Severe target fixation What would you do?
10-06-2009, 06:11 PM
#31
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After we feed the horses and have a few beers we get on the four-wheelers and haul *** 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.
10-07-2009, 06:00 AM
#32
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10-07-2009, 11:26 PM
#33
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Ride 8/10ths and give yourself a margin for error or debris.
If you can't skip your tire over a 1" object during a turn without visiting the hospital, then you need to slow down. Because there's lots of stuff you can't avoid hitting it unless you ride 15 mph everywhere. Squirrels especially.
When I ride, I try to hit the squirrels. This way, if one catches me by surprise, I know what to expect.
If all else fails, skin the snake, make a belt, and grill the rest of it on your bent up bike's exhaust header.
If you can't skip your tire over a 1" object during a turn without visiting the hospital, then you need to slow down. Because there's lots of stuff you can't avoid hitting it unless you ride 15 mph everywhere. Squirrels especially.
When I ride, I try to hit the squirrels. This way, if one catches me by surprise, I know what to expect.
If all else fails, skin the snake, make a belt, and grill the rest of it on your bent up bike's exhaust header.
I'd say 80-90% on the track, 100% if you don't give a **** 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.
10-08-2009, 07:09 AM
#34
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Well, 8/10 is kinda arbitrary. But yeah, I agree. If you're having "oh ****" 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.
They probably thought they were going 8/10ths, but didn't know their limitations.
10-09-2009, 05:08 AM
#35
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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.
10-09-2009, 06:49 PM
#36
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Over the years I have Crashed 3 times due to target fixation. I was injured each time and each time the bike was toast. I believe that I fixated each of these times (as opposed to all the countless times I have not) because I was SURPRISED by the DIFFERENCE between what I expected to see and what I actually saw. Well, call me a dumb-*** if I took three serious crashes to understand this. Y'all have any input or is this obvious to every other rider?
10-17-2009, 08:06 PM
#38
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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 ****.
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 ****, 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.
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 ****, 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.
10-17-2009, 08:29 PM
#39
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I splattered a BIG dragonfly on my helmet this weekend and was surprised how much force it hit with. I've hit my fair share of bugs over the years, but never one that big; It felt like a good sized rock.
Been lucky to never have any moto encounters with anything bigger than a dog.
Been lucky to never have any moto encounters with anything bigger than a dog.
10-18-2009, 05:51 PM
#40
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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.
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.
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