Constructive tribute

[Terminated]

Taken from my Newbie Training:

Training Strategy:
DEE-FAP Discipline - Focus - Attention - Personal

Just because I have passed my Restricted Licence today, this does not give me a personal licence to ramp it up to the 100kph immediately, I got to earn my personal skill level progressively and gradually too - and my mentor [Uncle B] said 'take your time in pushing the envelope a bit further'.

DEE-FAP is your personal approach to your riding development I have selected the keys as:

Discipline - You will know when you get that pit gut feeling when something goes awry - Expect the Unexpected. Discipline yourself to not let that moment pass and if you have the time then immediately pull over and stop.

Ask yourself 'what happened? What did I do wrong? or What didn't I do?

And don't get angry because some cage may have cut you off or pulled out in front of you at an intersection or from a parked space. Think about it you can't control the other road user, but you can control your approach to riding strategically.

Focus - Have one or two things as key review points each time you get on your bike. Think ahead where and when you want to focus your attention on those keys. It does not have to be immediately, you may have a pre-arranged location in mind [eg slalom - cone weaving - countersteering technique] you may have a good quiet road [without the cones] or that empty carpark with the cones.

Attention - Develop a habit of cycling through your safety strategy for me as an example [check mirrors, heads up horizon, glance at gauges and speedo, heads up horizon peripheral sensitivity - here exercise your visual awareness your peripheral vision can be 'shut down' because though you are looking ahead your mind may be wondering and your peripheral vision may not be alert [day dreaming] and back to checking mirrors and repeat the cycle. When coming back into increased traffic flows this Attention drill takes on greater meaning.

Personal - How you approach your DEE-FAP Discipline Focus Attention Personal strategies will be evolving as your riding skills develop. Above all be true to yourself when you next go for a ride and think again about where you're riding and how you're riding. Remember you do not have to be overly tense and completely locked into your training program remember to relax.

There will come a time when you get on your bike and very shortly maybe a kilometer or two or three and you know that you are not completely 'at one' with the bike, recognise it for what it is and if necessary don't venture out on that recreational ride, stop go [home] back inside and have another cup of tea/coffee. Revisit that feeling in your mind's eye and when you feel ready then perhaps go for that ride and definitely have one or two keys things to Focus your Attention on. You may have had the initial not 'at one' feeling with the bike because you just got on the bike and headed off without a DEE-FAP

Heads Up and Enjoy

The log is at:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=30010

[Swoop]

Occasionally your head isn't "in the right space". If you are out of "the groove" and things are not happening as they should, STOP. Take a break. Get your head into the right frame of mind. Listen to the voice inside you - it's normally got something important to say.

[avgas]

Listen to your bike, she will warn you if something is not right.

[SuperDave]

Don't rush things.
It's a hard not too when you first get a bike or a new machine or feel yourself improving but even trying not to rush things will show benefits.

Small steps when looked back on will add up to giant leaps.

[aff-man]

A few things I have learnt over the years....

Always ride your own pace, and on different days your pace will differ. Push yourself if you must, but take it in small steps so that you can pull back if things start getting a bit hairy.

If you're head ain't in the ride, cruise it or turn around and go home and come out on another day.

Don't look in your mirrors. Yes there will be people faster than you that will pass you. It is THIER responsibiliy to pass. You can slow up and pull over on straights if they are really close and not following but the best thing is to hold your line and ride your ride. Trust them to pass safley, if they don't speak up when you stop and if they still do it don't ride with them. If you keep looking in your mirrors to see who's behind you, you won't see the corner up ahead.

Your bike will tell you a lot of things. Take the time to really get to know how your bike handels. It might mean trying different riding patterns, practicing emergency braking. Take a day and a road you really know and try and feel how the bike behaves. As others have said you will ride smoother,faster and safer if you help the bike move rather than fight it.

CHECK YOUR TYRE PRESSURES, as well as other general maintance it will be well worth it.

Not every riding style is for you. Take what people say try it out if it just doesn't "fit" try something else.

Watch how people ride and when you find someone who does something you like ask questions. It won't hurt to ask and generally most are willing to offer a lot of usefull advice. Bruce taught me how to do stoppies by telling me what worked for him and a few simple tricks to feel what the bike was doing and get used to it.

Have fun. It's what it's all about. If your not having fun (stressign and stuff) you shouldn't be on the road.

Well I think i've waffled on long enough. These are just some of the things i've learn the more technical aspects of riding i've learnt by watching those I think are really good riders adn asking heaps and heaps of questions.

