Developing confidence

[adouglas]

Those of you who own a copy of Twist of the Wrist II are no doubt familiar with its quirky writing style. One of its features are sidebar comments by road racer Doug Chandler, which provide an alternate view of the points being made in the main text.

I was just perusing my copy and this one caught my eye:

“Racing carries over to street. The high speeds of racing make the street easier. You have more control because you adapted to higher speeds. You don’t go into panic mode as easily.” — D.C.

Now, I'm not a racer and at my age (54) I'm not likely to take it up. I've never even been on the track on a bike, though I do intend to rectify that next year.

I have, however, had a season or two's worth of track experience in cars... mostly prepped sedans, but also a Spec Racer and a Formula Vee. So I do know first-hand what going fast at a track does for you as the operator of a motor vehicle.

I came out of that experience a better driver, for exactly the reason that Chandler cites. You get to see what high speeds are like and feel how the vehicle behaves, which is quite different. More importantly, you do it in a controlled environment so it's a learning experience rather than a dumb stunt you happened to survive.

What might have given you a shot of fear-induced adrenaline pre-track no longer does so... because the unknown is now known. Instead of feeling like you're flirting with disaster, you're going into a situation that you've experienced before.

The upshot is not that you get complacent about speed. Rather, you break through what you thought were real limits and in the process, reset those limits in your mind. You get to see that what you thought you could not do, you can in fact accomplish.

Anybody else experience this?

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Those of you who own a copy of Twist of the Wrist II are no doubt familiar with its quirky writing style. One of its features are sidebar comments by road racer Doug Chandler, which provide an alternate view of the points being made in the main text.

I was just perusing my copy and this one caught my eye:

“Racing carries over to street. The high speeds of racing make the street easier. You have more control because you adapted to higher speeds. You don’t go into panic mode as easily.” — D.C.

Now, I'm not a racer and at my age (54) I'm not likely to take it up. I've never even been on the track on a bike, though I do intend to rectify that next year.

I have, however, had a season or two's worth of track experience in cars... mostly prepped sedans, but also a Spec Racer and a Formula Vee. So I do know first-hand what going fast at a track does for you as the operator of a motor vehicle.

I came out of that experience a better driver, for exactly the reason that Chandler cites. You get to see what high speeds are like and feel how the vehicle behaves, which is quite different. More importantly, you do it in a controlled environment so it's a learning experience rather than a dumb stunt you happened to survive.

What might have given you a shot of fear-induced adrenaline pre-track no longer does so... because the unknown is now known. Instead of feeling like you're flirting with disaster, you're going into a situation that you've experienced before.

The upshot is not that you get complacent about speed. Rather, you break through what you thought were real limits and in the process, reset those limits in your mind. You get to see that what you thought you could not do, you can in fact accomplish.

Anybody else experience this?

I did once, for about 45 years (and counting).

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Rather, you break through what you thought were real limits and in the process, reset those limits in your mind. You get to see that what you thought you could not do, you can in fact accomplish.

Anybody else experience this?

54yrs young aye. I know for a few cats @75yrs+ you need to have a chat with, I cannot speak for them as they are beyond me. What I learned from a 77yr old rider... "99% of limits are self imposed".

[NevadaWolf]

I've definitely noticed I feel more confident on the street, especially in mountain roads. While on the track I am constantly thinking ahead, where's my next mark and the mark after that, how's my line, is the corner two turns ahead clear, any flags out, etc? On the street, I feel like I am moving slower, so those quick assessments of the road have more time to process and make necessary changes before I reach them. I not only see further but comprehend better what I am seeing.

[choneofakind]

54??? pffft. F that, get on the track and consider racing if it's financially an option. There's plenty of dudes at the track who are older than that and will tell you you're full of it if you decide that you're too old.

That said, track time makes the street scary easy. Like you'll actually have to find new places to ride because everything you're 'used' to is boring. Oh, and you'll actually have to watch that great big sweeping needle in the middle of the dash and make sure it falls on the number that matches those lame big signs on the side of the road.

The speed feels so natural and effortless after track time. It's a major ego boost and yet such a downer at the same time. Roads are boring.

[JohnnyBravo]

Sweeping needle??? My tach???

MOTM strong in this thread

[ally99]

Absolutely! Track truly helped me realize the potential of my bike (and me! Though I haven't reached either of our full potential yet and likely never will...hence my nickname, "Permanoob") That said, I actually take it easier on mountain roads than I ever did pre-track. I always fear the oil slick, gravel patch, or car in my lane around the blind corner. I kind of feel like after track, I take twisties VERY conservatively whereas I used to take more risks. Once learning what is possible on the track and letting it out there, I never felt the deep need to do that on street corners.

[Klondike1020]

I've never been on the track . I could use the outlet though .
I am a conservative rider when w others
But on my own I get stupid sometimes lol

I know what the bike can do. I have to know better because I know what te environment can do also.

I need to find a track.

[Loadthis]

Yes I had that experience exactly. My first track day (test & tune) was two weeks into owning my first street bike. My coach and mentor Cris Beck, got me up to speed on the track and taught me a lot. Subsequent rides up the Sandia Crest road in ABQ were much easier then I imagined they would be. What I learned from the track definitely made me a better rider right from the start.
An example of that...I took a turn a little too hot on the Crest Road, once I noticed I was fast, I though for a split second about braking, then my track experience (my one track experience lol) and what I had learned for Cris kicked in. I got my damn butt off the seat and leaned my body into the turn. Naturally, the bike did what it was supposed to and I negotiated the turn. Had I stood the bike up I surely would have gone off the into the gravel.

[ally99]

Originally Posted by Klondike1020

I've never been on the track . I could use the outlet though .
I am a conservative rider when w others
But on my own I get stupid sometimes lol

I know what the bike can do. I have to know better because I know what te environment can do also.

I need to find a track.

Absolutely! It'll be well worth your time. I need to get my a$$ back on one.

[csmith12]

^^^^ you know I got you girl, see you soon.

[JohnnyBravo]

Hooray for track day