Anxiety about track school

[Mad Mike]

I’m trying to take this course as almost university degree
I spent all this money I better come out Rossi (just kidding) but I mean atleast corner properly
I’ve been “ researching” all weekend watching YouTube how tos and scouring forums for best practice
Even went on a solo 300km ride in Wellington area and belfountain to put research into action

My experience is that developing riders can learn a lot by following better riders. You can follow lines, braking and acceleration patterns into and out of corners. Solo riding might help a bit, but you'll probably find your happy around one corner, sad around the next as you try to figure out what you did better or worse.

I don't mean you need to follow Rossi down the 507, you don't need a ton of speed to develop skills (you'll see at Racer 5 you'll be on an 11hp race bike). Master the road at the speed limit first, then build from there.

 

[justride]

I went to my first track day about a month ago by myself. I found myself working on hitting my markers, my vision (looking ahead), braking. I never focused on "how fast can I make this corner" but rather trying to get into a rhythm/smoothness
I was the slowest in the beginner group. I didn't care and nobody else did/does either.
Your gonna have a blast!

 

[Maheenkqm]

My experience is that developing riders can learn a lot by following better riders. You can follow lines, braking and acceleration patterns into and out of corners. Solo riding might help a bit, but you'll probably find your happy around one corner, sad around the next as you try to figure out what you did better or worse.

I don't mean you need to follow Rossi down the 507, you don't need a ton of speed to develop skills (you'll see at Racer 5 you'll be on an 11hp race bike). Master the road at the speed limit first, then build from there.

❤❤????
def agree with the solo ride
I’m just going to focus on myself and not others so avoid being discouraged
And listen to my feedback

 

[Maheenkqm]

I went to my first track day about a month ago by myself. I found myself working on hitting my markers, my vision (looking ahead), braking. I never focused on "how fast can I make this corner" but rather trying to get into a rhythm/smoothness
I was the slowest in the beginner group. I didn't care and nobody else did/does either.
Your gonna have a blast!

So excited ??

 

[42Seb]

Great to hear you are putting the time and effort into improving your riding; it's often that riders will blow tons of money on shiny bits for their bike but then hesitate to spend anything when it comes to rider development.

One key thing to remember is that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. While in the school, and while on track, focus on being smooth. From experience, I find that by far the best way to do this is thru your vision. Look up! Look ahead! If you are feeling panicked on track, it's likely because you're not looking far enough ahead. Your brain is reacting to what it sees in front of it RIGHT NOW instead of planning ahead. So what does this have to do with your lean angle/corner speeds and other metrics you mentioned? It's all about your comfort. You can't do anything on track without first feeling comfortable on the bike. A sure way to crash is to try to push a new skill when you haven't yet gotten comfortable with your current skill. One step at a time.

And speaking of time, there is no better riding aid other than seat time. Get as many trackdays under your belt as you can; if you ever decide to attend a KSR trackday, come see me if you'd like and I'd be more than happy to come out with you for a session to give you some pointers. I liked your comparison with University; I've made the same comparison myself with my riding. It gets frustrating when you invest the time & money and don't see the results right away. This frustration is likely what is causing your anxiety. Give it time, trust yourself, trust the school and it will come. You will have a lot of fun on the journey and likely meet some good people along the way!

 

[D-J]

I think a certain amount of anxiety is both normal and healthy. You'll have so much fun. I can't think of anything more awesome than enrolling in a riding school where you're able to gain instruction on a closed-course track — arguably a much safer environment to learn cornering and other aspects of riding than on public roads.

...slow is smooth and smooth is fast. While in the school, and while on track, focus on being smooth. From experience, I find that by far the best way to do this is thru your vision. Look up! Look ahead! If you are feeling panicked on track, it's likely because you're not looking far enough ahead. Your brain is reacting to what it sees in front of it RIGHT NOW instead of planning ahead.

^^ this is fantastic advice.

 

[Maheenkqm]

Great to hear you are putting the time and effort into improving your riding; it's often that riders will blow tons of money on shiny bits for their bike but then hesitate to spend anything when it comes to rider development.

One key thing to remember is that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. While in the school, and while on track, focus on being smooth. From experience, I find that by far the best way to do this is thru your vision. Look up! Look ahead! If you are feeling panicked on track, it's likely because you're not looking far enough ahead. Your brain is reacting to what it sees in front of it RIGHT NOW instead of planning ahead. So what does this have to do with your lean angle/corner speeds and other metrics you mentioned? It's all about your comfort. You can't do anything on track without first feeling comfortable on the bike. A sure way to crash is to try to push a new skill when you haven't yet gotten comfortable with your current skill. One step at a time.

