Women-only track day

[MotoGirl]

sorry mate....what was i thinking....

i wouldnt know anyway...i've never done a track day

This gives your comments credibility in my books

Having never done a track day, would you feel more comfortable trying it out with people who have a similar skill level as yourself? Or would you rather be dumped into a group who are (more than likely) faster than you and expect you to know the ins and outs of track riding?

Like I said earlier (or maybe I just thought it?), the Slow group at a track day isn't always slow enough for first timers to the track.

[yod]

This gives your comments credibility in my books

Having never done a track day, would you feel more comfortable trying it out with people who have a similar skill level as yourself? Or would you rather be dumped into a group who are (more than likely) faster than you and expect you to know the ins and outs of track riding?

Like I said earlier (or maybe I just thought it?), the Slow group at a track day isn't always slow enough for first timers to the track.

definitely with a group of similar speed...although i find chasing more fun than leading (so i guess i wouldnt be much of a racer i spose )

even if i (or anyone) is slower than everybody in the slow group...ya gotta start somewhere or you'll always be slower than the slow group!

[MotoGirl]

definitely with a group of similar speed...although i find chasing more fun than leading (so i guess i wouldnt be much of a racer i spose )

haha, yeah I'm much the same.

even if i (or anyone) is slower than everybody in the slow group...ya gotta start somewhere or you'll always be slower than the slow group!

although there is a difference between starting in the slow group and staying there. When you start getting quicker, you need to throw yourself out of your comfort zone and into a faster group. The amount you can learn from watching and talking to these guys in incredible!

Now, if only I could take my own advice and stop being so damn scared

[yod]

Now, if only I could take my own advice and stop being so damn scared

haha....i only got back into riding 3 months ago after a 10 year break buts it all coming back to me now, although i still find myself second guessing my corner speed as im going in and back off a bit sometimes....getting there tho

my last bike was a GPz900 but im starting out on an NC21 this time which was a good idea i think...cant go ridiculous speeds but still quick enough for heeeaps of fun!

will be pretty keen for a trackday at Manfeild at some stage but just dont wanna bin it and have to pay for the fix up!!

[cowboyz]

I rode with yod on sat and I always suggest newbies to the track go in the slow group first out to learn the track, but he would only be there for one session before moving up. The whole "ride with a group of similar speed" is very subjective and the biggest fear of all newbies. Being apprehensive about simply being on a track and taking that to imply that everyone is doing 300km/hr. In fact, at mansfield at least, the slow group is speed limited to 120km/hr. For experienced road riders it is not difficult to maintain that.
In saying that it is not a big deal if you fall back. Even if you are really slow you might get lapped once in 18 minutes but it takes some effort to be lapped twice. And anyone who is in the slow group finding themselves too quick for it should have enough common sense not to carve slow riders up in the corners.

[Trudes]

And anyone who is in the slow group finding themselves too quick for it should have enough common sense not to carve slow riders up in the corners.

You'd think wouldn't you...... but that's a whole other thread!

[MotoGirl]

although i still find myself second guessing my corner speed as im going in and back off a bit sometimes....getting there tho

I'm the same - I think that comes from low-siding my VTR because I braked too long. Now I'm just paranoid about slowing down!

To keep this on topic, my current lack of confidence is why I'd feel more comfortable at a training day, such as a women's day. Sometimes it's just better for the confidence to be the fastest in a slow group, rather than the slowest in a fast group.

[yod]

The amount you can learn from watching and talking to these guys in incredible!

i was out yesterday with a group where i was chasing 3 guys who probably have considerably more experience than i do and it was bloody excellent chasing them through a back road (well, trying to anyway)....they were gradually pulling away but while i was still close enough it was really good to follow them through corners and keep my speed up

i also get put off a bit when i cant see all the way through the corner (especially on a back road)...but i think im probably a bit over cautious sometimes...

but DAMN its good fun!!

[cowboyz]

Sometimes it's just better for the confidence to be the fastest in a slow group, rather than the slowest in a fast group.

Doesn't that sound just a tad egotistical?

i was out yesterday with a group where i was chasing 3 guys who probably have considerably more experience than i do and it was bloody excellent chasing them through a back road (well, trying to anyway)....they were gradually pulling away but while i was still close enough it was really good to follow them through corners and keep my speed up

i also get put off a bit when i cant see all the way through the corner (especially on a back road)...but i think im probably a bit over cautious sometimes...

but DAMN its good fun!!

