Most challenging part of riding???

[Ducatista]

Lines are difficult to master for sure.  For me it is more about having CONSISTENT lines that is the hardest thing.  So what kinds of things are you using for your visual markers, or trying to use, and what do you think is the thing that is screwing you up the most in regards to your lines?  Are you just not finding anything to look at to help you know where to turn the bike?  Or, are you focussing too much on what you are trying to use as a reference point?  Have you ever tried to use your apex as an indicator for when to turn the bike in?  Just trying to really understand what you can't "wrap your brain around"

Misti 

It almost seems like mental overload.  I'm so focused on doing everything else that I don't see anything that's off the asphalt.  The only markers I can pick up are the ones that are between the left side of the track and the right.  When at Barber this year, I was able to pick up a little more outside that, but I still wasn't able to widen my vision beyond that too much.  I think it's just a matter of saddle time.

[duc996]

Riding in Manila is very challenging.but technique wise?it would have to be u turns.

[misti]

It almost seems like mental overload.  I'm so focused on doing everything else that I don't see anything that's off the asphalt.  The only markers I can pick up are the ones that are between the left side of the track and the right.  When at Barber this year, I was able to pick up a little more outside that, but I still wasn't able to widen my vision beyond that too much.  I think it's just a matter of saddle time.

Well hang on here, what is the reason why you would need to have markers or reference points that are OFF the asphalt?  You say that you can pick up RP's between the left side of the track and the right side of the track, so what makes you think that you need to widen your vision even further than that?  For the most part, I stick to reference points that are on the track because that is where I want the bike to be. If I start looking off of the track for points or try to see too much, then there is more of a chance that I will get distracted or find myself running wide or getting confused.  There are only a few kinds of turns or a few places where I look off track for my reference points.

When would you need to find points that are OFF the track?  I know Barber well too so feel free to use specific corners as examples.....

Cheers

Misti

[Ducatista]

Well hang on here, what is the reason why you would need to have markers or reference points that are OFF the asphalt?  You say that you can pick up RP's between the left side of the track and the right side of the track, so what makes you think that you need to widen your vision even further than that?  For the most part, I stick to reference points that are on the track because that is where I want the bike to be. If I start looking off of the track for points or try to see too much, then there is more of a chance that I will get distracted or find myself running wide or getting confused.  There are only a few kinds of turns or a few places where I look off track for my reference points.

When would you need to find points that are OFF the track?  I know Barber well too so feel free to use specific corners as examples.....

Cheers

Misti

I don't remember enough of it, but obviously, the tower is a huge one.  I don't remember exactly where I would aim, but I just remember that it was staring at me every time I went up that hill.  I'll figure it out someday.   

I hate to say it, but we had to pull out of going to Laguna for CSS.  I was really looking forward to your instruction, but we just couldn't make it happen this year.  It turns out that it was a good idea to pull out, since it looks like I'll be traveling during that time anyway.  Perhaps next year.

[misti]

I don't remember enough of it, but obviously, the tower is a huge one.  I don't remember exactly where I would aim, but I just remember that it was staring at me every time I went up that hill.  I'll figure it out someday.   

I hate to say it, but we had to pull out of going to Laguna for CSS.  I was really looking forward to your instruction, but we just couldn't make it happen this year.  It turns out that it was a good idea to pull out, since it looks like I'll be traveling during that time anyway.  Perhaps next year.

Too bad about Laguna!  Well, since you are not coming to class, I'll give you some homework for the next time you go to a track.  After your first session, sit down with a blank piece of paper and draw the track, don't worry about your artistic ability or accuracy, just get out what you can remember and start marking down all the reference points you can think of.  (include dark patches of pavement, towers that stare at you, skid marks, brake markers, cones etc...) then take a look at your drawing and see what corners are looking vague and then spend some time looking for points in those sections next time you go out.  See if that helps with your consistency of lines and with learning the track a little faster.  And, let me know how it goes

Cheers!!!

Misti

[nats]

The biggest fear is coming out from a petrol station onto a busy road. As I came out of the petrol station, a jerk on his Kawasaki ER6N came from behind and cuts right in front of me. At slow speed cornering ~ surprises are totally unfriendly. As a result ~ fell off the bike. Since then, each time getting out from any petrol stations makes my heart beat like twice its normal rate...

[Holden]

Riding on highways when the wind gusts are strong enough to make you change lanes involuntarily.

[EvilSteve]

Hardest thing to learn as a beginner: doing everything at once.
Hardest thing about riding: maintaining skills and knowing your limits.

Learning your personal limits is one of the hardest things to do because you have no reference except the people around you who may not know theirs either.

As far as lines and reference points go, slow down, take your time. Build up speed *after* you've learned the line.

[duc996]

Mine would be knee down...but not one of my priorities though

[Goat_Herder]

The most difficult part of me is to expect the unexpected.  Cars and people coming out of nowhere; realize sand and gravel in the middle of the road (sand leftover from snowstorm in Seattle) when entering a corner with the right speed, angel, and line.  Slow speed turns with uneven pavement and obsticles, etc.  I guess as I gain more experience, I would be more prepared to deal with those unexpected.

[Porsche Monkey]

I have a problem not coming home when the wife wants me too. That and decreasing radius downhill turns.

[Raux]

oh i got one...

wet roads (wet snow just starting to fall), coming down a hill with a slight curve to the right leading into a circle to the left with your exit being the first right going up the hill on a decreasing radius turn.

yep... that was me the other day. over shot the circle nearly ended up in the middle cause couldn't trail brake and turn to the right due to the lower traction with the subzero temp (it was 40 when i went to work, 30 when i left)


luckily no one was in the circle. so was able to come to almost a complete stop turn to the hard at like a 90 deg. and get back on line. the guy behind me was nice enough to give me space too.

[Lord_Bragle]

The most challenging part for me is trying to understand why I ride a motorcycle.

It would be much safer and easier to not ride at all and not come chatting on a site like this trying to explain stuff.

I can't avoid thinking how fragile a human body is and what destruction might happen if something went wrong? yet riding a bike is such a thrill I don't want to stop, I love doing it.

[Jetbrett]

The most difficult part of me is to expect the unexpected.  Cars and people coming out of nowhere; realize sand and gravel in the middle of the road (sand leftover from snowstorm in Seattle) when entering a corner with the right speed, angel, and line.  Slow speed turns with uneven pavement and obsticles, etc.  I guess as I gain more experience, I would be more prepared to deal with those unexpected.

No doubt.  I enjoyed a nice super-moto type slide turning into the bus lanes from WB Airport Way.  It is almost impossible not to run through sand when making that left turn. 

[DLSGAP]

ever since i crashed at road atlanta in '95... i've been skiddish in right turns. the steel pin in my elbow is a constant reminder