A satisfyingly frustrating ride to work
My ride to work this morning was rather oxymoronic.
Background: I got a new car a few weeks ago! It's my first stick shift. I've found there are stages to ramping up on being able to drive it - the first few days were scary. The next week was comfortable but not smooth. The next two weeks saw more planning ahead and smooth shifting, but a marked lack in "performance driving" ability.
This week, I've entered what a few other stick drivers tell me is a temporary "sucking" phase. The smooth is gone now, as I try to be quicker about things, and rev match instead of letting the clutch in slowly all the time. Very jerky.
Yin: Yesterday, I developed pain in what I perceive to be my coccyx. It hurts when I sit down properly - I have to sit at strange angles, and focus weight on one buttock or leaning forward on my legs. I have a doc appointment in 30 min to get this checked out.
In any case, things like car seats are particularly bad for this affliction. I found myself shifting about very uncomfortably on the ride to work.
Yang: I needed something to get my mind off the pain. Music didn't help. I needed to busy my mind. So, I focused on shifting.
My current goals are to get better at rev-matching as I shift, and to get the car moving quicker from a stand-still.
My mind had enough data this morning, between recent reading up on the subject, and discussing it with Scott and Anthony recently. I just needed to practice - and with my new-found morning focus, it started to click for the first time.
Heading down route 85, I shifted between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in all directions. Less time working the clutch, and very little jerking!
At stop lights, I practiced a quicker launch. I used to start from idle, and give it gas while simultaneously releasing the clutch. Now, I tried revving it up to ~3k rpm then letting it drop while I engaged the clutch smoothly for 1st gear. This spools up my turbo, giving it more power. It also helps the engine start closer to its power band as it engages the drivetrain.
By the time I got to work, I had almost forgotten about the pain, my mind was so preoccupied.
Background: I got a new car a few weeks ago! It's my first stick shift. I've found there are stages to ramping up on being able to drive it - the first few days were scary. The next week was comfortable but not smooth. The next two weeks saw more planning ahead and smooth shifting, but a marked lack in "performance driving" ability.
This week, I've entered what a few other stick drivers tell me is a temporary "sucking" phase. The smooth is gone now, as I try to be quicker about things, and rev match instead of letting the clutch in slowly all the time. Very jerky.
Yin: Yesterday, I developed pain in what I perceive to be my coccyx. It hurts when I sit down properly - I have to sit at strange angles, and focus weight on one buttock or leaning forward on my legs. I have a doc appointment in 30 min to get this checked out.
In any case, things like car seats are particularly bad for this affliction. I found myself shifting about very uncomfortably on the ride to work.
Yang: I needed something to get my mind off the pain. Music didn't help. I needed to busy my mind. So, I focused on shifting.
My current goals are to get better at rev-matching as I shift, and to get the car moving quicker from a stand-still.
My mind had enough data this morning, between recent reading up on the subject, and discussing it with Scott and Anthony recently. I just needed to practice - and with my new-found morning focus, it started to click for the first time.
Heading down route 85, I shifted between 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in all directions. Less time working the clutch, and very little jerking!
At stop lights, I practiced a quicker launch. I used to start from idle, and give it gas while simultaneously releasing the clutch. Now, I tried revving it up to ~3k rpm then letting it drop while I engaged the clutch smoothly for 1st gear. This spools up my turbo, giving it more power. It also helps the engine start closer to its power band as it engages the drivetrain.
By the time I got to work, I had almost forgotten about the pain, my mind was so preoccupied.