🏍️ Track Days Ain’t For Wannabes, Brother

🚦The First Time I Hit The Track, I Almost Pissed Myself

Back in ‘02, I showed up to my first track day like a damn fool—half-cocked confidence, full tank of gas, and zero clue what the hell I was doing. I had no gear worth a damn, no prep done on my bike, and my ego was bigger than my braking zone. Two laps in, I got passed by a 60-year-old on a 400cc who made me look like I was out for groceries. That day taught me something: the track doesn’t lie—and it sure as hell doesn’t care about your bike’s badge or your barroom stories.

🔧 What Every Rookie Screws Up (And How Not To Die Trying)
🧠 Know What You're Getting Into

This ain’t a bike night at Applebee’s. A track day is controlled chaos, science class, and therapy all rolled into one. It’s where you learn what your bike—and you—are actually made of. You’ll feel things like traction, weight transfer, and real braking power. You’ll also feel fear. That’s good. Fear keeps your ass upright.

If you're showing up thinking you're gonna race? Stay home. Track days are about learning, not proving you’re the second coming of Rossi. Respect the format, respect the rules, and for the love of motor oil—respect your limits.

🛠️ Prep Your Bike Or Stay The Hell Home

Here’s a list of what you better have done before roll call:

• Fresh oil change 🛢️

• Brake pads with meat on ‘em 🧱

• Tires with life left (no crusty sidewalls, genius) 🛞

• Coolant that won’t piss all over the asphalt 💦

• No fluid leaks (unless you like red flags and dirty looks) 🧯

• Safety wire or tape over your damn lights 💡

Track techs are not there to babysit. They’re there to stop you from turning the course into a slip-and-slide.

👊Gear Up Or Get Gone

You need:

• A full-face DOT or SNELL lid (no half-shells, Captain Freedom)

• Leather or textile suit that zips together

• Boots that cover your ankles

• Gloves that go over the wrist

• A spine protector unless you want your vertebrae turned into trail mix

This is not negotiable. The pavement don’t care about your fashion sense—it’ll eat you alive if you show up half-dressed.

🧘‍♂️ Ride Smooth, Not Fast

The key to not dying on track day? Smooth throttle, clean lines, relaxed inputs. Every newbie grabs a fistful of brake and thinks they’re Valentino. You wanna be fast? You gotta be consistent first. That means brake before the turn, throttle through it, and never—NEVER—chop the gas mid-corner unless you want a surprise highside.

Your ego’s gotta take a backseat to learning. Ride like you’re trying to get better, not like you’ve got something to prove. Fast comes later. Right now? We’re aiming for controlled.

💬 Pro Tip 🛠️

Tape your damn mirrors. You shouldn’t be looking behind you unless your name’s Maverick and you’re hunting MiGs. The track is about looking ahead, planning every apex, and being where you need to be—before you get there.

🤘You In Or You Flinching?

Wanna ride like a goddamn apex predator instead of a shaky parking-lot cowboy? Good.

Ride Smart, Brake Later,
Blake “Iron Sage” Rivers

P.S. The track doesn’t lie, brother. Either you’re ready—or you’ll find out real quick you ain’t. Don't say I didn’t warn you.