Fast Riding school – Take it to the next level

My FAST Riding School Phase 1 experience was amazing all the way. I learned advanced techniques, I trained and, above all, I had intense pleasure with a passionate, professional and competent team.

At the end of the day, I was on a rush of adrenaline, the stress and excitement hormone, released by my body in response to the anticipation of speed, turns and thrills when riding. driving the motorcycle.

My level of endorphins, the pleasure hormone, was similar to when I do intense physical exercise: the level of concentration required and the skills involved when riding the Kawasaki ZX-6R, one of the provided by the school, contributes to this satisfaction. I really had fun.

My dopamine, the hormone associated with motivation, reward and pleasure was also at its peak because all day I was making turns, taking on riding challenges and improving. This feeling of satisfaction is so intense. Wow, again please!

The dark side of performance

So intense that I can’t fall asleep. In fact, I fall asleep awake, seeing curves in the track. And since I fall asleep physically, but mentally on the handlebars of the bike, I dream half-awake that I miss my turns and that I go off the track. That night, I went off track. Several times.

Instructor-owner of FAST Riding, Martin Hamel, even cracked the morning joke:

Have you dreamed about the track?

Well me yes, but my subconscious wasn’t fucking taking the curves. I had a lot less fun. It impacted my confidence throughout the day. I mention this to raise awareness of the importance of “rest” in progression. I also mention it to help you with your Phase 2 mindset. I mainly mention it to leave a note to myself when I return. Because yes, I will go back.

At the end of Phase 1 – which I recommend to everyone and especially beginners like me – we all improved significantly. The next day, Phase 2, we pick up where we were and push the machine. I’m talking about the bike, but also about our own machine, our body and our mind.

Many people who were present yesterday at FAST Riding are there again, but there are also new faces. The new riders, they’ve either come before or they’re already experienced, as they’re coming to Phase 2. They’ve got their gear for the most part and they seem confident. I, who took the ditch all night, started my day comparing myself and doubting myself. At each departure, the ambulance is there, in full view, which reassures us and reminds us of the risks at the same time.

From my first lap, I felt less confident than the day before and I even almost went off the track, according to my perception at the time. In reality, I found this sequence that I had filmed to understand my mistake, but it was not that bad.

I had only braked too hard and I was scared, but there was nothing there. It was fatigue that altered my perception. And maybe my subconscious that didn’t tell the difference between yesterday’s dreams and today’s reality?

So we start: Martin announces the new groups. I’m still in Group 2, but he was hesitant to put me in Group 3. FYI: Group 1 is the AGGRESSIVE group, Group 2 is CONFIDENT, and Group 3 is CAREFUL.

How does he figure out who goes where on the second day? Is it a choice made with your face whether he likes it or not? Of course not. It is a rational and measurable decision. These are the track times of the day before: each of the motorcycles is equipped with a transponder which calculates your time to complete a lap. It’s great because it’s easy to be matched with people of the same caliber as you. But at the same time, I added to myself a performance pressure that I did not particularly appreciate.

We like being with people of our caliber, because it allows us to gain confidence and progress together. Me, I was on the limit: according to my times of the day, I would have been in the Top 3 of group 3, but I was the good last of group 2.

That day, with fatigue and lack of confidence, the last good one was really not good. Imagine: everyone passes you by. You don’t pass anyone. I even had my private track “leader” because I wasn’t going fast enough for my group. Pride takes a hit.

Which group to choose? Aggressive, Confident or Cautious?

It depends. What do you prefer? Being surrounded by people better than you who push you to surpass yourself? Or be with people less experienced than you and feel better? Everyone is different. I had chosen Group 2, because I like to be with people better than me to surpass myself. But that day, I admit that I almost asked to change groups.

Those who know me know it: I respect my commitments. I persevered. One thing is certain, the instructors wish you happiness and a motivating progression. Don’t take it badly if you are “downgraded”. You will enjoy your moments on the track even more.

PHASE 2 AT FAST Riding School, how does it work?

Today we will apply the position of the body, the famous “lean angle”. The idea is that we have to shift our weight to the inside of the curve so that the bike stays as straight as possible, despite being leaned. This way, as much of the tire surface as possible grips the ground – for obvious reasons, we want our tires to grip the ground as much as possible.

We also add the notion of “trail braking” but we brake up to the Apex, or almost. So you have to add speed. Martin will repeat it several times: you adjust your speed with the brake, you adjust your RPM with the gear ratios.

What is the Apex?

The Apex corresponds to the point closest to the inside of the curve when taking a curve on a motorcycle. This is when the bike leans the most and follows the tightest line before rolling out of the corner. The objective is to take the Apex in a precise way to maximize the grip and the fluidity of the trajectory.

