Hazard fixation

[bikemike]

Just a thought.

I went for a wee pootle over the Port Hills a few nights ago and didn't really encounter anything untoward. Everything went smoothly and I had a nice ride.

But, I did notice something I did which I thought I'd put up here in case it helps.

We've all (hopefully) heard about and understand what we call target fixation. My understanding of this is when things are not going to plan and a potential hazard has become an actual hazard it is easy and dangerous to focus attention on that hazard - and it becomes our target because we go where we look. All good/not.

But, if we are riding along doing our scans, plans and checking out the potential hazards, we need to be careful not to become fixated on those. I've noticed myself doing this if I am tired, over-cautious, riding beyond my means, or, as in this case, feeling pleased with myself.

Getting rid of ego doesn't always need to involve someone else, like not racing some guy who is asking for it. It can also be taking a rain check on self congratulation when there's not a soul around.

I had spotted a black cow easing up to the summit road, just a hint of her head. I had just negotiated some nice little bends, with nice lines and good plans into the next bend - when I saw the cow. I began to think about spotting animal hazards (especially as a bird had jumped out of a hedge and flown straight at me the other day) and felt quite pleased I had seen the cow, long before I reached the bend with the cow in it. In fact, the cow, as I mentioned, was just sneaking up and at the said bend, it I had not seen the cow earlier, I would not have seen it until I came around the corner on the bend, with the cow, which then might have taken me by surprise. In fact, as I rounded the bend, the cow remained a potential hazard only. 'Twas just munching at the uncut hay. Moooooo. Ooooh! ewe! running, in my lane......!

Easy to do.
Scan, assess, plan, action, next, repeat.

[T.W.R]

That's called using your soft eye

[Taz]

It's also common sense. You mean some people ride their bikes along in their own little world not scanning ahead and not taking notice of all that is around them and building a "safety envelope" ?. That'd be madness and result in alot of "Damn, I binned it" posts on this forum

[Murray]

I had spotted a black cow easing up to the summit road, just a hint of her head. I had just negotiated some nice little bends, with nice lines and good plans into the next bend - when I saw the cow. I began to think about spotting animal hazards (especially as a bird had jumped out of a hedge and flown straight at me the other day) and felt quite pleased I had seen the cow, long before I reached the bend with the cow in it. In fact, the cow, as I mentioned, was just sneaking up and at the said bend, it I had not seen the cow earlier, I would not have seen it until I came around the corner on the bend, with the cow, which then might have taken me by surprise. In fact, as I rounded the bend, the cow remained a potential hazard only. 'Twas just munching at the uncut hay. Moooooo. Ooooh! ewe! running, in my lane......!

Holy cow Batman, sounds like yourve got it sussed - always be aware of any potential hazards

[george formby]

It pays think about what you can't see too when you spot a potential hazard. Nothing worse than having something solid appear in your escape area while your thinking about the potential hazard you can see. Good job, stay focused.

[PrincessBandit]

I amazed at how target fixation can happen (first time it happened to me I nearly ended up in a ditch beyond some gravel). I now try to be aware of potential hazards (avoidable non-mobile ones) by using my peripheral vision more. i.e. once I know it's there I avoid looking at it, but keep it in the edges of my line of sight. This has been great in the advancement of my filtering skills at traffic lights where the cars are stationary. Having only come across livestock once on the road, and that cow weren't moving for aaaaaannnnyone, I just slowed and hoped like heck that it didn't decide to move as I went past.

[CookMySock]

Well its rather difficult to fixate on the exit to a corner, and not check the imminent road surface.

Where's the balance?

Steve

[GOONR]

Well its rather difficult to fixate on the exit to a corner, and not check the imminent road surface.

Where's the balance?

Steve

As a new rider I think that is a very good question, I am constantly scanning between my exit and the road surface. If I'm honest I reckon that sometimes I have got the balance wrong and checked the surface more than my exit, this stuff's up your line.

[bikemike]

Perhaps my post was too florid. I meant only to say that target fixation does not always happen in an emergency situation - it can happen as you do your usual constant scanning.

This can be for any number of reasons, but suffice to say that if you find yourself pondering on a single potential hazard you've lost the flow and need to snap out of it.

In my case the sheep was hidden by the raised shoulder on a LH bend, and I had no problem negotiating it. My speed and line and responses were all normal. The thing is it was still unexpected because I was focussing on the cow. Normally I would be expecting a sheep, a hole, a cyclist, a slick a gravel pile etc around the corner and that's no what I was thinking. My riding style meant I was safe, but my thinking had lapsed a little.

[george formby]

Sounds a little like you were in cruise mode mentally, something I suffer from at times. It,s hard to maintain concentration all the time while riding, particularly when your travelling at a leisurely pace. I notice sometimes that I focus on things which are irrelevant to staying safe & pose no hazard but distract me briefly from where I should be looking. Most unsettling, in my experience this is a time when I get an "Oh f**k" moment & miss something obvious.