I am by no means an expert rider. In fact, that's why I'm writing this post. There's a local guy here in the Bay Area that offers free riding clinics (http://www.docwong.com/st-clinc/) with most of the material based off Keith Code. I definitely believe in continuous improvement and the price is right, so I try to go when I can. He offered a $10 session with Keith Code and I thought it was a spam hoax. It was no hoax.
[image: 2012 09 30 08 34 02 339] 2012 09 30 08 34 02 339 [image: 2012 09 30 08 35 42 284]
2012 09 30 08 35 42 284
[image: 2012 09 30 09 55 26 435] 2012 09 30 09 55 26 435
So what did I learn? So for $10 you don't get a 1 on 1 with Dr. Code, but you did get one of his experts to watch you do successive figure 8s and then give you technique pointers. Sounds simple, but how many of us have someone watch our technique and have the skill to spot what we're doing wrong and the give the guidance to correct it?
For me, the kernel of wisdom was to "look where you're going." OK, I know you think this entire post is worthless at this point, but here's what I mean. Normally, to corner I was trying to do what I learned from keith's video/books:
But everything is smoother - easier - simpler. Now, instead of trying to do all those things, doing one thing makes them all happen. Now instead of several major adjustments (that require thought) I seem to automagically get into a line and just need micro-adjustments to lean, throttle, countersteer if I entered to hot or come across an obstacle (like Bambi today).
Bonus: I'm using this target fixation to get over my target fixation on road hazards. Even when I see oil, leaves or gravel, I'm able to "hard-focus" on my line and use "soft-focus" to see the oil and avoid it.
Hope this helps someone.
[image: 2012 09 30 08 34 02 339] 2012 09 30 08 34 02 339 [image: 2012 09 30 08 35 42 284]
2012 09 30 08 35 42 284
[image: 2012 09 30 09 55 26 435] 2012 09 30 09 55 26 435
So what did I learn? So for $10 you don't get a 1 on 1 with Dr. Code, but you did get one of his experts to watch you do successive figure 8s and then give you technique pointers. Sounds simple, but how many of us have someone watch our technique and have the skill to spot what we're doing wrong and the give the guidance to correct it?
For me, the kernel of wisdom was to "look where you're going." OK, I know you think this entire post is worthless at this point, but here's what I mean. Normally, to corner I was trying to do what I learned from keith's video/books:
- Countersteer
- Look over the mirror in the direction you're trying to turn
- Hug the tank, particularly with the outside leg
- Choose a line
- etc., etc.,
- My arms automatically begin to countersteer,
- My weight automatically shifts and I begin to feel my legs pressure on the outside of the tank
- My line naturally flows from my vision
- More weight is added to the inside peg
But everything is smoother - easier - simpler. Now, instead of trying to do all those things, doing one thing makes them all happen. Now instead of several major adjustments (that require thought) I seem to automagically get into a line and just need micro-adjustments to lean, throttle, countersteer if I entered to hot or come across an obstacle (like Bambi today).
Bonus: I'm using this target fixation to get over my target fixation on road hazards. Even when I see oil, leaves or gravel, I'm able to "hard-focus" on my line and use "soft-focus" to see the oil and avoid it.
Hope this helps someone.