You did well. Us guys have been riding together for a while now and you get to know peoples styles. I feel totally comfortable with either 86 or bonez sitting 2mm off my rear wheel because I trust them.
I always get nervous when a new guy shows up on the ashhurst rides. Well nervous is not the right word but something like that. So far we have had one bin in two years and that was one too many. Better to be safe than spending 6 months repairing your bike.
I too get apprehesive when I cant see the exit to the corner. Slows me down a fair bit but then road riding is not all about speed. It is about the company and enjoying being on the bike.

[yod]

You did well. Us guys have been riding together for a while now and you get to know peoples styles. I feel totally comfortable with either 86 or bonez sitting 2mm off my rear wheel because I trust them.
I always get nervous when a new guy shows up on the ashhurst rides. Well nervous is not the right word but something like that. So far we have had one bin in two years and that was one too many. Better to be safe than spending 6 months repairing your bike.
I too get apprehesive when I cant see the exit to the corner. Slows me down a fair bit but then road riding is not all about speed. It is about the company and enjoying being on the bike.

i hear ya mate, for me it's more about getting through the corners smoothly and trying to improve as i go rather than just out and out speed (altho i like stretching the revs a bit on the faster sections every now and then )

i dont tend to stay too close to the guy in front anyway...im usually comfortable at about 20m minimum...had a couple of rear enders in my younger days (in cars thankfully) - a damn good lesson in the consequences of following too close! but also a couple of minor bins as well....im a bit nervous of younger fellas on bikes trying a bit too hard for the sake of their egos, can lead to an unhappy ending for them and others as well

thats why i was happy toodling along behind you in the later section where you were two up and there was gravel everywhere.....gave me a bit of confidence in my tyres' ability to stay attached to the road when i can see another bike doing it in front of me

[chanceyy]

I disagree. In my experience, even the slow group is too quick for complete newbies.

sorry motogirl, I have to disagree.. I attended the last track day at Manfield & at that stage I had only had approx 6 short road rides & 1 slightly longer road ride ...

I can sure attest to the fact I was nervous, but asked my mentor to plz come with me for a few laps before he buggered off to have his fun, well the sighting session sure got the nerves over with pretty quick, first session was all about trying lines .. & being in the slow novice group kinda headed out at the rear of the field so I would not be swamped by bikes ..

the second session was hell of a good time ... after words with my mentor about lines & cornering went out in the second session & built on the confidence that was starting to grow .. I had a blast ..

recognised that i was starting to tire in the afternoon & spent the time getting the experience cornering, rather than trying to increase speed etc ..

I have not ridden a motorbike for approx 20 yrs, then never a road bike I can certainly attest that the slow/novice group was the perfect place ... I highly recommend that if you are nervous then hang out the back ... it takes a wee while for the leading group to catch you ... & speed is limited to 120 & no overtaking the lead bike (with vest on)


the problem with us newbies is we need to get out there & do it to gain the experience, but how can you do that if you won't give it a go ...

[chanceyy]

I always get nervous when a new guy shows up on the ashhurst rides. Well nervous is not the right word but something like that. So far we have had one bin in two years and that was one too many. Better to be safe than spending 6 months repairing your bike.
I too get apprehesive when I cant see the exit to the corner. Slows me down a fair bit but then road riding is not all about speed. It is about the company and enjoying being on the bike.

Hopefully I did not make ya toooooo nervous there Cowboyz .. I sure enjoyed it immensely ... to be able to tackle the track again & be alot smoother sure made me smile as did those pearler roads out the back ...

I want do give them another go

never know what is around a corner when ya can not see ... like sheep .. only encountered about 5 today..... so one never knows what is around the corner .. definately to be safer than sorry

[Trudes]

I do have to point out though Chanceyy, that I've done a couple of trackdays now, and that was a very slow slow group, they are not always that slow, honest!

[cowboyz]

but then if you convince more newbies to give it a go then the slow group will regulate its own pace and become big enough that those who are riding in the slow group just to be the quickest out on the track will move up to get out of the crowd.

[Trudes]

Which is what I think happened at that trackday, which was awesome, the pace of the slow group discouraged a lot of the people who can ride in the faster groups from going in the slow group also for extra track time, but doesn't always happen that way.