1. Approach: Before entering the turn, the driving position must be appropriate. The soles of the feet must be on the footrests (not the heel, otherwise the toes will rub on the floor!). The arms are slightly bent and the gaze is fixed on where you want to go.
2. Preparation: Reduce your speed by using the front brake only before entering the turn. For this you need to have an appropriate speed.
3. Lean: As you approach the entry point of the turn, where the FAST team previously set a laying down cone, lower your center of gravity by leaning the body and the bike towards the inside of the turn. The arm on the inside of the curve is bent, following the line of the handlebars and the arm on the outside of the curve is more extended to reach the opposite grip. By using pressure on the footpegs and shifting your weight to the inside of the bike, you will help your tires grip and avoid putting weight on your hands. Maintain brake pressure at whatever speed you are comfortable with, all the way to the Apex or forward.
4. Gaze: Keep your gaze fixed on where you want to go, the exit point of the turn.
5. Acceleration Control: Once the Apex is reached, you should have fully released the brake. Maintain a steady, controlled acceleration throughout the turn. Avoid sudden throttle movements. (My big challenge!)
6. Exiting the turn: When exiting the turn, accelerate to decrease the lean and return the motorcycle to a more upright position. Re-balance your weight on the bike for maximum stability.

Note that several other aspects are explained in the training about trail braking and posture. Professionals explain all the subtleties of the techniques to you in much more depth during Phase 2.

As I mentioned in my previous article about FAST Riding school, the theory is explained with all the visual aids necessary to properly apply these advanced piloting techniques. They will be repeated to you and you will assimilate them gently.

Although these techniques are advanced, the prerequisite to do Phase 2 is to have completed Phase 1, or to have taken a similar piloting course, or to have track or racing experience. If you did not do Phase 1 with FAST, you will need to use your own motorcycle.

Advice adapted to everyone, regardless of your level

One of the things that I particularly appreciated from my experience was the personalized advice from the instructors, almost all champions and drivers or former racing drivers. I had the privilege of being coached by Tomas Casas.

I was impressed that he remembers everyone. We all have the same bikes and almost all the same leather kit sponsored by Joe Rocket, but Tomas knows the names and recognizes each of us. It gives clear and above all relevant instructions on the best way to improve our driving. We are filmed: he shows us our technical mistakes and gives us concrete tips to improve.

Our whole group is listening: we can see all the other drivers, their good points as well as their points to improve. So we can also learn from the mistakes of other drivers and it’s really a very constructive moment.

If you think you can avoid it, it won’t happen! Whether it’s for the feedback meeting or the “pep talk” before returning to the track, we take attendance and if you’re missing, the FAST Riding team comes get you. Order, Biker! Besides, my group is great: we encourage each other and we feel no judgment. In fact, our worst judge is ourselves!

Personally, I had difficulty with the accelerator: I was giving gas strokes which took away a lot of fluidity. He gave me the trick to put more weight on my feet and hold more with my thighs to take the weight off the handlebars (thus the throttle).

Every time I followed his advice, I did a lot better with my turns. On the other hand, with my fearful state of the day, when I forgot his advice, I denigrated myself. Especially since everyone kept passing me!

I didn’t let it show too much, except to my wonderful lover who cheered me up, but I even had to step back to refocus on dinner time: some conversations were too focused on performance for me and felt really inadequate.

I wish I was better! The more the day progressed, the more I felt the performance anxiety of always finishing last.

Until we did another “Follow the leader” session, where we follow the instructor. The instructor adjusts to your speed. He helped me, by his simple presence on the track, to raise my face and look further. Looking further helps to better anticipate the turn. He showed me again the curve to follow, but at my speed.

Oh, but it’s fine after all! I told him that I didn’t think I was good enough and that I was stressed today, but he reassured me by telling me that my position was fine, that my curve was fine and that my speed was good. I want to thank you William Deragon: you had no idea, because I stayed in control of my emotions, but you did me a lot of good! I am in school to learn, after all.

Then there was one “solo” round left to do and two people in my group decided not to do it. Mental and/or physical fatigue too? They preferred to withdraw before the end. I respect this decision, which shows great wisdom.

I who found that the track time on day 1 passed too quickly, I can confirm that on day 2, we are satisfied. The fact that 2 people stopped and others went off the track also helped me get back on my feet. I’m not “so bad” after all. I have difficulty, but I still have gas, I continue. “Last One, Best One!” » as I often say in my training sessions!

My personal recommendations:

• Performance is no. I never liked competitions. I like to have fun. If you’re like me, from the start, before going on the track, compare yourself to yourself and let go of this pressure that you unfairly put on yourself. Comparing yourself to others is useless: no one has the same starting point. After all, this is only the start of my 2nd season! Calm down, girl! The next time I go on the track, I will only compare myself to myself.
• The challenge is also MENTAL: listen to how you feel. Are you having fun? Carry on. Are you stressed? Talk about it and do what it takes to get back to the state of pleasure.
• Push your limits at your own pace. I talked about it, we push the machine. The motorcycle is capable of taking it: the chief mechanic takes care of it. YOUR machine, on the other hand, may be tired. She may need to be hydrated. Her brain may be saturated. Respect your machine. You are the chief mechanic of your machine.
• Drive. Drive. Drive. Before registering for Phase 3, I will redo Phase 2 and I will ride on a track. Again and again. Progress takes time. Take the time you need!
• Join FAST Riding School to take it to the next level. This experience is to be lived at least once. Have the “guts” to click here and choose your date now. Hurry, as places are filling up fast. #YOLO (You Only Live Once)

I would like to thank the whole team for welcoming us for these unforgettable moments. What a privilege! I completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 at FAST Riding School and I am very proud of it. You can do it too. Let me know your impressions when you go!

Cathy

Tik Tok: @cathylam.moto