He finally followed him back 🥹

This video is from a session where I finally got one of the faster local guys to tuck in behind me for a few laps. Most of the time I am the one doing the chasing, so having the camera perspective flipped was a different kind of pressure. You can see exactly where I am placing the bike through the rhythm section and how I am trying to square up the corners to keep my momentum from stalling out.

It felt pretty intense because you can hear his engine right on your rear fender the whole time. You start thinking about protecting the inside line instead of just riding your own race. I had to force myself to stop looking back and just focus on hitting my marks. My heart rate was pinned because I knew if I messed up a single transition he was going to blow right past me.

If you watch the flat turn after the tabletop, you will notice my rear end stepping out just a bit. I was trying to stay in the tiny bit of moisture left in that outside rut instead of sliding out on the hard pack center. It is a risky line choice because if you miss it by an inch you are hitting the dry slick and losing your front end.

My biggest takeaway was realizing how much smoother I ride when I know someone is watching my back wheel. It makes you tighten up your body position and stop making those lazy mistakes you get away with when you are out there alone.