Day 7 - April 9, 2011 (Saturday) - At Greenville, SC but returning to Zirconia, NC - 31 miles

     As noted in my last post, I had a very fitful night of sleep anticipating the rigors of the day at the BMW Performance Center motorcycle training. I had some breakfast at the hotel, packed up the bike (since I was planning a return to Zirconia if I survived the course, and then headed out to Greer, SC where the BMW complex is located. Here is a shot of the bike as the sun came up in Greenville:

     After I took this photo, I mounted up, and rode to Greer. Of course, I was the first to arrive. Eventually, a total of eight students showed up, and we were all introduced to our three instructors. After that we were all assigned motorcycles (BMW supplies the bikes for the course), and mine was a 2010 BMW R1200GS. The day grew warmer as it progressed, and soon we were on the hot track learning slow riding techniques, many safety techniques (swerving, controlled braking, counter-steering), and a whole lot of knowledge about how to control a motorcycle in a substantial variety of situations. Of course, I ran over more than a few cones, but I never dropped the motorcycle, and came away with some new attitudes and new knowledge of my limitations. It was a long, hot day, but worth every penny and every minute. Here is our class at the end of the day:

     The fellow in the red shirt came from Minnesota for the class. Two fellows from Maine were part of the group also. These two met friends I made last October on my Texas trip. Small world.

    After the photo, I mounted up, and outran a thunderstorm to get back to Zirconia with Carola and Stu. Stu had a nice glass of Scotch waiting for me (his brand is "House of Stuart" appropriately enough). He also had caught two very nice trout in his pond, and we had a really royal feast for dinner. This night I slept like a baby (only crying every two hours or so). Ha!