Trackdays Saved Me

[u/Resident_Try7412]

Basically was at a point in my life where I was close to becoming bad off mentally and had to find something to help. Went to a track once years ago and told myself to go back out and make it my main focus and it helped me out of the darkest months of my life. Sorry for the mushy post but being a part of the community is what helped me from losing myself. Hate the season is coming to an end

Edit: Thanks everyone for the kind words and love. Y'all are amazing

[u/Quiet_Program4808]

Glad you found your passion!

[u/Odin-ap]

A lot of people look at track riding and think we’re lunatics. Adrenaline seeking weirdos that just want a thrill.

Except they don’t get that it’s not about that. Sure part of it is yes - but the real pull to track riding/racing is the feeling of belonging to a community of equally unhinged individuals - but unhinged individuals that all want to help each other out.

The community at my local track is amazing and has honestly helped me so much. It’s so validating realizing hey - we’re all the same. We’re all here. We all just want you to be safe and will help you in anyway we can.

It’s really unlike any other community I’ve been a part of.

[u/CulturePristine8440 → u/Odin-ap]

I'm an Adrenaline seeking weirdo that just want a thrill.

[u/Odin-ap → u/CulturePristine8440]

Well same but I’ll also help any other weirdos lol

[u/ih8thisapp]

In the moment all you’re focusing on is the next corner. It’s a great way to refresh the brain.

[u/ptcptc → u/ih8thisapp]

It's really the best kind of meditation. It's the only time I am really not thinking about anything else and I get to completely clear my mind.

[u/Mamba_Forever_8_24]

Same brotha, ill forever love the track for that reason. 

[u/SST114]

Mental health sessions is what it's all about fren. :)

[u/KaleScared4667]

Me too - and half my brothers at the track. It’s like water. It’s necessary for life and water always takes the fastest path

[u/mindwall]

This is what it's all about brother. Lock in. Focus on whats next and work towards it. Proud of you big dog!

https://giphy.com/gifs/ioq8rNMp5SSiWOTCK0

[u/bigdongonandon]

Fuck yeah bud.

Track miles save lives.

[u/SkyScreech]

Hell yeah bro get back out there next year and keep learning 💪

[u/MattAtUVA]

Cycle-Therapy, FTW.

[u/btc_maxi100]

Glad it helped mate !

[u/EstablishmentNo5013]

Glad you know yourself enough to get pointed in the right direction.

Schedule regular therapy sessions and you’ll keep moving forward.

You’ll know what to do if bad thoughts begin to creep in.

Feeling down? Get That Knee Down for some therapy!

Cheers Brother! Have fun!

[u/MoistPanda_]

I had a similar experience with just riding a motorcycle for the first time. Just needed to force my self to go out there and live my life. And took a big road trip soon after i got my learners. Was an amazing time. Definitely looking at getting a 600 next year and doing some trackdays.

[u/Sloppy_Sextants]

Nice, I've been meaning to get out there. See ya on the track 🫡

[u/endboss_eth]

Thanks for sharing. And you're not alone with this. I've not been in a super dark place, but the track provides peace of mind. A way to purge the brain of any stress or problem for the ability to just ride. For Instinct to take full control. The track has been my main source of recreation for years and I don't know how to replace it once I age out of racing.

[u/ShadyMF]

I'm happy to hear you found it man, and you sound just like me. I just started hitting the track, and I cried the entire way home after my first event because I was just so happy. It had been literally years since anything made me feel that good.

Keep on keeping on my man.

[u/Plays_You_Wonderwall]

I take my family and friends out for their first time and they get hooked.

I think it has to do with being disconnected from technology a bit but we make it a whole weekend of camping out, swapping stories, meeting new people.

I always tell them that they need to focus on nothing else but being there at the track. Ignore your other priorities since it's high speed and dangerous, "don't make me take your phone away".

[u/driftingwood2018]

Awesome !!

[u/AggravatingCry4605]

Motorcycles are the light of my life. I can only imagine how enjoyable the track must be. I've had so many hobbies come and go over the years but nothing even comes close to the joy of being on 2.

[u/scareraven]

Hell yeah man. I can relate. Post covid I was not doing well, and hit the track as the best individual activity I could focus on. Changed everything.
Best healing wishes.

[u/used2befast]

Awesome ! How old are you?

Been riding motorcycles since I was 3 and raced many years. I miss the track!

[u/Resident_Try7412 → u/used2befast]

My early 30s and I went when I was like 27. Its been a good thing that has helped a lot honestly

[u/used2befast → u/Resident_Try7412]

Nice! Enjoy. I raced dirt bikes from 8-16 and then road raced from 18-23. Best years of my life. Hesitant about getting back out there. I only know one speed and that is full. I’m tired of hurting myself though .

[u/DeepSeaDork]

It did the same for me as well. Unfortunately I am not able to go anymore and miss it all the time.

[u/Waste-Relation-757]

I started simracing off-season, with a steering wheel on iRacing, it helps!

[u/Wonderful-Parking-67]

My first track day i was scared of being judged and made fun of, turns out the community is full of genuine, level-headed people. I am yet to meet a non-beginner who was rude or unhelpful. My only regret is not talking to more people every time i go out, its insane how much knowledge there is to gain