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Need to know…

1. This week’s 🛞🛞 Two Wheel Tuesday is at none other than Classic Car Club; don’t miss this one!

2. 👿 💀 Wicked Wednesday is organizing at First MSG on Long Island

3. Car stuff but I love these little shorts 📷️ ▶️ by our friends at Kidston Productions

4. Speaking of must-see videos, check this one out about the story of how The Stig became The Stig 📷️ ▶️

5. This is the last 🛞 ✂️ month to claim your Pirelli tire rebates! $60 /set or $25 /tire

6. Why do motorcycles wheelie? 🏍️ 🤕 

7. “It’s like the hand of God pushing you”. A 420hp motorcycle ☠️ .

Massive flooding upstate

The storm last night did some severe damage to some of the roads we know and love upstate. We’ll miss route 218 for sure and having Palisades Parkway taken out will be a nightmare to get upstate. Maybe rethink your riding plans this week…

1. Parts of Storm King Highway (route 218 from Cornwall to West Point) have been washed out, including some possible damage to historic buildings at West Point and one confirmed death

2. Significant parts of Palisades Parkway have also been washed out which will make upstate incredibly difficult to navigate

3. Are there more road closings? Let riders know.

Your first day at the track…

It’s going to me amazing. Leave all of your preconceived notions at home and just plan on learning & having fun.

But it can also be a logistical nightmare.

Keep in mind that the below isn’t written by some seasoned track day junky. It’s collated through my own track experience as well as insights gathered from our riding group. Share your own experience or ask us questions here.

1. 🚚 Transport

2. 🪖 🧤 Gear

3. 🥑 ☕️ What to eat/drink before, after, & during

4. 🏠️ Lodging

5. 🤑 The expense of it all 🤑 

🛻 Transport

No matter how close you live, do yourself a favor and don’t ride your bike to the track. Depending on what track you’re going to, you may not have accommodations at all, which means that all you’ve got all day is what you’ve brought on your track bike. I’ve known guys that did it but never on their first time and even then, they regretted it. Don’t do it. Not for your first track day.

Rent a Uhaul or strap the bike in with a transporter; they’re cheaper than you think. Figure around $200 to get your bike hauled to the track by an insured transporter. Ask your local riding groups or track day organizer on who they use.

🧤 👢 Gear

Slippery fucking slope, my friend.

• Helmet: $1k

• Gloves: $520

• Boots: $400

• Leather pants $350

• Jacket: $900

• Base layer: $150

Some tracks will let you rent some of the gear but if you plan on going back to the track, start investing in some of your own. Luckily, unless you crash, all of the gear should last for years. Slider pucks on your pants can be replaced, gear can be cleaned/washed, base layers are cheap and expendable, and you’ll use most of the gear on the street as well. Good investment.

The two-piece vs one-piece suit argument has no winners or losers. I bought a two piece because I wanted to spend my money on gear that I would also wear off track. I wear my leather jacket on track and on the street. Also, taking off a jacket after each session in the summer is clutch. One-piece suits are more comfortable and a bit safer on track but that doesn’t matter to you yet. Just get your ass on the track.

Oh, don’t forget fuel ⛽️ ! Bring at least a 5 gallon fuel container. Some tracks will not have fuel on site.

🍵 🥔 Food & Drink

Please please please do not repeat my mistakes. Night before track, a group of completely adult and responsible men decided to consume a 17 inch cheesesteak, custard, and an unknown amount of beer. Good call.

Let’s just say that the following day was not without issues for most of us. A 1 piece suit does not come off quickly when you need it to.

In terms of eating, just don’t overdo it the night before and eat clean day of. Keep your body hydrated throughout the day. You’re going to sweat buckets so drinking coffee all day is not a great idea. Drink Gatorade. You’re not going to piss a lot and that’s OK.

⛺️ 🪑 Lodging & Accommodations

This is really super dependent on the track. NJMP has fantastic on-track accommodations and NYST has nothing. Plan ahead. Camping might sound like a cool idea but keep in mind the weather and comfort. You want to set yourself up for as good a night’s of sleep as you can get and have some options to change clothes, store shit, and some AC if you’re tracking in the summer.

NYST has no paddock and no lodging on-site so be prepared! Depending on what track group you’re going with, they may have a pop-up 4 pole tent set up but chairs will not be provided so bring a chair. They may or may not provide food and drink. Bring your own just in case.

💰️ The Expense of It All

Track days themselves aren’t expensive; be prepared to pay $200-300 to use the track.

Then there’s the gear; figure around $2-5k depending on what you’re buying.

Getting your bike to the track is around $200

Don’t forget tire costs. You won’t go through a new set on a track day but depending on how hard you push them, the track will wear your tires far faster than the street. A set w/ mounting/balancing will set you back hundreds of dollars, depending on your bike.

I’d get track insurance too, especially for your first time out.

WTF is sidecar racing?

I can’t be the only one that is like “what the actual fuck” when watching sidecar races.

1. Chillin in a sidecar at 120+mph with no suspension inches off the ground?

2. Completely trusting your partner with your life?

3. Having to know exactly where to position your bike for every turn?

4. Literally hanging out of the sidecar into curves?

Sign me up!

Check the read link for our full breakdown of the craziest shit you’ll read today.

writing contributed by Adam Viar

This week’s route: Take a trip up River Rd and swing by Cross Country Cycles

River Rd is a fantastic ride up the Delaware River and a stop at Cross Country Cycle breaks up the boredom of the Garden State Parkway. We’ll grab some grub & drink on the way in Washington Crossing & New Hope on the way too.

The NYC leg

This one is for riders coming out of the city. Meet up in NYC and head out through the Lincoln Tunnel (I know, I know). If you’re looking for a place to hook up in the city, tons of biker friendly options:

1. Classic Car Club (just make sure you or someone you know is a member)

2. House of Machines (Two Wheel Tuesday mainstay)

3. Dainese flagship store in SoHo

4. Hudson Clearwater for breakfast. Get the Duck Hash.

5. South Street Pier for pics. Go ahead and pull up right on the pier but don’t tell them I told you to.

Together with Cross Country Cycle

The Garden State Parkway with a stop @ Cross Country Cycle

You could take the Turnpike but I’m trying to avoid what is probably the most boring road in New Jersey. Honestly, the Parkway is a great road. It’s tree lined, has some sweeping curves and is mostly paved like glass. You could do far worse. Whatever you do, save yourself for a late lunch in New Hope. I’ve got plans there.

They’ve also got a great parts department on top of being a dealer for BMW, Ducati, Energica, Polaris, Honda, Royal Enfield, etc etc etc. Pair your ride to one of the events they’re hosting in July/August and try out a Can-Am (oh shut up, throw your leg over and give it a shot so you can tell your buddies what it’s like) or hit them up on their Triumph Demo Day on July 29.

PA / New Hope / River Road

Do me a favor and stop at Colonial Farms before you head out on River Road. Let me know if the chocolate chip cookies and muffins are as good as I remember them. But whatever you do, don’t eat a full meal. Save room for lunch just a short ride from Colonial Farms.

Triumph Brewery in New Hope makes some of the best cheeseburgers I’ve had and a perfect Amber Ale. The brewery being right on the way through River Road helps too. Sit behind the restaurant facing the canal for a great view.

River Road is magical and you should enjoy it as long as you didn’t fill up with 2,000 calories at Triumph. Take it all the way up to Easton and take in some of the fantastic views of the river along the way.

HIT THE READ LINK FOR THE WHOLE RIDE

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