🏁 Rider Reset Series. Part 2 - "Know Yourself – Ride Your Own Race."

The power of self-awareness, realistic goals, and staying focused on your own path

In motocross, it’s easy to look sideways. At the start gate. In the pits. On the leaderboard. You see riders who are faster, smoother, braver. You wonder, “Am I behind?” But here’s the truth: You’re not behind. You’re on your own path.

Motocross is personal. Everyone comes into the sport with different experience, strengths, fears, and goals. So, the most important thing you can do as a rider is this:

👉 Know yourself — and race your own race.

🧭 Why Self-Awareness Matters

Being a strong rider doesn’t start with speed. It starts with clarity.

• What are you already good at?

• What do you struggle with?

• What’s getting in your head before the gate drops?

• Where are you in your development — not where someone else is?

  
  

Riders who know their strengths, their style, and their sticking points are the ones who improve faster. Why? Because they’re not chasing someone else’s highlight reel — they’re building on their own foundations.

You don’t have to be the fastest right now. You just have to be honest with where you're at — and be willing to grow from there.

🎯 Stretch Goals vs. Stress Goals

Not all goals are created equal. Some goals help you level up. Others just leave you feeling defeated.

At R31, we talk about two types:

🟢 Stretch Goals — These push you just enough to improve. They're based on where you’re at right now. They’re measurable, realistic, and personal.➡ “I want to improve my corner speed by picking one spot to commit to every lap.” ➡ “My goal is to stay calm and ride smart through the whole first lap.”

🔴 Stress Goals — These are vague, often based on others, and hard to measure. They create pressure without purpose.➡ “I want to win this weekend.”➡ “I need to be faster than those two riders in my class.”

The problem with stress goals? Even when you improve, it might still feel like you failed. That’s a fast track to frustration.

Instead, work with goals that build belief, not burnout.

🔄 Reflect, Don’t Compare

Instead of asking:❌ “Why can’t I ride like them?” Try asking:✅ “What’s one thing I want to improve from last round?”

Progress isn’t always something you’ll see on a results sheet. It might look like:

• Hitting that jump you’ve been avoiding

• Holding your line under pressure

• Recovering from a mistake without giving up

These are big wins — even if no one else notices.

After each ride, take a moment to reflect:

• What felt better than last time?

• What threw you off?

• What’s something I want to try again — or try differently?

Do that consistently, and you’ll start building a plan that works for you.

And hey — if you do catch yourself asking “Why can’t I ride like them?” Flip it. Instead, ask: “What can I learn — and what’s one thing I can do better next time?”

🧠 Know What You Need to Succeed

Not every rider needs the same things to perform well.Some need music. Others need silence. Some need time alone. Others need to talk it out.

Think about what helps you feel confident and focused:

• Do you ride better when you visualise the track before heading out?

• Do you need reminders to breathe and stay calm on the start line?

• Does writing down a goal before each moto help you stay clear-headed?

The more you understand how you work, the more in control you’ll feel — no matter what the competition is doing.

🚀 Your Turn: Reflect and Reset                                                   

Let’s take it back to you.

✅ What’s one area of your riding you’re proud of right now?

✅ What’s a skill or habit you want to develop next?

✅ What kind of goals help you stay focused without feeling overwhelmed?

✅ Are you chasing growth — or just chasing others?

Take a moment this week to think honestly about where you’re at — not with judgement, but with purpose. Then write your next goal. Make it yours.

Because this sport isn’t about who you beat — It’s about who you become.

Remember- Ride Ready- Race Ready!

Why not check out our website (www.r31mx-adventure.com.au) for more information like this? Become an R31 Club Member and see what it’s all about. Join the R31 Pit Crew and get your chance to be part of the Think Tank — a space to dive into discussions like these with like-minded people who are chasing their goals, just like you.

We also host monthly Pit Stop Meet Ups (included as part of the Pit Crew Pass) — our live online sessions where riders and families can come together to chat, share insights, ask questions, and reflect in real time. It’s a great way to stay connected, stay motivated, and be part of a positive, supportive riding community — no matter where you are.

Sharing ideas, learning from others, and belonging to a strong community all help progress a rider — or a parent supporting a rider — by building confidence, connection, and the momentum to keep improving.

📚 Australian Resources Referenced

• Sport Australia Mental Fitness Framework

• AIS Mental Health in Sport Guidelines

• Motorcycling Australia Rider Pathways

• Play by the Rules Coaching Support Tools