07-20-2006, 01:56 PM
stevegula Wrote:If there's a bike there, you can hear it. That's all that matters.
ah ok, well that's a bit of new information that makes some sense. I didn't realize there was any chance of hearing another bike behind you when yours is as loud as his. But if that's the skill you're supposed to be developing (that or The Force :wink: ), then that's pretty cool. So how far back can you hear them?
My other concern from a school perspective is that if I know someone's come up behind me pretty quickly, then I'm going to stick to a classic line and try extra hard to be predictable (and not screw up) so he can get by safely. But if I wasn't expected to know, then how would I know when it's safe to play with my line? Just sticking to "my line" all the time in case some unknown bike wants to pass me is kind of unrealistic when my line in just about any group should be a little dynamic as I try new things. From my perspective, it would be less safe to try to pass an intermediate level rider if he didn't know you were there, because he might be trying something odd or new. Just a thought.
stevegula Wrote:Y'all seem to think, or have atleast been posting like it, that those on the track are only really great riders. In the Intermediate groups there's always a mix of those who just made it in, those who have been there awhile, and those working their way into Advance. Or you'll have people that are fast enough to be there but are still working on comfort levels with certain things like close passing. So I've been trying to explain that sometimes shit simply happens.
oh no, I think any of us with any track experience understand that. Sounds to me like your "intermediate" group is just as mixed as ours. And shit does happen. But that doesn't mean we should ignore the chance to prevent it.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van