Social Anxiety??

I get this to some extent. I got back into riding after 15 years off the bike recently and needless to say, I don't know anyone that rides. I can get bad social anxiety at times but mostly I just force myself to do things by myself and not worry about people that arent interested in being friendly. Maybe you'll meet some cool people, maybe you won't. Most people feel anxious and awkward in their own head. If it's really bad, I recommend doing some soul searching with or without the guidance of therapy. No shame in that game.

What you've got to remember is most of the people at the track (and life in general) are insecure in their own ways. And those that look down on others for being less skilled or experienced are usually the most insecure people there are. 

This is your way to unplug and escape, fuck anyone else. Go enjoy yourself, man!

I can relate to the point I started a similar post. For me @40yo it's nerve wrecking to think about getting back out there. Long story short I went otb when I was 25 and was knocked out on the track, woke up in the back of a gator. Then took a really long break from track riding. Never stopped riding though.

Honestly, don't worry about what others think. I know it's easier said than done but once the gate drops the only thing to focus on is what's in front of you.

Be humble and kill 'em with kindness.

A kid I’m currently coaching at the track has the same issue, has major anxiety and tends to freak out when he lines up for a race or just suiting up to go practice…like Kyle said above, all of us have our own insecurities and I tell him all the time I’m still scared if certain obstacles on mains just like he is with people and it calms him down and gives him some peace of mind. Most of the time riding with people and making friends at the track and races really helps and I personally find it much easier to ride with friends/others than riding alone, just focus on you man! We’ve all got problems but nothin moto can’t fix 🤘🏽

It’s practice. Nobody is staring at you and critiquing you. It’s all in your head. IF they are, then they are POSERS, and probably just sitting around and not riding, and are insecure like Kyle said. Do your thing

I took a 12 year break from moto and was very anxious to get back to a track after such a long time. What really helped me was go to a group class with same skilled riders. By doing that I made friends, who I still go riding with btw, and it allowed me to get back into it in a safe and controlled space and build my confidence back up. If you have the chance, I would definitely look into some group coaching. 

What Kyle & Wade said!!!

My son used to get nervous before going onto the MX track when he was younger, I would always tell him, NO ONE is watching you or judging you! EVERY person here is into dirt bikes and trying to do the SAME thing your doing, have fun & get better at riding their dirt bike! Do NOT worry about them, or what they’re thinking, right now you will be faster than everyone NOT on the track riding! Just go out there, do your best, have fun and don’t think another thought about them! If they aren’t thinking anything other than “git’ it buddy” they can just go to hell and F em anyway!!!

GO RIDE! Enjoy your day at the track!         Its supposed to be fun, NOT another source of anxiety or discomfort, we all have enough of that in our day to day lives already, do NOT let your recreation turn into a frustration! Besides all the clicky cock-sucker types are usually poser douchebags anyway! 
😎 👍❗️

Through my own battles I realized there are a lot of people around that feel the same as you.  People are good at hiding it.  First event after covid I had a downright panic attack because it was the first time in months I had been around so many people.  I look at Moto as my happy place.  Anyone giving you shit is probably in a worse off spot than you for one reason or another. You may need to force yourself to do it, than allow your mind and body to catch up.

Good luck, that is not an easy situation. 

Plus u can always find someone slower, I take my wife just incase since I can still beat her lol

I barely know my "ride buddy". Seriously. Met at the track by asking if he would call my wife if I wadded. He asked me to reciprocate. We hardly talk at the track---just text messages regarding ride days. Having someone to load your stuff if you digger can remove a lot of anxiety. 😅

Show up with a smile on your face and you'll have no problem making friends at a race track I promise you.

A cooler full of cold beer is recommended but not required.

I definitely have that disorder on a low-grade level. I have a hard time meeting new friends or talking to strangers, but it has never really affected me at the track. 
Just do like I do and park away from the crowds. You don't have to interact with anyone and then once you put your helmet on, you can be incognito. 

It's also a good idea to get to know the people that run the track, so if anything happens, they will help.

Also remember,  there are only a handful of tracks in the country where the fastest dude out there is fast enough to make a sx main or outdoors point.  It's all relative.

You are not alone. If you feel so uncomfortable or stressed by these situations that you are truly missing out on the fun things in life…?

Go see a sports performance coach or sports psychologist. They’ve got alllll sorts of helpful…useful tools…little mind exercise things you can utilize to put yourself in a better state of comfort and confidence when having to deal with situations that are currently causing you some stress. 

Good luck! 

Manny 

Have you always had anxiety? I would get some blood work.

Hormone imbalance could be the culprit.

I have it...and anxious about my bike, my truck, my cat (he's been acting weird lately), friends, my job...ball of anxiety over here! Fun stuff...

I recommend going on your local Facebook page and asking if anyone would want to meet up at the track. I go solo often and I've made a couple friends that I can meet up at the track and that helps. Familiar faces help. Sometimes after awhile I'm not sure if those people like me though (see anxiety list above). So make sure to keep in contact with them. 

