The Hidden World of Riders’ Travel Habits

Beneath the roar of engines and scent of burning rubber lies a less glamorous reality. Professional superbike riders live a life that flits from place to place, far removed from the excitement fans see on the television each week.

For every adrenaline-fueled race, there are unseen hours of travel. Professional superbike riders spend more of their time in airports, hotels and rental cars than they do competing in the saddle. During the World Superbike Championship, the riders will visit 12 countries across four different continents.

This lifestyle is not easy and calls for a level of mental endurance that is only surpassed by their physical skill on the track.

The Constant Movement

During the average World Superbike season, riders can expect to travel over 100,000 miles, excluding the additional miles they accumulate on race day. Riders zigzag over the globe, travelling from Phillip Island in Australia to Circuito de Jerez in Spain via Donington Park in England. These transitions often happen with just days between races, meaning riders rarely settle in one location.

Riders are experts at early wake-up calls and 5 a.m. flights, making offices out of airport lounges, studying data, discussing strategy, working with trainers and sometimes just grabbing some shut-eye. There is no glamour here—just the cold truth of sprinting for a connecting flight at Terminal 5, carrying all their gear while scrambling to find their boarding pass.

Jet lag tags along like a trusted friend, pushing the limits of riders’ bodies before the first warm-up laps. Riders, including Jonathan Rea, have joked that they were running behind during the first half of the season and had to play catch-up the rest of the way.

The logistical side of being a professional rider further complicates things, as the bikes and equipment are shipped by freight. This frequently means the riders are left standing around waiting for their bikes to arrive, leaving them with time on their hands and few ways to help pass the time.

Once riders finally reach their destination, the challenges shift from airports to hotel rooms.

Hotel Life and Downtime

Sitting in hotel rooms, which are little more than temporary homes, is tough, but that is not the real challenge. That lies in how they fill their alone time. Most riders have evenings, afternoons or even entire days to kill. Some hit the gym, go for a run or explore their area. However, after several seasons, the routine becomes tiresome, as they’ve been there, done that. Others binge-watch Netflix shows, play video games, or check out a slot sites guide and try their luck with gambling.

Whatever they choose, riders must work out their own routine. The underlying similarity between the everyday rider pursuits is the desire to switch off and forget about the pressure of competition without damaging their focus or drive.

Many riders use their reputation to build social media accounts and brands, offering fans a look into the reality of their situation. A social media presence has also handed a modicum of control back to the drivers from the media, whose representations are not always accurate.

The Mental Game

The constant travel, time away from family and loved ones and pressure of competing at the highest level while exhausted place a huge and often unnoticed toll on riders’ mental health. The psychological impact of professional sports is not fully understood nor discussed with enough clarity, leaving riders feeling disconnected and isolated.

This pressure can break relationships and create barriers between partners, children and friends, as they become nothing more than voices and digital faces on a screen. While some riders are lucky and family members can join them on certain legs of the season, that comes at an extra cost and strain on their other general commitments.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that statistics show most riders put in their best performances while racing on their home course. Some argue this is simply due to better track knowledge, but the reality is that it’s because they are back with family, meeting friends, settling kids at night and sleeping in their own beds. Comfort and the sudden lack of mental strain is liberating, especially in a business where success and failure are separated by thousandths of a second.

This lifestyle often leaves riders in need of coping strategies, such as doubling down on training schedules, practicing mindfulness or engaging in regular meditation. Anything to calm their minds and bring a degree of stability into the ever-moving world.

The Human Side

Riders are humans too, and while they are out on the road thrilling millions of watching fans, they are missing out on birthdays, anniversaries and the simplicity of a Saturday night in front of the television with their partner. Rider Scott Redding has repeatedly spoken about not being there to see his daughter take her first steps, as he was away for a race in Asia.

Simple things from home become significant events for riders during the off-season. Getting their kids into bed, helping with homework, walking the dog and even cutting the grass are suddenly moments to be savoured.

The impact of a career as a professional rider not only affects the rider themselves, but everybody around them. Partners must manage the home alone. Children grow older, knowing their dad is away and won’t be there for specific events. Video calls replace hugs, and text messages replace bedtime stories. The result is that they, too, develop coping mechanisms to deal with the separation.

For top riders, the monetary reward goes a long way in compensating for these lost moments. Still, for those not battling for the crown, the costs often outweigh the benefits. Yet it is the life they chose and the sport they love, so they carry on regardless.

Conclusion

While it only takes you an hour or so to sit down and enjoy the Superbike race with a cold beer, it is just a fraction of the time the riders spend bringing you that entertainment. Every corner, every manoeuvre and every chequered flag is the result of long, lonely hours spent in planes, cars and hotels.

The life of a professional Superbikes rider is about more than physical fitness; it is about mental fortitude and resilience in their relationships and other walks of life. Delivering their very best week in and week out while making sacrifices many people will never know of.

While it may appear to be a fun and exciting life, the reality is that it’s a demanding one. When you see the riders celebrating on the podium, know that they have not only earned it through their performance, but also through the sacrifices they made to get there.