Trackdays and the lost art of having fun
Discussion
I still don't really get why it's such a problem mentioning times. How else do you know when you're improving?
You posting this thread made me laugh a bit because I've looked at you a few times on TD's and thought you need to enjoy it more when you come back in the pits with a face like a slapped arse because conditions aren't perfect for you to set a PB or the group is too slow for you.
You posting this thread made me laugh a bit because I've looked at you a few times on TD's and thought you need to enjoy it more when you come back in the pits with a face like a slapped arse because conditions aren't perfect for you to set a PB or the group is too slow for you.
I purposefully stepped back from doing any pistonheads heavy days for this reason which is a shame as every time I've met people they've always been top company.
I didn't want to get caught up in any moments which seem to happen nearly everyday on here.
it does seem like a race against lap times on here sometimes. I've never timed or filmed any sessions but I've only gone back to the same track once and still making noticeable speed Increases every day so there's no point for me.
I do look around on some track days and see people so worked up and frustrated with cthis and that I can't help question why they're there. I don't think I've done a session where I've stopped smiling so far and for me that's what it's all about. Of course I have my own goals I want to achieve but if I stop smiling I'll stop spending money on it.
I didn't want to get caught up in any moments which seem to happen nearly everyday on here.
it does seem like a race against lap times on here sometimes. I've never timed or filmed any sessions but I've only gone back to the same track once and still making noticeable speed Increases every day so there's no point for me.
I do look around on some track days and see people so worked up and frustrated with cthis and that I can't help question why they're there. I don't think I've done a session where I've stopped smiling so far and for me that's what it's all about. Of course I have my own goals I want to achieve but if I stop smiling I'll stop spending money on it.
SAS Tom said:
I still don't really get why it's such a problem mentioning times. How else do you know when you're improving?
You posting this thread made me laugh a bit because I've looked at you a few times on TD's and thought you need to enjoy it more when you come back in the pits with a face like a slapped arse because conditions aren't perfect for you to set a PB or the group is too slow for you.
You don't know that off TDs. One session you ride sYou posting this thread made me laugh a bit because I've looked at you a few times on TD's and thought you need to enjoy it more when you come back in the pits with a face like a slapped arse because conditions aren't perfect for you to set a PB or the group is too slow for you.
t, but have a free track in front of you. The next you ride very well, but keep catching traffic. You're likely to be slower on the second run, even though your riding is better. I was frustrated with myself and considered jacking it completely until I stepped back and took some time out amd had a good look over the bike. I'm back having fun and that's all that matters.
Bottom line is many people use lap times or pace as the sole validation of their ability or ego. Having spend fortunes on the latest gear, superbike etc, they can't enjoy it for its own sake. Some people are just that competitive or insecure. same here, same all over the world in any sport/pastime.
Mate of mine won't race until he's fast enough to get into the top 5. Silly attitude.
I used to clay shoot in Kent to a high level years ago and we had people who if they messed the first stand would throw their card away and buy another to try again. For a 5 quid trophy.....sad really
Mate of mine won't race until he's fast enough to get into the top 5. Silly attitude.
I used to clay shoot in Kent to a high level years ago and we had people who if they messed the first stand would throw their card away and buy another to try again. For a 5 quid trophy.....sad really
Tim85 said:
I purposefully stepped back from doing any pistonheads heavy days for this reason which is a shame as every time I've met people they've always been top company.
I didn't want to get caught up in any moments which seem to happen nearly everyday on here.
it does seem like a race against lap times on here sometimes. I've never timed or filmed any sessions but I've only gone back to the same track once and still making noticeable speed Increases every day so there's no point for me.
I do look around on some track days and see people so worked up and frustrated with cthis and that I can't help question why they're there. I don't think I've done a session where I've stopped smiling so far and for me that's what it's all about. Of course I have my own goals I want to achieve but if I stop smiling I'll stop spending money on it.
^^^^^^ thisI didn't want to get caught up in any moments which seem to happen nearly everyday on here.
it does seem like a race against lap times on here sometimes. I've never timed or filmed any sessions but I've only gone back to the same track once and still making noticeable speed Increases every day so there's no point for me.
I do look around on some track days and see people so worked up and frustrated with cthis and that I can't help question why they're there. I don't think I've done a session where I've stopped smiling so far and for me that's what it's all about. Of course I have my own goals I want to achieve but if I stop smiling I'll stop spending money on it.
It would appear that both the sentiment and the point of the original post has been missed. Shame.
Oh well , any of you wkers want a race at either Anglesey 1st /2nd August or Snetterton on 15th August , come on down ...! I shall be pursuing PBs and attempting not to enjoy myself on all three days ... 
Oh well , any of you w
kers want a race at either Anglesey 1st /2nd August or Snetterton on 15th August , come on down ...! I shall be pursuing PBs and attempting not to enjoy myself on all three days ... Also as one of the people who started doing track days properly this year this is my take on it.
I do it to have fun and improve my riding. I do video all my days so I can watch them to see where I can improve next time. That might be too serious for some but it's part of it for me and a good way to learn how to improve. I do check times from the videos but don't take any notice during the day as putting pressure on to go faster will only end up in a crash. So far I haven't even been close to crashing and I hope to keep it that way.
As you say it is about fun and I've enjoyed all the days I have done. I have also learnt that you need to learn when to call it a day or finish your session. There seems to be a lot of crashes because people have been out too long and are tired or have been pushing too hard.
I do it to have fun and improve my riding. I do video all my days so I can watch them to see where I can improve next time. That might be too serious for some but it's part of it for me and a good way to learn how to improve. I do check times from the videos but don't take any notice during the day as putting pressure on to go faster will only end up in a crash. So far I haven't even been close to crashing and I hope to keep it that way.
