S01E04: What the 2020 season taught me

Translating knowledge into action

I'm incredibly lucky for the instruction I've received in the last two seasons. And, I've wrestled all year with translating what I know into action. As I wind into the off-season, I took a few minutes to reflect on some of the season's challenges (bike selection, confidence, wrestling with motivation and why I ride) and some of this season's learnings. By the end of the season, with help from my coaches, husband, and riding friends -- and a literal six-week sprint working with an incredible sports psychologist in addition to my regular counselor -- I've remembered why I ride. And it feels SO GOOD.

Featured photo: G. Powers Photography (thank you, Gavin!)

Transcript:

Hello, Moto Curious! 

This season has been all over the map. Considering that we didn’t know, for awhile, if we would even HAVE a season, we’ve got a lot of blessings to count. We’re healthy, we’ve been blessed to be able to operate at our home track this year out with a few of our amazing local track day organizations, I’m still employed and my husband’s business -- which he started literally at the beginning of the pandemic – is up and running with an awesome 2021 season in the works.   

I’ve tried all summer to set and keep appointments with guests to share more stories from riders who inspire me – but between my day job schedule, work stress, and honestly a bit of the pandemic blues it’s been harder than usual for me to stick to any kind of schedule. And I haven’t been particularly motivated to share my own trials and tribulations with the bike – it’s been another season of  

Let’s call it  

Learning 

… 

First, deciding and then changing my mind about my track bike platform – my bike selection issues over the last year really hurt my confidence, and after a few false starts with bike selection I’m back up to speed on my Aprilia Tuono. It’s supposed to be my street bike … but for now, it’s my all-around until I figure out the right track bike package for me to work on what I want to work on with confidence.  

I learned that getting what I need from coaching and practice isn’t just about the coach or the curriculum – it’s about me putting in the work to be a better student, and to make sure I get what I need from coaches. That’s been a long road – and I’m really excited with the progress I’ve made on that front. In addition to Champ School, I had the gift of working the registration desk with Moto Vixens this year which meant I got to listen in on some of Jason Pridmore’s classroom instruction; and then we took a few days completely off to ride this year with Track Time and coaches we connected with through Ken Hill’s coaching network  

And between all that and a six week sprint with an incredible sports psychologist to work to build my toolkit for healthier mental habits  

The rider I am today is playing a whole different sport than the rider that started this season.  During my last track day last weekend I found myself doing something remarkable: having fun on my bike on the track. And I haven’t stopped smiling since – I’ve been struggling to love riding motorcycles for most of the year, and that love came so easy last weekend. Fingers crossed I can set myself up so that next season I start the season strong, instead of taking all season to figure out why I ride, all over again. I’m going to spend a little time this week writing my future self a letter on that front, so I don’t forget everything I’ve learned this year. And, I’m putting together an off-season plan: watching video laps, mentally rehearsing laps at my home tracks, working on my vision and continuing to work on my fitness and sticking with my non-sports-specific counseling to continue to develop my toolkit for responding instead of reacting – for remaining technical instead of getting emotional -- which has been a HUGE part of what’s helped me find my joy again toward the end of this season. 

If you’re thinking: why on earth is she talking about mental health stuff and self-regulation and … counseling? What the actual?! 

Then good for you that you’re one of the folks who doesn’t struggle with the same demons out there that some of the rest of us do. I envy you, honestly I do. And I know I’m not alone – all season, as I’ve worked to shift my thoughts away from destructive self-criticism and questioning to more helpful and productive thinking, I’ve noticed riders around me who struggle with the same patterns.  

A lot of people never question whether they belong in motorcycling, or whether they belong on the track.  

And a lot of us struggle with that question a lot. And I am SO HERE for that, too. You’re not alone. 

*** 

We also took a break despite the pandemic for a weekend riding the North Cascades loop with friends – it was my first time street riding in I don’t know how long, and we had beautiful weather, stunning views, great (distanced) time with our riding friends, and it was pretty incredible to see how the work we’ve done on the track in the last few seasons translated to increased safety on the street.  

So if I can wrangle my work schedule and energy level, I look forward to spending some time with you all over the next few months of our relative “off-season.” A few of you have said “yes” to joining me for episodes to share YOUR stories of your riding lives – I’ll put those chats back on the calendar and thank you for your patience with my 2020-ness over the summer. And if you have or know of a motorcycle-related story to share – especially one that helps other riders feel welcome and at home in our sport – I’d love to hear from you. Visit themotocurious.com and hit up the contact form, or email me at sara at themotocurious.com.  

Thanks for listening, and be safe out there!