confidence on moving up

[K1GxR]

hey there.

going for level 2 trakdayz and would love to have it but am having second thoughts about how hard core it is. some riders on level 1 freaked me out and i think shouldn't have been there, knee down at every turn and overtaking / undertaking the beginners at every corner. i'm already booked in and everything so wondering if i should just back down or go ahead for it as i have to start somewhere. i can sort of handle the freakout when people pass me during corners, but how hardcore is level 2? the last time i did level 1 a few people had offs. is there room for me to learn or is it like a keep up or die trying effort? would help if there are rules and people followed them like no overtaking / undertaking corners etc.. i didn't get knee down and wasn't the fastest but i learned a lot and have increased lean angles and better control of the bike after level 1.

would like to hear thoughts etc.. i know i'm not a young revhead anymore but would eventually like to get race license and do some light racing at historics class etc.. not to be world champion but for the experience and to learn something. i think i'm on the right track in this regard as i'm doing mcrc, another champion etc. overall have 6 track days this year.

[AndyS]

Level 2 isn't as hard as you might think. Pretty much everyone who does level 1 goes up to level 2 next time out, so you get a fair spread of different abilities.
Undertaking in corners in level 1 is a big no-no and I'm surpised that they weren't pulled up for that sort of riding (maybe the instructors didn't see it because Chris usually doesn't stand for that sort of behaviour). I remember having the same sort of dickheads when we did level 1, especially early in the day.
However as the day went on and everyone got faster, suddenly they weren't quite the heros that they thought they were !!

Find you own speed in level 2, if others want to go faster, let them, ride your line and they should pass you on the straights or when it's safe.
If you're worried about level 2, talk to Chris, he's a top bloke and will tell you if you are ready or not.

[Rich]

Run at your own pace and hold your line, as has been said...

No one should be undertaking in the lower levels...

Just relax, run your own game and only worry about whats in front of you...

[deano68er]

Like Rich says its at your own pace. There is also a policy of no undertaking in these levels and any intimadating behaviour should be reported to your instructors and that way you can get feedback. Whatever you do It's supposed to be fun

[Fastgirl]

Level 3 is where most of the crazy bastards end up and the ones who dont crash, and successfully dodge the crashers...go up to level 4.
level 2 is still pretty controlled...dont worry. The coaches wont move you up unless they feel you are ready.

[out_in_front]

Yeah I skipped level 3...

Just hold your line through a corner, do what you want to do, stick to your lines and dont make any sudden / jerky moves- it's up to other people to get past you and the last thing either of you want is an accident.

[shortSteve]

problem with level 1 is that it is mandatory for everyone before they can move up/ be assessed for moving up. So you end up with big skill differences. Stick at it, ride at your own pace, and let the rest sort itself out

[OneEighty]

Yeah I skipped level 3...

what?? braked so late in level two you ended up in level four?

FEARLEZ - just do level two, you will be fine and at the end of the day you will most likely wonder what you were so apprehensive about. level two is great fun and was my favourite learning stage.

[Monty]

im pretty sure lvl2 overtaking is only allowed in the straights so shouldn't be too bad, also first few sessions are 4ht gear no brakes i think so you get time to get ya lines and corner speed comfortable before later in the day when everyone goes silly but as everyone says stick to the race line and those that are faster will be able to go past safely since they will be expecting you to be on the race line.

[Scott52]

Punting a motorcycle around a racetrack can be a huge attack on your self esteem. Once you get out there it's a lot harder than most people think.

You've just got to grit your teeth and not worry about anyone else ... it's you against the track. Ride smoothly without any sudden line changes, wear earplugs, lift your eyes so your looking way ahead to where you want to go and just focus on what you're doing. Good earplugs make it less likely you'll be startled if a bike suddenly fly's past.

We've all had to do it in the past and all started with lap times measured by calendar!.

Remember as you move up through the groups you're riding with people with more experience ... they'll give you plenty of room as they know you're learning.

