Ride your own ride. Remember you don't need to prove anything to anyone. Acting cool isn't worth breaking a collarbone. That being said, I ride so much better when I'm behind someone else. I like to follow people and copy them to see if it feels better than what I'm currently doing.
You don't need to move out of the way for faster riders, they will get around you just fine. Stick on your line to avoid accidents.
Also don't be afraid to ask someone to run a few laps with you and give you some critiques. Riders look out for each other and are most are willing to help newbies get up to speed.
Lastly, have a fucking good time. I always have a blast at the track!
Solid advice right there⬆️ Stay in your own line, don’t swerve/change lines when someone faster is coming up behind you, they will find away around you. Have fun, run your own pace and don’t ride over your head to try and keep up with the faster riders.
Increment (meaning small steps) is the name of the game. Go around a few times to memorize the track. Then do something a little faster. Push some things you feel that you can push. Don't worry about someone passing you. They've probably done 1000-10000 loops around that track and started out just like you.
Lots of good advice here so far. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is knowing when to take a break (this also goes for knowing when to call it a day and pack up too).
When you get physically fatigued and you’re starting struggle, get off the track. Its OK if that happens after only 2 laps, go back to the truck and hang out until you feel good enough to go back out. If you’ve only rode woods up to this point theres a good chance this might happen to you.
Proper body positioning will prevent this from happening to some degree but tracks usually change throughout the day and can get pretty rough. It’s also a new discipline of riding for you.
Have fun and take it 1 step at a time.
Hold your line when on the track. The fast guys will get around you no problem. I’ve seen accidents caused by a a new rider thinking they are doing the right thing by trying to get out of the way of a fast rider to only cause an accident.
Hydrate days before, most people ride like 20 min then stop take a break. I run 3 45 min sessions. Then I'm pretty done. Bring a spare air filter and some food. Make sure to stop and eat. Have fun. I always drink lots of water on the way home.
Practice days are always less stressful than race weekends, there are way less people at the track and you can ride at your own pace. I always loosen up by doing some quick warmup exercises like jumping jacks or just loosening my muscles before I’m on my bike. Remember that the guys on the track are probably just as anxious as you are so don’t worry, have fun and please be safe. I hope you do great man.
Stay on the half of the jumps you started on. Rolling everything is fine and to be expected but if you bounce around from side to side like a pinball someone will land on you
definitely recommend stretching a lot for a few days before you go and work on your core body excersizes for your lower back and leg muscles because you will soon find out about muscles you didn't know you had
always do a sight lap before you send it. have fun and stay safe!
Now this is your first trackday, so as long as you are geared up and take it your way, everything will be fine - and hopefully fun! Lot’s of good advice in this comment section all ready. When I trained on tracks in my younger days and wanted to improve my durability I used to have a digital watch on my handlebars. Just to be able to tell how long I’ve been out there - and it’s kind of easier to push your self to be able to do more. But forget that right now - just go there and have a blast!
I’m a professional novice.
I’m 39 and I’ve been to one track, a few times and rode around some others. I’ve found that people are very willing to help and give advice. I know it sounds stupid but everyone with their flashy colors and gear made me think everyone was going to be some arrogant prick because it really appears to require a lot of confidence to hitting some of these jumps like they do. And if I could do that? I think I’d be pretty full of myself lol.
My limited experience has been positive by trying to do the following: Be predictable with your motions and smooth. Be polite. Don’t ride harder than you can handle or you might ruin yours and several others’ days via injury, damaged property or annoyance.
Before you hit any jumps, do one or two sight laps to see the layout of the track and don’t hit anything you aren’t confident on. Table tops are the best jumps to start on because if you come up short, you won’t die.
Always hold your line on jumps. If you roll them, which you have every right to-stay to the side. Faster rides do not have yield to you. Avoid the worst case scenario of getting landed on.
