"Out of sorts" [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

slofox

13th January 2011, 14:24

avgas

13th January 2011, 14:30

You weren't nice to her. You must woo her. She must feel wanted.
Otherwise it takes forever - you wont talk, she wont talk - you both ignore each other.
Eventually you soften up for each other, then things get exciting.
Afterwards it feels like the best day of you life. You put her in the shed and repeat the whole process all over again in a month.

You gotta keep that relationship, otherwise its too hard.

buy my book "How a motorbike is better than my wife" by Stewart Farr

Highlander

13th January 2011, 14:32

Been there.
Day two of a weeks riding, ferry crossing and then riding down to Kaikoura, just couldn't get my head in the right space. Missreading corners, everything just felt wrong.
Gas stop at Kaikoura and parted company with the guy I was riding with (not blaming him at all) I ride solo down the inland route to Geraldine Fantastic ride.
Don't know what changed, just all came together somehow.

Edbear

13th January 2011, 14:32

Ah, yer jus' gettin' old mate... :msn-wink:

mattian

13th January 2011, 14:32

I think it would be super-human to be on form 100% of the time.

When I come to a complete stop I like to balance while stopped, before I put my feet on the ground. I get it spot on frequently, but then there are some days I'm wobbling around like I need training wheels......lol. It annoys me when I dont get it quite right.

Eyegasm

13th January 2011, 14:38

Ah, yer jus' gettin' old mate... :msn-wink:

Just getting????

Edbear

13th January 2011, 14:47

Just getting????

LOL!!!! Shhhh! Let's not push our luck on this one.... :whistle:

NinjaNanna

13th January 2011, 14:56

Happens to me all the time, particularly with sporting endeavours, I put it down to having high expectations of myself, the more I do it the more critical I become of myself yet in reality not much has really changed.

I get it on the bike too, but rarely can I shake it, for me on the bike the reason is different though, its my self preservation gene kicking in and messing with my head. Mind you when I do manage to beat it I must admit it feels amazing, I remember 1 clockwise coro-loop when it all just clicked, I wasn't fast by anybodies standards I'm sure, but I was smooth and felt at complete ease. Another time was on last years NET, following QKCHK through the Waipora forest best run through there I've ever had.

Juzz976

13th January 2011, 15:00

If ya let it get to you it usually gets worse, I sometimes stop for a bit and distract myself, drink water, stretch and look at the scenery.
When I get back on most times I've improved, being relaxed and stress free helps too.

I'd put it down to Christmas stress.

Highlander

13th January 2011, 15:04

...when I do manage to beat it I must admit it feels amazing, I remember 1 clockwise coro-loop when it all just clicked, I wasn't fast by anybodies standards I'm sure, but I was smooth and felt at complete ease.

Is that not the criteria we should be using to judge our own on road performance?
I want to ride with the bike feeling like an extention of my self, flowing smoothly from corner to corner, assessing the risks and not taking undue ones. I couldn't care less if you ride faster than me.

javawocky

13th January 2011, 15:17

Your probably trying to hard. Enhance your calm, slow down, get back to the basics and build up from there again. In fact, all this reminds me over a video that crazy chick Sandra Stammova posted on her facepoops the other day...

<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ue3llCle_Y8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ue3llCle_Y8&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>

...but yeah, if you are not riding affirmatively best you slow down cause the bike is riding you.

Genie

13th January 2011, 15:34

Now if you were a female I'd say it's hormones. Women blame all their weird on hormones.

Seeing you're a fella, you were just having an 'off' day, it happens. It never lasts for long and when you get back 'on', it's way, way better than what you remembered. It's like doing it all again for the very first time, that thrill comes back. Then bugga me days, next time to take the bike out, you're flat, it's all wrong because you can't get back to that 'on' feeling again and you'll keep searching for it always...oh I just described addiction!

slofox

13th January 2011, 15:36

Ah, yer jus' gettin' old mate... :msn-wink:

I was gunna say "Waddya mean "GETTING?""

Just getting????

But smartarse here beat me to it! :rofl:

And Javawocka is right - when I got back on the bike this morning, I was just gonna go home. But I decided to cruise to Raglan - real quiet like - and that's when stuff got better.

george formby

13th January 2011, 16:15

I have my off days on the bike & in the car, bad judgment calls, bad observation, lack of awareness & zero connection with the vehicle.
As already mentioned taking good fuel inboard helps the brain & body & I also try to force my concentration level up, I believe it's the lack of concentration which causes the feeling in the first place.
When I find myself with mind wandering, riding a bike which feels unfamiliar though I've owned it for years at a pace which would shame a Prius fanatic I up my pace & make an effort to actually ride the bloody thing. Done this for years now, not in a manic, risky way but enough to get my head back into the right space without pushing my limits in anyway.
Upping the pace a little & committing a bit more to a nice section of road wakes me up very quickly & once back on track I stay their. It's when I start to think about the physics of what's happening rather than sitting their thinking about how shite it feels that the mental shift happens.

