That's when an Attitude Adjustment is called for. Maybe you've met up with other riders at a new Canyon and tried to run with them. You figure ,"If they can ride it that fast, so can I", not knowing they have been through it dozens of times. In fact, they went through it 4 times that morning before you showed up!! This recently happened to me. But, knowing my limits, and liking the paint on my bike, I decided to back off. I knew I could ride as well as one of the riders but I was unfamiliar with the canyon and had no idea what lie ahead.
Even worse than that is a rider who tries to race everyone and shouldn't, because he doesn't know his own limits. I've seen many riders go through corners too fast and end up on the wrong side of the road. A certain death when that lane is already occupied. That's what happened at Mulholland Drive. One rider was going up Mulholland and 4 were coming down. The one lone rider crossed over into the unsuspecting four riders and bikes and riders were everywhere. It is too bad the one lone rider didn't find an Attitude Adjustment sooner.
I got my Attitude Adjusted when my friend and I were racing through Lee Canyon. We had been there many times before. We both knew it well. Usually I lead. This time I let him lead. We turned in from the main road and he was ready to show me he could make it through faster than I ever could. But he didn't see the gravel patch and off into the dirt he went. Luckily he stayed upright and we were off again. I didn't think much of it. It could happen to anyone I though. After a couple more turns we came into high speed sweepers. At 100mph the only thing to be concerned with is the road. Well my friend wanted to know exactly how fast he was going. He glanced at his speedo, and when he looked up he was on the wrong side of the road going for on coming traffic. Again, luckily, he was unharmed. From that point on I kept my distance and slowed down. Not because I doubted my riding ability, but because I think I was pushing him beyond his.
Face it, we all need an Attitude Adjustment once in a while. If you want to ride hard, do it were no one else will get hurt, either out of town or on a track. This year we will begin our season on the track. I have never been a big advocate of going to the track, but it is really a good place to push yourself beyond your own limits in a controlled enviroment. If you haven't got an Adjustment yet, you will. Hopefully before somebody gets hurt. Until then ride hard, but GEAR-UP.
