The zone!

[Grubber]

Got that figured out already!!!..I agree with others, the zone is personal, you are in a world of your own, there is no end to your ride at the time, it is not about speed as those that do speed have to concentrate to hard.

When my wife and I have been in the 'zone', when we do get home we ask each other why did we come home rather than keep on riding to knowhere..

Yep....been there done that. Just don't go on about it like it's some kind of euphoric state. Which it isn't. Thats all!
Calling a great ride out "The Zone" . I don't think so. Sounds pretty pratish if ya ask me!

[Grubber]

Its just that its difficult to concetrate on riding when you are concerned about bits falling off your bike...

But hang on a minute....the next post just said that if your speeding you won't be in the zone cause you have to concentrate too much. Here your saying you need to concentrate.....bugger me, who ya suppose is in the zone here now?

What bit by the way are you refering to? the japanese aftermarket bungy cord was the last thing to fly off mine....bloody jap shit.

[R-Soul]

But hang on a minute....the next post just said that if your speeding you won't be in the zone cause you have to concentrate too much. Here your saying you need to concentrate.....bugger me, who ya suppose is in the zone here now?

What bit by the way are you refering to? the japanese aftermarket bungy cord was the last thing to fly off mine....bloody jap shit.

It must have been designed in England...

When you go out trying to speed, you scare yourself, and end up riding white knuckled and fixated on teh next thing you are going to crash into. Too much concentration.

When you concentrate on the smooth execution of technique without trying to be fast, trying to make that technique second nature so that you dont have to think about it (ie not concentrating or fixating on it) and expanding your awareness of the road and things around you (and hence your vision) to take in all at once, you feel the harmony within, then you end up riding fast (or safer at normal speeds because of increased awereness) without trying.

[Grubber]

It must have been designed in England...

When you go out trying to speed, you scare yourself, and end up riding white knuckled and fixated on teh next thing you are going to crash into. Too much concentration.

When you concentrate on the smooth execution of technique without trying to be fast, trying to make that technique second nature so that you dont have to think about it (ie not concentrating or fixating on it) and expanding your awareness of the road and things around you (and hence your vision) to take in all at once, you feel the harmony within, then you end up riding fast (or safer at normal speeds because of increased awereness) without trying.

Hehe. England eh! you must be confused with the ealrier trumpy's i think. Scooped the oil up from underneath a couple of those before. Hinkley's seem to have it all sorted.
You have just described most of my ride outs. The only difference is that i don't give it some fancy euphoric name. It's no different to when i drive my car (although i don't enjoy it as much) or my trucks. Been doin it for so long it becomes second nature. It sounds like it's being described by someone form the art fraternity. You know, how they get all these fancy names as such for various pieces of art..." Oh it's warm and violent and busy and ...." whoa let me stop you right there...it's a friggin river runnin through a valley. Think you get the picture!
For those who go on with the "if you haven't experienced it then you won't understand" please don't, it's embarrassing.

[bogan]

For those who go on with the "if you haven't experienced it then you won't understand" please don't, it's embarrassing.

you sure about that? ever tried explaining how awesome riding is to someone who as never ridden before, similar thing init

[Owl]

Quite a rush being in "The Zone", but personally I think it's less stressful to fuck off and park somewhere else.

[duckonin]

"The Zone" . I don't think so. Sounds pretty pratish if ya ask me!

Nope do not recall asking you anything at all !! After reading all of your replys on this thread it would appear you really have no fucken idea, you would be better off going for a walk rather than a ride !!

[Grubber]

Nope do not recall asking you anything at all !! After reading all of your replys on this thread it would appear you really have no fucken idea, you would be better off going for a walk rather than a ride !!

Considering you don't even know me from a bar of fuckin soap dude, i would say YOU probably have no idea!
There is in actual fact only 5 that are having any say here, which tells me it doesn't have a whole lo0t of substance.
I understand that people like Michael Schumaker and Rossi and many others in that league could rightfully state they have their ZONE, but you and i???? Don;t think so. I also think that for the likes of you and i to state that we do is an insult to those people.
Like it or not....we have different opinions on this and probably always will.

[Grubber]

you sure about that? ever tried explaining how awesome riding is to someone who as never ridden before, similar thing init

Yep...it's not that hard really!
The word zone doesn't come into the conversation either.

