Hello,
Let me introduce myself quickly before asking you for help.
My name is Ramon, mid-thirties and live in The Netherlands (Europe).
Until July last year I did not have any circuit experience. Did CSS level 1 in the UK in July 2015 and levels 2 and 3 in May 2016. The days at the school where at Silverstone Stowe Circuit (which is a small technical circuit).
So now my question: What is the sequence for preparing to hang-off?
Some context: When I did level 3, it was raining so I wasn't able to get the most out of the 'body position training'. Because I booked myself a track day at Assen mid-july, I went to a very small and even technicaler circuit in the beginning of july to refresh my skills as Assen would be my first 'real' circuit.
At that small circuit I could not apply the things I learned at CSS. In the first sessions I did not see a circuit, only asphalt with Some real corners and some corners made out of cones. After getting used to the circuit and getting my vision straight again (was hunting for 'where is the bloody corner?!'), I went on with trying to hang-off.
As I never had hang-off, I experienced a lot of instability when preparing to hang-off. Also noticed I was using the bars to hold on (even noticed I was neutrolizing my intented steering input by holding on).
So I found out 3 things: 1) I was not able to keep the bike stable while preparing, 2) My lock was not good and 3) I found it very difficult to (quick)steer while my upper body was already to the front and low.
With Assen only a week away I decided to use Assen to focus on vision and hook-turn/pick-up without the knees.
One day before Assen I thought about how I could stabelize the bike. The knee-to-knee came to mind and I now do it as I describe below:
1. When straight up and down: Put both knees against the tank.
2. Push with the inside knee against the tank to move one butt cheek to the inside.
3. Brake/down shift
4. Quick Turn
5. Right after quick turning I bring my upper body to the front and low on the inside
It all feels stable and I even managed to get both of my knees down at Assen. Looking at the pictures and movies I (of course) need a lot of practice.
So hopefully you can help me develop this.
Cheers,
Ramon