Social Anxiety??

Incase you think people are judging you: They guy at the track on the worst bike, and the worst gear - is always having the most fun. Dont let it bother you, we have all been that guy at one stage or another.

As far as people being clicky: I would rather hang out with moto person I dont like, than with a work mate I do like: Shoot the shit, bench race, give them crap about their bike choices in a joking manner etc. Every moto person is just a friend you haven't met yet. Just keep turning up, after 10 events with the same club you will no doubt make some friends.

P.S Antihistamines (allergy meds) can help with anxiety too. Cant hurt to have one with breakfast that day of the race and see how it goes

Lot's of great replies here...

I will echo what others have said... 99.9% of riders don't care about your skill level or your equipment. Most people have some degree of social anxiety, and studies have proven that the older we get the harder it becomes to make friends. However, I do find that moto people are generally super friendly once you get talking, and I think with the danger and consequences of the sport comes a certain camaraderie. We all know that no matter how good we are, none of us are immune from having a serious accident out there. We want as many people on our side as we can when and if that were to happen.

If you can, try and park next to another solo rider, it's generally a lot easier to approach one person than a group of people.

Conversation starters:

How long have they been riding, how did they get into it?

Is this their local track?

Are they from the area?

Do they ride any other tracks?

What's their favorite part of the track?

How long have they had their bike? What do they like about it? What have they changed or upgraded on it?

Looks like you're based in the UK. I lived there for almost a decade and found the moto community there to be just as friendly as it is here in the US (in case you're wondering).

Pro tip

Its crazy how the mind fucks with people. I could careless what people think about me

         Been riding for 50 years… and one truth that I know , that no one wants to hear, is that fast guys hang with fast guys, and slower guys hang with slower guys. Sorry not sorry ‘cause it is the truth as I know it. Raced NESC in the mid 70’s, and it was that way then, just like now. Not saying it’s right or wrong, just that is the way it is.

Focus on different things. 
Plan each practice to work on techniques and form. 
 

For example: go do 5-10mins and concentrate on lap times. 
 

Then spend a couple motos on just turns and overly weighted the outside peg technique.  
 

Make a list at home and each practice check off a box. You will be focused on what you’re doing and improving you won’t even have time to worry what others are doing. 
 

✌️

This song is a great example of the two voices and inner battles that go on inside your mind, pull the lyrics up if you can, it's true poetry and he completely exposes himself. 

Mindfulness, yoga, breathing exercises and meditation all help. 

Does anyone suffer social anxiety?

My dude, am I on the same page or what, I think I even started a thread here in the dumbgeon a while back 😂

I'll preface this by saying when I was young, I don't think I was ever a dick about it to people, but I did think anxiety was just an exaggeration or an excuse or something Cartman faked on South Park.

I've been lucky enough to meet some tough bastards; Some army/navy guys, some guys who train and/or compete in Muay Thai, BJJ, etc, obviously guys who race motocross and a couple who race superbikes, some folks I guess you Americans would call ex-cons... Blah, blah, blah.

What that has shown me  is that anyone and everyone can feel out of place, or uncomfortable, or self conscious, or all of the above and worse.

Especially if you are good at other things you do, like your job or other hobbies, not succeeding or not being good at something right away, or when returning to something, can be a tough pill to swallow, I know that well. I was never great, but I suck on a bike now after a long break from riding.

Weirdly, the thing that helps me the most is trying to remind myself how little other people care. Look like a goon? Nobody really cares. Do something stupid or make a mistake? I guarantee nobody judges it as harshly as you are judging yourself.

Also remember, generally moto guys, girls and kids are a great bunch and even if we tell each other straight or give each other a hard time, the vast majority are helpful, friendly, honest people who are just happy to see people on a bike working on their skills or just having fun, regardless of your "level".

Go easy on yourself, work hard, have fun.

Oh and where in the UK are you dude?

Exactly... What Manny said. This may sound lame, but seek professional help. It'll help. 

Some clubs or tracks can be super clicky and others are way more laid back. One club I belonged to in PA was really clicky, I’m kinda anti social, not anxious, and never really fit in there. They took themselves way too seriously and see themselves as a high end MX club/facility. The other club I belong to is way more laid back and easy to talk to people. It is also more of an off road club and not just MX. I’ve found off road people are more laid back in general and you get cool guyed at MX tracks. 

I took a 30 year break, started riding again in 2019.  I only go to the track during the week.  I don’t want to get in anybody’s way.  No mater how much I raced when I was young its been a learning curve getting back on the  track.  Trails and single track no big deal, it’s like I never stopped riding.  When I first started going back to the track I did pretty good at first.  Then parked my kick start YZ250F bought a new Honda, been down hill ever since LOL.  I’ve started getting nervous going to the track.  Sometimes even talk myself out of going even though part of me wants go.  I’ve hit the ground a few times on this 2023 Honda that have made me really cautious.  The track I go to has recently been reconfigured and a little too technical for me.  Along with lately I’ve become a little self conscious, gained weight recently.  Quit going to the gym and been eating like every meal is my last LOL.  
 

So many of the older guys my age didn’t quit riding, they stayed with it and still fly around the track.  My wife even told me the other day.  She said get your ass back to the gym, quit drinking beer and eating fried chicken.  Get yourself back in shape like you were last year.  If ya don’t like that new Honda, sell it get something else, it’s not that hard.  If the local track is to difficult go to another track, how hard is that.  She’s right, it’s just mind over mater.   I’ve got myself in a rut and need to make some changes before I get to old to ride.