[beyond]

Considering you don't even know me from a bar of fuckin soap dude, i would say YOU probably have no idea!
There is in actual fact only 5 that are having any say here, which tells me it doesn't have a whole lo0t of substance.
I understand that people like Michael Schumaker and Rossi and many others in that league could rightfully state they have their ZONE, but you and i???? Don;t think so. I also think that for the likes of you and i to state that we do is an insult to those people.
Like it or not....we have different opinions on this and probably always will.

Just because 5 people have an idea and the rest don't, doesn't mean this state doesn't exist. In fact, I know heaps of people who didn't know what it was and when they finally found it knew exactly what we are talking about. No one has to be Rossi or Schumacker either and it's not an insult to suggest that anyone can find and ride in the zone for whatever level they are at.

These professionals have merely perfected the zone in which they drive or ride and anyone can do that at the level they are at personally.

Do not forget, that this is a forum where people can share there experiences and if people like yourself go around dissing everyone that posts their experiences this forum is going to be a pile of shit in no time at all. Who is going to post here and who is going to come and read if all everyone does is put others down and snipe about something they don't understand or refuse to accept exists???

[wysper]

I think you may find many have read this thread.
Many don't feel the need to post because they agree mostly with Beyond, with a few minor personal difficulties.
For me 'the zone' has nothing to do with speed, racing or anything like that.
It is just having one of those rides where it all works, and Grubber, it is fine if for you it feels right to say 'shit just clicked' or what ever.

For me it is smooth lines, smooth ride, no sphincter clenching moments. Sometimes this means the ride was well within my abilites, sometimes I am convinced I pushed them a bit. On those rides I probably wouldn't be able to tell you how fast I was going or how slow, how hard I was cornering, if I was riding like a Nana or not. It is all about my ride, that road, that moment.

I have had times like that on the archery range too, where I didn't need to think about nock points, range, windage, elevation etc, I just got up and shot and felt really good. Again, I wouldn't necessarily be able to tell you what I shot, or it might be that it was a day I shot damn near perfect scores. But that would be irrelevant.

Hell, mostly this discussion is about semantics or has been taken there, and Katman going on about the mortal danger to new riders by describing your enjoyment on the bike. I have to disagree with Katman, I doubt anyone will go out seeking 'the zone', most would agree that you will click or not, be in the zone or not. Some days I jump on the bike for a ride and it is just shit, I seem to misjudge corner entry speeds etc and the ride doesn't gel. Those are not the best days. But I am still on the bike, still shiny side up. Still loving the ride.

For me 'the zone' isn't about pushing my limits, but I bet when you are riding in that place, that mental mind space, you probably will ride better and therefore push your boundries.

My 2c.

oh and I am left handed. right eye dominant, and play most sports right handed.

[bogan]

Yep...it's not that hard really!
The word zone doesn't come into the conversation either.

how do you explain all the leaning and feel etc, you must be a better worderer than I. Unless you ride with trainer wheels or something?

[Vgygrwr]

There is a guy called Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, who has done a lot of work on "flow ", "the mental state in which a person in an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity"
also referred to as: on the ball, in the zone, in the groove etc. Wikipedia, provides lots more, inclined to feel something simple is being dressed up, suspect most of us experience it hopefully at least daily, seems closely related or even essential to happiness.

[duckonin]

[QUOTE=Grubber;1129802565

I understand that people like Michael Schumaker and Rossi and many others in that league could rightfully state they have their ZONE, but you and i???? Don;t think so. I also think that for the likes of you and i to state that we do is an insult to those people.
[/QUOTE]

This thread has nothing to do with the above persons, but anyway 'AS U SAY' why can they rightfully state they have the zone and not others ? I have found a piece in all of my sports where for a moment or so I have 'MY ZONE' the zone is absolute contentment everything has come together as it should it is bliss nothing in the world at that moment can beat what you are doing..Are you getting the picture now ? Nope I do not think you would be able to conceive that others could have so much contentment in what they are doing. Drag yer self up a chair grasshopper, we'll go back to basics about how to enjoy life, then you may understand..(The Zone )

[Smifffy]

My wish is for those of you who experience 'the zone' whilst motorcycling are able to access that at any time you ride. Further may you be able to achieve that state in all aspects of your lives.

If you feel good while on your motorcycle you are 'in the zone', it has very little to do with speed, cornering lines etc. I would even argue that if you came home from a ride feeling really good about it, and thought "hey, ya know next time if I did x corner in y manner it could be even better" then you are well and truly there.

If you come home buzzing and thinking "hell yeah I frikken aced that ride, it was pefect. I rock." then you most likely weren't in the zone and are simply deluding yourself as you daydream your life away on a motorcycle.