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[Milka Lackova lives in Bratislava, Slovakia, and she does well with Czech, English, “less German, little Serbian, minimum Italian.” After you’ve read her DRE account, see the final parenthetic note for a pleasant surprise.—TF]

The Ducati Paradise

I was always a passenger on a motorcycle. And it wasn’t enough for me; I want to be the boss, and I want to decide what to do and where to go!

For me, registration for Ducati Riding Experience was a birthday gift from my boyfriend, Drago. While looking for a new job and preparing for my graduation exam at the university, it was a perfect way how to escape from my daily worries, and mainly it was amazing trip!

That evening before our first DRE day, we stood in front of the Adria Raceway gates, took photos of the Italian darkness, and looked forward to the morning. Me: crazy girl with one year riding experience on her first bike, Ducati Monster S4. (Madness, I know, but I love my Monster and he loves me.) Drago: several years more experience with bikes, usually riding his Ducati Multistrada and on the track abusing his Ducati 996. But there in Adria, we could see, looking inside that dark hall, there were other bikes waiting for us—something new, fragrant, directly from the factory. . . .

In the morning we saw it—nothing for sensitive natures—the Ducati heaven! The hall was full of red (and white) beauties.

Short morning introduction was like an Italian lesson, half an hour of strange Italian noisy words and in the end two English sentences. Never mind, everybody was eager for racing.

Day one: me at the intermediate course. For group of six people, we had only four bikes (two Multistradas DS1000, one Hypermotard, and one Monster 1100). I was the only girl in the group, so my choice was absolutely clear and I managed to get the Monster for me; I twinkled to our istruttore Barry and repeated something about my short legs, although I don´t have short legs.   :-)

The whole day was full of riding exercises between the cones on the parking space and paddock area behind the track. The exercises were good to teach us how to brake better, how to ride in the corners, how to avoid barriers, etc. Istruttore Barry was  an exotic-looking, kind man speaking some ten languages and explaining things with his hands, legs, sometimes screaming like an actor. I also tried the Multistrada and the Hypermotard, but it was only for confirming that Monster is the best bike for me.

In the evening there was a small bonus for us: thirty minutes on the track. For me, the first time. Instruction was to ride only in our group behind the istruttore. I only managed to stay with the group for few meters; the Russian boy in front of me was terrible slow and still making stressful moves. So I was riding alone on the track, sometimes I overtook somebody, sometimes somebody overtook me, but it was a perfect experience.

Day two: Drago took part in racing course level one and I was a photographer.  His istruttore was David James, a small big man in the highest level of racing knowledge. When the boys were struggling to catch him on the track, he was riding maybe on 30%, hanging with one hand and looking behind him. Boys (and one girl) taking part in this course were riding on 848s and they were half an hour on the track, half an hour off, etc. Breaks were for gasping and explaining different styles of handling every part of the track. In the evening, Drago was totally exhausted, but with diploma signed by his istruttore in his hands and full of new racing knowledge. . . . I think he was soaring a little bit.

I’m happy that I could take part in DRE and I look forward maybe to trying also the racing course someday. But not next year—in 2010 we are going to join WDW (World Ducati Week).  That will be another story!

[On their way to Adria Raceway last July, Milka and Drago stayed for three days at the Tenuta Castel Venezze, the same place Christine and I enjoyed on our vacation; see Part 6, “Agriturismo.” Here’s Milka’s charming reflection on the place.--TF]

Also our stay at Tenuta Castel Venezze was very exciting–-I have never been at place like that, full of history, mystic atmosphere and beautiful scents. Boss of the hotel, Maria, was looking like typical old lady, but her perfect English and library full of wise and modern books convinced us that she isn’t typical old lady. And also, in her car she was driving like a racer! Dinner we had there was really good, but we still don’t know what was that: a little bird tasting like a chicken, but it wasn’t chicken, because potatoes were bigger than bird. It was her magical surprise, but delicious. I’m sure it is the best accommodation you can find in that part of Italy, and Tom, thanks for this hint!