This all works fine until the solution is no longer part of the equation. The stable at the ranch is .75 miles from the main house another quarter mile down to the greenhouse and garages.

After we feed the horses and have a few beers we get on the four-wheelers and haul ass to the garage. About a third of the way down the hill there is this big black snake that is all the way across a twelve foot road and we are going way to fast to stop.

We loaded up the shotguns and head back up the road but no sign. The girth on this beast was like hitting a curb.

8/10 on the road?
I'd say 80-90% on the track, 100% if you don't give a shit about your bike and simply want to try and set your fastest lap.
You have to give yourself a LOT more margin of error on the street because there are so many different hazards. Pinecones, snakes, cars parked in your lane, a rock, a tree, a boulder, oil spill, etc.
You have absolutely no idea what is going to be around that next blind turn, and riding at 80% isn't going to help your chances IMO.

Well, 8/10 is kinda arbitrary. But yeah, I agree. If you're having "oh shit" moments every time you ride, slow down. The people crashing into oncoming traffic or losing control are going 11/10ths of their ability. A more skilled rider at the same speed might've avoided it.

They probably thought they were going 8/10ths, but didn't know their limitations.

damn target fixation, lol, we were out yesterday, did a 5 hour ride as the weather was nice finally. and we were running a twisty road and my buddy points out a small piece of something on the road. it was near the center of a right hand corner, i wasnt taking that line, i looked at it and like a retard couldnt stop staring, lol. came within inches of it.

That's why it's absolutely essential to discipline yourself to study each negative instance that threatens your existence so that that same thing doesn't get you twice.:)

Keep those eyes moving....your life may depend on it!

I often go faster than I can see around turns unless there's something I know about like a driveway or a junction. It's a bad habit and i often come across obstacles unexpectedly. Last month, I came around a turn to discover a fallen tree completely across my lane. Fortunately, the oncoming lane was vacant or I would have been in a world of shit.

Naturally, I keep adjusting my vision to look as far as possible, but I also plan on a truck coming at me so if a vehicle does pop up, I'm somewhat prepared visually. It seems to help. But really, going around blind turns fast is definitely a stupid indulgence, but there are so few turns that are open visually where i ride, that I choose to ride stupid. Surprise gravel, dirt, horse shit, grass cuttings, animals, etc., have taught me to keep the front brakes slightly engaged until I can see where I'm heading. At least I can usually slow a bit and alter my line before the debris and you definitely learn the meaning of trail braking.

My shield fogged at a stop sign so lifted my shield as i started across a little bridge over a creek near my house. After crossing the bridge, i felt something hit my the underside of my lifted shield and forced my head back a little. As i slowed for a stop sign at the next block, I looked down and saw a bat lying on my tank bag. It had been stunned but was still alive. Nothing like getting a bat in your face-too close!:eek:

My brother swears Sailor Jerry has stolen his wallet, caused him to be naked in more than one occasion, and typically causes some sort of meyhem, hence he curses any time he is mentioned.

At any rate. The first time I was on a track the instructor told us turtles typically cross one section, and if you see one, stand the bike up and hit him dead on as hard as you can, otherwise he'll kick your tire out and your down. Since then I've always remembered, hit what you can kill, go around what you can't. Basically it reminded me that at some point I'm going to hit something I don't want to and maintaining bike control without overreacting is important.

I've target fixated before and it is hard to stop, but continuing to practice hopefully will train my brain to make it easier the next time it happens. Keep practicing as you won't have time to think about it when it happens for real.