I kick myself in the ass all the time for quit riding.  Yeah I had fun fishing bass tournaments, Hunting in Africa playing with race cars.  But those dang dirt bikes an MX tracks still call my name like no other hobby I’ve had.  I won’t quit this time.  I’m hungry, better find something to eat !!!  
 

The best times I ever had in moto, golf and surfing is when I realized that no one cares about what I am doing and no one will remember if they did. It made the fun so much easier. Also just stop and look at all the levels out there. When I take a new person golfing they are always so scarred that others are watching. I just say let's take a minute and watch some others and see we all suck and no one cares. Same with moto. We all started somewhere and also have good days and bad days and no one cares what you are doing at all. I could be the fastest guy some days and putt around with my beginner friends looking like a beginner myself the next and who cares? Just have fun. 

Didn’t read through comments but talking to a therapist might help. Going to therapy doesn’t mean your broken or a bitch. sometimes it’s just nice to have someone to talk to about it that won’t judge you and they won’t give you a biased opinion 

Real moto fans are happy for others when they get to ride, even if they are beginners. 

Everyone helps grow the sport, fast or slow. 

I read this as your "ride buddy" can take your wife for a spin while you're recovering in the hospital. 

Dang I'm bad. 

Like everyone here has said, nobody really pays attention unless you are doing some really impressive riding. I usually just sit and watch when my group isn't up. Whether you are rolling everything or hitting every jump I just like watching people go by. Always better to be taking it easy rather than be the "legend" that is riding so far above his head its scary to watch! 

Ride within your limits and enjoy it!

Do you also have this issue in daily life or just at the track? I'm thinking it must affect your average day? Anxiety sucks and can be crippling if you let it.

Julienhimself, Jeffy show, owencook

https://www.youtube.com/live/LcAOv9GT2Ug?feature=share

https://youtu.be/D_Fli-Hm8-w

https://youtu.be/uoRlmb08iXk

I have it real bad, but not so much at the track. But I still I dont put numbers on my bike so I feel Im viewed as "some old dude just out getting exercise" as opposed to "slow ass old racer guy". 

In reality I know that nobody really gives a shit either way, and nobody is paying any attention to me.  

Wow I’m kind of surprised and happy at the near universal support and encouragement.  I honestly cringed looking at the title figuring here we go again, somebody will take a cheap shot. Good on y’all. Refreshing to see people doing that. I think we all struggle sometimes just maybe in different ways. Doesn’t help that people get so serious about everything they do these days whether it’s little league or motocross. Hard to just show up and participate.
 

I will say it’s been my experience that when I got back into riding at a later age almost everybody was extremely approachable. There were a few exceptions but they were easily identified and avoided.

The op is lucky he doesn’t live in America or hv a CDL.  There’s never been a separation of classes this bad. I traveled since 1986 biggest pipe line co in the world & a boss. As soon as you drive trk your considered  miles below any class. I really don’t care . I was the fun guy on the side for quite a few super wealthy wife’s. You wouldn’t believe how fake & miserable there lives& fake marriages are.  I never hv mental issues even tho I was ko,d 5 times in a row as a 5 yr old , kicked & flew 20+ yards b4 hitting the ground, constant beatings . till 10 yrs old I barried it deep. Too long of a story to tell . But illegals with there free 100k pu,s & 70k trls in the way everywhere. I talk to a Mexican about unldng the trl & where at. It’s my 1st stop of 3  scum hole Jersey , ma,nh. I get into the spot there is a tons of  vehicles all over the yard. Illegals drive like shit remember. A white guy starts yelling f this f a 100 times. A dip shit dump trk driver starting shit. Crazy scene of massive shit show. I,m told f that fing ld I don’t want it get the f out of here. He wants to take care of the illegals & f the OTR trucker ovr like every American. He won’t stop yelling out of his azz. I blew it . I said Fuck you in a massive rage . I will hit you once & kill your fucking  ass. Of course the pussy ran off. The other Mexicans had that I,m sorry where treating you like shit look. We get massive abuse out here. Where easily treated worse than any person ever in this country. A million times worse than a slave. I bought hay& straw bail from 2 plantations . Truth is much different than the fake history. I would take that life  any-day ovr this bullshit.  That’s the child abused bs exploding out. I,ve had to beat the tough guy of the ghettos a few times   I never lost it like that or haven’t in a long time.  A massive charge threw your body . Then put your fist threw a cinder block wall & say that’s what I,m going to do to your head. Yeah it’s pretty wild.  Everyone is going bankrupt out here . There super depressed even the illegals at the truck stops.  Since 08 it’s been bad but since last mon of being back. I had to work on it not to slip into a zombie depression like everyone out here.  I,m always in a good mood . But it’s really really bad out here.  This  recession is going to be long term 5 + yrs. 

Thats not anxiety. Real anxiety is the pre-ride poops my friend gets.

I only read a 1/4 of whatever this bullshit was, but wtf does it have to do with…anything??

You new here Wade? 😂

    Profeshenal125 gets a pass here at Vital. He is a bit out there , but he means well. Some stories he tells are quite entertaining, if somewhat long winded. Let him be.

I was introduced to this artist just a month ago. He’s local to me, started busking in town. 
 

This song is great, utterly utterly brilliant.