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Riding Skills Series: Using Reference Points When Riding

Using Reference Points Using Double Apex Approach
Here's a shot of the first third of the slightly inappropriately named Sweeper on Buttonwillow Raceway Park's west loop with a plethora of visual reference points. Since it is decreasing radius in the clockwise configuration that Sport Rider tests with, I use a double-apex approach with an early turn-in point, then thread between the dark square patch (just right of center) and the long patch laid down by the outside wheel tracks of the cars.

Using Reference Points Scanning Ahead To The Apex Point
The square patch (left of center frame) is my cue for my final turn-in point about 15-20 feet beyond, depending on my confidence in the front-end traction and steering response of the bike I'm riding that session. My vision is already scanning ahead to the apex point on the curbing near the top center of the photo for a late final apex that allows me to pick up the bike off the edge of the tire and accelerate off Sweeper into the entrance of the esses section.

Using Reference Points Have Center Portion Of Vision Scanning At Least One Reference Point Ahead
The long patch from the car's outside wheel tracks continues through the middle of Sweeper, shown here. My cornering line crosses over to the left side of the long patch just at the lower edge of the photo; then I'm looking for the square patch that looks like a dot on a lower-case "i." Always have the center portion of your vision scanning (not stopping and fixating) at least one reference point ahead of the bike to keep your line smooth and stay ahead of where you and the bike are on the track.

Using Reference Points Using The Curbing
Whenever possible, use reference points on the track surface itself, or in this case the curbing. Here the rubber laid down over the curbing by cars at Buttonwillow makes an excellent visual cue for my final apex. Don't, however, allow your vision to fixate here; instead be scanning ahead to the exit point or, better yet, the entrance to the next turn.


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