As you say it is about fun and I've enjoyed all the days I have done. I have also learnt that you need to learn when to call it a day or finish your session. There seems to be a lot of crashes because people have been out too long and are tired or have been pushing too hard.
I've just had my first crash on track in 10 years tonight. I was having a great laugh right up until the split second before I head-butted the tarmac.
Teesside Auto-drome on a Supermoto all watched by Barry Burrell, Josh Corner and Geoff Crust.
I haven't broken anything but I feel broken.
steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Teesside Auto-drome on a Supermoto all watched by Barry Burrell, Josh Corner and Geoff Crust.
I haven't broken anything but I feel broken.
s
teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. hebegb said:
It would appear that both the sentiment and the point of the original post has been missed. Shame.
Oh well , any of you wkers want a race at either Anglesey 1st /2nd August or Snetterton on 15th August , come on down ...! I shall be pursuing PBs and attempting not to enjoy myself on all three days ...
I possibly deliberately missed the point due to the slight Michael Winner "calm down dear, it's only a trackday" tone. Oh well , any of you w
kers want a race at either Anglesey 1st /2nd August or Snetterton on 15th August , come on down ...! I shall be pursuing PBs and attempting not to enjoy myself on all three days ... Meanwhile, someone (someone popular, not me) needs to start a Snetterton 15th August thread due to the amount going so we can frothing ourselves into the normal BB 2015 crash fest frenzy. Not me - I'm looking through the excuses book; limited track time over last few years, new bike this month, feeling a bit old, front end patter, lost the rear end on a coypu etc
Biker's Nemesis said:
I've just had my first crash on track in 10 years tonight. I was having a great laugh right up until the split second before I head-butted the tarmac.
Teesside Auto-drome on a Supermoto all watched by Barry Burrell, Josh Corner and Geoff Crust.
I haven't broken anything but I feel broken.
steeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Stop chasing laptimes Teesside Auto-drome on a Supermoto all watched by Barry Burrell, Josh Corner and Geoff Crust.
I haven't broken anything but I feel broken.
s
teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. 
moto_traxport said:
hebegb said:
It would appear that both the sentiment and the point of the original post has been missed. Shame.
Oh well , any of you wkers want a race at either Anglesey 1st /2nd August or Snetterton on 15th August , come on down ...! I shall be pursuing PBs and attempting not to enjoy myself on all three days ...
I possibly deliberately missed the point due to the slight Michael Winner "calm down dear, it's only a trackday" tone. Oh well , any of you w
kers want a race at either Anglesey 1st /2nd August or Snetterton on 15th August , come on down ...! I shall be pursuing PBs and attempting not to enjoy myself on all three days ... Meanwhile, someone (someone popular, not me) needs to start a Snetterton 15th August thread due to the amount going so we can frothing ourselves into the normal BB 2015 crash fest frenzy. Not me - I'm looking through the excuses book; limited track time over last few years, new bike this month, feeling a bit old, front end patter, lost the rear end on a coypu etc
NNK said:
I haven't done a track day for a few years but used to every week.
Normally a crowd of us would go and, of course, they just became races.
Everyone had fun but there was the occasional crash, the more you get to know a track the faster you want to go.
That's fun though. Chasing each other via the notoriously vague lap timing watch is the thing that's causing problems IMO. Normally a crowd of us would go and, of course, they just became races.
Everyone had fun but there was the occasional crash, the more you get to know a track the faster you want to go.
Tim85 said:
I do look around on some track days and see people so worked up and frustrated with cthis and that I can't help question why they're there. I don't think I've done a session where I've stopped smiling so far and for me that's what it's all about. Of course I have my own goals I want to achieve but if I stop smiling I'll stop spending money on it.
This...But I guess everyone enjoys things in their own way, even the cross looking grumblers, otherwise why would they keep coming back?!
For me it was all about the banter, especially at places like Cadwell where lack of garages perhaps makes it friendlier. There's been great camaraderie there every time I've been, and that did involve "racing" people in our little group (of strangers previously). It doesn't make sense to get seriously competitive, there's too many variables, it was all a bit of fun. And such a good atmosphere of people helping each other out, lending tools, bikes, rushing to mend stricken bikes, giving fuel, and often great instructors too.
For some, fun involves pootling round safely. For me it involved pushing my limits a bit, and if I'd not got quicker I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. If I didn't ride to what I thought I was capable of I had a little strop, and that happened because hobbies don't always run smoothly all of the time.
And then there's people (complete strangers) who sought me out to tell me that they're actually quicker but couldn't get past me... And who worked out who technically has the most power to weight ratios (me, obviously). One guy actually came up to me at Oulton with the sole point of informing me that he'd overtaken me at Anglesey and I was pretty slow there. Which was true. Odd charm technique though! All part of the fun meeting odd types.
Giving trackdays a break for now for various reasons but I miss it like mad!
There are some big egos out there, yesterday there were some tts at Snetterton, overtaking on yellow flags, out laps. One guy flew past a load of us coming into hamilton and ended up with the back wheel in the air and nearly binning it! Madness especially after that corner was warned about.
I just sat back and took my time and tried to give people space and wait my turn to overtake where it is safe, and then other dicks just go nuts and cut through the pack.
ts at Snetterton, overtaking on yellow flags, out laps. One guy flew past a load of us coming into hamilton and ended up with the back wheel in the air and nearly binning it! Madness especially after that corner was warned about.I just sat back and took my time and tried to give people space and wait my turn to overtake where it is safe, and then other dicks just go nuts and cut through the pack.
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