There have been a lot of firsts for me in the last couple of days. I went motorcar racing this week with a bunch of friends from In-life. HELLO! Friends from home, why haven't we done this?! I ended up racing twice, it was so much fun. But because of my competitive nature I also ended up betting one of the most experienced drivers that I would be able to keep up with him on the track... sometimes my big mouth gets me into trouble. I don't know what I was thinking. This guy has been racing motorcars since he was 10 and owns his own motorcycle. But I bet him anyways. If I won then he had to give me a ride on his motorcycle. If he won, I had to bake him some cookies. I figured, if I was going to lose I would at least get to eat some cookie dough (my chocolate chip cookies have been a big hit here).
The first run Laco was a gentleman and allowed me to race ahead of him to start off. But it wasn't long before he butted into my lane and sped away ahead of me. He was half way around the track before I had time to blink. I got a rhythm on the track about half way into it. I figured out when to push down on the gas all the way through a turn and when to balance the gas and break to get around the tighter corners. I learned that fish tailing is fun, but it slows you down. At the end of the race I was proud to find out I didn't finish last! My adrenaline was pumping and I was ready to get back out on the track to better my lap time. I didn't care that my hands and forearms were shaking uncontrollably from holding the wheel so tightly.
An hour later I was racing again. This time I knew the track and my opponents. We all sped off, hitting the gas as hard as we could around the turn. I was able to keep two guys behind me past the first turn. Three tight turns were coming up, and I knew they would have to hang back until we got through them. I tried to hit the turns as smoothly as I could. Success! I passed one car and was able to keep most of the others behind me. My friend Katka and I battled it out on the next lap. She nearly caused me to crash, but I creeped by her on the inside track. I had a couple frustrated drivers behind me for the rest of the race. They pushed and shoved, but somehow I was able to keep my lead. I finished with a faster lap time, AND with the triumph that Laco wasn't able to pass me on the track. There was a motorcycle ride in my future.
Today was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride. It was warm and sunny with big, white, puffy clouds that sprinkled the blue sky with magnificent contrast. By the time Laco and I set off the sun was setting. It was that beautiful orange hue that made the green leaves of the trees glow with warmth. Laco went slowly at first, being considerate of the fact that it was my first time on a motorcycle. But as we got out of the city's main streets and onto the winding roads of the countryside he leaned into his handle bars and picked up speed. As I lavished the thrill of racing up and down roads and around corners, I took in the green, rolling hills stretched out on either side of me. We stopped twice. First, at a race track to watch the "experienced" riders at work. Then again as we passed the dam on our way back. We stood by the bank watching hot air balloons stretch across the water.
I think Laco could sense my confidence growing on the bike because we got back to the office quite quickly from the dam. The motorcycle ride seemed to finish before it started, but it's an afternoon that I will always remember. Laco, if you're reading this thank you again for such a great ride. And don't worry, I intend to keep my end of the deal.
The first run Laco was a gentleman and allowed me to race ahead of him to start off. But it wasn't long before he butted into my lane and sped away ahead of me. He was half way around the track before I had time to blink. I got a rhythm on the track about half way into it. I figured out when to push down on the gas all the way through a turn and when to balance the gas and break to get around the tighter corners. I learned that fish tailing is fun, but it slows you down. At the end of the race I was proud to find out I didn't finish last! My adrenaline was pumping and I was ready to get back out on the track to better my lap time. I didn't care that my hands and forearms were shaking uncontrollably from holding the wheel so tightly.
An hour later I was racing again. This time I knew the track and my opponents. We all sped off, hitting the gas as hard as we could around the turn. I was able to keep two guys behind me past the first turn. Three tight turns were coming up, and I knew they would have to hang back until we got through them. I tried to hit the turns as smoothly as I could. Success! I passed one car and was able to keep most of the others behind me. My friend Katka and I battled it out on the next lap. She nearly caused me to crash, but I creeped by her on the inside track. I had a couple frustrated drivers behind me for the rest of the race. They pushed and shoved, but somehow I was able to keep my lead. I finished with a faster lap time, AND with the triumph that Laco wasn't able to pass me on the track. There was a motorcycle ride in my future.
Today was a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride. It was warm and sunny with big, white, puffy clouds that sprinkled the blue sky with magnificent contrast. By the time Laco and I set off the sun was setting. It was that beautiful orange hue that made the green leaves of the trees glow with warmth. Laco went slowly at first, being considerate of the fact that it was my first time on a motorcycle. But as we got out of the city's main streets and onto the winding roads of the countryside he leaned into his handle bars and picked up speed. As I lavished the thrill of racing up and down roads and around corners, I took in the green, rolling hills stretched out on either side of me. We stopped twice. First, at a race track to watch the "experienced" riders at work. Then again as we passed the dam on our way back. We stood by the bank watching hot air balloons stretch across the water.
I think Laco could sense my confidence growing on the bike because we got back to the office quite quickly from the dam. The motorcycle ride seemed to finish before it started, but it's an afternoon that I will always remember. Laco, if you're reading this thank you again for such a great ride. And don't worry, I intend to keep my end of the deal.
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