Happy New Year everyone!

N8!

Yesterday at Roebling Road Raceway was a Frank Kinsey trackday. I have not attended one of his events before and it was extremely well run. The wind was a sustained 20 mph with gusts up to 35mph. The turn 8 onto the front straight was pretty wild. The front straight wall just channeled the strong head wind straight into the T8 and you really had to be ready to counter the bike wanting to wash out from underneath you. All in all it was just great to be back on the bike.

This was the first time riding since the Pirelli tire test at Daytona. I left the test with way more comprehension of chasing bike setup/problem solving. Even with the wind gusts, you could still feel the bumps exiting T2. Just a few clicks of rebound really settled the front end. Many folk's do not realize that the front shock (yes front shock, there are no springs in the forks, for non BMW riders info.) does not have seperate rebound and compression adjustments. Rebound and compression is in the same adjuster on the botoom of the shock. SO, lol, when you need more of one, the other is also being changed. Kent at GMD Computrack Atlanta ahs found awesome ways of fattening up the compression to not throw it to far out of wack when changing it.

I hope to be able to get some more riding in soon. The weather is still way better down South this time of year. Mountain biking more as much as possible and eating right is a the difference from when I was up North. Meaning, not being able to be outside and staying as active due to 30 to 40 degree days, you tend eat a bit more! lol Dieting is really the hardest of the two. We all have our favorite food groups, just some are not the healthiest!

Volleyball 3 times a week, gym 5 times a week, and on the mt. bike 5 of the days also, I feel I can eat anything. lol Stinks there is a Steak n' Shake in at the front of my driveway.

Take care,

Nate

Man Nov. 15th was the last post here! Not like I have had my laptop with me or anything, lol. I have been traveling a bit and also taking time to get ready for next season. There was the Pirelli tire test at Daytona then off to Long Beach for the IMS show. I recently returned from the IMS show in LB and now gettting ready to practice at a couple of different tracks this weekend.

Right now my main focus is strength training. Mt.biking each day and marsmanship at the range. The next IDPA match is coming up and it is a great way to relax and find a balance between speed and accuracy. The mt.biking has been a real challenge though. One of the guy's on my team and from the shop is just awesome on the trails. He kicks my butt everytime we go on the bicycles. It is great training.

Getting ready for new challenges such as the biggest of my career is the Daytona 200. I have always wanted to run it, but I never thought it would be on a BMW. For sure there are always opinion's on how the bike will perform, but we have to start somewhere. This new dual overhead cam HP2 Sport is getting better and better each time I can ride it. The tire test yielded some great data and the Germans are doing their homework! The 200 has it's own nature. There are so many factors and aspects that we cannot rely or focus on any single one. There was not much of a draft due to the limited # of bikes on the track during the tire test, but the top end will improve even more in March.

We are looking forward to 2008. The overwhelming support from BMW riders and riders in general is strong. From trackdays with the nation's leading trackday company Team Pro Motion to CCS/ASRA/AMA races, there will be alot of seat time to further the development of our BMW motorcycles.

There is alot to be thankfull for this Holiday season. Many of us have family and frinds that can be with us that are serving in our nation's military. Keep them in your thought's and prayer's throughout the Holiday's.

Nate