Posts
17
Joined
2/2/2022
Location
Prescott, AZ
US
jakeconway776
2/2/2022 3:27pm
2/2/2022 3:27pm
I think I'm just more so venting and hoping for feedback from any other's experience. In short, I have bad memories at this particular track in Phoenix AZ and I tend to never ride well there. I feel off and a little unfocused, which leads me to cutting my Motos short out of some stupid fear. Anyone experience something like this, or am I just being ridiculous?
If it's a practice track go to the area that gives you grief and spend the entire session there. Turn a weakness into a strength.
If you're physically not capable (broken bones, concussion, etc) that's a little tougher. Once you're able to ride again, get back out there asap. If I wrecked on a jump and got busted up, I would usually roll it for my first ride back. Get up to speed on the rest of the track first. Then I would walk over and watch anyone else doing the jump, build up your confidence that you can do it again also. Get back on your bike, do some run-ups, get a feel for the speed you need and body positioning. Then at some point you're just gonna have to go for it. The adrenaline kicks into overdrive and you're nervous as hell but once you do it you will feel amazing.
If it's just a matter of the whole track doesn't feel right and you struggle with the layout, go to other tracks for a couple months if possible. Sometimes if I left a track for 1-2 months and came back I would have a whole new perspective of it. It really helped me to walk the track and watch other guys faster than me, study their lines and technique. See how they position their body in sections.
Best of luck dude.
The Shop
Like I said, my first ride out I would just roll it. While I'm resting up I would go watch other guys do the jump, watch their lines, how they work the throttle, body position. The more I saw that the more I realized I could do it again. Don't wanna push you to do anything you're not comfortable with but I will tell you the longer you wait the more that fear builds up. If you simply just do not feel comfortable going for it, I would strongly suggest riding any other tracks for a couple months just so you can get yourself back up to full speed and gain confidence in your overall riding. You might come back and suddenly that jump doesn't look so big or that fear faded away.
Got to the track and just was not feeling it. Did one moto, came back and packed it up.
I think it happens to everyone at some point, sometimes. dont force it when you feel that way.
We’ve all been there and will continue to have “those days”. Our group has a saying “ride to ride another day!”
I'm not kidding when I say this , but even a couple years after my bad wreck , I couldn't even day dream about riding. I'd see a front fender coming at me and it would startle the hell out of me. After 6 years off , it took me a good year of actually riding before all that started to go away.
I also learned from experience that when you are having an " Off day " , and nothing is clicking , it's some times wise , to load up and call it a day. There is always next weekend.
Jeffro, I really really appreciate this and you being vulnerable. Your story is crazy, scary and inspirational. I'm stoked to hear you're back at it! Thank you for this, it actually brings me peace with it... But I still want to conquer this, just as you did!
If it is, then like others said, improve whatever particular skill is related to this track causing troubles and go practice it somewhere that you can safely build confidence. That could be a particular section of this track, or that might be another riding spot entirely.
It isn't worth ruining your week over, it's just for fun, but I am sure we have all felt the same.
Pit Row
By that I mean if you hit a certain section and absolutely grease it, then it's time to load up and go home. You will subconsciously remember and also have the muscle memory of accomplishing something good. Next time you come back you will be starting from that new higher level of riding. Lots of coaches won't end your practice (of any sport) until you get that "win'"
Unfortunately for me the same goes the other way. My wife likes to go trail riding with me, and her riding can best be described as sightseeing. If I ride with her and race the next day my brain is completely mis-wired at a much slower pace and I suck.
Just don't sweat the details. You know how to ride. You know what obstacles you can do. Just go out and do them.
If I were to put a finite point on "how" to get your head in the game and away from straying and getting side-tracked...
Go to the track with a plan. Make your riding day a "clinic". Go there to work on something specific: a certain turn/set of turns/kind of turn -or- part of the track. Work on the fundamentals...your arms/elbow position...your grip...your feet/foot position(Far too often over-looked) and basic body position.
You can work on things that make your riding so much better AND keep yourself "focused". These things often allow me to feel my ride was productive and I can actually see and acknowledge improvement...and...most importantly...I don't get caught up in things I don't like about the track nor do I let the "track traffic" interfere with my day. I just work around these things as part of my "daily clinic".
To super-simplify my point: Form is EVERYTHING. Focus on it.
I hope you have the best rides of your life as you grow thru this.
Manny
You may have other priorities or have developed other interest.
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