How to deal with nervousness before riding on track

[@whiteboiwyatt]

I’ll never forget the feeling i had before my first ever race. 10 mins before the out lap i shit twice and nearly puked, my hands were also shaking uncontrollably. Glad I did it though, i went from dead last to middle of the pack, to me it feels like its still one of the greatest races ive ever had. Sure i didnt win, hell I didn’t even get top 5 (came in 7th) but I overcame what may have been the most nervous and anxious ive ever been and even had a good result......just remember your abilities, dont tell yourself you cant or you don’t know how to ride because if you didn’t i can assure you they wouldn’t even LET YOU on track. Remember your brake markers, and if you’re racing dont forget to FEATHER the clutch when you launch the bike

[@mikewalker3933]

Never miss your pre race poo!!!

[@xKris93]

Hahaha, the key is to have a coffee on the way to the track, followed by a poo

[@Bumbaclot213]

I had to do one before my Mod 2 haha! Never been on a track, yet, though I can’t imagine the nervous before heading out on one for the first time

[@kantox86]

I find that feeling kind of enjoyable.... it is part of the whole excitement to ride on the track, and also for me it decreases after the first 2-3 laps of the day

[@Tom-zu9ge]

Don't ride much track but going out for a ride, this is what I do... For me getting ready mentally for a ride starts before I even get on the bike. I do about 15 minutes of simple stretching, some light cardio like 10 push ups/jumping jacks etc... just to get the blood flowing. After that its time to put on the leathers, boots.. This really helps me with my "nerves" and I get into "the feeling" - I'm ready, let's go have a good time... While riding also concentrating on breathing does wonders. I do believe that many riders "hold" their breath, breath to fast and shallow without even realizing it (I did it, still sometimes do), this leads to the brain and muscles not getting enough oxygen, etc... For me having my breathing under control really calms me down and once I taught myself this, riding became so much more enjoyable... -Thanks for the video on this topic!!!

[@quinnfable2694]

I ride upper intermediate at new tracks and Expert at my favorites, and I get nervous before nearly every session. It's natural. Just "lean into" that feeling! ... see what I did there. ;)

[@bartek7582]

Oh thanks God I'm not alone. I remember one track day when my friend said ( man I'm shaking I'm stressed as fuck) and I was unusual relaxed, and when we just stop in two line's ready to go my stress level go up to 💯

[@quinnfable2694]

@@bartek7582 100%. Usually hits me waiting in the pit too. THe longer the wait the worse it is! Takes 1 maybe 2 corners though, and then it's all thrills! The nerves melt away and I'm just hunting apexes

[@archiewilson4943]

I just lie to myself and say I'm just going to go slow this time. Works for track days and canyon carving.

[@CoreyLexell]

I've noticed this helps too. After a lap or so, my adrenaline kicks in and i'm crushing it!

[@Runyamouth]

What happens when you find out your being lied to?

[@nickbuchananracing]

Same lol. Every time i say this to myself i pull back into pits after a awesome session and im like..oh shit i forgot to go slow. Oh well ill take it easy next session.

[@3-laprider792]

I'm definitely feeling nervous coming back to the track after breaking a collarbone. I'm gradually working my way back up. And you're right: just dialing back and not riding over my head works great.

[@LuisCP85]

Same situation here, still after 2 years.

[@3-laprider792]

@@LuisCP85 yup, still working on it. :)

[@perarnoldi5431]

good points, if you on top of these thoughts put some breath-control and visualising an succesfull round on the track, you can actually turn a lot of the nervousness into just beeing ready and alert. focused

[@Chiaroscuro22]

I'm far more nervous about repair bills than injury.

[@greggan100]

I love that feeling before going out on track🤗🤗🤗👌👍

[@billsmart2532]

It's the long lead time after booking track time I get nervous and doubtful, rather book it as late as I can, but 7 days is the minimum. After I start preparing the bike and my gear before I leave is when I start to feel good. I just remind myself it's gonna start slowly and everything is under control of the group.

[@DB-so8zc]

This video hits right on time. I'm taking my first track day novice school in two weeks. Great talking points. I'm sure I will be nervous but I have learned to deal with this feeling of nervousness and anxiety from my previous profession by breathing techniques and positive projection. Ultimately you are the one controlling the fun grip. Being my first time one the track the ego gets checked before I walk into the classroom. I'm going to be there to learn and ride at a level where I feel comfortable. There will be other track days and I can build on the knowledge and experience from further coaching. BTW I've only been riding a little over two years and I'm 57 yoa. A man's gotta know his limits. (Clint Eastwood) :)

[@one-of-us9939]

My first day on track was one year ago. Nervous as could be, but I turned that into desire to improve. I'm using all of my tire now but I've been on 2 wheels my whole life. Have fun!

