Trackdays and the lost art of having fun
Discussion
hebegb said:
Better be Tony ( Fleegle) then - they like him , my face doesn't fit but I give not a wrist flick ...!
I'm surprised you say that, surely no one can say you're anything but a gentleman after meeting you in person.You're up there with Loon and Fleegle/Mitzy, McKean as a really good all round egg.
Yes, yes I know I haven't included everyone I've met.
Biker's Nemesis said:
hebegb said:
Better be Tony ( Fleegle) then - they like him , my face doesn't fit but I give not a wrist flick ...!
I'm surprised you say that, surely no one can say you're anything but a gentleman after meeting you in person.You're up there with Loon and Fleegle/Mitzy, McKean as a really good all round egg.
Yes, yes I know I haven't included everyone I've met.
Everyone off here I have met has been lovely, supportive and a real laugh.
I did imporve on my times at Brno, but wont post them as its a personal thing for me
and also they are not quick.
For me TD are about having fun, eating Jaffa Cakes and meeting new people and learning this art of cornering, apexes etc.
As for setting quick times, you boys will be boys, it's part of your make up as blokes, show me a guy who say he is not competative and I will show you a liar
I did imporve on my times at Brno, but wont post them as its a personal thing for me
and also they are not quick.
For me TD are about having fun, eating Jaffa Cakes and meeting new people and learning this art of cornering, apexes etc.
As for setting quick times, you boys will be boys, it's part of your make up as blokes, show me a guy who say he is not competative and I will show you a liar
curlie467 said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
hebegb said:
Better be Tony ( Fleegle) then - they like him , my face doesn't fit but I give not a wrist flick ...!
I'm surprised you say that, surely no one can say you're anything but a gentleman after meeting you in person.You're up there with Loon and Fleegle/Mitzy, McKean as a really good all round egg.
Yes, yes I know I haven't included everyone I've met.
Loon's advice has been great, the instructors at NoLimits were great as well (including the b
king about staying on my line..), everyone i have met so far (mckean, graham, curlie, GWM(?)) have been polite (not sure if it was because i was holding a box of jaffa cakes..)I've only done one track day so far, i am five months into riding now, and have found the advice and knowledge top class. It has improved my riding no end. I was finding that i was pushing myself harder near the end, but that was more in pursuit of improving through confidence and experience.
On a side note, I am noticeably quieter than most upon meeting people. I usually warm up when i have a view on who/what people are about, then i tend to come out of my shell.. or we can typically bypass that stage with four pints of strong beer.. so apologies if i come across a little "quiet".
Had I the time and/or funds, I'd join in on PH track days and I'd be trying to set times and bench mark myself against the quickest guys. Because to me, that IS the fun. I don't see the issue. As long a person doesn't take someone out in the process, we all know the risks, both physical and financial.
People do track days for different reasons. If I'm going to be on a track I'm going to be trying to improve lap times because that has a direct correlation to ability. The better I get, the faster I do a lap.
That IS the fun. Overt, deliberate, good natured, competition against a group of peers.
People do track days for different reasons. If I'm going to be on a track I'm going to be trying to improve lap times because that has a direct correlation to ability. The better I get, the faster I do a lap.
That IS the fun. Overt, deliberate, good natured, competition against a group of peers.
Well after two years i've finally booked my first track day. Brands GP on 10th August, anyone attending?
Can't wait and just excited about being a part of it... However i know i am rather competative so hope i can just enjoy the day and not over think things.
I'm more nervous about being involved in someone elses accident than myself pushing too hard and reading some of the comments about track day hero's, i'm hoping to stay out of the pack.
Can't wait and just excited about being a part of it... However i know i am rather competative so hope i can just enjoy the day and not over think things.
I'm more nervous about being involved in someone elses accident than myself pushing too hard and reading some of the comments about track day hero's, i'm hoping to stay out of the pack.
LoonR1 said:
This year two strange things seem to have happened, firstly a lot of people have started doing trackdays off here; secondly there is a hell of a lot of implicit and explicit competition going on
To address the first bit. I started doing trackdays about six years ago for fun. I started in a Novice and slowly worked through the groups and even had a go at a couple of races. I enjoyed all of them and had a laugh doing them. I took instruction, I learned different things and I still get instruction now when I feel something isn't quite right. I listened to those more experienced and I soaked it up. However, more than anything else I had a laugh. I made some friends for life and was even taught some basic mechanic skills by a few of them
However, the guys who've started this year all seem hell bent on seeing who can do the quickest time. This has led to two outcomes as far as I can see, firstly there have been a ridiculous amount of crashes. I'm not claiming to be perfect, as we all have moments, but there is clearly a connection here. The other outcome is that people are now going to miss a lot of the season, or give up completely, as the cost of repairs are cleaning them out and that is leading to a lack of enjoyment.
