Kelly’s Korner: Seeking the Beginner’s Mind for 2015
Last Updated: February 6th, 2021
My New Year’s Resolution? No Resolutions, Just One Riding Goal
‘Tis my least favorite part of the holidays: The season for resolutions.
The whole “I resolve to…” line of thinking is fraught with failure. Too often, we expect resolutions to inspire immediate results and, when that doesn’t happen, we give up and return to old behaviors that don’t serve us. So let’s eschew the resolutions trap and focus instead on goals — scratch that, a goal. When it comes to your riding, I challenge you to take just ONE aspect and make it better than ever in 2015.
Here are some ideas:
- Become more knowledgeable about how your bike works by taking a class and/or reading a manual;
- Beef up a particular skill such as cornering by taking a class and /or riding with people who can provide feedback and instruction;
- Map out a major road trip or two for the year;
- Ride on the track, whether to pursue racing or to improve your technique, or both;
- Get in shape so your riding experience becomes more enjoyable.
For me, it’s simple: I will be focusing on the basics (I see “basics” as a single pursuit). I’ve been riding long enough that it’s time to go back to the beginning, to identify and redirect any poor habits I’ve formed before they become too ingrained, and to work on the core skills — especially hard stops and swerving — that could save my life. I’ve spent the past year concentrating mostly on dirt and track riding, which has allowed my street skills to deteriorate somewhat.
As I consider this goal — and as you look ahead to yours — it will be crucial to bring an open mind to the experience. Zen masters like to call this “Beginner’s Mind” or “Child’s Mind.” I value that approach. However, I also see how it would be useful to consider my personal experience — not so I can resist information, but so I can compare what I have been doing to what I am being told to do. As true beginners, we don’t have a starting point for comparison. I want to make the most of the riding lessons I’ve learned so far by setting my habits alongside new data so I can decide what makes sense to change and what does not.
Give the matter some thought. Define one area that feels right to address in your riding this year, and then figure out the specific steps you must take to reach the goal. For example, my goal requires that I secure some one-on-one training time with a riding instructor, and then get out on my street bike more often to practice.
What are your plans? I’d love to hear what one aspect of your riding you’re going to make better than ever in 2015.
For the Entire TEAM Arizona Newsletter Content, CLICK HERE
