| Hey Monty, both of us are nearly bald and we ain't exactly young are we ;-).
Lot of sense being talked here with a smattering of what the horses leave behind on the road to test our real skill levels.
Haven't done any formal training myself but wouldn't be averse to it, one thing that always stands you in good stead though is a bit of common sense. If you make a mistake analyse it later.
Also worth trying to concentrate on riding good lines on the road IMHO, amazing how much more visibility it can give a rider and more time to react. You start off having to think about where you should be but after a while it becomes second nature and feels right when you are riding.
Another important factor is judgement of speed and distance, all gained through experience.
One of the most common mistakes I've witnessed in my 32 years riding is bottling into corners. Rider is suffering minor "red mist" maybe trying to keep up on a rideout and comes into a bend faster than intended, first reaction (survival instinct ?) get on the brakes, resulting invariably in the bike standing bolt upright and carrying hapless rider into the ditch. It's always worth having a go for it, I've surprised/frightened my self sh*tless (delete as applicable) on several occassions using this basic rule and have got round usually without even decking the footrests. Worst that can happen is that you fall off the lowside.
I don't know if others notice it but after a lengthy "spirited" ride cross country I feel really tired, I put it down to the concentration levels as I'm not riding tense, the faster you go the faster the scenery comes at you and the faster the reactions need to be, guess it all takes a toll on the energy levels........................one of the downsides of being an old bald pilot I suppose.
Hope you all have a great riding season in 2004 whatever you choose to ride whether it be trackdays, rideouts or touring.  |