Riding courses or open practice: which is better for your level?

There are two main ways to ride on circuit: booking an open track day with level-based groups, or taking a riding course with an instructor. Both are valid, but for different stages of a rider's journey. Choosing correctly speeds up progression; choosing wrong can slow it down more than necessary. ## What is an open track day? In an open session, the circuit is divided into level groups and each rider rides at their own pace within the group. There is no instructor correcting technique or giving briefings between sessions. Learning comes from repetition, watching other riders, and ideally following someone faster who can show you reference points visually. It is the most common and accessible format. It allows riders to cover a lot of kilometres and develop their own feel for the circuit. ## What is a riding course? In a course, an instructor gives a pre-session theory briefing, observes riders on track, and provides feedback after each session. Some courses include follow-the-leader sessions where the instructor rides ahead and the student follows their line. Learning is more structured: specific areas are worked on such as posture, vision, racing line, and braking, rather than riding without defined objectives. ## When does a course make sense? - First or second time on circuit: An instructor explaining track rules, basic racing lines, and body position saves months of building bad habits. - When you have been stuck at the same level: If you feel you are not improving despite riding regularly, a course identifies what you are doing wrong. - To fix a specific technical flaw: Braking, body position, throttle point... an instructor sees it from outside when you cannot. - When you want a more educational experience with personal attention. ## When does an open session make more sense? - When you already know the circuit and have a solid technical foundation. - When what you need is kilometres and rhythm work. - When you want to ride at your own pace without session structure. - As a follow-up to a course, to consolidate what you have learned. ## Cost and expected results Courses typically cost more than open track days because they include the instructor, materials, and more logistical structure. For a rider in the early stages, the extra cost pays off quickly: three well-used courses can equal the learning of ten open sessions. As level increases, what matters most is kilometres and rhythm work. ## How to combine them The best progression usually combines both formats: - Start with a course to build technical foundations and learn the layout. - Consolidate with open sessions to accumulate kilometres and confidence. - Return to a course when you hit a progression plateau. - Alternate depending on the circuit and the goal of each day. Check riding courses and available track days on Track Demons and plan your season with purpose.