| What's fast for one can be slow for another.
What's safe for one can be scary for another.
This is all affected by so many different factors other than road conditions. As Fordie said, experience counts for a lot, so does training. Despite the boring image associated with Institute of Advanced Motorcylists, it really can help you to go faster, safely; as i'm sure Rushjob and ANdyB would confirm. Also track based training like CSS, doing track days, and racing.
Off road experience is very good for throttle control, experienceing the bike bucking and sliding.
Despite the track being a safer environment, i feel happier on the road, probably because of the mileage i've done over the years, whereas i only average 1 or 2 track days a year.
I think i ride at a reasonable pace when conditions allow, but thats subjective as i've only ridden with a few of the local group a few times. Most of the time i'm out with the 'Alternative Tour de France crew' the same group who have ridden together on and off road for years, so we know and trust each other. Other than that a lot of my miles have been done on my own with despatching, thats not really a group pastime.
In answer to your original question i was a lot wilder when i was 18 on a bike and took a lot more risks, but wouldn't say i was actually much faster, madder yes. I can cope with someone being faster than me now, or passing me now, whereas it used to be red rag to a bull.
Having said all that i enjoy going fast, the mental buzz of a good long hard ride is something special ( i love a week hunting bends in France) but it's not worth killing yourself for, and as Glyn said you always want to see the kids again.
[Edited on 20-10-2005 by BDG]  |