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

D B How did it went, were you nervous? :)

[@DB-so8zc]

@@XtreeM_FaiL Unfortunately I had to reschedule for late Jan 2020. I was involved in a car accident at the end of Oct where I was rear ended. Sitting stationary at a stoplight and was plowed into by some who was texting. Never had back problems before this but right now I'm waiting to see a ortho surgeon. Physical therapy has provided some temporary relief. Hope I can get away with cortisone shots and PT. Right now I can't even swing my leg over the bike. Gonna work hard to make the Jan class. I'll keep ya posted.

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

D B Oh crap. :/

[@docsamson2299]

Best track day advice/prep series going! 👍

[@frank290862]

Embrace it! That fear is what stops us being reckless. We experience fear for a reason. It’s why we’re still alive.

[@funkynerd_com]

I'm the opposite. I don't get nervous over much anymore. As a retired cage fighter, when you've been bashed as many times as I have and stopped getting nervous before fights, there's not much fear over physical pain anymore. That being said, it's usually to my own detriment, especially considering I'm still pretty shit on the bike. Last time out I was not nervous and my overconfidence caused me to hit it too hard out of a corner and I ended up dropping the bike at about 120km/h. Everything in this video still applies though, especially practice and perspective. I'm working on it. :D

[@omlett.1]

i remember the first time i attended a trackday and had that scary strange thing in my stomach, with hands shaking a bit. this is still the case every time and became part of my "ritual". the whole nervousness goes away somewhere in the middle of the 2nd lap (and comes back every time i'm trying to shorten the brake distance). i learnt to enjoy it in an "it's the end of the world" kind of way. I think this nervousness is among the top 3 things in my life i enjoyed the most! I think of it as a sign that my "death wish" is actually at a healthy level. Not too much, not too low :)

[@williamvuillet5101]

Really interesting! Before a run or riding on road (I don't know which one is the most dangerous to be fair) I try to collect myself (even if I am not stressed) and turn nervousness into focusness. And on track, as you said if you have the lines and breaking references it's gonna be ok. If it's a new track then focus on those points and you will be good to go. And the most important to me, leave your ego at home.

[@xKris93]

My right ear loved this !

[@BigDaveTALKS]

Great video. I’m really looking forward to my first track day. Still saving $$$$ for a suit but it will be worth the wait. Meanwhile i will be learning all i can, so keep the knowledge and tips coming. Thank you much

[@CoreyLexell]

Never stop researching and learning how to improve your performance and safety. Be patient with yourself too. I found patience pays off in dividends. Your end-of-day trophy is memories and rolling your bike back onto the trailer in one piece.

[@BigDaveTALKS]

Corey Lexell : Well put and so true. Thank You

[@MrPhotomark]

I appreciate your comments and insights

[@jleesinn7173]

Another excellent video with sound and applicable advices not just for riding but for many other activites as well.

[@argyropoulos1000]

That gut-wrenching feeling before a race :(

[@m_zbrv3967]

Imagine Isle of Man TT racers

[@whiteboiwyatt]

Alexander Argyropoulos truth, nothing quite like it. Funny thing too, every time i smell race gas (even when im not at the track) it still gives me butterflies in my stomach. Lets just say weed eating is quite the experience lmao

[@ericwebb8273]

To me being somewhat nervous is part of riding track. But most of the time at their first session most of it fades away. But being nervous is what makes us human.

[@toadamine]

The track is my happy place! I was nervous before the first time... But upon leaving, and every time I leave the track now, I'm stricken with Separation Anxiety Disorder.. 😂

[@TheGholiday]

I don’t do track days but I do get nervous when riding with a new group I’ve never ridden with before mainly because I don’t know how they behave on the road. Also get nervous riding new roads since I don’t know the condition of the roads, where gravel patches are, etc. Usually new roads I ride slower than I normally would much to the disgust of those behind me but I’d prefer to ride safe than be stupid and crash.

[@Len02013]

Really good advice :)

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

I have difficulties to sleep before track day. Few times I have not slept at all. It is not big problem on track, but after the day is finished and it is time head home, then it becomes dangerous. I have fell a sleep while riding.

[@motordemic]

Thx I may be going for my first ever track day this Saturday! great timing on the video 😆🔥

[@one-of-us9939]

Have fun.

[@manwithabird]

You should be nervous then , even for a well seasoned street rider the information you have to process is intense for day 1 on a track. Track day riders at our track have to take a 2 day school .

[@motordemic]

@@manwithabird just finished the day and had loads of fun! I still have much to learn in terms of skills and simply riding with others but I had the time of my life!

[@ncgsc]

@@motordemic I'm happy for you and glad to hear you had fun.

