Calabogie, here we come.

Word spread fast about the new track in Calabogie Canada. For the past year or so we heard about this track and hoped it would actually be completed. Other tracks in the past have been shutdown or ran into problem along the way. One group called “Green Mountain Conservation Group” has made it their mission to stop tracks from opening along with other tracks like Alpine, just south of Pocono and Club Motorsports in New Hampshire. Calabogie was on their list but was granted the go ahead, hopefully it’s a sign of things to come. Late August 2006 brought good news in the approval of the track and paving was started. With news that the tracks was down, confirmation of an in car video of the track and the sweet smell of new pavement that drifted south were all we needed. TPM was lucky to secure Tuesday Oct 10^th and 11^th for a track day. Granted heading north in October is not the best idea but Team Xcedrin has never been known to be a sane group of people anyways. Plus the opportunity to test new pavement outweighed the weather. Besides we brought tire screws in case it snowed. I told we were not sane.

Now all we needed to do was ensemble the team. The smell of new pavement was all we needed to convince Mike and Jack to head north. Craig is very busy at work, so he’ll sit this one out. We recruited Tony Brazley to come along with us, which took very little persuasion. Tony a fellow TPM coach and is the latest addition to Team Xcedrin. Actually we needed a new carrot to chase and Tony being super fast was a good candidate. Granted he exceeds our riding but he some one we hope to catch in a few years. Plans evolved as the departure date comes near. Final plans are to meet at George’s house on Monday and head north from there. Mike hits a track day at Pocono with Craig on Sunday and Tony arrives at George’s house late Sunday night, not as planned but let’s just say traffic on 95 and 476 from DC to north of Philly was not kind to Tony. Monday morning arrives with Tony and Dustin playing video games as we await Mike and Jack to arrive. By noon all parties have arrived and we are loaded and on our way.

The trip north was uneventful and along the way we meet up with CBRBob another fellow TPM coach and all around good guy. Bob is running solo so we run together. Along the trip Tony and George breakout the PS2 with MotoGP 4. This kills time for Tony and George and provides a warm ear for Mike. Tony has many hours on this game and just like on the track can leave George in the dust. A little background on Mr. Brazley, Tony came to TPM in 2004 and was coached by Mike and George a few times, which was all he needed. At CMP at the end of the 2004 season Tony was out cruising around and George, riding the TPM SV650 at the time, happened upon Tony. George passes Tony on his R1 on the front straight and for fun locks up the rear heading into turn 1. Tony returns the favor by coming off the back straight and this continues for the remainder of the session. Tony and George come in and George gets introduced to Tony’s then girlfriend Kristen, who is working the grid and is now pointing her finger at George (and Tony) telling them to stop it. We get the point and it was fun while it lasted. Tony and George laugh about it and thus establish a friendship based on trouble from day one and it continues today, but it’s all in good fun.

We cross the boarder into Canada and can almost taste the new pavement in the air. A quick u-turn in traffic jam and we take the alternate route. Jack has a keen sense of direction and why he ends up driving most of the time, plus it his truck and trailer. CBRBob with his GPS takes us over the mountain and we arrive at the town of Calabogie. Pulling into the Calabogie Lodge, which is where our room is. Jack and Tony check in as Mike and George contribute to the water level of the Lake. Once checked in we discover the lodge restaurant is closed so we head over to CBRBob’s hotel, The Buckhorn Inn. The Buckhorn has a restaurant that happens to be open. Bob gets his room and we head off for some food. The Buckhorn is all for the track as the lobby area has pictures of the track in its many phases and even the write up Glen did on the tracks media day from the TPM web page, complete with TPM logos and pictures.

Food the Buckhorn is very good and you get enough to fill your belly. The soda and water have a funny taste but it’s not fatal so it’s all good. One hint double check the menu, because gravy means lots of gravy and ask about the hamburger vs hot hamburger. The staff is very friendly, talkative and a nice group of people. After dinner we head to our room. Jack has provided us with a super place. A full living room with kitchen, 2 full baths, 2 bedrooms upstairs, one with a queen bed the other with 2 twin beds. We all claim out space and Tony breaks out the PS2 the room is filled with bike noises before we know it.

Morning comes along and we head out to the track. Mike and Jack saw the track back in July when it was just gravel, so they know the way to the track. We arrive and help others unload and then unload ourselves and suit up for the coaches only session with Glen. George grids up behind Glen, with Mike, Tony and CBRBob close behind me. Jack gets in the group with Shawna. As we head out I try to remember the video but it does the track no justice. After the first lap we realize we are in for treat. 22 turns some are 2 or 3 apexes, decreasing radius, elevation changes, blind entry points, blind apexes and blind exits. Some turns are so blind you just have to trust yourself and throw in and ago. The track is as smooth as glass and with temps in the 50’s there is an amazing amount of grip. The elevation changes are sometimes mixed within the same turn. Some of the turns are very long. The last section of the track before the front straight is a triple apex, but you miss the first 2 and fixate on hitting the last apex to make the best time. A few sections are full throttle wide sweepers. If you ever rode Barber it’s a larger version of that. Amazing track and a definite must do if you’re a track day rider. Get there soon and tell your friends to stay home, so there is more room for you.

