Passion, Experience & Growth

Walking On Fire

May 26, 2023

Since my first day on the track, riding over 110 mph at the VIR Patriot Course in 2009, I’ve been exploring the nature of fear on two wheels.

At the limit, fear is inevitable. How we respond to it—that is a skill that can be developed.

Twice in 2009, and then back on the track on two wheels in 2011, 2012 and 2013, I experienced that space again. With each session on the track, I explored the edge of fear.

I found on the Main track at Summit Point that the fear at 110, and again, at 130, was an illusion. But, above 150 mph, the fear seemed to become more real: Getting down to 40 mph for turn 1 meant shedding 110 mph, and the risk of braking too late became very real.

One time, I closed on turn 1 at over 80 mph. In that afternoon session, that pace felt “slow.” We’d been briefed about this problem in the training sessions each morning. And I knew the experience from entering pit lane and rolling through the paddock: coming off the track, 60 mph feels like walking, until you encounter a pedestrian or other traffic. Checking your speedometer as you enter the paddock is vital.

But in this particular scenario, I was still on the track. When I looked down, I saw 80 when I was supposed to see 40. Fortunately, the track had room, and the GSX-R1000 had the braking capacity. The bike had won professional championships at the real limit. The only problem on this day was me!

But my fear was the reality.

Late one night in 2023, watching the bonfire burning down, I thought of fire walkers.

Paper burns at 451. A match burns at around 700. The coals at the core of this particular fire, over 1,400. I wouldn’t walk on them! But it is practiced. And I believe it is real.

Lee Parks talked about fear in his book, Total Control:

Every motorcyclist has what I refer to as a "fear threshold." A fear threshold is a point at which the level of fear becomes so great that the rider’s mind cannot process any additional information.

When it comes to motorcycling, or hot coals, what we believe matters.

Experience shows that the “fear threshold” can be moved with practice.

Experience changes our relationship with fear.

Long ago, I heard that the reason fire-walking is possible is that the exterior layer of ash on each coal provides a very small amount of insulation. Walking without hesitation minimizes the contact with the heat in each coal, and enables the walker to traverse the coals relatively unscathed.

But hesitate for even a moment, and you end up on a stretcher headed to the hospital with third degree burns.

On the motorcycle, and walking over hot coals, fear alters how you face reality.

Moving forward courageously enables you to surmount obstacles that would destroy those less courageous. Hesitation due to fear can have devastating consequences.

Whatever your path, move forward courageously. You may discover a realm you didn’t realize was possible.