Big Dave

13th January 2011, 18:39

awa355

13th January 2011, 18:44

Since the big ride at New Year - in fact even before that come to think of it, I have been feeling "out of sorts" on the bike. Just not "there" if you know what I mean. Not really balanced, a bit tentative, just not right. :crazy:

But then today, I picked the bike up from the shop after its 24k service and headed over to Raglan for a pootle and for some reason or other things sorted out. Body position settled down, weight felt planted, bike felt stable. By the time I was half way back I was ready to chase that Nissan Fairlady up the road...:devil2:

I've had similar experiences with other things I have done - squash was one such. Some days you are unbeatable and other days you are useless. Same with the ballroom dancing, ('cept the off days there are always the partner's fault! :angry:)

I often wonder why this happens. Anyone else get that?

We all have those days. I went out to Kawhia on Sunday, I couldn't connect between corners, felt like I had to stop before each corner and start again. Some days my sleeve will feel like its twisted inside the jacket, or I keep shuffling around on the seat, braking, cornering lines turn to shit.

Guess those shit days are given to us so we can appreciate the times when everything flows and you know why you ride bikes.

Brown Bear

13th January 2011, 18:44

I own a Nissan fairlady that's why.You thought you could catch one.

Pixie

13th January 2011, 18:46

hellokitty

13th January 2011, 20:55

When I come to a complete stop I like to balance while stopped, before I put my feet on the ground. I get it spot on frequently, but then there are some days I'm wobbling around like I need training wheels......lol. It annoys me when I dont get it quite right.

:eek: I hurt my left hip/leg the other day. I discovered this during a ride where I couldn't lift my leg up or down when stoppping.
I have been trying to rest it to extend my riding time, and have been keeping the left foot on the peg and using my right foot at the lights. I have realised that I must normally use my left leg the most for balancing as I get a little bit wobbly taking off from the right foot - makes me look like a dick, I am sure.

joan of arc

13th January 2011, 21:10

Being a newbie, I figured that it was my inexperience. Some days it felt like I was getting somewhere with my riding and next I would be sheit again. Made me wonder if I was ever going to get to a good place and hang in there. So, reassuring to see that it happens to the experienced as well. Won't let it get to me.

Smifffy

13th January 2011, 21:20

Sounds to me like you've been pushing it too hard, trying to justify leaving the faithful SV for the sexy Vixen.

The hawk incident, the other "crap yourself moments". You have been trying to find the limits of the vixen, and rather have been finding your own limits instead.

The Vixen owns you now. Surrender yourself to her.

Relax and ride, these bikes are good and it'll be a while before you find her limits, don't push it.

:msn-wink: :bleh:

Or maybe I'm wrong. :devil2:

Whatever, take it easy and ride safe, I enjoy reading what you have to post.

Genie

14th January 2011, 06:49

The Vixen owns you now. Surrender yourself to her.

That about sums it up!

slofox

14th January 2011, 10:57

I fell exactly the same way at the moment.I think it is the standard Dunlops.

In my case, I reckon it's brain fade...:whistle:

Sounds to me like you've been pushing it too hard, trying to justify leaving the faithful SV for the sexy Vixen.

The hawk incident, the other "crap yourself moments". You have been trying to find the limits of the vixen, and rather have been finding your own limits instead.

The Vixen owns you now. Surrender yourself to her.

Relax and ride, these bikes are good and it'll be a while before you find her limits, don't push it.

:msn-wink: :bleh:

Or maybe I'm wrong. :devil2:

Whatever, take it easy and ride safe, I enjoy reading what you have to post.

My limits are way closer than the vixen's...however, I do believe there is an element of truth in what you say.

That about somes it up!

Errrr...that's "sums", Genie...BDOTGNZA, led by Mr Hitcher will be after you if'n you aren't careful....:eek:

Anyway. this morning was an OK ride too although it took a while to get sorted again. I went to a particular section of road that follows a stream through a valley - not too long but twisty enough to make you think without being impossible. Course the first thing I do is go into the first corner a little hot and end up doing all the naughty things...sigh..."slow down, Rossi" I thinks to myself...

Interesting to read in "Twist of the Wrist II" that "most people improve if they practice at about 75% of their personal limit" or something like that. Which means, as Smiffy implies, that we have to walk before we run.

I reckon, for myself anyway, a lot of it comes from how I sit on the thing. Gotta get the weight down and forward for it to feel right. Sit up and it turns to shit...

javawocky

14th January 2011, 15:28

In my case, I reckon it's brain fade...:whistle:

My limits are way closer than the vixen's...however, I do believe there is an element of truth in what you say.

Errrr...that's "sums", Genie...BDOTGNZA, led by Mr Hitcher will be after you if'n you aren't careful....:eek:

Anyway. this morning was an OK ride too although it took a while to get sorted again. I went to a particular section of road that follows a stream through a valley - not too long but twisty enough to make you think without being impossible. Course the first thing I do is go into the first corner a little hot and end up doing all the naughty things...sigh..."slow down, Rossi" I thinks to myself...

Interesting to read in "Twist of the Wrist II" that "most people improve if they practice at about 75% of their personal limit" or something like that. Which means, as Smiffy implies, that we have to walk before we run.

I reckon, for myself anyway, a lot of it comes from how I sit on the thing. Gotta get the weight down and forward for it to feel right. Sit up and it turns to shit...