I really can't understand this. Did you all kick a football in the street as kids for the first time amd then expect to be signed up by a top Premier League club by teatime? Or have a go at crazy golf and expect Tiger Woods agent to sign you up?
So here's the rub. Try to have some fun people and stop taking it so seriously.
Clearly MTB has hacked Loon's account. To address the first bit. I started doing trackdays about six years ago for fun. I started in a Novice and slowly worked through the groups and even had a go at a couple of races. I enjoyed all of them and had a laugh doing them. I took instruction, I learned different things and I still get instruction now when I feel something isn't quite right. I listened to those more experienced and I soaked it up. However, more than anything else I had a laugh. I made some friends for life and was even taught some basic mechanic skills by a few of them
However, the guys who've started this year all seem hell bent on seeing who can do the quickest time. This has led to two outcomes as far as I can see, firstly there have been a ridiculous amount of crashes. I'm not claiming to be perfect, as we all have moments, but there is clearly a connection here. The other outcome is that people are now going to miss a lot of the season, or give up completely, as the cost of repairs are cleaning them out and that is leading to a lack of enjoyment.
I really can't understand this. Did you all kick a football in the street as kids for the first time amd then expect to be signed up by a top Premier League club by teatime? Or have a go at crazy golf and expect Tiger Woods agent to sign you up?
So here's the rub. Try to have some fun people and stop taking it so seriously.
mitzy said:
Everyone off here I have met has been lovely, supportive and a real laugh.
I did imporve on my times at Brno, but wont post them as its a personal thing for me
and also they are not quick.
For me TD are about having fun, eating Jaffa Cakes and meeting new people and learning this art of cornering, apexes etc.
As for setting quick times, you boys will be boys, it's part of your make up as blokes, show me a guy who say he is not competative and I will show you a liar
You saw me at my last day I did imporve on my times at Brno, but wont post them as its a personal thing for me
and also they are not quick.
For me TD are about having fun, eating Jaffa Cakes and meeting new people and learning this art of cornering, apexes etc.
As for setting quick times, you boys will be boys, it's part of your make up as blokes, show me a guy who say he is not competative and I will show you a liar
I'll be up on the 15th but I'm just watching.
LoonR1 said:
sc0tt said:
Agree with you there, the TD thread turned into such an ego massage I cringe most of the time I read it.
Oh you are so awesome...
Look at my data logger...
Look how I knocked off two second after straightening my handlebars
Etc...
Glass houses, pot kettle loon.
Now you're just acting like a Oh you are so awesome...
Look at my data logger...
Look how I knocked off two second after straightening my handlebars
Etc...
Glass houses, pot kettle loon.
. I had wonky clip ons, I fixed them. I should've spotted it, but didn't. That makes me an idiot for being such a mechanical incompetent. Last thing I'm saying on here to you. Next thing will be at a trackday no doubt.
The clip on's were said in jest but read my posts anyway you want.
See you at a TD.
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.
This.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.
BobSaunders said:
On a side note, I am noticeably quieter than most upon meeting people. I usually warm up when i have a view on who/what people are about, then i tend to come out of my shell.. or we can typically bypass that stage with four pints of strong beer.. so apologies if i come across a little "quiet".
You seem a nice lad. Ive been pretty quiet compared to my normal self while out with the NW lot myself. Don't worry about it. PS You won't fall off, birds bring you all the luck you need
Mr OCD said:
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.
This.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.
Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and come along, concentrate on your own riding not what everyone else is
wearing, filming, timing huffing and puffing about
What are these moments that happen on here ...... did I miss somethting ?
Haven't been back on track since two crashes last year.
I just tend to cruise around, but clearly got a bit carried away. Maybe I'll be back out soon, know what you mean about the dicks, however the Fast/Advanced groups tends to have fewer. You get the odd one or two, but most of the people I've met have been a good laugh.
I just tend to cruise around, but clearly got a bit carried away. Maybe I'll be back out soon, know what you mean about the dicks, however the Fast/Advanced groups tends to have fewer. You get the odd one or two, but most of the people I've met have been a good laugh.
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