onearmedbandit
28th August 2005, 14:24
Okay now I've been riding for over 15yrs of my life now, feel pretty good on a bike and consider myself an above average rider, by no means the fastest or smoothest but I know for the most part what I'm doing on two wheels.
However, after only one session on a track I feel like I've learnt so much more about riding. Not so much as learning something specific but maybe more about the mechanics of riding. When riding on the road you have to constantly aware of so many variables such as new corners, differing road surfaces, other road users, any one of the thousands of obstacles we encounter on an average ride that demand your concentration. Being aware of all these things unfortunately takes away from your ability to really just get to know yourself and your bike.
Going out to a controlled enviroment, where all you have to worry about is just riding however gives you the chance to 'gel' more with your bike, understand a little better about what happens, how it happens, and the consequences. So now I have found my confidence just riding around town has risen. Somehow things have got better, I feel more at 'one' with my bike and that translates to more enjoyable rides.
I suppose the point of this speil is to those that haven't ridden on a track, get out there and do it. Regardless of your ability, your experience or whatever you'll do yourself a favour by spending a day, or many more, putting a few laps under your belt in the right enviroment.
However, after only one session on a track I feel like I've learnt so much more about riding. Not so much as learning something specific but maybe more about the mechanics of riding. When riding on the road you have to constantly aware of so many variables such as new corners, differing road surfaces, other road users, any one of the thousands of obstacles we encounter on an average ride that demand your concentration. Being aware of all these things unfortunately takes away from your ability to really just get to know yourself and your bike.
Going out to a controlled enviroment, where all you have to worry about is just riding however gives you the chance to 'gel' more with your bike, understand a little better about what happens, how it happens, and the consequences. So now I have found my confidence just riding around town has risen. Somehow things have got better, I feel more at 'one' with my bike and that translates to more enjoyable rides.
I suppose the point of this speil is to those that haven't ridden on a track, get out there and do it. Regardless of your ability, your experience or whatever you'll do yourself a favour by spending a day, or many more, putting a few laps under your belt in the right enviroment.