Finally, a track day – worth every nerve

So, now I have the answer to how my very first proper track day went. Spoiler alert: it was the most fun I’ve had in a very long time!

Was I nervous? Yes. Extremely nervous, in fact. Did I think I would be the only one feeling confused and apprehensive? Absolutely. Is it scary to do something you’ve never done before? Without a doubt. Did I want to back out? Definitely. Did I take part anyway? Of course I did. Do I regret it? Not for a second. Life is too short not to dare to do the things you dream about.

That beginner’s feeling

My experience of riding on track is actually quite extensive. I’ve attended SMC courses for more than ten years. I’ve ridden at different circuits and in different pace groups. I’ve met countless people from all sorts of backgrounds, riding all kinds of motorcycles. I’ve been a beginner myself, and later helped many newcomers find their feet and feel welcome on their very first training day. To suddenly find myself in a new environment and feeling like a beginner again was quite unfamiliar, so how was this going to work out?

I’d been curious for a long time about trying something other than SMC’s training events on larger circuits. I’d reached a point where I felt I wanted to develop my pure track riding skills further, and I wasn’t quite getting there. So eventually I signed up for both a women’s day and a mixed track day organised by Färg & MC-center in Uddevalla. Enough with the overthinking and indecision!

A women’s day felt like a safe place to start. I had expected more women to attend, but it was the first time Färg & MC-center had organised a dedicated women’s track day, and the weather forecast was looking a little uncertain.

I suspect that alone put some people off. Anything new can be difficult to attract people to. You have nothing to compare it to and no one who can tell you what it was like last time.

I arrived at Kinnekulle the day before the women’s event to unload my motorcycle and then head to my hotel in Götene. I was probably a little too early, because there weren’t many people around and no organisers were in sight. This is going to be interesting, I thought. How am I supposed to unload the bike?

Fortunately, someone soon offered a helping hand. Otherwise, the solution would simply have been to wait. There are always people arriving to stay at the circuit or, like me, to unload their bikes. Why worry? Things always work themselves out.

I know how to do this!

Then came the big day. Knowing the circuit already was reassuring. At least that wasn’t something I needed to worry about. What concerned me more was how everyone else would ride and what sort of pace would be maintained. With SMC, you get clear instructions and structured coaching. Would it be the same here? Or would it be complete chaos with odd racing lines and wildly different speeds? All my worries disappeared during registration.

The team from Färg & MC-center welcomed everyone with big smiles and open arms, answering every question that came their way. There was also a riders’ briefing first thing in the morning, covering everything from on-track rules to practical details such as where the toilets were located, as well as explaining how the day would run.

There would be instructors and coaches out on track throughout the day, showing racing lines and offering feedback to anyone who wanted it. They were easy to spot in their bright yellow vests. Speed was one of my biggest concerns. However, when booking, everyone had already been asked which pace group they felt suited them. There were originally meant to be four groups, but because the women’s day had relatively few participants, it was reduced to three: slow/intermediate, intermediate/fast, and a race group for licensed riders.

I was placed in the intermediate/fast group. Well, I thought, that’ll have to do. I don’t mind being overtaken. Then it was time for the first session. My nerves are always at their peak when standing in the paddock waiting to head out for the first session of the day. On this occasion, they were somehow even higher. But the instructor set off at a calm pace, showing the way. All I had to do was follow, relax and breathe. I know how to do this.

As for speed? Well, it should always be your speed. The pace you feel comfortable with.

Naturally, there were differences between participants, and if someone was clearly in the wrong group, the organisers would move them so that everyone could ride comfortably. What really struck me was how different it felt to ride without having specific exercises to focus on. Suddenly, all my attention could be directed towards vision, corner entry and exit, precision and body position.

For once, I could simply ride the circuit. Exactly what I had been longing for and exactly what I needed. When the day came to an end, I couldn’t have been happier. I was delighted with both my own riding and the event as a whole.

Day two

The second day was a mixed event, organised by the same team from Färg & MC-center in Uddevalla. The biggest difference from the previous day was that the paddock was now almost entirely male. What surprised me, however, was the variety of riding gear and motorcycles. I’d imagined a sea of one-piece leather suits and sports bikes.

Instead, there were textile suits and adventure bikes too. Brilliant!

I had signed up for the slow group because it felt like a sensible place to start. I had no real idea what counted as intermediate or fast pace. I assumed there would only be a handful of us there. After all, who wants to ride slowly? Once again, my assumptions were completely wrong. The group was full. And no, it wasn’t just riders in textile gear either. There were leather suits there as well. In fact, even the fast group was a mixture of leather and textile clothing. When will I learn never to judge by appearances?l

Why did I wait so long?

The mixed day followed the same format as the women’s event, with a riders’ briefing in the morning and instructors available throughout the day to help wherever needed. Riders could also move between groups if necessary or if they wished to do so. The most important thing was that everyone felt comfortable and could ride at their own pace.

The nerves before the first session simply weren’t there anymore. The atmosphere in the paddock that morning had been so welcoming that I felt completely at ease, just another rider among many others. I was here to ride too, and nobody thought there was anything unusual about that.

So I headed out onto the track and carried on exactly where I had left off the previous day: enjoying the simple pleasure of focusing entirely on riding, and on riding smoothly and precisely.

There really aren’t words to describe how pleased I was with my riding. For the first time, I felt I was finally beginning to develop the skills that are specific to track riding.

Over those two days, both my pace and my confidence seemed to grow with every session.

What an incredible feeling. The conclusion after my very first track day is simple: I absolutely want to do this again. It was so much fun.

And honestly, why didn’t I try it sooner? Still, as the saying goes, better late than never.