There is ZERO wrong with having an 'overabundance of caution' - it helps keep you alive and unhurt! Having some 'survival instinct' may slow you down, but it's also likely to keep you and your bike in one piece, as you learn more and get faster in stages. Biting off small chunks rather than large ones pays off in the long run, as you get better, and you watch others overcommit and end up out of the sport because they either can't afford bike parts or sustain injury. I keep a picture of my daughter on my keychain to remind me not to push my luck; I'm 55 and I don't bounce like I used to. We would MUCH rather see riders remain within their limits than those who continually can't maintain self-control.... I've seen it happen time and time again in my other passion (skydiving); there's a saying: "There are a lot of old skydivers, and a lot of bold skydivers, but not many old, bold skydivers"... Patience, grasshopper, patience. We are all on the same ride - just at different points on the course. Don't overthink your bump to Intermediate; just ask a coach! If you think it's too much, there's no shame in bumping back...
I tend to base decisions like that on how much fun I'm having on track. If you're bored, you should ask for a bump. If you're having a blast, you're right where you need to be. If you're scared, you're in over your head.
Does STT seek to "push" people up from Novice to Intermediate, or do I have to grab a coach and request evaluation? A different organization that I rode my first track day with seemed to push riders up to I, and a couple guys pitted next to me had ridden several events with them and were more or less forced to move up. They both advised me to stay in novice as long as possible. They were both extremely nervous going out to the I group after lunch that day and came back saying that it was a whole different world than novice. I know that one guy ran off the track that afternoon.
STT does NOT try to push riders up....no way! If you are wanting an evaluation, you can ask any coach in the group you are riding in. Sometime a coach will see someone riding very well in the group that they are in and might ask someone if they are interested in moving up.....but never do they push someone to bump if the person isn't interested.
Tea summed it up very well. She rocks! I look for riders who ride well, not just ride fast. Consistent lines, hits the Apex, understands how to pass and be passed, takes coaching and improves! Good attitude helps too. When I evaluate/recommend someone for the bump, I ask another coach to check them out as well so the rider gets treated as fairly as possible. Sometimes I don't think that a rider is ready, but if they ask and want to bump up, so I'll ask someone else verify what I see. Still no one should be bumped up if they are not ready. Some riders need to be encouraged to move up! Some riders should stay in Novice and get as much assistance as possible. No two riders progress the same way. Isn't that why we're here for them? Seeing riders advance is really cool and makes me happy to see how happy they are when it happens. When the Novices I work with drag their knee for the first time, advance to I group or make some other significant improvement it makes me almost as excited as they are. This stuff makes coaching fun.
If I see someone in N or I railing and appear to be well ready for the bump I will wait in pits for them or pass and tap tail and bring them in. I ask if they want to be bumped and recommend it.... I tell them try I or A(If a I Rider only) and if its not your thing from a Mental side you can go back...For I and A riders that appear to be in over their head I recommend a bump down applying constructive criticism if the help I offer does not speed them up or straighten them out. This is the coaches job and we take Pride in making sure everyone is happy and safe... This includes the other riders in each group as well...We are here to Help at every event.. every group... We are STT
I feel like i frequently see coaches pass me in N, and look back at me then carry on. It always weirds me out, but i've never had anyone talk to me after a session. Not sure if they are just looking to see who they passed, or if i'm doing something wrong and they just forget to grab me...... It makes me paranoid to ask for the bump. Ive not been told i'm doing anything woefully incorrect, but i havent been taken aside for a bump either.
Sometimes when a coach passes and looks back it's because they are leading another rider around the track, maybe even doing an evaluation of a rider for a bump so don't get "weirded out," they're probably observing someone else. Don't be afraid to be evaluated either. The fact that you haven't been told you are doing something "woefully incorrect" means that you're probably not, feel confident about that! If you ask to be evaluated, that doesn't mean that you have to bump up if you pass and the worst that could happen is you don't pass and now have a coach who will work with you to help you become a better rider. Having a safe, fun time is what track riding is all about.
I second this...I PROMISE, if there's something you are doing unsafe, we'll hunt you down and let you know And, if we see something we can help you with, we'll tap our tail and have you follow us and show it to you.. Again, don't be afraid to ASK!
Oh I'm never afraid to ask. All coaches have always been super helpful. At this point it's all about practice for me. Just putting in laps and enjoying the ride. Sometimes I think they look back because they are towing someone, but most times they just speed away. It doesn't "scare" me at all. Just makes me curious.
Usually if I am passing people alone in Novice its because I am working my way towards catching someone to help or smack their hand... I will look behind me to make sure I am plenty clear and not spooking the person I am passing. Like Keith said... We will call you out if needed for a little help or to talk about the rules. do you ride in the North or the South?
North. I think i may see about a bump this weekend to round out the riding season (at ACC) so this thread was helpful.
Usually we are looking over our shoulder because we may be towing another rider and looking to see where they are...or checking to see how the rider we just passed handled it... Sooo...there are usually the following types of riders in Novice: 1. Those that don't ask for a bump, and we ask them if they'd like to because they clearly deserve it. 2. Those that ask for a bump, think they deserve it, but don't. (These are the most difficult to deal with) 3. Those that don't ask for a bump, and know they aren't ready yet.. 4. Those that are just plain happy where they are at. If I see a rider that I think clearly can move up, and is just tearing it up while riding smart and polite, I'll usually follow them in, compliment them and tell them that "If you wanted to bump to I, I'd be glad to make that recommendation"...otherwise I'm kinda expecting to be asked...
"...or checking to see how the rider we just passed handled it..." Huh. I wonder if thats it. I always slow up a bit when a coach passes me because i'm always expecting he/she will need me to follow or do something. Not a lot -i don't chop the throttle or anything- just gently back off in case they need me to follow up. Then once they rocket off i get back to it.
I've passed, looked behind to see how they handled it, and watched the bike and them sliding off the track before... I was like... OH CRAP! maybe I shouldn't have passed at the first brake marker at 140!!!!! (imagined my vortex of awesome speed sucking him off the bike) When I came back around I found out that the above mentioned rider had a brake line failure and crashed on his own! PHEW!