Returning to the track for the first time after my crash last year.....

[Lxpony]

I crashed BAD last June at Thompson. After over 50 track days it finally happened. I high-sided on the first turn on the first session (rookie move I know) on a brand new set of tires. Broke my clavical, knocked myself out, totaled the bike, had my blemish-free 1-piece cut off me and took an expensive ride to the hospital. Fast forward almost 12 months and I signed up to ride Palmer on Monday. Stepping down to the Yellow group just to knock the cob webs out.

I got back on bikes last August and the track bike was used hard for 2 days in NJMP by a buddy with no incidents so I know mechanically it is sound.

What suggestions do you have for me on that first lap on Monday morning?

[Petorius]

Don't high-side in the first turn of the first session!

In all seriousness, I would say that you should just accept that you will be nervous as shit all morning leading up to that first lap, and that this is perfectly OK. Even if you get onto hot pit and you are shaking and about to puke, just remember that it doesnt matter, its OK to feel that way! You will still ride just fine, and it will probably go away after the first few laps. Even if it doesnt go away immediately, who cares, its just your brain playing tricks on you. You know how to ride the bike just fine, you'll be OK.

Second tip- if you've ridden Palmer before, and you have a plan that you know works well, stick to it. My first day back after my hard crash, I crashed again in the third session because I got nervous and grabbed the brake going by the treehouse (NHMS). If I had just kept it pinned per my usual plan, it wouldn't have happened. There are a bunch of little spots like that at NHMS where I had learned to override my instincts, like staying on the throttle until after the preturn for 1, staying on the throttle all the way down the hill into the bowl, staying on the throttle past the treehouse until I can see the apex of 9, etc. I had even written most of these down in notes which I reviewed prior to going back out for the first time, but it was still hard to accept them as truths during the first few sessions. I got into trouble by reverting to instinct and ignoring past learnings. Don't make that mistake.

[Lxpony]

Don't high-side in the first turn of the first session!

Holy shit. That really helps. Thanks man!

[Mr. Kurtz]

R E L A X

Easy to say, maybe hard to do, but really, just focus on having FUN, don't worry about "getting back to where you were" or anything like that. Get into the classroom every time your group has one, hang out, have a good time, and just enjoy the day.

[TTD]

While it's no good to ride with the "fear" of a crash right in the front of your head... it's not a bad idea to keep it in the back.

I use that fear of a crash whenever I'm deciding things... "should I make that pass?"... "am I starting to push too hard?", etc.

One thing I've also learned is that I'd rather lowside... for this reason I generally push harder going into a corner and not so much coming out.

As for day one back on the track... just enjoy it for what it is... a great ride on a great road - with less hassles than on the road. With seat time, everything will come back to you.

[butcher bergs]

Start with the basics. Go slow, find your groove, add in small elements of rider improvements along the way.


I'm asking the exact question you're asking except it's been 4 years for me.

[OreoGaborio]

Don't high-side in the first turn of the first session!

lol!

I've had a few offs myself... nothing as big as yours, but each time was a little test.

Just breath & relax.... do what you need to do in order to put a smile on your face. If that means taking it easy and cruising around all day, take it easy and cruise around all day. If after a session you feel a desire to dive head first back into it & push a little, dive head first back into it & push a little.

The only thing you shouldn't do is push yourself BEYOND what you reasonably think you should be doing.

[JettaJayGLS]

I did this last year. I did not have a major crash, but after a few years 100% off of a motorcycle, I bought a track bike and signed up for track days.

Check the ego, start in the follow the leader sessions, start in red group, and just work up from there. It should be smoooooooooth sailing. I can't even begin to discuss how much taking some time off from the track has helped me break bad habits.

[Mr. Kurtz]

Oh, also; congrats on getting back. Lots of people might not come back from an expensive/painful crash.

[OreoGaborio]

Glad you're healed up enough to come back

[TheIglu]

Tire warmers. Not necessary, but sure helpful for your confidence.

[nhbubba]

I see an argument against warmers. No warmers => fixed "must take it easy" mindset for the start of every session. Ease into it all. No rush, nothing to gain, everything to lose.
Now that I'm back to being a gentleman track day goer I am back to not running warmers and honestly not missing them. I've even been running a machine with (gasp) street tires and been very happy.

[Petorius]

Choose to have less grip so that you'll go slower? That seems silly and backwards. Run the warmers and show some discipline while you ease into it, or go without the warmers for convenience sake.

[Lxpony]

Thanks for all the replies and well wishes guys!


I run any combo of BT016/BT003/Pilot Powers so tire warmers are completely unnecessary IMHO. Ive broken in about 15 sets of brand new tires on the track without issue up until last year. I just used poor judgement last June and it cost me. Being in Yellow should allow me to pace myself better then in Blue.

[nhbubba]

Choose to have less grip so that you'll go slower? That seems silly and backwards.

I would not call either position either silly or backwards. As I say, I see a strong argument against bothering with warmers at a non-competitive event. As has been discussed at length on this forum many times, many agree, some do not. YMMV, apparently.

[OreoGaborio]

Agreed. Neither way is right nor wrong. It's whatever method works for that individual.

[Petorius]

I agree that there is a strong argument to be made against warmers. I just think you've got the wrong one.

[7470racer]

First Thompson weekend was my return after Superman-ing at Thompson last July. Take it easy and enjoy the track. You'll find your old self before long.

[maxim_X]

Getting back on the horse can be hard. I'm going to go against the general advice here, and I usually don't. Go out there and ride like you never crashed, ignore it and do what you did before, 1 out of 50 is pretty fucking impressive. Learn from the mistake, but don't let it change your riding. YMMV. Tire warmers are awesome too.

[isaac_]

Getting back on the horse can be hard. I'm going to go against the general advice here, and I usually don't. Go out there and ride like you never crashed, ignore it and do what you did before, 1 out of 50 is pretty fucking impressive. Learn from the mistake, but don't let it change your riding. YMMV. Tire warmers are awesome too.

Wholeheartedly agree. Having come off a crash just recently, I think the best thing you can do is to not let the incident bring fear to you. And one of the best things you do is to simply move on from the incident. Don't let it sit at the front of your memories. You know precisely what you did wrong last time, so don't make the mistake again.

[boosten lebaron]

Just take it easy the first sessions of the morning. You will pick up your pace to your natural speed without thinking about it. I would suggest going back to blue however. More skilled riders and less oops moments from people who may have jumped into yellow too soon. I bounce around the 2 classes and find yellow can be frustrating at times due to bad lines and braking from others, myself included. I tend to ride less focused in yellow for some reason too.

[GixerJockey]

Ride a couple sessions to get comfortable. Then ask an instructor to follow you for a few laps and see what you might be missing. Is your body position comfortable looking? Are your turns clean? Are you death gripping the bars? Or are you smooth? Someone else might be able to spot problem areas, or tell you you're looking good and help you get some confidence back.

[Garandman]

Somewhat in the same boat. I took a pavement slide in the rain the last tack day before I had my knees replaced. It's been almost a year so they're as string as thei're gonna get.

Think I'll just go to the next non-sportbike and concentrate on being smooth. The fastest laps feel slow, anyway.

[Chippertheripper]

Wind it up and pop the clutch.

[FirstDuc-1098]

win it or bin it !!!







jk

just take your time and don't feel you need to push to get the most out of the track day. There is always another one to push harder at. You're not even running for plastic trophies at a track day.