There aren’t many things in life that make you feel as fulfilled or alive as tilting above the ground at 160km/h, with your knee and elbow grinding on the racetrack. “You are so focused that you forget reality, and you get driven by mechanical instincts. Your blood is rushing, and your whole body levitating with the wind and euphoria of the moment,” enthuses Adrien Macera, founder and owner of Blackbridge Motorcycles.
Blackbridge was founded three years ago under the initial concept of a private workshop where custom motorcycles could be built with both style and performance in mind. Now, Blackbridge not only builds bikes, but also provides motorcycle-racing enthusiasts with an entry point for track and off-road motorcycle racing circuits in China. If you don’t speak Chinese, Blackbridge takes care of the full racing weekend package including paperwork, logistics, and team support. These tours are something Blackbridge excels at, since Adrien has been racing local championships under sponsored contract for the last two years.
Track days introduce the sport to novice riders while the more experienced riders are free to train on their speedy machines. The Blackbridge Racing School gives indepth instruction to make sure beginners learn the proper methods for racing safely as well as track etiquette to build good habits at 250km/h. Adrien adds, “These track days are fun and relaxing (depending on your definition of relaxing) and there is a very friendly mood in the pits with riders helping each other out with technical tips.”
Blackbridge takes these excursions around once or twice a month. As there is not a venue for this activity in Beijing, some traveling is required. The summer season takes place in Ordos, Inner Mongolia and lasts from April to September. The winter season is from October to April, in Zhuhai (Guangdong). The cost of a racing weekend ranges from RMB 4,000-15,000 depending on what bike model you want and how much you ride over the course of the weekend. The Blackbridge team has fully prepared track bikes for rent, or alternatively, if you are an experienced rider and have your own track ready sports-bike, they will inspect the vehicle and can arrange for it to be shipped to the track. Since this sport is not without the potential for accidents, if they declare your motorcycle unsafe, they will ask you to use one of their rental bikes.
You do not need a license to have a track day with Blackbridge, however they expect all new customers to pay a visit to the workshop to discuss the activity beforehand.
You can trust these guys to show you the most adrenaline-filled experience on two wheels. Though motorcycle road racing is a relatively safe way to explore speed, and the limits of a modern sports bike, Adrien adds “there are still risks, therefore, make sure you have good medical insurance.” If this advisory doesn’t convince you to hop on a suped-up motorcycle, then this activity just isn’t for you.
Track days cost between RMB 4,000-15,000, and include transportation to the track, motorcycle rental, and paperwork. Contact [email protected], or visit their website at www.blackbridgemotorcycles.com for more information.
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Photos courtesy of Blackbridge Motorcycles