WC:  Now that you've had some seat time on the pavement with some serious horsepower between your legs, what was it like?

KR:  Well I can tell you what it isn't like.  Its not like watercraft because instead of being all about muscle and throwing your weight around, it is more finesse.  Not to say that it doesn't require quick reaction and aggressive movement, but that the rewards for being smooth are huge...it may even be what is keeping you from kissing the pavement!  Road racing is more like painting than anything else, it is a fine art.  Delicate movement, immense concentration, and accuracy are key to going fast, and staying on two wheels.  It is a total blast though.  I come back from a track day with such a feeling of accomplishment, because I can feel myself getting faster and smoother on the bike.  

The only one time I scared myself yesterday was when I was battling with another rider (I was on a 600 commuter bike, he was on a 1000cc GSXR monster), and I came into a corner a little hot.  But I have to say that the brakes on these machines are awesome.  Even for as hot as I came into that hairpin, I was really only using maybe 50% of the bike's true braking power.  That other 50% is what makes the difference between me and the AMA guys (I'm planning to be there in about 4 years).  I eventually caught the guy about two corners before the front straightaway....then he came by me like I was standing still!

watercross.com would like to give a sincere thanks to Kenny Ritchie.  I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did.  Kenny made  it a lot of fun.