Have fun and i'll catch ya on the black stuff.

[Biff]

Being a fast rider doesn't necessarily make you a good rider.

Your pace and your life.

[sunhuntin]

Being a fast rider doesn't necessarily make you a good rider.

Your pace and your life.

yep...its better to go into a corner slow and come out fast, than to go in fast and not come out at all. thats what i think at every single corner.

[madmatt]

Occasionally your head isn't "in the right space". If you are out of "the groove" and things are not happening as they should, STOP. Take a break. Get your head into the right frame of mind. Listen to the voice inside you - it's normally got something important to say.

ausome advice.

[Big Dog]

Just posted the following Pillion rules elsewhere
* No gear no ride.
* If only enough gear for one the pillion gets it.
* If I lean forward I'm about to unleash the full fury.
* If I lean back I'm going to slow, or there is a possible danger ahead.
* If you want me to slow down double tap both my hips.
* If you want me to stop double tap both my hips again.
* If you want me to go left double tap the corresponding hip.
* You can lean with me OR you can pack rack, you cannot change your mind mid corner.
* Your shout at any meal stops.
* If you want to tell me something put your visor up and grab the bitch bar.

[Brian d marge]

Not everyone is born to ride a bike. Twisting the throttle is easy, any monkey can learn the mechanical steps of making a bike move, turn and stop. A bit more thought and you can wheelie, stoppie and power slide. But the really smart monkeys know when to slow down and take it easy. To finish first first you must finish and all that.

Some monkeys, like me, recognise that they just don't have the right attitude for a bike at all - so they quit while they're still around to lecture other people about it.

Bikes are a dangerous piece of machinery. Fun if respected, deadly if not. Remember that.

Have not been online due to ..well the news just plain kicked me between the balls and i havent been able to face logging on ......

But I agree with above ,,,I have an addictive personality ,,,No that doesnt mean I pull the chickeebabes at parties ,,it means if i like something .. I go full on and dont stop

Drugs , beer , birds , bikes ......

Have you ever wondered why I race MX ,,but tootle around on an Enfield ??

It because I CANNOT be trusted to ride a Jap bike safely ... Even when I am fixing them ,,( proffesionally ) I always get someone else to ride the bike AFTER I confirm the Safety ...

So please fellas , put the man juice aside when on the road ,,, dead is dead and its a long time ,,, so just dont twist it ...

Now track days ..and Races ,,you payz ur money and SPANK that Bytch "

Ohhh YEAH!!!

Stephen

PS..check out frostys Idea for the race tracks in NZ,,, good call

[James Deuce]

I'm tired and haven't slept for three days and I've spent the evening in Emergency with one of my kids and just got home, and I find that somebody's co-worker thinks my tribute isn't good enough.

Fuck him.

[Big Dog]

I'm tired and haven't slept for three days and I've spent the evening in Emergency with one of my kids and just got home, and I find that somebody's co-worker thinks my tribute isn't good enough.

Fuck him.

Never said it wasn't good enough. I apologise if I have caused you offence, none was intended.
Just some of us grieve in different ways.
For me and the co worker carrying on the good work in a constructive manner is more cathartic.

[sexy beast]

im still learning everyday and evertime im on a bike. one thing i've learnt is NEVER get on a bike without FULL RIDING GEAR...even if its a 5min ride around the block. You may be a good rider but the weather, the road, and other drivers cannot be trusted!!!

[DMNTD:Me]

I've been riding on and off for 19 years now and I still consider myself a Learner. The day I chose to stop learning will be the day I stop riding...
I strongly recommend that others take on a similar view point as it'll help one to become better and a more complete rider IMO.

Excellent thread btw

[Edbear]

I've been riding on and off for 19 years now and I still consider myself a Learner. The day I chose to stop learning will be the day I stop riding...
I strongly recommend that others take on a similar view point as it'll help one to become better and a more complete rider IMO.

Excellent thread btw

Well said! After 33 years on and off I still try to learn each time I go out. I know there are far more competent riders than me out there, (and in here...). When following a group I try to watch their lines and style.

About "getting your head in sync", I find it takes me about 30 min or so to "get in the groove" when I go out and need to concentrate that bit extra until then as that is when I'm most likely to make a mistake.

I don't ride every day or even every week due to health limitations and the tyranny of time and if not really up to it physically, I'll stay home and feel frustrated rather than take the risk. (Like last weekend when Classic_Z gave my bike a tickle-up and made a noticeable difference to it and I was too crook to ride it!)

I check tyre pressures before each ride.