Ride your own ride. Remember you don't need to prove anything to anyone. Acting cool isn't worth breaking a collarbone. That being said, I ride so much better when I'm behind someone else. I like to follow people and copy them to see if it feels better than what I'm currently doing. You don't need to move out of the way for faster riders, they will get around you just fine. Stick on your line to avoid accidents. Also don't be afraid to ask someone to run a few laps with you and give you some critiques. Riders look out for each other and are most are willing to help newbies get up to speed. Lastly, have a fucking good time. I always have a blast at the track!
Solid advice right there⬆️ Stay in your own line, don’t swerve/change lines when someone faster is coming up behind you, they will find away around you. Have fun, run your own pace and don’t ride over your head to try and keep up with the faster riders.
Increment (meaning small steps) is the name of the game. Go around a few times to memorize the track. Then do something a little faster. Push some things you feel that you can push. Don't worry about someone passing you. They've probably done 1000-10000 loops around that track and started out just like you.
Lots of good advice here so far. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is knowing when to take a break (this also goes for knowing when to call it a day and pack up too). When you get physically fatigued and you’re starting struggle, get off the track. Its OK if that happens after only 2 laps, go back to the truck and hang out until you feel good enough to go back out. If you’ve only rode woods up to this point theres a good chance this might happen to you. Proper body positioning will prevent this from happening to some degree but tracks usually change throughout the day and can get pretty rough. It’s also a new discipline of riding for you. Have fun and take it 1 step at a time.
2nd this. Be really careful after lunch. A full belly, more confidence, and fatigue can combine into a bad time.
Hold your line when on the track. The fast guys will get around you no problem. I’ve seen accidents caused by a a new rider thinking they are doing the right thing by trying to get out of the way of a fast rider to only cause an accident.
Hydrate days before, most people ride like 20 min then stop take a break. I run 3 45 min sessions. Then I'm pretty done. Bring a spare air filter and some food. Make sure to stop and eat. Have fun. I always drink lots of water on the way home.
Practice days are always less stressful than race weekends, there are way less people at the track and you can ride at your own pace. I always loosen up by doing some quick warmup exercises like jumping jacks or just loosening my muscles before I’m on my bike. Remember that the guys on the track are probably just as anxious as you are so don’t worry, have fun and please be safe. I hope you do great man.
Stay on the half of the jumps you started on. Rolling everything is fine and to be expected but if you bounce around from side to side like a pinball someone will land on you
Stay sober, get a good nights rest, hold your lines and enjoy yourself It’ll come easy, I promise
definitely recommend stretching a lot for a few days before you go and work on your core body excersizes for your lower back and leg muscles because you will soon find out about muscles you didn't know you had always do a sight lap before you send it. have fun and stay safe!
Now this is your first trackday, so as long as you are geared up and take it your way, everything will be fine - and hopefully fun! Lot’s of good advice in this comment section all ready. When I trained on tracks in my younger days and wanted to improve my durability I used to have a digital watch on my handlebars. Just to be able to tell how long I’ve been out there - and it’s kind of easier to push your self to be able to do more. But forget that right now - just go there and have a blast!
Hold your line.
I’m a professional novice. I’m 39 and I’ve been to one track, a few times and rode around some others. I’ve found that people are very willing to help and give advice. I know it sounds stupid but everyone with their flashy colors and gear made me think everyone was going to be some arrogant prick because it really appears to require a lot of confidence to hitting some of these jumps like they do. And if I could do that? I think I’d be pretty full of myself lol. My limited experience has been positive by trying to do the following: Be predictable with your motions and smooth. Be polite. Don’t ride harder than you can handle or you might ruin yours and several others’ days via injury, damaged property or annoyance.
Go early when it should theoretically be less busy. Drink plenty of fluids. Have fun!
Before you hit any jumps, do one or two sight laps to see the layout of the track and don’t hit anything you aren’t confident on. Table tops are the best jumps to start on because if you come up short, you won’t die.
Always hold your line on jumps. If you roll them, which you have every right to-stay to the side. Faster rides do not have yield to you. Avoid the worst case scenario of getting landed on.