If I'm reading the tea leaves correctly, I'm across the lake from you in Denver, NC. Not too far.
I don't mind people eavesdropping... Perhaps someone can benefit from the discussion.
As I mentioned, I'm really just looking for skills development. Most "skillz" courses I've seen are really just low-speed stuff for people with 900lb bikes. While that's all well and good, I don't need parking lot help. I like a spirited pace on the backroads - nothing bananas, mind you - but also would like to be more confident in what I can do, and what the bike can handle. Overall, I feel like that would make me a safer rider. You know, stuff like the interaction of suspension movement with cornering behavior, better managing grip, and developing the muscle memory when things get greasy.
I've been really blessed to this point riding with people more experienced than I am, and they are happy to share pointers... But I feel I can be better for that inevitable day there's a deer in the apex.
From what I've gleaned, track time is expensive and the safety check stuff seems a bit intimidating. I could frankly use someone to give me an "idiots guide" on what to do. Ha!