Riding hard is whatever hard is for your ability.
My friends and I do/did, nothing like we used to be. Old age(mid 30's
)and kids have seriously slowed us down.
We are fortunate to have countless miles of great curves with little if any traffic. A lot of it has no side roads or driveways either. As well as a half mile straight stretch way out in the cut at a dead end for stunts. We also stay in our lane. We drag knees on occasion.
The highways here are practically empty aside from work flow traffic at certain times of morning and afternoon. Empty road makes for mile+ plus wheelies...with no one in danger other than us.
We were young and foolish once, and thank GOD we didn't kill someone. Fortunantly that's been many years ago.
It all really depends on your surroundings. Can you see what's coming, and a from a long way?
Are there no other cars on the road? Are you sure?
Are you mentally prepared to crash? To die?
Do you panic when you hit gravel, or when an animal runs out in front of you? Panic will kill you.
I can say that personally I have the same state of mind regardless of my riding situation, even under pressure. Not bragging, but that's just how I'm wired. I don't tense up, ever. I'm always relaxed.
That has saved me from countless close calls, of my own fault, and the endless supply of idiot drivers out there.
I had one good 70ish mph lowside through a sharp curve. Low 40's outside, sand all over the road, 3' snow banks in the ditch, and riding like an idiot for the conditions. I rode away, I actually liked it. I am well versed in crashing from MX, and am highly skilled at it
There are right and wrong ways to crash too, learn the difference
Staying relaxed helps keep you alive, just like a drunk driver in a crash, they don't tense up and statistically have much less injuries because of it.
Panic and stress will kill you quickly on a bike, and most everywhere else in life for that matter.
Have you ever seen a bad motorcycle crash happen, and the aftermath? Ever had broken bones and serious injuries?
Do you know your limits? I'de say you do from your posts. A wise man finds and knows his limits.
You have to push them at some point to improve, but is the risk worth the gain to you? Is it your risk only, or whoever else is on the road too?
I've been riding for 24 years(I'm 36). I started on dirtbikes, did a couple seasons of 250B mx, did a little drag racing(not really my thing), been wheelieing since bmx bicycles, and have been street riding for 18 years. Not saying I'm good either, just at a level that I'M happy with...ME. I'm not competing with anyone...at least anymore.
I like to stunt and wheelie. I like to drag knees. I know my limits. I rarely push them anymore(occasionally I have to school some young punk
). I no longer endanger anyone other than myself, and the guys I ride with, but they know the deal.
Ride your own ride. My Dad told me when I was very young, "It doesn't matter how tough you are, because somewhere there's always going be someone just as tough or tougher waiting for you".
That applies to most things in life. Who are you competing against? Hopefully only yourself.
Take a step back, look at the big picture, ask yourself the tough questions.
If you have a place to street ride and not endanger anyone else, know your limits, and accept the risks...then have at it. Otherwise, you need to make some serious changes.
Progress slowly, take it easy, if you practice then gradually your skill will improve.
Everyone makes mistakes, regardless of skill level.
Accept that everyone has a bad day now and then, and know when you're having one. Don't ride, or turn around and go home.
Finally, know who you're riding with.
I've been rear ended by another bike, fortunately for me the damage to me and my bike were minimal.
The other guys bike was totaled. He had some serious rash and shredded palms. The one day he didn't wear his gloves too.
Ride like you're invisible, assume everyone is trying to hit you, relax, ride your own ride, and most of all...enjoy it. Tommorrow is promised to no one, but try to live to be there.
