Rider Education Basics
Look Where You Want to Go
The “LINE” is about the fastest way to get around the track in a consistent and repeatable manner. However, you need to LOOK for the line in order to be on the line.
The Eyes Have It
Proper use of your eyes is a very important skill in riding the track fast. The farther that you can look ahead, the “slower” the track appears. It gives you more time to react, and to get set up for your next move. As you are learning, you need to concentrate on “JUMPING” your eyes from target point to target point.
Try this:
Look to the Entrance (the “turn-in point for the next turn)
Look to the Apex (the point closest to the inside of the turn)
Look to the Exit (the point closest to the outside edge of the exit)
Repeat Sequence
As far as those other bikes on the track, you should be seeing them in your peripheral vision only. This takes practice, but the more that you can do it, the less likely you are to fall into their patterns.
Do NOT focus on the tire right in front of you. You need to be looking PAST the rider in front of you.
Target Fixation
Wow! Don’t look at the rider in front of me?! Are you nuts? no, I am not nuts, I know that you need to see that bike as well. I am saying that you shouldn’t focus on that bike, more like you should see them AS you are looking past them. Why not focus on them? Well, that is easy to explain. We tend to actually GO where we look. If that rider goes off track, you most likely will too if you are focused on them. If they fall down, you’ll be going right at them. So think of it this way, LOOK AT YOUR NEXT TARGET!
If you think you aren’t going to make the turn, turn anyway. LOOK to the next target. That will help you get there, believe it or not.
If the bike in front of you misses the Entrance, Apex or Exit it should not effect your line, because you are looking where you want to go, RIGHT? If they fall down or go off track, that won’t effect your line either, RIGHT? In those cases, remind yourself, repeat it out loud “Don’t Look at them”. It make things far easier for you.
Look Ahead
Look as far ahead as you can, as this gives you a better ability to anticipate track and traffic issues, more time to react, and it “slows” down your perception of the track.
As your skills increase, and your subsequent speed increases, it is important to continue to look farther and farther ahead.