[K1GxR]

thanks for the inspiration guys much appreciated.

yea i ride without but not hearing other riders and suddenly having them sneak up and pass me so close is damn scary. i panicked and went off track more than once because of it hence my concerns. i'll be there on 31st

the other thing that scares me is that when i did level 1, a few people came off on level 2, and we would have this eerie silence for a while and if it's more than 5 minutes we wondered if there has been a fatality etc.. but yea i plan to ride within my ability but my biggest concern is that it is more of a race than a training session

[robwas]

Level 2 is just one level above level 1 and is a continuation of the learning/coaching process.
As stated before, if you have any concerns or issues throughout the day raise them with the coaching staff as we all want you to enjoy your experience.
I usually coach level 3 and work hard to keep the spankers under control when they turn up but for the most part everyone is respectfull of the others on the track.
It sounds to me that you may be a little too concerned about what others are doing around you so as Scott52 said you need to focus on what you are doing and stick to your line and you will be fine.
Get out there in level 2 and enjoy the experience of doing what alot of others only wish they had the kahoonas to have a go at.

[Scott52]

Fearless, You sound like your very anxious once on the track. If you're in a heightened state of anxiety when you're riding you'll struggle. It's the mental battle that us riders have to overcome. If you go out there saying to yourself ... "I must not crash" ... then you'll crash. If you can go out there and focus on riding smoothly and say to yourself ... "I have a good bike, I'm a good rider, I have good tyres and excellent safety equipment" then you'll have more confidence and less chance of coming off. Often riders crash because they panic and do something like grab the brake or forget to counter steer. If you're not looking far enough ahead the sensation of speed will overtax your brain. I don't profess to be an expert but I've been track riding for over thirty years and know I go faster and feel safer the more relaxed and less stressed I am.

Even though I've had the horrible experience of losing my son to the sport ... I can go onto the track and not be scared of falling off. My son was extremely unlucky and just pushed too hard in the wrong spot. I know I've got good gear and that I've given myself the best chance of protection should I overstep the mark. I've even got armored shorts under my leathers now! I still ride because I know my son would want me to.

You have to be a bush psychologist most of the time.

[K1GxR]

^^
spoken to a few people about this as well. it does come down to confidence, but i must say your experience takes the cake. a lot of my friends have lost someone to motorbikes and have stopped riding completely. i've gone down twice and had numerous close calls but still keep going.

i think level 2 is good for me and i'll probably stick to it for a while before moving up and even trying for racing.

[Scott52]

Fearless, Come and say hello next track day. I probably won't be there on the 31 but maybe the next Trakdayz after that.

[kapyong]

I am up for my third Level 2 session on the 31st.

Number one session was a blast compared to Level 1, and as others have said, do your own thing and just concentrate on improving what you do. Others will get around you and not on corners, they will blow you away on the straights. Hey they do that to me all the time!

The biggest lesson for me was AFTER my first Level Two day by studying the pics that the phots take on the day, checking out your riding position compared to others on similar bikes, looking at track position in the pics.

On the last one I did, I grew a set of balls, adjusted my riding position, took notice of the lines and worked out braking points etc but mostly I listened to what the instructors had to say! The end result was that I was much better than my first Level 2 day, got the heart racing and the knee down........... plus a big hard-on (well average) . I had a blast, learnt a lot about my ride and pushed my limits a bit. I will be going a bit harder again testing myself and the bike further since I have new rubber and rear shocks this time out.

I can't wait for it, the best day you will have sitting on your arse all day, that's for sure.

I am happy with Level 2 and can see myself becoming a bit of a regular there.........

[Scott52]

^^
spoken to a few people about this as well. it does come down to confidence, but i must say your experience takes the cake. a lot of my friends have lost someone to motorbikes and have stopped riding completely. i've gone down twice and had numerous close calls but still keep going.

i think level 2 is good for me and i'll probably stick to it for a while before moving up and even trying for racing.

I think if I can keep track riding and racing with the HCMC then anyone can. I couldn't ride for six months after Cameron's death but then I made the decision to get back into it and create a new normal for myself. It's an exercise in risk management and self psychology/analysis. Unfortunately you can't guarantee people will not get hurt (or worse) in the future ... but manage the risks and hopefully all of us will be ok.

At least we had a go at a one of the most difficult ... but probably the most exhilarating and exciting sports around.

[K1GxR]

i'm pumped to go now.. hopefully it doesn't rain

scott - i'll look out for you next one.. but i can only go on sundays.. so we'll have to see