Improvements in riding

[cuong-nutz]

Let's see your progression in riding!

My progression for the year

March:
http://www.hart-photography.com/phot...wImage=1527237

December:
http://www.hart-photography.com/phot...wImage=1886632
(disregard the crappy foot position)

March:
http://www.hart-photography.com/phot...wImage=1524434

December:
http://www.hart-photography.com/phot...wImage=1891664

[Zombiphone]

Good stuff! That was one of the coolest parts of my first year as a track junkie to me- comparing pictures in the same corners from my first trackday to later in the year. These are both from about 2 years ago, but this was me on my first trackday ever in April of 2010 on the left, and then a couple trackdays later in October of 2010 on the right:



Second Picture was also from the first day I ever rode in B group and the first day I ever dragged knee. Awwwww, memories. So adorable.

[Gurk]

wheee. i finished a year of riding track.

[Zombiphone]

All those pictures look the same. You should sell your r6 and get a 250 so you can improve like we do.

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

All those pictures look the same. You should sell your r6 and get a 250 so you can improve like we do.

Yeah give me the r6. It'll keep the other one in the garage company.

[csmith12]

Cuong, Gurk awesome improvements!

[EsrTek]

Ur all nutz... and I'm so jelly I cant do that

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by EsrTek

Ur all nutz... and I'm so jelly I cant do that

[EsrTek]

I'm savin the money from income tax to join you 1 day next season chris!!
don't want to get too far off topic..

[choneofakind]

I'll be posting pictures once I have more. Right now I only have my first time track day pictures. But at least I was trying! I have so much to improve on.

[csmith12]

@EsrTek - Just let me know, we can make something work

I am kinda confused...

Is this just Cuong's thread to show his improvements or has it already become the "collective"?

[Peanut_EOD]

This is from my first race weekend ever. March 2011.

And this is from my last race of 2012 in September.

[EsrTek]

I like all the pics.. but wouldn't it be more prudent to prove the improvements by having 2 or more pics from the same corner?

[csmith12]

I don't think so, depends on what your looking for. Like Peanuts pics there. Impressive improvements in bp.

[Peanut_EOD]

Originally Posted by EsrTek

I like all the pics.. but wouldn't it be more prudent to prove the improvements by having 2 or more pics from the same corner?

Sure if you were always on the same track, but I find different track causes much more improvement.

[Zombiphone]

Mine were both from the same corner! But yeah, while the comparison is more in your face that way (And I always thought those two pictures in particular looked cool side by side even though they're a bit outdated now), huge riding improvements will be apparent everywhere as you make them.

[alex.s]

I want to suck less... Do I need to start buying photos?

[Peanut_EOD]

Originally Posted by alex.s

I want to suck less... Do I need to start buying photos?

It does actually help to have hi-res photos to examine your bp. Look at the little details like foot position and hand angle. Where your forearm lays and how your ankle is twisted. Things you never really think about until you see it from a different perspective.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by Peanut_EOD

Things you never really think about until you see it from a different perspective.

That's like my track photos. The first thing csmith12 said when he saw this picture was, "dude you're strangling your bike! lol" That was one thing I never thought about too much while I was riding. I was just worried about being smooth and not dying. The rest of the summer I was really working on relaxing my hands and arms. I want to go back to the track so badly now! Once was not enough

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by csmith12

@EsrTek - Just let me know, we can make something work

I am kinda confused...

Is this just Cuong's thread to show his improvements or has it already become the "collective"?

Collective. I'll change the OP to reflect it later. Hate working onthe iPhone.

[csmith12]

@choneofakind

Improvements were made!

[choneofakind]

look at me go!

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

look at me go!

[csmith12]

It's interesting how slow/fast that some riders progress.

I did 12 track days last year and met all my goals accept 1. I find that I make my best improvements in riding style on my own and reviewing pics/vid. But I improve my pace while following someone faster.

Cuong, Gurk - How many track days did you do in the time frame that your comparing for progress?

Did you reach your goals?
What worked well for you?
What didn't?

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I was just worried about being smooth and not dying. The rest of the summer I was really working on relaxing my hands and arms. I want to go back to the track so badly now! Once was not enough

You will never be fast if that's what you think about. In fact you could be dangerous to yourself and others if you are thinking that way.

Originally Posted by csmith12

It's interesting how slow/fast that some riders progress.

I did 12 track days last year and met all my goals accept 1. I find that I make my best improvements in riding style on my own and reviewing pics/vid. But I improve my pace while following someone faster.