[@XRedJar]

I'm going to do some track days in the spring. I've done 2 trackdays before, and have a good idea of what to expect. It's just been a decade since I've been on track. I'm planning on riding with a trackday group that offers structured sessions in the morning. This will ease me back into track riding at a pace I'm sure I'll be comfortable with. I expect I'll be in the novice group for a while, and I'm ok with that. I want to use my trackdays as skill improvement sessions, and focus on specific areas. If/when my skill reaches the point where I need/want to be bumped to intermediate, I'll deal with it then. The biggest concern I had at the trackdays I went to was not being in the way or getting run over. As the sessions went on, I did get faster, and at the second trackday, I wasn't passing or being passed a lot. For new track riders, organizations that offer training are a great way to go.

[@manwithabird]

Well said! If a novice rider has their lines down and keeps a focus on keeping on line you need not worry . Its up to a faster rider to get around you. Never look back!!! Sometimes if the track is tight and big elevation changes and you have a big discrepancy of skill level ( speeds for 1) that is dangerous . Always go out in a session with a planned focus and work at 75% .

[@mikedinni6318]

I'd just like to add to your comment "knocking 50% off your speed" The only time I've ever come close to crashing is when I came down the back straight at Snetterton full chat. Then realised the person in front of me was braking way way way too much. So me and 2 others nearly crashed into the back of the bloke. So going slow can also increase the risk of crashes due to other riders not anticipating your slowness.

[@manwithabird]

That person should have had a colored vest on or been in another group. Our track days are broken up into 2-3 groups. It is a management issue. New or slow riders have a place on track if they are safe .

[@mikedinni6318]

@@manwithabird I was in novice, so they were oblivious nervous. The evening session I was on only had 2 groups. Novice or advanced. I wasn't at advanced level so I went into novice.

[@manwithabird]

@@mikedinni6318 when I see an other rider struggling and putting others at risk ,I bring it up with the staff or with the rider themselves. I race but try and get in all the trackdays as well. My trackday pace is 65-75% of race pace , time to learn . If what happened to you happened to me I would say I was going to fast (after all we are all doing this for the crack), or I would talk to the show rider and help them with the issue. If I run at race pace on a track day then I run with the faster group . You defiantly have a good point that is why I'm replying

[@MrPninja]

After 2. Major crashes, one on track which destroyed my bike and, and I was knocked out for 4 approx minutes, but here in Australia no Insurance for track days, so I totally rebuilt my bike, so I’ve only done 2 more track days in the last 12 years, and the other dodging a wombat and destroyed that bike as well by dropping into a ditch, and broke my back in 3 places and snapped my tail bone, so lost all my so called friends and had 5 years of rehab for injuries, but atleast I was insured, so I still ride but I don’t think for much longer because of those nerves

[@dickin50n44]

Similar situation, broke my back on the road, lost traction coming out of the corner and didn't know what to pin it on as tyres were warm and grip seemed good. I think because it was an unknown cause I've struggled to get my head around it. Just trying to gently push myself and challenge myself until confidence is at a decent level. Like anything, the more you do it, the easier it gets!

[@TigerLilyPearl]

💯. Everytime. I am almost always the only girl AND I am very slow by comparison. Eventhough I ride beautiful race lines and am improving i.n.c.r.e.m.e.n.t.a.l.l.y., I still feel very nervous before track days and worry I am in the way when I am there...

[@mikewalker3933]

TigerLilyPearl please don’t worry!! We’ve all been there, just stick to your lines and keep focusing forward. I was at a track last year and the first session was no overtaking, somebody (must’ve been for a bet) ran the session on a 50cc Vespa, went out first and held the whole group at 30mph for 20minutes. nobody batted an eye lid or did anything silly. If that’s not proof not to worry about your speed then I don’t know what is 😂 good luck and have fun!

[@TigerLilyPearl]

@@mikewalker3933 🤣. Thank you, Mike. That illustration is perfect for helping me get out of my head...

[@craigovadia]

Or in any adverse situation we might find ourselves in.

[@kavinkarthik55]

Do some experimental videos,it will help us more than now.

[@MotoQuickShifter]

Thank you

[@josenakashima1388]

Ya super nerous before and wail i ride my ducati st2 :) it goes away when i ride my r6

[@NY1075]

thanks!

[@gianniperla7397]

I don't practice on track but when riding alone on the road I feel rather good, but if I have to ride in couple with my wife aboard I feel uncomfortable, like loosing my skills, I loose the feeling with my bike. What can I do to overcome this problem?

[@michalk.3609]

After xanax is rly chill on track :D

[@eddydruppel3943]

I’m nervous untill I enter the track , then its speedzen

[@MrMolzzon]

Bring with you some toilet paper and chewing gum, now you are one pound faster...