First session is over and we all gather our thoughts quickly because we now have to lead the red group around. We all (coaches) figure the line out and the red group riders gladly follow along. After the red group comes white and we repeat the process at a slightly slower pace. Blue is up next and we discover some of the locals have been here for the media day a few weeks back and wick it up. George, Mike, Jack and Tony repeat the groups again learning the track better each time. This gets us to the point where the turns are not a surprise and a flow is created. Once we get the track down we discover different lines and find a comfort zone and are having a blast. This track is one of the best places to ride. The day progresses with only 1 rider down with a busted collar bone. Glen, Dominic and George load up his bike and gear for his wife. As the day progresses, believe it or not it is getting better and better. Turn 3 is a blind entry turn, just over the rise after the very short straight. You basically lean the bike towards an apex that you can’t see. It’s a true feat to do this at speed and a major thrill when you get it right.

The day ends far too soon. With the sun fading on the horizon we call it a day. The forecast for tomorrow calls for rain so we line the bikes close to the trailer, CBRBob’s included, and lower the canopy. With the bikes and trailer locked up we talk with the riders near by us. One rider Brian is on a highly modified creation. We had heard earlier in the day heard that Brain is a former Canadian vintage bike champion. At one point late in the day Brian passed George in the red group. George followed Brain looking for different line and in the never ending pursuit lower lap times. 6 laps later Brian went in deep to the second part of a turn call Temptation and ran wide, discovering that grass has far less traction the new pavement and laid the bike down. He was fine and the bike had a few more battle scars. We talk with Brian about his creation and share stories from all our pasts.

We head off for dinner to the only place in town that open, The Buckhorn. CBRBob leads the way and we are there in a matter of minutes. Mike and George talk with the locals outside the restaurant about the track and about the other locals that seem to take offence to the noise of the track. As one local put it, if the people complaining would get a job they would not be home during the day and the noise would not be an issue, good point. Also note that ATV and snowmobile trails are all over the area, and are a lot closer to the houses then the track is, and thus make a louder noise but that noise is OK. The local businesses seem to be in favor of the track, for obvious business reasons, and enjoy seeing new people in general. Mike and George join the others inside and place their orders. While we await our meal and drink the strange tasting water and soda, our new friend Brian arrive and joins us. A few minutes later Glen, Linda and Dominic arrive. We join the tables and we all have a great time talking about the track and sharing our stories. As the meal wind down our fellow TPM coach Brain H shows up with his 2 friends and joins us for more stories.

Hours later we head back to the room and get settled in. Tony starts up the PS2 and before you know it the room is filled with engine sounds, again. Mike tries his hand at the PS2. Later Tony and George take turns with the controller. As clock turns towards midnight we all head for some well needed rest.

Morning comes, far too soon, but the weather outside is frightful. Rain has made its way in and is adding more to the level of the lake then Mike and George did when they arrived. We all pack up and head off to the track. We stop at the gas station/general store for some fuel and food. Once again the locals are very happy to see us and serve us. The one woman running the store is happy to head out in the rain to pump our gas and leaves us alone in the store to gather our food for the day. With the food gathered we head off to the track.

As we arrive there are a lot fewer people than yesterday and considering the rain, most opt to wait for a better day. We rush to get ready for the day. Since the reports is rain all day Mike and George swap over to rain tires. So one at a time we roll our bikes in and in about an hour we complete the process. While the tire swap was going on Tony and Jack cook up some breakfast. Mike and George suit up with rain gear and eat at the same time, which as most of you know is no small feat. As Mike and George exit the trailer the call over PA system comes “The track is now open”. Since there only a few riders today it is open track all day. Mike is ready to go and George stuff his breakfast in his mouth and on goes the helmet. BTW it took half a lap for George to finish his breakfast. Mike and George head out in pursuit of riders to help.

In the wet the track offers great grip and even with leaves on the track. Mike and George pick up a few riders and offer some instruction. As the day progress we help the few riders that are out there and the rain continues to fall. Riders varied in speed from super fast to slow but all were making the best of the conditions, which they all deserve, respect and admiration for riding.

The day draws close to the end and we start the loading process, which for 4 guys and all our gear can be a long process. We finish loading and head over to the TPM trailer to see if any help is needed. With one bike still on course we head over to the photographer and hunt through the unsorted pictures and talk with the riders there. PicSphere is the photographer for the day and has taken some good shots of us yesterday. We sort through them and pick our favorite one and get a copy printed off. Dan is a nice guy and always willing to help out the customers.

The day officially ends and we say so long to others and hit the road. We chase Glen in the small TPM rig and trailer for a few miles then part ways and head south to the USA boarder. Crossing the boarder was no problem, just a few questions and a nice conversation with the guard and we are back in the USA. A quick stop and go in the next rest stop and we are on the way again. As it gets later Tony and George fire up the PS2 and we hunt for food and place to stay. We find an exit and happen upon a Steak and Scotch restaurant. We pop in for some grub and have a good time with the staff. With our bellies full and well hydrated we head off the nearest hotel and settle in for some rest. Mike and Jack in one room and Tony and George in the other. Tony and George break out the PS2 and only to find the hotel has guards on the cable line to prevent us from hooking the PS2. Let me rephrase that, delays us in setting up the PS2. With a pocket knife and some ingenuity that would make MacGyver proud we have the PS2 hooked up and we are racing again.

Morning comes and we finish the trip and arrive at George’s house. Jack is on a tight schedule to make his son cross country race and we hustle to empty our stuff onto the lawn and driveway. With 3 bike unloaded, bags, gear flying everywhere and in record time, 14 minutes, Jack is on his way with time to spare. Mike, Tony and George are left to sort through everything and load up each other. With everyone packed up. Mike and Tony head out for the final leg of their trips and another adventure is in the books for the crew of Team Xcedrin and yet and other story to be told in our later years sitting on the porch in our rocking chairs.

George Benes…

Team Xcedrin member #929.