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Regaining confidence?

Looking at the american supercamp site:
Non racer Feb 27 and 28. Looks like 20 slots! Not sure that works for me, what comes with lack of confidence is embarrassment. Being put down from former riding buddies greatly contributed to this stupid state that I am experiencing today.

I got advice from a rider a few years back, change riding groups, that helped a lot. Was riding with some of my old GS geezer pals last montth, feeling it coming back. Then it happened, tight right turn and a van cuts me off. Low spot in the road and boom down she goes :mad. Might have been OK until some dipshit says loudly, no joke who's the new rider here :rant
 
ThumperX said:
Looking at the american supercamp site:
Non racer Feb 27 and 28. Looks like 20 slots! Not sure that works for me, what comes with lack of confidence is embarrassment. Being put down from former riding buddies greatly contributed to this stupid state that I am experiencing today.

I got advice from a rider a few years back, change riding groups, that helped a lot. Was riding with some of my old GS geezer pals last montth, feeling it coming back. Then it happened, tight right turn and a van cuts me off. Low spot in the road and boom down she goes :mad. Might have been OK until some dipshit says loudly, no joke who's the new rider here :rant
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go to either the regular or the racer. it’s fun no matter what.
 
ThumperX said:
Looking at the american supercamp site:
Non racer Feb 27 and 28. Looks like 20 slots! Not sure that works for me, what comes with lack of confidence is embarrassment. Being put down from former riding buddies greatly contributed to this stupid state that I am experiencing today.

I got advice from a rider a few years back, change riding groups, that helped a lot. Was riding with some of my old GS geezer pals last montth, feeling it coming back. Then it happened, tight right turn and a van cuts me off. Low spot in the road and boom down she goes :mad. Might have been OK until some dipshit says loudly, no joke who's the new rider here :rant
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Danny and his crew put a lot of effort into making sure everybody feels comfortable and they weed out dickheads pretty effectively.
Just do it, either group will be fine. I'll probably be there for the racers group.
FWIW, your answer to the dipshit ... "the moron in the van who cut me off"
 
Try a day at socalsupermoto. It's a fun and controlled way of being able to push your skills on a mini track. They provide the bike as well. Although the promo video shows pro riders, 99% of the class are amateurs like us.. Going nice and slow. Confidence gained is directly relatable to all types or real world riding.

Lunch and photos are included as well. Various sizes of motorcycles as well.

www.socalsupermoto.com

Socal Supermoto

Socal Supermoto started in 2010 with a pickup truck, a couple of DRZ400’s and a TW200. The idea was always to expose other riders to this discipline of riding as well as teaching the basic fundamentals of riding a motorcycle in a fun and safer setting. Today we still employ that very simple ideal; e
www.socalsupermoto.com www.socalsupermoto.com

 
I had an interesting conversation today with a buddy that is still a pro BMX dude. Mr T.

We were chatting about getting back in the game (regaining confidence). He said winter has put a hurt on his training and last time out it was a shotokan ride, meaning hard motions and sketchy adjustments.

He said his plan is to ride “Thai Chi” for his next training session. Just smooth and flowing like the old man in the park doing his thing. Every movement calculated, smooth and easy.

I mentioned my return would be the same but never equated it to a martial art. I use Thai Chi and then build up to include some Kung Fu as I pick up the flow. Never hard like Shotokan where violent movements make it happen.

We both agreed the days of hard actions are gone. 100% for me but he still does some when racing. The idea being smooth is fast. Basic moto premise.

Twas enlightening and made perfect sense for guys that are too old to crash. He is very animated so it made the discussion fun and funny as he demonstrated his Thai Chi riding style and the moment where the brute force demanded the Shotokan approach.

He dug my Kung Fu take as the next step where more speed is engaged but the flow remains very fluid.

Fun!
 
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My experience is confidence comes and goes and then comes back again. Last year I did 6 trackdaze and was feeling my oats, this year only 2 but did some group rides and was feeling pretty confident on my little Zed 400, I was keeping up with Ducatis and R1s. Did the Kernville rally and chasing them mofos on those big beemers was like a real challenge, I really had to work to keep em insight. :wtf Where'd my skill go?

I find trackdaze refocus me on the basics. Get back to not riding over my head. The other thing I've noticed is now that I've crossed the 60 yard line is my visual acuity is reduced and my reaction time is up, so I gotta take that to account and not ride above my comfort level.
 
ThumperX said:
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.
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:thumbup

I just did Bartlett Springs recently with Mr @bananachunks … can’t remember the last time I’d done it, but when I got to the eastern end, I was all like, man, I’ve got to spend more time in the Mendo NF in 2026, riding all the glorious wide track. :laughing 🥳
 
Bartlett Springs has a big tree across it almost at the top. Will take a big chainsaw to clear that monster.
 
downed tree sounds like a new thing … we missed it when we were up there, thank goodness. Mr George would’ve dragged me on some scary stream-crossing work-around, otherwise, no doubt. :eek:
 
Me too. Kind of. I'm now shopping for a motorcycle after being off for almost 15 years. It's a mix feeling of excitement and trepidation. I think if you take it easy and ride with the right crowd, it can be a safe and happy event. Reserve the adrenaline rush for the track.
 
I have a few gift passes to the Ken Hill podcast series. Really worthwhile and cataloged so you can go back and listen to specific subject. Anyone interested let me know.
 
I'm bumping this thread. The reason is to comment that the bicycle is really helping with confidence, especially in some semi gnarly off-road situations. I'm still struggling with tight right hand turns and I can 100% say this is a mind not a physical issue.

Additionally , concentrating on balance at home through Yoga and various other PT exercises really clarifies the right leg seems to dominate my entire being :(
We'll see how the rally goes, it'll pretty much be a solo ride as I'm not ready to jump into the group dynamic.
 
I have been kicking around the idea of selling the Beta to fund the refurbishment of Beastie. Really, I have.
 
2017 Beta 430 RRS with suspension by Joel of 707 fame. It is a feisty thing set up for a short stout rider.
 
budman said:
I will be facing this in two months. Done it before.
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So much for two months. :rolleyes

3 since the post above already and probably at least one more before glory will be tasted.
 
I really get it Budman. Everyone screams "GET BACK ON THE HORSE!" but the reality is when there is significant time between events it doesn't just happen that way.

The first get off, although having lasting physical trauma really didn't break me mentally, I was. in my 40's and healed up reasonably quickly. It made me more cognizant of risk but it didn't have me doubting myself. The second event occurred in a foreign country with more emotional scarring from members of our group. That trip had 5 or 6 injuries with 3 severe (including mine.)
It really freaked me out.

I also, to this day have looked through all my physics notes attempting to understand wtf happened. Mentally, if I don't get my mind right it may be a fire sale of all the bikes.

Physically, the Baja get off has taken 2 surgeries, neither of which have left me whole. I have a leg that sometimes just decides it's a log and a foot that has no clue where it is. Seems to always happen at inappropriate times and the bike drops. I don't really care that the bike drops, it's just the fact that I need help getting it back up. I've cobbed together a self rescue lifting jack, it's crude but light and it works. I actually found that riding with this little thing helps with the mind f**kedness .
 
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