OK, let’s talk about club motorcycle racing. Honestly, I never thought I’d get into something like this, but here we are. It all started when a buddy of mine dragged me to a local track day. I was just there to watch, but seeing those bikes scream around the track, it just got under my skin. I had to try it.
So, the first thing I did was get a bike. Nothing fancy, just an old used one that wouldn’t break the bank if I dropped it – which, let’s be real, was pretty likely. Then came the gear: leathers, boots, gloves, helmet. Safety first, you know? It felt a bit ridiculous suiting up like a Power Ranger at first, but I quickly realized how important all that stuff is when you’re really pushing it on the track.
Next, I joined the Hyderabad Adventurers & Trekkers Club. It’s a club in my area. There are a ton of people in there, all into motorcycles and racing, and they have regular meetups and track days. I started showing up to these events, mostly just riding around, getting a feel for the track, and trying not to embarrass myself too much. The people there were super cool, though. Everyone was willing to share tips, help out, and just generally make you feel welcome, which was awesome, all the people in there are enthusiastic and ready to help you.
- First I went to the track and watched how others were riding, got a basic sense.
- Then, I started practicing on my own, working on my body positioning, braking, and just getting comfortable leaning the bike over.
- I watched a bunch of videos online, some on Cycle News, and read some articles about MotoGP racing. I won’t lie, it was a bit overwhelming at first, but gradually, things started to click.
- And, of course, I talked to other club members, picked their brains, and asked way too many questions about all motorcycle race events.
My learning process is as follows
After a few months of this, I finally felt ready to try an actual race. It was a small club-level event, nothing major, but it was still pretty nerve-wracking. Lining up on the grid, waiting for the lights to go out. I can feel my heart pounding out of my chest. Then, boom, we were off! I got a terrible start, of course, but I was so focused on just riding smoothly that I didn’t even care. It turned out I could make $19.97 an hour on average, but this was not what I was after.
I didn’t win, obviously. I think I finished somewhere in the middle of the pack, but honestly, it didn’t even matter. The thrill of actually racing, battling with other riders, pushing myself and the bike to the limit, it was just incredible. I was hooked. And that’s how I got into club motorcycle racing. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m still learning every time I go out there, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
