Search Results for: cycling

About Audi’s All-new sportscar experience

I arrive to massive white tent, RS 7s and R8s lining the walk up.

Sign in and then, “would you like a made-to-order omelette?” What?! Why yes please, extra bacon.

Our group of 20 is paired off, then is further divided into 4 groups, with both types of vehicles in each group’s fleet.

The morning is spent cycling through 4 exercises, like slalom and braking. And quickly, too; it’s the most efficient drive event I’ve attended.

That’s why these photos are good not great -there is very little downtime between sessions, as in, there’s a LOT of seat time.

Plus you’ll drive backwards around Mosport, come ON.

The afternoon is all track.

You’ll have access to some of Canada’s most decorated racers, the Audi instructors are all very experienced.

They drive around the track with you, watching in the mirrors and coaching over the radio.

Later in the day it hits me, and when we pit I approach Jeff Boyce (above left):

“I’m laser-beam focused to keep up to you, while you’re operating the radio AND coaching me?!” He smiles, “actually there’s two radios Keri, one is back to base.” Cartoon eyes.

At about 1.5% of the car’s total cost, it’s wise money spent. Because ever seen someone mess up while driving an exotic?

Last summer I was walking through downtown Toronto, oooh that’s a _nice_ car. So I’m watching, the guy stumbles when the light turns green and I burst out laughing. Along with the rest of his audience.

If you’re lucky, a friend will photograph you from the sidelines, so you too can pose at 180 km/h.

Vision. Vision. Vision.

It’s easily the most repeated lesson of the day. Look further down the road, turn your head more, racing comes down to vision more than anything else.

Holy woah to turn 5.

“Just look for the cone Keri,” ok, but WHERE IS THE CONE :O

Having an engine this large behind me?

Ohhh, I liked that.

The event concludes with you in the passenger seat for a hotlap with an instructor.

Richard Spénard took me around, and yup, I didn’t come close to reaching this car’s capabilities.

For the price tag of about $2,000 – you’re on the track 9am – 4pm, with a small group, testing vehicles in an environment they were designed for, while the instructors encourage you to push it. Plus 3 homemade meals.

Just the cost of brakes and tires would come close.

Because do what I did, and keep handing back the car reeking of both every. single. time.

Audi is expanding their sportscar experience next year, find details on their site – Audi sportscar experience.

For a detailed account of my experience, read my story at The Co here.

 

 

Packed and Moved in 3 Hours

Here’s what my condo looked like before, above is after 45 minutes. The key to doing this quickly is to own very little, and keep it organized.

I’d received a surprise call, “Keri we have a van available early this evening” so I drove downtown and went into fast-forward mode.

Pro-packing tip: since I was unprepared, I had to locate a bunch of boxes quickly. Go to your closet Dollar Store and they’ll be happy for you to take them, it’s less recycling for them.

One last downtown selfie and out the door.

Why so fast?

Remember the week I picked up the keys to my new house? That was a Friday, and I’d had my laptops and phone wiped that Tuesday. Wednesday night I didn’t sleep at home.

Returned home Thursday, check the laptops logs, WTF the lid was opened at 12:47am? And a USB key inserted? It’s not a glitch, it’s a perfectly clean and updated computer. Hit the roof. This was bleeding into real life.

Put my computer and valuables on my back, grabbed a couple tshirts and never returned. Until this day I moved.

All belongings fit into a 2014 Ford Transit van.

So there you go, 3 hours total, it can be done.

 

 

I Don’t Like Hybrids

Why are we in such a rush to embrace such a new technology?  Let’s slow down a bit, the next fuel economy law changes don’t happen for another 12 years, there’s time.

We have time to consider the batteries and future recycling facility capacities, address the required driving style, and calm this fever surrounding hybrids that bugs me: “This is the definitive solution for the future! Pressurized, flammable chemicals are now under our hoods, batteries for all!”

Read it on Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

Often the batteries are built overseas, then transported via container ship, a vehicle that apparently consumes 5,000 litres of fuel per hour. How many hybrid miles do you have to put on, to even that out? 

Now, I’m pretty proud of this… zero comments?!?

What group loves to get worked up and preachy online?  Eco-loving-hippies. And not one had anything to add.

Defeated them with logic!

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Totally Floored my Bike is Still Here

Remember that time I gave away my belongings, then lived like a gypsy for almost a year?

During that time, 1.5 years ago, I left my bike locked up on the street, maybe the only time ever. That night a car backed into it. My luck.

Faced with ahhh crap, I don’t have time to get fixed and I’m moving, I hid the bike in a downtown condo parking garage.

I’d forgotten where I’d stashed it, then remembered, then returned this weekend to see if it was still there.

Into the garage, march clockwise for a few levels….. OMG it’s still here?!?

Genuinely floored.

I thought for sure the condo corporation would have cleaned house by now. I squealed when I saw it; I never get this lucky.

It’s an awesome bike, quite Batman-ish. Plus my cycling team gifted it to me, for being an awesome president for 5 years.

I’ll have to move it this week, because probably I’ve now jinxed myself by blogging this.