How do you handle twisty roads?

[ronboskz650sr]

I always thought...we're riding together, so let's ride together. The fun fades real quick when you're left in the dust every time. I wouldn't expect a new rider to keep up with me, and enjoy the ride at all, if I rode the way Chris and I ride together. What would be the point of the ride? We push a little more, because we know each other well. Sounds like you guys struck a great compromise. That's how it should work.

[karenmotoracer]

having a new rider with you may not be very comfortable at all! Anyway you can solve this by adjusting and keeping up!

[mattf]

I would just add that using your brake light to warn riders behind you that you're slowing (at least engine braking) is a BIG help. I spent all day Saturday behind someone who slowed a lot more and a lot earlier than I like too for corners, and without a brake light, I kept coming up on him pretty fast at the turn entrance, until I got his style figured out.

So keep doing what you're doing.

[Aggroton]

yeah break lights help alot...also....riding right behind a more experienceed rider has helped me out alot...especially finding quicker and easier lines.

[aireq]

I think you should just magically gain the equivalent of 40 years of riding experience so that you can ride with the same confidence and ability as your friend. Oh wait that's impossible.

[blues2cruise]

I think you should just magically gain the equivalent of 40 years of riding experience so that you can ride with the same confidence and ability as your friend. Oh wait that's impossible.

[blair]

Old hiking rule: the slowest and least-fit person on the hike is the trip captain. When they stop/slow/want to camp is when everyone does.

So you don't go as far. They're going farther and working harder than they ever have, and you were them, once.

[Wizzard]

They're going farther and working harder than they ever have, and you were them, once.

Hear ! Hear!
With Miz Thang , I cannot lean like I have always been able to because she sits way low . Forcing me to downshift in some turns to at least 2nd gear and that's alright too . As hot as it gets around here (102) today, the last thing I need is to get mired down in hot asphault which may throw my old butt off , ya know what I mean ?
Tweety and I are going riding this afternoon out in the country . So glad that we both have water cooled engines .
Have a great 4th of July weekend every one . Stay safe .
With kind regards, Wizzard

[Lion_Lady]

I think the new rider should be pushed a little bit. Like do the road once and let the new guy choose the speed the first time through. After that speed up a little bit and try it again. But it has to be the new rider who is pushing himself. The ONLY way to truely gain confidence in your ride is to push yourself a little further each time you take the same corner. But if it's some third party telling you that you have to go faster tell them to bugger off. You don't HAVE to do anything.

Playing keep up with a more skilled rider is just a good way to get yourself hurt.

One factor that many overlook (until AFTER they've crashed) is the slow onset fatigue factor. This spring/summer I've heard about at least 3 riders who crashed on The Dragon. Some crashed on the first run, after a long day of riding to GET there. Some crashed after running it twice or more successfully. They wanted to get in "just one (more) run" before calling it quits for the day. They all crashed on that 'just one' go 'round, because they were unaware of how fatique was effecting their mental processing and muscle response time.

I crashed last summer at the end of a long day of riding... loss of focus. I misread a curve, after completely NOT SEEING a 20mph curve speed sign. I'd been riding very well all day, it felt like I was "in the groove" but I was more likely just in a fog. Going back and riding that turn again, a few weeks ago, it really was a piece of cake, I just blew it completely.

It is always a good idea to stop pushing yourself as the day wears on. Take a break, get a good night's sleep. There can always be tomorrow to try again.

Pam

[Sev]

I never meant that they should push themselves that same day.

Turning into my court everyday on my way home I would try to take it just a TOUCH faster. I only hit it once or twice a day, depends how often I go out... but it did develop my turning skills. I stopped doing that after I scraped a peg. I don't feel the need to do it anymore, I know how hard I can turn now. Oh and it took me 4 months to get to that point.

The only way to gain important skills is to practise them, and push yourself over a period of time. If I implied differently then I apologize.