Find Braking start point, move body position to before braking, brake and choose and end brake point / turn point, apply throttle lightly as soon as you can before turning, before you it the turn point start looking through the turn for the apex or product / end point, turn on the turn point as quickly as possible all the while gradually opening the throttle smoothly -- rinse and repeat for next corner! See Easy!

Point is just go back to basics and concentrate on one basic thing - like Throttle application. Even if you have learned it before, getting back to basics will build your confidence and smoothness again.

If its becoming unfun - just take a few days off, a couple days in a cage will get you enthusiastic again :niceone:

slofox

14th January 2011, 17:41

concentrate on one basic thing - like Throttle application.

'swhat I was doing this morning...

davebullet

14th January 2011, 18:47

Yes. Some days I hop on the bike and feel like I'm having to fight it. Off balance, slow speed manoeuvering is a wobbly affair, don't lean properly with it etc...

As time goes on these days become fewer and far between, but they still happen.

It gets you worried, then sorts itself out on your next ride usually. I find if your mind is preoccupied, or your head in the wrong space (distracted, grumpy, not enough sex) these all contribute.... Now, where did I put my hamster?

Pixie

15th January 2011, 07:28

slofox

19th January 2011, 10:55

I have been riding for thirty five years - I still have those days

Forty two years for me...:wacko:

javawocky

19th January 2011, 11:20

Forty two years for me...:wacko:

I'm not even that old :blink:

slofox

19th January 2011, 11:53

I'm not even that old :blink:

I am...:sleep:

Smifffy

19th January 2011, 12:53

I am...:sleep:

Are you feeling back in sorts yet?

slofox

19th January 2011, 14:38

Are you feeling back in sorts yet?

Yeah - got me shit together again...:niceone:

Ocean1

19th January 2011, 16:06

Yeah - got me shit together again...:niceone:

Didn't happen to see mine lurking nearby while you were there did you?

oldrider

19th January 2011, 16:26

Since the big ride at New Year - in fact even before that come to think of it, I have been feeling "out of sorts" on the bike. Just not "there" if you know what I mean. Not really balanced, a bit tentative, just not right. :crazy:

But then today, I picked the bike up from the shop after its 24k service and headed over to Raglan for a pootle and for some reason or other things sorted out. Body position settled down, weight felt planted, bike felt stable. By the time I was half way back I was ready to chase that Nissan Fairlady up the road...:devil2:

I've had similar experiences with other things I have done - squash was one such. Some days you are unbeatable and other days you are useless. Same with the ballroom dancing, ('cept the off days there are always the partner's fault! :angry:)

I often wonder why this happens. Anyone else get that?

It's a testicle thing, bikes are like women, they don't like competition, they can tell if your spuds have been drained and they get in a huff if you have been with someone else!

As your hormones and blood get back into condition and your bike begins to feel the love :love: and attention, everything starts to get back on track and you are as one again! :niceone:

Three things that are sensitive to love, women, horses and motorcycles! :blip:

Proof enough that there is a God after all! :whistle:

slofox

19th January 2011, 16:59

Didn't happen to see mine lurking nearby while you were there did you?

Nah - but I wondered what the stink was...:rofl:

Conquiztador

27th January 2011, 10:53

FWIW:
Years ago when I was wanting to become proffs in a sport (sadly hard work is not enuf when you have no talent...) I kept a diary of what I did. I recorded sleeping, eating, mood, weather, who I was spending time with, exercise, and anything else I did. I then also recorded how I performed each day. The idea was to try to find a pattern, to learn what I did to feel on top of the world and also what made me perform poorly.

So what did I learn? That there was some things that made a difference:
- Enough sleep but not too much was vital for ablility to focus.
- Hard workout day before made me perform poorly the next day.
- Totally drunk day before was not good. But surprisingly a night with a few drinks sometimes made me better than a drink free one.
- Food never really made a difference. I think food will only work on long term basis and not the next day. Said that, no food day before was a recepie for lack of stamina.
- Issues and problems in life affected me and times when all was in place and I was happy tended to increase my focus and performance.

And the days when I did not want to perform were the worst. Nothing could make me focus properly. But I never really managed to figure out what was the reason for feeling so.

After approx 6 months of this I scrapped it all and just did my best. Sadly it was never enough to get to where I wanted to.

The sport? Soccer.

slofox

27th January 2011, 11:09

The sport? Soccer.

Did something similar when I played squash. Didn't work for me either...:angry:

george formby

27th January 2011, 11:13

I hopped on my humble velocipede on Monday to get a new tire & warrant. First ride in nearly 3 months. It was pants!

Riding to the shop I had zero connection to the bike, my surroundings, traffic, anything. Most disconcerting. Felt a bit better after riding through a lot of deep gravel due to major roadworks. Feeling the front sliding down the camber focuses the mind wonderfully.
Riding home with the new tire was only marginally more involving. The whole ride felt as if I was on autopilot. Not why I ride bike.
When the power goes out this weekend due to Cyclone Syphilis or some such i might go for a run & really (literally!) put the wind up myself, as it were.

Then again...