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Regaining confidence?

G, first thing is: you've ridden plenty to this point. PLENTY. You didn't forget how to ride. You're in a spot that most of us have found ourselves in. The hardest part to picking things back up is blind trust. Trust in the tires, trust in the road surface, and trust in your own skills. Think back to all the times you rode and nothing went wrong. Try to remember a time something did go wrong...then run the ratio. IMO, the two most important parts of picking riding back up are eyes and active cognition (Andy's comments). One more to add, and more valuable than I ever give credit to: breathe. Make sure to consciously breathe, harmonically if you can. It'll settle you down, focus yourself on something productive where you can't focus on all the things that "could" happen, etc. Trust yourself. These things come back fast.

OldMadBrit said:
I have had several occasions where I came back to a high skill/high consequence activity (track days, high wind windsurfing, skiing) after a few years off. For me the biggest challenge was telling the worry wort in my head to STHU and get on with it. Once I got through that part I have been consistently amazed at how well my body remembered how to do it despite the nagging voice.
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Sounds familiar. One of the harder things to do for me, was getting over a crash and having to go out and do more races in the same day. Early on I learned to go through whatever corner was the problem faster on the first lap. It works every time. Not once have I crashed in the same spot in the next race.

two wheel tramp said:
We're gonna ride like girls! :banana
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Thanks for remaining me of racing (trying) against Elena. No chance I had...
 
Holeshot said:
G, first thing is: you've ridden plenty to this point. PLENTY. You didn't forget how to ride. You're in a spot that most of us have found ourselves in. The hardest part to picking things back up is blind trust. Trust in the tires, trust in the road surface, and trust in your own skills. Think back to all the times you rode and nothing went wrong. Try to remember a time something did go wrong...then run the ratio. IMO, the two most important parts of picking riding back up are eyes and active cognition (Andy's comments). One more to add, and more valuable than I ever give credit to: breathe. Make sure to consciously breathe, harmonically if you can. It'll settle you down, focus yourself on something productive where you can't focus on all the things that "could" happen, etc. Trust yourself. These things come back fast.



Sounds familiar. One of the harder things to do for me, was getting over a crash and having to go out and do more races in the same day. Early on I learned to go through whatever corner was the problem faster on the first lap. It works every time. Not once have I crashed in the same spot in the next race.



Thanks for remaining me of racing (trying) against Elena. No chance I had...
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I am marked for life. IMG_9808.jpeg
 
I guess I'm usually not off my bikes for too long but every time I get back to Thailand I feel rusty (even though I ride in the US). The road conditions, different bike and riding on the other side of the road. I don't think there is any substitute to just getting out there and riding. But I do think you gotta understand your rusty and really make an effort to go a little slower and pay attention vs just kinda rely on second nature.
 
I find that learning to trail brake gives me the most confidence on the street. Yamaha School of Champs says "Go to the brakes when you feel nervous. Release the brakes when you are happy with your speed and your direction." By staying lightly on the brakes as you turn in, then continue light braking until you are happy and comfortable takes out the "oh my god, I may be too hot" feeling. Go back to the gas only when you can take away lean angle. Initially I found great comfort, and practicing, even more speed with comfort. Their online school is well worth the money, but much of their content can be found on Youtube or their website.

P.S. I would ignore any "Never brake in a corner" advice you get. It simply is not true that you will instantly fall if you touch the brakes in a corner. You just need to understand the available traction.

I just went through a lack of confidence also. Damned Dog.:(
 
G, Riding something like a TTR-125 around YEP, may help. They are light, and slow so are less likely to scare you and are easy to pick up. Wear all your moto gear to avoid any injury from a slow tip over etc. You'll know you are getting it back, when you wish you have more POWAR. :)
Also, like many have said, there is not substitution for just riding. It helps a lot.
 
Not a bad idea. G: Bartalow's camp is close to you in Kelseyville.
 
IG hates me almost as much as zuckerstick. :laughing

Got these ones though. Love that jump!!
 
I have to say, there’s been some really excellent advice here.huge thanks to several standouts that 100% got the gist of the OP.
Oakland f4i looking forward to some wide track with you.
 
I had a minor off myself and weird brake behaviour that killed my confidence.

I’m slowly rebuilding it with short rides along familiar and easy routes.

Hopefully you’ll find your mojo again soon, G. ❤️❤️❤️
 
Danny Walker's American Supercamp is another worthy option, for regaining confidence.
2 days riding, sliding and dropping TT125's, with road tires, on wet slimy clay, inside a dressage ring, at the limit of traction.
It was both an eye opener and a game changer when I did my first 2-day session with them 10 years ago. The skills I learned - and more importantly having the familiarity to override that sense of rising panic, at the edge of traction - saved my ass on track and daily riding more time that I can count.
I try to retake it every year now.
 
OldMadBrit said:
Danny Walker's American Supercamp is another worthy option, for regaining confidence.
2 days riding, sliding and dropping TT125's, with road tires, on wet slimy clay, inside a dressage ring, at the limit of traction.
It was both an eye opener and a game changer when I did my first 2-day session with them 10 years ago. The skills I learned - and more importantly having the familiarity to override that sense of rising panic, at the edge of traction - saved my ass on track and daily riding more time that I can count.
I try to retake it every year now.
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i have been so many times he made a “slow learner” shirt. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
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