N8terider

Been a member for while here but haven't as yet told my story. Been biking now for about 5 years, done a few track days but mostly commute to work. I always rode with too much fear and doubt in my ability. Huge mental barriers would show themselves on track which pretty much made me depressed. Something I suffer with from time to time anyway. Then, in April this year I decided to do Level 1. I was not expecting such a life changing experience. The day at CSS was a sunny one, it pretty much flew by with non-stop training. The lessons and drills were spot on. By the end of the day I was very tired but grinning so much my face hurt. In 5 years I had never achieved the ultimate goal. Yep, I got my knees down!!!! Woohooo!!! Although this had me bouncing and smiling for days after, the school had a more dramatic affect on me. My general outlook on life was very positive. Instead of putting myself down I now tell myself "I can do this". I'm a much more confident person and I am so grateful to the school for the way they structured it to make a person like myself get it and use it. It was almost like being plugged into the Matrix and afterward riding like someone else, AMAZING!!! To give you an idea of how much its helped my riding, last Tuesday I thought I'd do a Trackday at Mallory Park and enter the Fast group. Yeah I know, NUTS. But I was confident I wouldn't get upset while being lapped by the fast boys. The first few sessions scared me but I didn't quit. By the afternoon I was doing constant 63 second laps and even overtaking a few riders! I AM BUZZING I have a lot to learn still (Levels 2,3,4 here we come) but what a difference for myself as a rider and also as a person. Thank you SO much to all who work at California Superbike School. Hopefully see you very soon Nathan

ROAD: Money, water, maps. TRACK: I'm fairly new to track riding, but going more and more as its so addictive, and my little list helps alot! - I regularly attend the gym so the day before track its light cardio and stretching - I have a checklist of things to prepare and pack the night before, including taking mirrors and stuff off - Wake up nice and ealry, head out to track with the bike on my trailer - Arrive, have tea, croissants and banana. Go find some other biker and say hi - Study the layout and have a riding/drills plan for the morning sessions - After lunch, I try not to over do the drills but relax, have fun, and this is when I usually see my ride and lap times improve. - Once home I write down a mental ride through of the track and areas I can improve on for the next visit. This helps loads!!! - Then, start looking forward to my next TD