Is your bike an extension of your body?

**Winston001** · 26th June 2009, 13:23

Some interesting research finds that the brain represents tools as temporary body parts. http://www.physorg.com/news164892284.html

So when we use a toothbrush, it takes virtually no concentration because our brains "see" the toothbrush as an extension of the arm.

So it occurs to me that the brain of an experienced rider is likely to amalgamate the bike into an extension of the body. That makes sense to me. It takes me a few kms to feel comfortable butonce there, there is a sense of being intune with the machine.

Quite often people say "being part of the bike". Looks like there is a scientific basis.

**Taz** · 26th June 2009, 13:32

No it's a bike......

**slofox** · 26th June 2009, 13:33

Yep - works for me..."in the zone" springs to mind...

**Maha** · 26th June 2009, 13:35

Originally Posted by slofox

Yep - works for me..."in the zone" springs to mind...

I think I had a thread on that subject ages ago, being in the zone has happened but a few times, not always.

Maybe this thread.....http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=95466

**NOWOOL** · 26th June 2009, 13:38

Originally Posted by Winston001

Some interesting research finds that the brain represents tools as temporary body parts. http://www.physorg.com/news164892284.html

So when we use a toothbrush, it takes virtually no concentration because our brains "see" the toothbrush as an extension of the arm.

So it occurs to me that the brain of an experienced rider is likely to amalgamate the bike into an extension of the body. That makes sense to me. It takes me a few kms to feel comfortable butonce there, there is a sense of being intune with the machine.

Quite often people say "being part of the bike". Looks like there is a scientific basis.

That is the whole Idea of a mechanical device. The more integrated an extension of biophysics the better the tool. Says a lot about the state of academia if it needs a study to prove the obvious.

**Oakie** · 26th June 2009, 13:38

Yes. It's not always but it can be. I'm thinking of those times when I become aware that I've subtly altered the course of the bike just by squeezing a leg in tighter against the tank without having the conscious thought to do so.

**vgcspares** · 26th June 2009, 13:40

when in the zone and everything's under control then it is but get it wrong and it's a bike with an inertia all of its own

**JohnC** · 26th June 2009, 13:41

Yes,I'm involved in shooting sports and one thing you learn very early on,is that thinking about what your doing will lose you points faster than anything else.The only thing that works is to practice until everything becomes sub concious.
The same applies to riding a bike,and a lot of other things in life,,,like walking,,ever try to break that down as you were doing it ?

**James Deuce** · 26th June 2009, 14:09

How dare you insult my bike like that!

**NOWOOL** · 26th June 2009, 14:10

Originally Posted by JohnC

Yes,I'm involved in shooting sports and one thing you learn very early on,is that thinking about what your doing will lose you points faster than anything else.The only thing that works is to practice until everything becomes sub concious.
The same applies to riding a bike,and a lot of other things in life,,,like walking,,ever try to break that down as you were doing it ?

Yeah but to put it into body memory takes 30,000 times of motion is a long time to fit a machine to a body. I'm into shooting sports too and my body still wants a remington 11-87 for shotgun and a AR-15 for rifle no matter what i give it.

**NOWOOL** · 26th June 2009, 14:14

Originally Posted by James Deuce

How dare you insult my bike like that!

Dude, if you took that as insult then nature is trying to weed you out....your icon shouldn't be a fork but a spade shovel or tombstone.

**Headbanger** · 26th June 2009, 14:19

Makes me wonder what happened between the extension to my body and its last owner.....

**CookMySock** · 26th June 2009, 14:30

Yeah riding my bike is the same as driving an excavator.

Steve

**slofox** · 26th June 2009, 14:30

Originally Posted by JohnC

Yes,I'm involved in shooting sports and one thing you learn very early on,is that thinking about what your doing will lose you points faster than anything else.The only thing that works is to practice until everything becomes sub concious.

Most especially true of trap shooting. Thought = miss in that game...