Two positive aspects of a trackday are that you can go fast enough to shred tires if you choose to. A more casual, non-race pace on a track is still considerably faster than can be sanely ridden on the street. When I go on a trackday, I simply build up to a fun pace I am comfortable with, hopefully without exceeding the limits of traction. Even on a slow trackday, the speed is significantly faster than our fastest street pace. However, the tracks are at least 3+ hours away, require an overnight stay and cost a minimum of $200+ with all expenses.
There are many good roads in my area. Ridng them composes 90% of my riding time. I wouldn't trade that time for track time even it was free. The group I ride with are all mature, highly skilled ex-roadracers. Sometimes the pace is a bit slower, but usually it is a pretty quick clip at a 7/10s velocity. We maintain complete control of our machines, never cross the center line or pass in turns, etc. but the officer's radar gun reading has little to do with the posted 35-45 MPH limits. Obviously, a quick, fun, yet sane pace is completely irrelevant to the posted limit. Trying to convince the long arm of the law in this neighborhood is a complete exercise in futility. When faced with the possibility of this controntation, most of us don't hang around long enough to get involved in such a losing conversation. Damn shame, but that's how it seems to work in the real world. Of course, the BIGGEST problem is the new breed of stunt riders on one wheel at 100+ MPH ridng between the lanes. They are attracting way too much negative publicity that is affecting all of us and making it damn near impossible to have a fun ride without fear of retribution from the local gendarmes.
