Here it is.
1 – Think before you ride.
Every single morning before the
commute, and for that matter any weekend blat too, I employ a
process of getting myself and the bike ready.
It is the same ritual
every time and it centres me – I engage with what I am about to do.
This is a common training technique
which shifts focus and consciousness to the task at hand.
2 – Take command
You are riding a motorcycle – you
are exposed, you are at risk. Be proactive and choose your risk as
much as possible.
Don't be complacent and let the risk choose you.
3 – Have “brain space”
If you set off and identify that you
are not riding well, not seeing things play out like usual or think
there is something “not right with the bike”......chances are
something is not right with you.
The bike is very likely to be behaving exactly the same as yesterday – but if it feels different today
then something is different – that something is more than likely
you.
Learn to identify these “yips”
and counter them accordingly. This may mean stopping.
NB** baring mental "yips" check the basics like tyre pressure, chain tension, throttle and clutch lines/cables.
4- Radar and intuition
To be proficient you need to be able
NOT to think about what the bike is doing and how you are
controlling it.
The bike should be controlled via
telepathy. You think, the bike does.
Believe me after years of MTB and Road race cycling – the bike is
an extension of the body.
Control leads to having ample capacity
to scan the environment for cagers, pedestrians, cyclists and other
riders alike.
Being in control of your bike is relatively easy.
Contemplating the actions of others
and reacting appropriately is a skill unto its' own.
Don't be timid.
Don't allow yourself to hesitate –
indecision takes time, when you need to make a choice time is not always on
your side.
Most of all – don't be a victim.
Filtering, splitting, cagers and
traffic.
Weekend blats, touring, overnighters and tomfoolery.
Everything else is the reason to ride
all the time – do it safely.
Be engaged in the process and enjoy.
Footnote:
If you are not a target – you will less likely become a victim.
This does not mean be aggressive – it
means be in control – as much as possible.
\BitSar
--getting on with it and "riding" it out
