal with. Setting your entrance speed early and looking into the corner allows you to determine what type of corner you're facing. Does the radius decrease? Is the turn off-camber? Is there an embankment that may have contributed some dirt to the corner? Racers talk constantly about late braking, yet that technique is used only to pass for position during a race, not to turn a quicker lap time. Hard braking blurs the ability to judge cornering speed accurately, and most racers who rely too heavily on the brakes find themselves passed at the corner exits because they scrubbed off too much cornering speed. Additionally, braking late often forces you to trail the brakes or turn the motorcycle while still braking. While light trail braking is an excellent and useful technique to master, understand that your front tire has only a certain amount of traction to give. If you use a majority of the front tire's traction for braking and then ask it to provide maximum cornering traction as well, a typical low-side crash will result. Also consider that your motorcycle won't steer as well with the fork fully compressed under braking. If you're constantly fighting the motorcycle while turning, it may be because you're braking too far into the corner. All these problems can be eliminated by setting your entrance speed early, an important component of running the Pace. Since you aren't hammering the brakes at every corner entrance, your enjoyment of pure cornering will increase tremendously. You'll relish the feeling of snapping your bike into the corner and opening the throttle as early as possible. Racers talk about getting the drive started, and that's just as important on the street. Notice how the motorcycle settles down and simply works better when the throttle is open? Use a smooth, light touch on the throttle and try to get the bike driving as soon as possible in the corner, even before the apex, the tightest point of the corner. If you find yourself on the throttle ridiculously early, it's an indication you can increase your entrance speed slightly be releasing the brakes earlier. As you sweep past the apex, you can begin to stand the bike up out of the corner. This is best done by smoothly accelerating, which will help stand the bike up. As the rear tire comes off full lean, it puts more rubber on the road, and the forces previously used for cornering traction can be converted to acceleration traction. The throttle can be rolled open as the bike stands up. This magazine won't tell you how fast is safe; we will tell you how to go fast safely. How fast you go is your decision, but it's one that requires reflection and commitment. High speed on an empty four-lane freeway is against the law, but it's fairly safe. Fifty-five miles per hour in a canyon may be legal, but it may also be dangerous. Get together with your friends and talk about speed. Set a reasonable maximum and stick to it. Done right, the Pace is addicting without high straightaway speeds. The group I ride with couldn't care less about outright speed between corners; any gomer can twist a throttle. If you routinely go 100 mph, we hope you routinely practice emergency stops from that speed. Keep in mind outright speed will earn a ticket that is tough to fight and painful to pay; cruising the easy straight stuff doesn't attract as much attention from the authorities and sets your speed perfectly for the next sweeper. GROUP MENTALITY Straights are the time to reset the ranks. The leader needs to set a pace that won't bunch up the followers, especially while leaving a stop sign or passing a car on a two-lane road. The leader must use the throttle hard to get around the car and give the rest of the group room to make the pass, yet he or she can't speed blindly along and earn a ticket for the whole group. With sane speeds on the straights, the gaps can be adjusted easily; the bikes should be spaced about two seconds apart for maximum visibility of surface hazards. It's the group aspect of the Pace I enjoy most, watching the bikes in front of me click into a corner like a row of dominoes, or looking in my mirror as my friends slip through the same set of corners I just emerged from. Because there's a leader and a set of rules to follow, the competitive aspect of sport riding is eliminated and that removes a tremendous amount of pressure from a young rider's ego - or even an old rider's ego. We've all felt the tug of racing while riding with friends or strangers, but the Pace takes that away and saves it for where it belongs: the racetrack. The racetrack is where you prove your speed and take chances to best your friends and rivals. I've spend a considerable amount of time writing about the Pace (see Motorcyclist, Nov. '91) for several reasons, not the least of which being the fun I've had researching it (continuous and ongoing). But I have motivations that aren't so fun. I got scared a few years ago when Senator Danforth decided to save us from ourselves by trying to ban superbikes, soon followed by insurance companies blacklisting a variety of sport bikes. I've seen Mulholland Highway shut down because riders insisted on racing (and crashing) over a short section of it. I've seen heavy police patrols on roads that riders insist on throwing themselves off of. I've heard the term "murder-cycles" a dozen times too many. When we consider the abilities of a modern sport bike, it becomes clear that rider techniques is sorely lacking. The Pace emphasizes intelligent, rational riding techniques that ignore racetrack heroics without sacrificing fun. The skills needed to excel on the racetrack make up the basic precepts of the Pace, excluding the mind-numbing speeds and leaving the substantially larger margin for error needed to allow for unknowns and immovable objects. Our sport faces unwanted legislation from outsiders, but a bit of throttle management from within will guarantee our future.

THE PACE PRINCIPLES Set cornering speed early. Blow the entrance and you'll never recover. Look down the road Maintaining a high visual horizon will reduce perceived speed and help you avoid panic situations. Steer the bike quickly. There's a reason Wayne Rainey works out - turning a fast-moving motorcycle takes muscle. Use your brakes smoothly but firmly Get on and then off the brakes; don't drag 'em. Get the throttle on early Starting the drive settles the chassis, especially through a bumpy corner. Never cross the centerline except to pass Crossing the centerline in a corner is an instant ticket and an admittance that you can't really steer your bike. In racing terms, your lane is your course; staying right of the line adds a significant challenge to most roads and is mandatory for sport riding's future. Don't crowd the centerline Always expect an oncoming car with two wheels in your lane. When leading, ride for the group Good verbal communication is augmented with hand signals and turn signals; change direction and speed smoothly. When following, ride with the group If you can't follow a leader, don't expect anyone to follow you when you're setting the pace. Authour: Nick Ienatsch

