What gets you in the zone?

1529 Views 18 Replies 15 Participants Last post by PainfullySlo, Mar 9, 2015

863JOE

Discussion Starter · Mar 6, 2015

This may be more focused to track riders/racers, but what do you guys to do clear your minds and get in your zone before you go out? I'm going out for the first time and I know a clear and focused mind is a must, so I planned on listening to music before I went out. What's your mood music?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Oldhead

· #2 · Mar 6, 2015

A stress ball.

Hey Athletes: Ever Choke Under Pressure? Try This | Men's Fitness

XPyrion

· #3 · Mar 6, 2015

I tend to have butterflies all morning on a track day but I just chill in my chair or help others to keep my mind off it. As soon as I hop on the bike though, everything changes and I am in the zone.

Reactions: 3

hellonearth

· #4 · Mar 6, 2015

XPyrion said:
I tend to have butterflies all morning on a track day but I just chill in my chair or help others to keep my mind off it. As soon as I hop on the bike though, everything changes and I am in the zone.

exactly. I was so busy double-triple checking everything on the bike, i almost missed the call for my first session of the day lol, there was no need to get into the zone. I was nervous through lap one, but after that its on :drool

Reactions: 1

Off Camber

· #5 · Mar 6, 2015

The main distraction is often bike preparation. I like to have the bike fully prepped at home, with the only prep at the track being the tires (checking psi and warmers).

For my track education days:
After the riders meeting get your gear on and start to focus. Why are you here?
Often it's specific with new suspension adjustments or new riding improvements.

For first sessions on cool mornings I set my TC to 3 to avoid being surprised with tire spin and low sides.
I mentally review my basic techniques regarding throttle control, turn points, rate of turn, avoiding excess inputs, and widening my visual acuity.

If you don't make the first session, don't worry about it, usually the conditions are better at the end of the day and many have left.

Don't forget to have fun!

Reactions: 1

SSneekey6R

· #6 · Mar 6, 2015

Autozone.

Reactions: 5

oKayH

· #7 · Mar 6, 2015

- Ensure your bike isn't a POS well before your first TD.
- For your first time going, make a checklist, and ensure everything is checked off at least 2 days prior.
- Day before, relax and just load up your bike and gear.
- Day off, wake up rested and eat a solid breakfast
- Before you go out for the first time, make sure you BREATHE!
- Whatever you do, make sure you are having fun.

Music in the paddock works for me, along with pedaling around on a bicycle doing endos and other silly things.

PowerGroove

· #8 · Mar 6, 2015

I like to simply stay busy. The moment I toss a leg over the ol' girl and flip that visor down, I'm in the zone. Music is good... but I'm usually busy at the track so I don't get the option of headphones. I usually spend the morning working on the grid anyway and by the time I get to ride I'm antsy as phuck. So I usually eat lunch and relax... do some stretching and talk to my bike... (I'm serious... I talk to her).

Just smile. Don't think about too much. And when you first go out... just learn the lines. After you've gotten some basic lines down, then pick ONE thing to work on. Body position... relaxing (big one for me), or whatever. I also like picking one turn to work on most of the day.

Edit: Boobs. Boobs are also a great way to relax and find the zone. Just don't go grabbin' your chubby friends man-tits. It's not the same.

Reactions: 1

Todd

· #9 · Mar 6, 2015

Sex! Seriously, that's what is so great about having the RV at the track. I can wake my wife up for a quickie right before heading to the riders meeting and she can just roll over and go back to sleep for a little bit if she wants

Reactions: 5

NitrusReigns

· #10 · Mar 6, 2015

Todd said:
Sex! Seriously, that's what is so great about having the RV at the track. I can wake my wife up for a quickie right before heading to the riders meeting and she can just roll over and go back to sleep for a little bit if she wants

Man! Talk about a great day!!! :sigh:

spiderman636

· #11 · Mar 6, 2015

Todd said:
I can wake my wife up for a quickie right before heading to the riders meeting and she can just roll over and finish herself off if she wants

Fixed it for ya... Jk. Lol

Reactions: 4

PainfullySlo

· #12 · Mar 6, 2015

I have never been a nervous type so relaxing really hasnt been an issue.

Typically I will start by just closing my eyes and envisioning a lap in my head. Mentally run through the track, trying as best you can to keep to the actual time you run at.

By the time I am done with that I am amped up and ready to race. Closing the visor on my helmet is symbolic to me, it shuts out all distractions and non-racing input. It is serious business from that point on.

Reactions: 1

PowerGroove

· #13 · Mar 7, 2015

PainfullySlo said:
Closing the visor on my helmet is symbolic to me, it shuts out all distractions and non-racing input.

Love this line right here. So true!

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.

"I would bet that it would take years of practicing the art of meditation to get to this state of mind as quickly as I can flip down my shield and blast away on my bike." - Chuck Graves / Graves Motorsports

Reactions: 2

subiedude09

· #14 · Mar 7, 2015

Todd said:
Sex! Seriously, that's what is so great about having the RV at the track. I can wake my wife up for a quickie right before heading to the riders meeting and she can just roll over and go back to sleep for a little bit if she wants

When it comes down to going to my first track event, I'll be sure to let my girlfriend know that it is VERY IMPORTANT to have lots of sex to get prepaired....but in the meantime, ill let her know that sex before riding the street is just as important :devious:cheers

863JOE

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 9, 2015

Sex happened with the girlfriend. Multiple times. I wasn't nervous when I was out there, only at the hotel and on the way there. Once I got out there I was good.

AlexZX6R

· #16 · Mar 9, 2015

powergroove said:
i like to simply stay busy. The moment i toss a leg over the ol' girl and flip that visor down, i'm in the zone. Music is good... But i'm usually busy at the track so i don't get the option of headphones. I usually spend the morning working on the grid anyway and by the time i get to ride i'm antsy as phuck. So i usually eat lunch and relax... Do some stretching and talk to my bike... (i'm serious... I talk to her).

Just smile. Don't think about too much. And when you first go out... Just learn the lines. After you've gotten some basic lines down, then pick one thing to work on. Body position... Relaxing (big one for me), or whatever. I also like picking one turn to work on most of the day.

Edit: Boobs. Boobs are also a great way to relax and find the zone. Just don't go grabbin' your chubby friends man-tits. It's not the same.

lmfao!!!

AlexZX6R

· #17 · Mar 9, 2015

Todd said:
Sex! Seriously, that's what is so great about having the RV at the track. I can wake my wife up for a quickie right before heading to the riders meeting and she can just roll over and go back to sleep for a little bit if she wants

Whoa......wait....wait.....wait.....

So. Can I finish what you started with her? But you took off to the track? What about her needs? Nevermind.

Reactions: 1

Manolo

· #18 · Mar 9, 2015

I'm usually nervous the week of the track weekend. But once I get there, I'm busy setting up and help with tech inspections. Chatting with everyone and seeing who has attended. I'm calm at this point.

Once the rider meeting is over, the first sessions start rolling and put on my gear. I'm in the zone.

PainfullySlo

· #19 · Mar 9, 2015

I wrote this a while back which details my exact mental process before a race.

http://zx6r.com/zx6r/60195-life-behind-visor.html

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