Here’s a little story about my first visit to a motorcycle road course in the home of Harley Davidson at the Milwaukee Mile Race track.  This, among many others, was a first for me.  First I’d like to say thanks to Jan and Reine and our Drag rep for taking care of us on this venture in our life.  

This is going to be a long article, so grab a beer, whiskey or twist a green one and get comfy.  I like to start from the beginning, and that’s checking the weather, oil level, tire pressure, overall condition of your machine, and don’t be scared to check your bros bike too.  Never hurts to triple check, packing appropriately for the weather and day’s you’re going to be gone.  Once everything is good to go with us, we roll out from the shop about 7:30 am.  Everyone loaded up and excited about what the next few day’s hold in store for all ten people on this trip.  A chilly and slightly damp 480…ish mile trip to the hotel that included some beautiful scenery and the chance to get lost in those thoughts and enjoy the ride.  There was a brunch stop in Monticello for lunch at a nice restaurant and a stop for gas, we all had the opportunity to rag on and get to know each other a little better. 

After arriving at our hotel we got some food maybe a whiskey and coke or two a short time in the hot tub and a good night’s sleep…kinda…  I was super excited about this.  Not sure what or how to compare it for others to relate to, but I fell asleep late and woke up early, had a double breakfast early one by myself and one with my beautiful better half and Jan and Reine.  We headed for the race track which was about 20 minutes away and I got to lead everyone to the track, and let me tell you it was hard not to go 80 mph, I behaved and kept it within about 10 mph of the speed limit.

Doing my best to contain the inner child, we wind thru the small town that is built up around this race track to the center of the race track thru the pits to the motorcycle parking area.  As I was parking Kayla was telling me something about you have to pay to park here, we’ll F that I don’t pay for parking, normally, so I get ready to move.  I’m approached by a friendly gentleman asking me about paying the fee and he said the magic word’s “pay 10 dollars to ride your motorcycle around the race track”.  I couldn’t get my money out or get signed up fast enough, so saying I was excited would be an under statement. Money paid, waivers signed, time line’s provided, we set out to see what the BRL pits have to offer. I saw some people that I met from the Drag specialties NVP event in Madison Wisconsin in August. We decided to get some souvenirs from the BRL swag trailer.

It’s finally getting to be that time to go ride the Milwaukee Mile on my Harley.  Just a quick fun fact, before the BRL came here to race, motorcycles hadn’t been on this track since 1993…ish, while waiting for the track ride to start I had the opportunity to talk with some of the other riders and BRL fans.  It’s finally time to go ride the track.  I was kindly reminded by my better half that they said 40 mph is the speed limit.  We had a fun lap, I’m thinking to myself that motorcycles haven’t raced here since 93 and I just got to ride my bike on the same track the pro’s get to!  

Once the ride over was over it was time for some lunch and to find some good seats.  We found them above the start/finish line just below the press box.  Even with us being that high in the stands I could still feel that rumble when the bike’s went by.  Once all 7 classes ran, we start our return trip to the bike’s, with one last look around the pits, I  see a bike laying on its crash guards helmet placed like a crown, pit crew’s and riders having a laugh some having a cry, some working on a better strategy, the guy that drove 5 hour’s by himself with his self built race bike strapped in the bed of his small pickup just because he enjoys racing Harleys.  I could feel and see the passion and love that everyone in the pits has for this sport.  I hope that I have helped inspire some of you to get a bunch of your riding buddies together to take a trip to watch the race’s but also to have the experience of all of it.  

I ride hard so I’ll see ya at the next stop.