And speaking of time, there is no better riding aid other than seat time. Get as many trackdays under your belt as you can; if you ever decide to attend a KSR trackday, come see me if you'd like and I'd be more than happy to come out with you for a session to give you some pointers. I liked your comparison with University; I've made the same comparison myself with my riding. It gets frustrating when you invest the time & money and don't see the results right away. This frustration is likely what is causing your anxiety. Give it time, trust yourself, trust the school and it will come. You will have a lot of fun on the journey and likely meet some good people along the way!

honestly I’d loveeeeeeeeee to do more track
I don’t have a track bike or riding suit
I def want to take more courses
I think next year Or if I win the lottery this year I’ll do fast too

 

[Fiery254]

Hi guys
I don’t know why I have the weirdest anxiety about track school
I’m doing racer5 and I reallly want to better myself in corners and be able to lean and execute fast corners
I worked my ass off to ride!!
I first took msf in April 2016 but left on the 2nd day cuz it was cold and raining and I just couldn’t get the hang of it
I went and took private lessons and did the course but failed
Did the retest and passed
It took a long time to be able to ride how I do now. Passed my m at the ministry with 1 mistake
I just can’t corner worth a damn
I spend countless hours riding alone just to get my seat time in
I really don’t wanna disappoint myself becuz riding is something that makes me happy and I truly love and respect it and don’t wanna be a failure.

sorry for the rant I just need some positive energy

If it's any consolation I have been riding (on and off) for 40 years and still learn something new every time I go to the track. At the moment you have large chunks of knowledge to learn and that won't be done in 3 days so don't pretend or think otherwise but you are taking a great first step. Try and remember everything they tell you that you can't practice on the day, to practice later. And NEVER to out on the track or street without a goal in mind for self improvement.

 

[Maheenkqm]

If it's any consolation I have been riding (on and off) for 40 years and still learn something new every time I go to the track. At the moment you have large chunks of knowledge to learn and that won't be done in 3 days so don't pretend or think otherwise but you are taking a great first step. Try and remember everything they tell you that you can't practice on the day, to practice later. And NEVER to out on the track or street without a goal in mind for self improvement.

thank you
I specifically chose racer 5
Because it’s 3 days of track

 

[Paul]

Consider the Lee Park's Total Control course. One of the Admins here (@cutekill) is an instructor.

Sharprider.com

 

[Jayv]

honestly I’d loveeeeeeeeee to do more track
I don’t have a track bike or riding suit
I def want to take more courses
I think next year Or if I win the lottery this year I’ll do fast too

One day at the track and you’ll be eating noodles everyday to save money for your next one.

Tip don’t load up your credit card-debit or cash only.

 

[bigpoppa]

thank you
I specifically chose racer 5
Because it’s 5 days of track

5 days of track? How does that work? I thought it was 3 days for the intro program or something?

 

[Maheenkqm]

5 days of track? How does that work? I thought it was 3 days for the intro program or something?

Omg lol I just Noticed
That was a typo
I meant 3 days of track

 

[sid_for_speed]

are you planning to take the course tomorrow? I'm taking it tomorrow...

This will be my 1st riding of the season as my bike got stolen at the beginning of May.. plus my 1st ever track experience as well...

Like others have said.. you try to keep up with the guys in the corner up north some where while you are new, you'll eat it for sure! Trust me... I learned that the hard way!

Best to go easy and have fun... I'm looking forward to track time.. hell, some time on a bike finally this year!

 

[Amazon]

So how was your first day?

 

[Maheenkqm]

are you planning to take the course tomorrow? I'm taking it tomorrow...

This will be my 1st riding of the season as my bike got stolen at the beginning of May.. plus my 1st ever track experience as well...

Like others have said.. you try to keep up with the guys in the corner up north some where while you are new, you'll eat it for sure! Trust me... I learned that the hard way!

Best to go easy and have fun... I'm looking forward to track time.. hell, some time on a bike finally this year!

Yesss I was in the course
I’m the super tall girl

 

[Maheenkqm]

So how was your first day?

Omgg the first day I suckedddd
I could not get the lines right
Now my lines are getting better and hitting apex
I dragged a toe cuz I’m so use to sitting upright for long trips
I got my half my butt off the seat but I felt like my lines were off cuz I wasn’t paying close attention
Ofcourse I’m slow af and the slowest one
But I have the least experience riding fast in turns and groups
Everyone else rocks it cuz they ride with fast ass riders and racers
So unfortunately I’m lacking
But I’m reallllly happy with the hugeeee leap of progress I made
I just realllllly wanna get my knee down atleast once but I won’t beat myself up over it
My main focus is smooth turns and lines
Also improving my posture

 

[bigpoppa]

if they do a course in sept I might go

 

[Trials]

Omgg the first day I suckedddd
I could not get the lines right
Now my lines are getting better and hitting apex
I dragged a toe cuz I’m so use to sitting upright for long trips
I got my half my butt off the seat but I felt like my lines were off cuz I wasn’t paying close attention
Ofcourse I’m slow af and the slowest one
But I have the least experience riding fast in turns and groups
Everyone else rocks it cuz they ride with fast ass riders and racers
So unfortunately I’m lacking
But I’m reallllly happy with the hugeeee leap of progress I made
I just realllllly wanna get my knee down atleast once but I won’t beat myself up over it
My main focus is smooth turns and lines
Also improving my posture

Ride the pegs more, ride the saddle less. That will be your ah-ha! moment.

 

[justride]

"Ride the pegs more"
Just started riding the pegs. And yes it's definitely an ah-ha.

Amateur- Pro, Bad - Good, Wrong - Right!