GIRLS OF F.A.S.T.—Another Perfect Day on Shannonville

Did we have fun this past Tuesday on Shannonville? You bet! I was teaching once again for Michel Mercier’s FAST school, with a focus on our "all women’s group". We had a super day and many enjoyed taking home more riding skills than what they arrived with.

We focused on cornering skills, push steering, throttle steering, down-shifting [before the corner] and ideal lines. This course’s youngest ‘racer girl’, Erin, just 17, working the track like she was born on it. Erin has her own Kawasaki Ninja 250 and was able to use the FAST schools 250 cc during her training so the familiarity of the ride helped out. Fair credit to Erin’s dad Tim, who’s an avid Canadian Vintage Road Racer/Mechanic enthusiast.

Another female participant in our group used her own KTM where by the end of the day, most certainly while the other women were getting their bodies off the bike, leaning into the corner, Jane was moving forward on her supermoto, steering further into the lean than she’d shown in the morning sessions. Another day and her foot would be out while sliding through the apex. You’ll note in our group photo, the enthusiasm of everyone! The in-action shot where I’ve got a finger in the air is pointing from apex to exit.

Many thanks to Shari and Jack of Flair photo for the usual great photos!

DUCATI 749 DARK—STEADFAST ITALIAN

It was the very end of April when I found, purchased, and fell for the DARK Ducati, exquisite Italian. After much search I bought it from the well known Montreal dealership--Monette Sports. It was additionally a bonus driving to Montreal, Canada’s European style culture, with trailer to pick my future ride--I love Montreal. To date I’ve not added many kilometres to Dante’s (as I’ve named him) history, yet gratifyingly, 2/3 of the time spent on the bike has been on the track.

It’s namely due to this summer’s new historic record rain fall, and a busy test ride agenda (other manufacturer bikes I must ride) there’s really been not much of a chance to ride him on the street. The time we’ve shared has been "magnifico" — I made a great choice—the DARK is so sexy and radical looking. Its odd how one’s vision of beauty changes -- I remember when the DARK came out; I was the first to turn my nose up at it stating “traditional red” is what a Ducati should be. Now, well, I own one — the DARK has this futuristic, contemporary-architectural proclamation about it — and the silver frame an amazing accent. I find for the first time ever, I simply like to gaze at the bike, admiring it; in fact I could stare at it for hours. Yet his name didn’t arrive easily -- Dante as in Italy’s famed poet and the name translated means “stead fast” — fitting I found.

Again yesterday I was on the track teaching and enjoyed getting to know the bike better. Yet this also reminded me I’ve really got to get a steer damper and sort out the suspension set up.
A better suited rear spring, for a rider of 51 kilos not 70++ would make a big difference as well. Even though there's much to do with Dante, it's a pleasure adding him to the bikes I've owned. As the 749 is not produced any longer, I intend to keep him always—the beginning of my new collection this side of the globe.
My former Ducati 900SSC was a 1995 (Canadian customs would not allow it into the country, sadly I sold it) and I can say, in a decade, "Dante" (he's a 2005) with computer technology and increased HP/torque, design, style/weight, the machine is astounding — it's not all bad to move on to new technology. Having the 1098S last year was also quite a modern day leap to the next Ducati era after only knowing the 1995 performance — which I still regret parting with, both my 900SSC and the 1098S. Never mind, "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" — sure, the saying applies to motorcycles too.