Setup Offset Cone-weave and Keyhole

[Ken R]

Beautiful weather here in Dallas right now. A bit windy, though, with winds gusting to 30 mph. Makes slow speed maneuvering a little more challenging.

Today, I set up my 12-gate offset cone-weave, followed immediately by an 18' diameter Keyhole. In the picture at the far end is the entrance to the first cone-weave gate. Hidden in the picture by my motor's front wheel is gate #12. The Keyhole then begins directly in front of my front wheel; and is at a 45-degree angle from the cone-weave exercise to force me to continue the loop through gate 12 in order to enter the Keyhole.

The two cones in the foreground are 36 feet apart, used for figure 8's. (the parking lot lines are on 9' centers). The figure 8 crossover point is the middle yellow line crossing the expansion joint in the concrete.

Practiced for over an hour today. Wish there were more peeps in the area that enjoy this type of challenge.

Ken

[dmax]

Looks good Ken. Setting up the cones by yourself can get old. Nowadays I leave the cones and my tape measure in the left saddlebag. Lately, I have had several riders stop by and watch me practice. But not many want to try. They don't want to "beat up their bike."

Keep it up! (The bike and the practice!)

[Ken R]

Originally Posted by dmax

Looks good Ken. Setting up the cones by yourself can get old. Nowadays I leave the cones and my tape measure in the left saddlebag. Lately, I have had several riders stop by and watch me practice. But not many want to try. They don't want to "beat up their bike."

Keep it up! (The bike and the practice!)

Yep, I keep my 50 cones and tape measure in my saddlebag, too; but in addition, a can of spray paint. Thin stripes painted on the pavement adjacent to the inside edges of the cone bases can't be seen unless one is looking for them. Cone setup only takes about 5 minutes using my little marks.

The other thing I keep in my saddlebag is my "parking lot helmet". I put my real helmet on the ground next to the first gate. (you can see it in the picture) and put on my "parking lot helmet" for practice. It's a half-helmet with padding; but not necessarily DOT approved. It'll be at least as effective as my bicycling helmet if I stumble and fall. Indian Larry might be alive today if he had a parking lot helmet.

Ken

[dmax]

I see. I haven't been bold enough to paint the ground in my favorite parking lot. I suppose the owners wouldn't really care or even notice small marks on the ground.

Why a different helmet for practice? As you can see in my avatar, I always wear the "big 'ol white helmet". When I first started practicing the low speed lessons, I did it with no helmet. But I found wearing my helmet felt alot different and threw off my timing. This happened because the ground didn't "look" the same in my peripheral vision. Also the engine "sounds" a little different as you're trying holding it just off idle. It was enough to throw off my confidence when turning sharp on the street. So now, I always practice with the helmet on. I think this is partly why they make motorcops compete in full uniform.

Try practicing sometime with your real helmet. You might find it throws you off just a little. If not, then don't worry about it.

[Ken R]

One is that even with my hearing aids, I can't hear commands shouted to me as well when wearing my real helmet. We're practicing a 4-motorcycle demonstration routine now; and the leader barks out commands in vital points in the routine. I won't be able to hear him when wearing my 3/4 or full helmets.

The other reason is because it is hot and heavy. So I bought my parking lot helmet and wear it in the summertime practice sessions. I'll go back to one of my 3/4 helmets as the weather turns.

I'd imagine that a full-face helmet helps the discipline of head-and-eyes. Without good periphery vision, you probably have to strictly turn your head.

My paint marks are about 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide and 4 to 5 inches long. The ones I painted last December have almost disappeared. The hot sun and UV degrades them pretty well.

Ken

Originally Posted by dmax

Why a different helmet for practice? As you can see in my avatar, I always wear the "big 'ol white helmet". When I first started practicing the low speed lessons, I did it with no helmet. But I found wearing my helmet felt alot different and threw off my timing. This happened because the ground didn't "look" the same in my peripheral vision. Also the engine "sounds" a little different as you're trying holding it just off idle. It was enough to throw off my confidence when turning sharp on the street. So now, I always practice with the helmet on. I think this is partly why they make motorcops compete in full uniform.

Try practicing sometime with your real helmet. You might find it throws you off just a little. If not, then don't worry about it.

[Ken R]

I set up the Keyhole with 12" tall cones today. As I suspected it's harder.

Getting in and completing the circle (or multiple circles) isn't any different than with my 6" cones. Piece of cake.

The trouble arises when it's time to get out. It's not that easy to keep from touching that exit corner cone. Many times I thought I had a clean exit, only to circle around for another try and see that corner cone lying down.

I'm going to have to clean up my Keyhole exit. Where I was 100% with the small cones, I'm only about 20% with the larger ones, the exit being my nemisis. Ahhhh, another goal. I'll go back for another hour or two of practice tomorrow.

Ken