GREECE Lightning
N ow wewe’veve had our week of good weather this year, we thought it was only fitting to chase the sunshine – and scope out some of the best activities we can find on two wheels for you. So breaking the usual tradition of heading over to Spain for the standard trackday holiday, this time we headed out to Greece, to try out a brand new experience from an Italian company called Life Motorcycle. A little bit of background: These guys (and gals) absolutely live and breathe bikes. From riding supermotos to working with the Ducati Riding Experience, the passion felt is so typically Italian – and an incredible breath of fresh air from the typical guys you meet running track events. The basis of the company is an arrive-and-drive style experience where you have the chance to ride a selection of Yamaha R6s and Honda CBR600RRs, around the only licensed race track in Greece; Serres circuit.
Heaven?
Now you might think that it sounds like any normal event, but as soon as you arrive there is an air of individuality about the whole experience; and it’s not just the fact we had Alex De-Angelis flying straight over from his World Superbike race in Misano to come spank some laps around Serres with us. For starters, they arrange a pick-up and transfer from the airport to the hotel at no extra charge; and the resort is stunning. Two poolspools, gymgym, spaspa, bar and a race track under ten minutes down the road… It’s as close to heaven as you could find in 34 degree heat. And the bikes? Although they look like a bog standard 600, each has its own characteristics; I mean one is World Supersport front runner Caricasulo’s practise bike fer chrissakes! They’re actually pretty trick, being more like Supersport hybrid bikes with decent suspension and strong engines rather than road bikes with some fairings. Epic. So after a day gym-ing and swimming, copious amounts of beer and seafood, it was time to go spank some 600s… after 30 minutes of a pretty heavy PT workout. It’s not mandatory of course, but it’s a nice touch before (and after) a day’s track thrashing, just to get your limbs limber and that bod more supple than a Russian ballerina. The only problem was the Greek dude taking the class seemed to have mistaken ‘warm up’ for some sort of high intensity training, meaning the older chaps attending were feeling a little tired before we’d even hit the breakfast buffet. In all honesty it was a bit much, and having a word with the head-honchos they agreed; meaning for the next event they were going to change it. It’s all about trial and error after all!
So, filled to the brim with espressos and scrambled egg, we all bundled in the arranged hire cars and headed off to Serres circuit; a short ten minute trip down the road fuelled by the obvious pre-trackday
SPECIAL GUEST WAS MOTOGP PODIUM FINISHER ALEX DE ANGELIS, AND HE DOESN’T MESS AROUND
banter and inter-nation competitiveness… being the only Brit I had a reputation to uphold after all. With Greece being in a whole heap off crap moneywise I wasn’t expecting much in the way of luxury, but all in all it was a pretty decent circuit where facilities are concerned – almost reminiscent of good ol’ Mallory Park. The layout itself was actually pretty interesting as well; although it’s flat there’s a whole range of twisties from the fast and flowing to the tight and technical, meaning you won’t be getting bored anytime soon, although there are a few corners where the run off is pretty much nonexistent (a highside out of the last corner would probably end you up buried in a wall at 120mph). That being said, after suiting, booting and sitting through the standard safety briefing, it was finally time to head out for the first outing in the tow of the instructors. The bikes felt incredibly well maintained with a dedicated mechanic jumping between them, and with tyre warmers on and pressures monitored, they were great from the off; especially the R6s with snazzy Ohlins front and back. The Yamahas were definitely the quicker of the bikes, with the CBRs feeling that bit more nimble when you hit the corners; especially when changing direction. It meant that both types of bikes were desirable, so there was no scrapping to get the keys to certain rides.
Faster boss!
The instructors headed in and out on track relentlessly at your behest, and with GoPros strapped to their bikes they were able to give an incredible amount of insight into where we were going right (and mostly wrong). Without sounding like a cock, the tutors proved to be incredibly fast and knew exactly what they were on about – rather than the wannabe guides you often come across on UK trackdays. They really were a breath of fresh air and gave absolutely sound advice for learning the track and etching off time.
In some sort of scientific experiment they brought along a cool chap called Francesco, who had done the odd motocross race but absolutely nothing on track – and within the first day he had got his knee down, was competently using some pretty decent lines and looking comfortable. I’ve never seen anyone look so happy when he finally dropped the V-plates from his knee slider. By the end of the three days his riding had completely transformed, having started off with the very basics of body positioning and then progressed from the ground up. It was the best testament imaginable to the fact Life Motorcycle was capable of taking riders of all levels and cranking their competence.
As for me, the tuition I was receiving made it feel like I was pushing towards the limit pretty quickly, which was great. After all, this was no summer holiday – I was there to graft. And to make sure I did get pushed to, and beyond, my limits, they had one very capable instructor in their ranks.
This month’s special guest was MotoGP podium finisher Alex De Angelis, and let me tell you that he doesn’t mess around on two wheels. By the time we got to day two I felt pretty spot on until he came flying past; and then it was game on. Session after session I latched on to every word, every line and every action – and before long the pace was almost as hot as the track temperature.
Having so much time on track (six sessions a day) and absolutely no pressure on testing or timing meant I could really focus on the pure foundations of riding; not only could I focus on digging my
legs in to take the pressure off my arms but I also (finally) learnt how to use the back brake as a genuine instinct, rather than just an uncomfortable stamp. In all honesty it makes a monumental difference as well; you really can push the braking markers back and when you don’t have a slipper clutch calming down the ’box it makes downshifts almost as smooth, which makes all the difference on the brakes at angle. Go out and try it on track if you haven’t already – you might just like it! It will feel like dog crap to start off with, but perseverance is key and you really can aid your riding by applying the technique... and pull some sweet slides for the cameraman in the process. #doitforthelikes.
The event organisers are mega organised and I found myself a big fan of the daily occurrences; we’d ride from nine in the morning until one in the afternoon, when the temperature hit about 34 degrees, before heading back for some lunch, a swim and a quick tanning sesh for three hours. So once you’d had a nice chill (and a beer if you’re crazy and Italian) it was time to head back to the track at about four-ish and crack on for another four hours! I can only imagine it’s how my life would’ve panned out if I was minted. The sessions proved so laid- back as well; after raiding the freezer for water and energy pouches (they come in handy when you’re sweating your tits off) you can chill out, watch some GoPro footage on the flat screen and sloth away to your heart’s content before saddling back up for some more tyre shredding antics.
What are you waiting for?
By day three, everyone’s riding had improved a significant amount, with the education proving both very fun and helpful. As a special treat on the final day, we had a few new sets of tyres fitted on the little 600s, as the original sets had been hammered, so everyone was pushing themselves and having an absolute ball in the process.
It wasn’t like a trackday where carnage is around every corner and the traffic is worse than rush hour on the M25; the number of people on track was low and there were never any instances I can remember when others were getting in my way or causing me any concern. It was the ultimate track experience, made all the sweeter by the abundance of beer thrown our way after we’d wrapped up our final day of track antics. Everyone who’d booked on the experience looked to have had just as awesome a time as I did, and it was great to see that mutual contentment.
Okay, it wasn't all perfect, as that crazy Greek personal trainer was still searching us out right up until the point we left for the airport, but he eventually got the hint and left us alone. We were there for the track time, and we sure made the most of it. If you’re wanting to up your game on track, I really can’t rate Life Motorcycle’s exploits highly enough.
Every day got better and better, and in all honesty I’ve never ever felt so free on track while learning so much in such a small space of time. You won’t regret it…