The Zone

askmrjesus · 11-20-2009, 10:27 PM

I blame racedoll for this thread, as I believe "The Zone" is the Achilles heel for many of us.

I know what you're thinking. What is this "Zone" you're talking about, and how do I get there?

The answer is, you don't. At least, not on purpose.

The Zone can not be forced. You can't buy in stores, or learn it's location from books or maps. You're in either there, or you're not. There is no in between.

We all have problems. Relationships, money, guilt, pride- I'll stop here, because it's a long fucking list. None of these things exist in the Zone.

The Zone is the perfect place, where confidence reigns supreme. It's not the place where you don't make mistakes, it's the place where you compensate for them, and keep going.

I'd like to hear about your personal zone, and how you think you got there.

JC

CrazyKell · 11-20-2009, 10:29 PM

I know it's hard to get there. It comes when you least expect it. And when you're there....it's fucking amazing.

I used to think I hit the zone on the street every now and then. That was nothing compared to the zone I hit on the track.

tached1000rr · 11-20-2009, 10:35 PM

Hmmn, initially I wanted to say that familiarity allows me to be in the zone, such as some of my favorite roads I ride where confidence does reign supreme, but I've also been in the zone on roads I've ridden for the first time and would have to say that situation is actually more of a in the zone type situation. One's mentality, perceptions and thoughts at that time plays a huge factor as well. I can't help but think of time sort of slowing down like the scenes from the matrix when you are in the zone, it's natural feeling, flows right, and seemingly effortless

smileyman · 11-20-2009, 10:37 PM

i've been there. It is Jedi cool and ultra sweet. You cant get there trying. Only way i have found it was intense concentration in a period of physical exertion. In 5 years racing i have only seen it 4 or 5 times.

Suddenly you, your bike, and the track are one. Your mind is connected to it all at once, you anticipate and feel with incredible perception, you

smileyman · 11-20-2009, 10:39 PM

you are detached but alive in the experience. Almost transcendental. Makes me real emotional afterwards but in a happy way.

Fleck750 · 11-20-2009, 11:08 PM

Smileyman has said it best.

Almost floating, everything is razor sharp, it all comes together in an almost religious event.

Don't really know how I get there, it just all falls into place. May last 30 mins. or just a few moments.

And it IS better than sex.

dReWpY · 11-21-2009, 04:51 AM

i can say that riding today with ftbstrd i almost hit that place, 70-80 through the tight turns of TN with another buell rider who is fast as shit, it was an awesome time... so close the rocks from his tires were bouncing off of my bike mid apex.... religous experience on two wheels

Riceaholic · 11-21-2009, 05:39 AM

I've been there alone and riding with others. It's funny because the few times it's happened with someone else's influence, it was easier to get back...

tommymac · 11-21-2009, 07:35 AM

usualy after about my 5th beer

tom

smileyman · 11-21-2009, 10:17 AM

Another cool phenomenon in the 'zone' is all the stuff you notice and experience that you dont need at the time or just casually correct and dismiss, that all comes back to you later.

Like once while racing I ducked to avoid 2 dragonflies humping. In a race, downshifting and braking downhill for a tight right hander. I saw it vividly, ducked it and forgot about it till later while sitting in the pits when it all comes back real clear.

11-20-2009, 10:27 PM	#1
askmrjesus Soul Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Everywhere, all the time. Moto: '0000 Custom Turbo Cross (with jet kit). Posts: 6,481	The Zone I blame racedoll for this thread, as I believe "The Zone" is the Achilles heel for many of us. I know what you're thinking. What is this "Zone" you're talking about, and how do I get there? The answer is, you don't. At least, not on purpose. The Zone can not be forced. You can't buy in stores, or learn it's location from books or maps. You're in either there, or you're not. There is no in between. We all have problems. Relationships, money, guilt, pride- I'll stop here, because it's a long fucking list. None of these things exist in the Zone. The Zone is the perfect place, where confidence reigns supreme. It's not the place where you don't make mistakes, it's the place where you compensate for them, and keep going. I'd like to hear about your personal zone, and how you think you got there. JC __________________ The way things are going, they're gonna crucify me.

11-20-2009, 10:37 PM	#4
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	i've been there. It is Jedi cool and ultra sweet. You cant get there trying. Only way i have found it was intense concentration in a period of physical exertion. In 5 years racing i have only seen it 4 or 5 times. Suddenly you, your bike, and the track are one. Your mind is connected to it all at once, you anticipate and feel with incredible perception, you __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

11-20-2009, 10:39 PM	#5
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	you are detached but alive in the experience. Almost transcendental. Makes me real emotional afterwards but in a happy way. __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

11-20-2009, 11:08 PM	#6
Fleck750 Spiker bike Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: KCK Moto: KZ750 Posts: 1,629	Smileyman has said it best. Almost floating, everything is razor sharp, it all comes together in an almost religious event. Don't really know how I get there, it just all falls into place. May last 30 mins. or just a few moments. And it IS better than sex. __________________ I ride way too fast to worry about cholesterol. ~Author Unknown Last edited by Fleck750; 11-20-2009 at 11:39 PM..

11-21-2009, 10:17 AM	#10
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	Another cool phenomenon in the 'zone' is all the stuff you notice and experience that you dont need at the time or just casually correct and dismiss, that all comes back to you later. Like once while racing I ducked to avoid 2 dragonflies humping. In a race, downshifting and braking downhill for a tight right hander. I saw it vividly, ducked it and forgot about it till later while sitting in the pits when it all comes back real clear. __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

11-20-2009, 10:29 PM	#2
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	I know it's hard to get there. It comes when you least expect it. And when you're there....it's fucking amazing. I used to think I hit the zone on the street every now and then. That was nothing compared to the zone I hit on the track.

11-20-2009, 10:35 PM	#3
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	Hmmn, initially I wanted to say that familiarity allows me to be in the zone, such as some of my favorite roads I ride where confidence does reign supreme, but I've also been in the zone on roads I've ridden for the first time and would have to say that situation is actually more of a in the zone type situation. One's mentality, perceptions and thoughts at that time plays a huge factor as well. I can't help but think of time sort of slowing down like the scenes from the matrix when you are in the zone, it's natural feeling, flows right, and seemingly effortless

11-21-2009, 05:39 AM	#8
Riceaholic High Life Drinker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tampa Bay Moto: 01 GSXR 1000 - Yamaha Zuma 125 Posts: 961	I've been there alone and riding with others. It's funny because the few times it's happened with someone else's influence, it was easier to get back...

11-21-2009, 07:35 AM	#9
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	usualy after about my 5th beer tom