I agree with all the principles of "the pace" and think it should be followed 99% of the time on the street. That is why I posted it in the techniques and riding section for people to see as well. However, I dont think most of those principles apply to places like deals gap and blood mountain, hwy 28, 75 etc... This is because while you arent riding at the ragged edge like on the track, you are pretty close to it. Hammering the brakes, extreme lean angles can be had on those roads and you dont have to be riding over the limit to do it. Its just the nature of the beast when down there. I think the key is that while you might be able to do that, everyone needs to realize their own limits and not try to ride beyond them. For example, Eddie owns the gap. Any other road I can pretty much stay within 20 feet of his tail. However, on the gap after about 10 turns he is quickly disappearing. For me to try and keep up would mean I would probably crash, and so I just let him go. No ego there, especially when I've only ridden that road maybe 20 times and he has been riding it for years. Same with Eric and Chad. Well, chad is pretty slow but anyways :finger You get the point

not to mention all of the traffic (cruisers,tourers, cagers) that will be on that road....also the word around here is that the troopers will be here in more numbers than last year. so be ready

I was there last weekend and didnt see a single trooper. Well... except for that bastid on 28 that popped eric and me for 70 in a 55 :rant

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 no... you guys will do night runs :lol I'll be :beer a man brotha! Eddie

BUD LIGHT

Originally posted by BKR1 Barber next weekend is impossible for me , but the next Barber date is very possible for me , esp. with my new gas saving wagon ! Yesterday was my cheapest track day yet , costed me about $70.00 in gas , I slept at the track in the wagon , and you guys feed me , hell I could do 2 or 3 more this year at that cost !:cool: Man, we are out of sync, I'm doing Barber this weekend. PM me when y'all plan another trackday so I can join up with y'all. Trackdays are a blast alone but even better with my buddies. Let me know. Eddie

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 BUD LIGHT aaahhhhh yeah,man !!!

Originally posted by KneeDragger77 BUD LIGHT BUTT LIGHT SON! :D

Originally posted by 2nd time Man, we are out of sync, I'm doing Barber this weekend. PM me when y'all plan another trackday so I can join up with y'all. Trackdays are a blast alone but even better with my buddies. Let me know. Eddie We should pick a day at CMP and get everyone to agree to it . That track would be pretty central for some of us . I would love to hang out at the track with you guys ! I am definetly going back to RA ! That is my favorite track fosho ! Enjoy Barber !

Same with Eric and Chad. Well, chad is pretty slow but anyways :finger You get the point [/B][/QUOTE] Hey, what's up with that:lol I like to call myself well paced:D Not slow;)

Originally posted by BKR1 We should pick a day at CMP and get everyone to agree to it . That track would be pretty central for some of us . I would love to hang out at the track with you guys ! I am definetly going back to RA ! That is my favorite track fosho ! Enjoy Barber ! Maybe Barber in July or August? Just an idea. That may give us a trial run together before RA in November. I think there is only one at CMP this year and not sure of when it is.

i will be one of the slow ones and be happy doing it

:iamwithst i hate pushing myself through corners trtying to keep up with people its too dangerous for my skill leval :blush o well i have years of improvment to come and the code class this year :fact :yesnod im happy with a slow to fast pace... :riding

man i wanna go and meet all you people and ride the gap. dammit. well since i wont make it this time around:hellobye and have fun and please be safe phil---butt wipe beer is bad for you. A nice Miller would serve better me thinks. lol j/k have fun guys

I found this on the Tail Of The Dragon website. Might be a good idea to read. http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_howtoride.html

Just keep me posted on the trackdays. I could do Barber again probably in August. I think my brother is doing VIR in July so I might go up for that one. If RA is in November that would be neat. Y'all make it sound like a fun track. It would be neat running with Brian, Chad and the gang. The grin would be painful. Eddie

Yes Eddie. I am still grinning from Saturday. If we could all ride together in the A group I might not be able to wipe the grin off my face for several weeks!

I am worried you 2 will serve me stuffing in the A group !:lol Either way , I think you guys will be there soon enough and it will be painfully fun !!! VIR in July is looking good , same with the August Barber date , the Saturday atleast .:thumbup

Originally posted by BKR1 I am worried you 2 will serve me stuffing in the A group !:lol Either way , I think you guys will be there soon enough and it will be painfully fun !!! VIR in July is looking good , same with the August Barber date , the Saturday atleast .:thumbup Good thing that RA date is around Thanksgiving. You provide the Turkey and me and Eddie will provide the Stuffing :D I will look into things, but maybe, just maybe I can make that VIR trip with ya'll.:dunno If I get to do Barber in July and have the extra money and if I were to get the Bump in July it would be really hard to miss it if ya'll were doing it. :yesnod Have to see how things go.

HMMMMMM Barber in July !?! Okay I guess I need to do that one , sat. of course ! we can compare lap times , but when you get bumped to advanced , get your owntimer ! :D I may bring my own stuffing around Thanksgiving !:lol JK ! i am slow at the track and at the gap , but i always have a BLAST !

Originally posted by BKR1 HMMMMMM Barber in July !?! Okay I guess I need to do that one , sat. of course ! we can compare lap times , but when you get bumped to advanced , get your owntimer ! :D I may bring my own stuffing around Thanksgiving !:lol JK ! i am slow at the track and at the gap , but i always have a BLAST ! :lol :lol I heard that!! Sounds like a plan. I better make sure Eric gets me some more tires:yesnod. If we do Barber in July then hopefully we can only compare lap times in the AM then you can have your timer back in the afternoon when I get bumped.:yesnod THat would:rock Oh, and always Saturday for me too.