Another thing that help is the moto community and hobby as a whole. I have never been made fun or harassed at a track. Most guys are very willing to help or talk about track conditions. We all love talking about how we are starting to jump a certain jump or finding a fast line through tricky situations, no matter how good or bad you are. 

I don't.  I'm 61 years old and I don't give a damn what other people think anymore.  I'm out there riding so I'm already winning.  That attitude _alone_ gives me the upper edge.  If they DO give me crap, my son is an A-rider and he'll smoke their ass for me.  

Second thing is I have a severe hearing loss and have since I was like 5-6 years old.  Social situations are always a little awkward and I just say "I'm deaf.  I have a hard time hearing you.".  That defuses things fast.  They can be jerks all they want and I won't even hear them. 

On the whole, though, I'm a friendly guy and my mascots are the Penguins of Madagascar...  "Just smile and wave, boys.  Smile and wave."   I honestly can't remember too many jerks, though. 

Good luck!!!   

I have it too, but once i get out on the track, it all goes away.

One thing i realized is that nobody is really paying attention to you while you are riding unless you are wearing a dinosaur outfit, have bright pink plastic, or doing some crazy shit on the track that not many other riders are doing.   Otherwise, you are just another rider out on the track.   

Maybe try bringing a buddy along who you know just enjoys being outdoors, at least until you make a few riding buds. Offer food and drinks, bring a few chairs, some beers for the end of the day, let him know it’s very appreciated having him around in case something were to happen. My friends that know nothing moto seem to have the best time at the track, they look at it like their going tailgating and are always glad to help load things up at the end of the day. Just keep showing up no matter what, you’ll find your group.

It can feel intimidating but as others have said, no one is really paying all that much attention to you out there and that even includes your own family members!

I'm introverted myself but stick around long enough and I guarantee that you will make friends at the track.

If you want to jump start the riding buddy process, make up reasons to talk to someone like asking them something about the track or if they can help you check your sag, etc. I don't know a single person that wouldn't help or think that it's a weird request.

Motocross is a great way to make friends. You ride a dirt bike? "Yes" sounds like we are going to be friends 😀, what else do you need to know? 

I’ll echo what a lot of people have said already. Nobody at the track/trail cares about your riding/gear/whatevs, they are there too ride and have a good time just like you.

I have never gone to a track worried about what others think of me or my stuff, and I have never gone to a track judging others, I am just glad there is someone at the track. Don't overthink it.

Just obey the rules of the practice: Hold your lines and don't pay attention to who is behind you (if anyone is faster they will get around you) and don't cross the track from one side to the other to get off it. Truly no one is going to pay attention to you. Everyone is watching the really fast guys and in their own world.

Now if you have bright pink polka-dot gear and an '81 cr250 that looks like it's from a Mad Max movie set you may get a couple looks.

Smoke a bowl or 2. It'll help. 

When you can realize nobody cares how fast/slow you are, how good/bad your style is, how sick your scrubs are, and that all these people your agonizing over will be there to aid you should you need it your anxiety will go away. Just ride!!

Right - this is something I've cracked, ready for the downvotes but this will work:

1. Get your blood sugar levels working right - if you have been shovelling food into your body 3x day for decades then try a bit of intermittent fasting / fasting

2. Get a second phone with all social media / distractions removed - you can forward calls to this phone from your other phone

3. Stop watching porn - seriously, you're not designed to virtually "have sex" with 1,000s of women like a Roman emperor, this fucks up your motivation/reward loop

4. Watch the caffeine - Dean Wilson mentioned this recently - this can make fairly bad feelings terrible, basically exacerbating every emotion (highs & lows)

5. Get outside as much as possible and go for LONG walks

6. Consider "therapy", just a couple of sessions, to articulate your thoughts

Best of luck mate

EXACTLY this!!! 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻

One of my old coworkers recently got back into Moto with his 18 & 21 year old sons! All of them got bikes and started riding the local off road trails…I kept telling them, just come to a low key Sunday practice day BUT they were SO debilitated by the very anxiety that you speak of that they stayed away almost a full year! I finally got them to come out a little over a month ago and got them to ride the beginner/novice group after a quick “hold your line, race forward / be predictable” pep talk… all three made it through their first day with no issue and NOW they’ve been back EVERY weekend since and my buddy admitted last weekend that “You were right, our anxiety was really STUPID and we missed out on a lot of fun riding opportunities because of it”!

Go ride & HAVE FUN! 😎 👍❗️

You can't avoid jerks, they are in any large group, but by far most people are righteous and helpful within our clan. 

First, I used to think social anxiety was b.s. but through a family member have come to understand it a bit better. I've seen how it can consume the person with it so I am sorry you are dealing with that. Second, I will say more than likely the feeling people are making fun or whatever probably is in your head due to the anxiety. I totally disagree with people at the track being clicky or unfriendly. I mean no disrespect and understand that that is how it feels but I've found at virtually every event I've ever been to that other riders enjoy talking and visiting. Whether it's at the line, sign up, or just the pit next to you. I don't know how you get past that honestly but I'd be willing to bet if you could muster the courage to just introduce yourself to whoever is parked next to you that you'll end up being buddies in no time