Triumphrat

RJScotti · 05-24-2007, 05:46 PM

So it's coming up on a year since I'm back on two wheels. Now a moment of reflection. Besides the fun and excitement, you can pick up some general wisdom on these things.

1. When riding (as in life) you look where you want to go. It's natural to want to look at what you fear (and then run right into it) or look at what is immediatly in from of you (and feel out of control). On a bike you look to the exit of turn instead of at the road under you or at the oncoming car. I play a little game trying to miss manhole covers I'm looking right at. The only way to NOT run over it involves looking somewhere else. When you focus your attention on where you want to go it is like magic how effortlessly it just happens. It works for career, family etc also.

2. When riding (as in life) relax and trust your controls. It's common to react to fear by tightening the grips and stiffening your body. This just undermines any control you have. I panicked in the middle of a turn once, clamped down and almost ran wide. I found that if you keep the emotion in check, relax and trust your abilitites (and equipment) you can adapt to the bumps and maintain control. The same thing worked out when I felt like walking out of a "bad meeting".

These biking observations had immediate benefits in my work and family life.

I'll bet there's more.

crockabull · 05-24-2007, 08:54 PM

If you cannot see the faces, watch the wheels.

Silverado57 · 05-24-2007, 09:42 PM

Good advice RJ.

Recently I read that you can use target fixation to your advantage. Just focus on looking where you want to go, or "look to the future" which was the mantra of one MSF course instructor.

Ride safe guys.

Tbirdnz · 05-24-2007, 09:52 PM

....or as some good soul said on his deathbed. " My only regret is fearing most of life's fears, because they never happened".

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Ride on !

miker · 05-25-2007, 01:01 AM

RJ, It's good that you have this fugured out, because it will save your life one day.

Here's another, along the same lines, it goes further than the immediate road ahead.

When embarking on a ride, never worry that you "might" crash. If you do you it could increase the chances of it happening. Things will always cross your path, so instead of worrying, focus on what you will do when you get to your destination. Who you will see and what it will be like, that way it's less likely that obstacles will affect you getting there.

At least that's what I've learned over the years.

Mick

[ This message was edited by: miker on 2007-05-24 23:02 ]