Following a faster rider takes you out of your comfort zone forcing you to see that riding faster, smoother, different lines and braking points can be done.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

You will never be fast if that's what you think about. In fact you could be dangerous to yourself and others if you are thinking that way.

No worries. The not dying part was only the first session or two when I was REALLY nervous. I got much better as the day progressed and started having some fun in the afternoon. Ask csmith12.

[csmith12]

He relaxed and started having the good fun. It looked kinda like this.



You know... that crazy smile that can't be wiped off no matter what on everyone's first track day.

[RedOctober]

The "OMG I'M GONNA DIE" will eventually turn into kind of "Meh". Then you may experience the "Bah, I might go down here b/c I blew the corner and trying to ride it out. At least it'll be a lowside..." thought, but it will be more of a statement of the fact than anything else, so you just ride it out.
I've never had the "OMG" thoughts but experienced the "Looks like I'm going down here" when I blew the triple turn at MSRC 1.7 (CW, the backwards direction). Well, just stuck with it and rode it out, but have come to terms with the impending eventuality of the crash (2 runoffs this year, no crashes).

[alex.s]

i only get that "omg i'm going to die" feeling when shawn pen is trying to pass me

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Cuong, Gurk - How many track days did you do in the time frame that your comparing for progress?

Did you reach your goals?
What worked well for you?
What didn't?

Within that timeframe, only 3 track days with only 2 of them being half day of riding.

My goals were reached for the most part. Body position improved a lot but I still need to work on my right hand turn BP as pointed out by the instructor. Leading with your head helps with BP. The whole try and kiss your mirrors (if they were there) technique.

Ride your own ride. March trackday was my first lowside because I got target fixated with the rider in front and went off the track. I got past watching the rider and put him in my peripheral vision and looked past him.

20k+ miles of commuting and aggressive back roads street riding, I have learned that I need to be light on the bars, and hang off the bike so the suspension can soak the bump better with the bike vertically. Otherwise, I'll be eating out of a tube when the bike pushes wide going over a bump leaned over at speed.

I think what helped me become faster was riding on a tight track. I learned to late brake, late apex, and trail brake.

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by csmith12

It's interesting how slow/fast that some riders progress.

I did 12 track days last year and met all my goals accept 1. I find that I make my best improvements in riding style on my own and reviewing pics/vid. But I improve my pace while following someone faster.

Cuong, Gurk - How many track days did you do in the time frame that your comparing for progress?

Did you reach your goals?
What worked well for you?
What didn't?

I honestly can't judge my improvement by those photos alone. I believe those are only 4-5 months apart.

I judge myself by laptimes and feel.

First ever trackday I did was Turkeydaz at Buttonwillow last november.
I ran a 2:47 best lap. I never felt in trouble. Felt like I was riding at 85%

Last track day I did was Turkeydaz again at Buttonwillow, exactly a year later.
I ran a 2:24 best lap. I never felt in trouble. Felt like I was riding at 85%

So to me that's a bigger indication of improvement.
I am probably one of the "slowest learner" of our group of people in Socal if you consider I've done 15 track days total since the beginning. But I quote "slowest learner" because to me it's more valuable to stay in my 85% range while improving. That allows for more consistent growth, less risk IMO.

Did I achieve my goals? Nope. Not even close yet. I set the bar very high for myself. I can achieve it only after years of consistent, patient practice. I improved a little in every area but there's soooo much more growth left to do. It's endless. This makes it fun and keeps my interest / curiosity / desire for this SPORT (mostly what it is for me) all fresh

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by Peanut_EOD

Sure if you were always on the same track, but I find different track causes much more improvement.

Now tell that to Max (aka "I only wanna do Chuckwalla. I can only afford to race" wahwahwah)

@Trailerboy531

[Peanut_EOD]

I'm telling that to everyone.

[alex.s]

first track day, button willow turkeydaz 2011
crashing like shawn pen in march
last round before blowing my engine...

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Gurk

I judge myself by laptimes and feel.

Do you ever get back to the pits and feel slow as sh*t and then review the film and times and go.... whoa......

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Do you ever get back to the pits and feel slow as sh*t and then review the film and times and go.... whoa......

it's quite the reverse actually! lol. which is good.

i watch my video right now from last track and all i see is places i could be going WOT. this is more encouraging than "hitting a wall" with your abilities

[POZZD]

Literally my 1st and 2nd track days 2 months apart. Same turn.

[NevadaWolf]

Subbed! Can't wait for next season so I can get back out there!