Near miss... or a tale of target fixation

[chasio]

Heading towards the work carpark today, a generously upholstered gentlemen decided he needed to amble across the single lane road in front of me without looking. This is not uncommon in this location and I was not surprised by it. Half way across he glanced up at me and broke into a sort of shuffle (I can't call it a run).

I was doing about 35kmh having just set off from some lights and then backed off a bit as he stepped out. The road was downhill and greasy after rain, and when I came onto both brakes (not hard, or so I thought), the back started to slide around. I had enough presence of mind to come off the back brake but then realised I had become fixated on him and was heading straight at him. I think it was the sight of the excessive effort delivering zero speed increase coupled with all the wobbling bits that had entranced me. (If you've ever seen Peter Kay doing his impression of his Dad running, that was exactly what it was like.)

It probably lasted under a second and when I finally snapped out of it, I rode around him fine (if a bit closer and with more adrenaline than necessary). But it was interesting to notice how easily my attention had shifted from hazard avoidance to target fixation.

This kind of thing has happened in this spot more than once before and I have always just slowed down and ridden around with no drama for anyone.

Lessons for me:
- I nearly rode into a pedestrian due to my own target fixation. I must look where I want to go.
- I probably need to practise braking and hazard avoidance in the wet again.
- Just because I am familiar with a hazard doesn't mean it can't still be dangerous, particularly with complicating factors.
- Watching fat men trying to run can be simply mesmerising.

The whole thing was thoroughly unneceessary, so I'm marking myself down as a numpty for today and will ride home in leisurely fashion.

Cheers - Chasio

[george formby]

Erk! It's that moment of distraction that gets you, looking a bit too long at something unusual, er, like a nice pair of what tickles your fancy. Amazing how much ground you cover while your mind is elsewhere.

I just hope the Chawners never walk across my street.

[oneofsix]

- Watching fat men trying to run can be simply mesmerising.

Note to self; don't try to run where a follow rider might see me, don't want them to get mesmerised.

Target fixation - Only takes a tenth of a second to screw you over

[Mom]

I came very, very close to throwing myself into a drain not so long ago in the same but different situation. Turning out of a driveway, I noted the road was narrow and I noticed the drain and unsealed shoulder on the other side, and I thought to myself, hope I dont end up in there

You guessed it, I went exactly where I was looking and found myself riding along the very edge of the shoulder, in the dirt, with the rear wheel attempting to fall into the drain All those riding off road skills that I had "forgotten" came back, and I managed to save it somehow. Big scare for me and a real reminder to look where you want to go, not where you dont.

My excuse, I was tired...

Pathetic really, I know better than that. Looking where I wanted to go saved me in the end though, I was hard out looking at the other side of the sealed road, and keeping the throttle open, all the while willing the bike to go where I wanted it too, it did!

[superman]

I wonder if this is what happened to the cop motorcyclist who hit that 61 year old lady a month ago. Oh don't think she sees me with my flashing lights and sirens... might as well go directly at her.

Though I think a lot of pedestrians were on the road at the time, so he was probably going to hit one if he was thinking they were all going to move out of the way in time for him.

[chasio]

Target fixation - Only takes a tenth of a second to screw you over

I may just repeat that to myself at the beginning of every ride for a while!

...My excuse, I was tired...

Pathetic really, I know better than that. Looking where I wanted to go saved me in the end though, I was hard out looking at the other side of the sealed road, and keeping the throttle open, all the while willing the bike to go where I wanted it too, it did!

I had absolutely no excuse at all! It was just a brain failure on my part! Home safe, thankfully.

[YellowDog]

If he sees you getting close, he could go either way and potentially into your chosen escape route.

Is it target fixation, or just being unsure as to the best course of action to avoid said tit?

Best advice: Aim to centre punch the obstacle (whatever it may be) whilst trying to brake in a straight line. Chances are you'll stop before the squishing sound

[chasio]

Remind me not to get in your way!

[Mom]

I had absolutely no excuse at all! It was just a brain failure on my part! Home safe, thankfully.

I have just come home, well an hour or so ago, from a very intense 2 hour lesson from Tricia at Roadcraft School of Motorcycling, I am absolutely rooted. What a huge brain fuck concentrating like that is for 2 hours straight. I travel the road home every week day and usually can be found frustrated by slow moving cars. Not tonight, I was more than happy to pootle along

Part of my lesson, look where you want to go

Glad you did not run over pudding man

[FJRider]

Part of my lesson, look where you want to go

... I'm looking at Hawaii ...

... Got my fingers crossed ....

[Ocean1]

... I'm looking at Hawaii ...

... Got my fingers crossed ....

What's good to do in Hawaii?

I'll be there in a week.

[FJRider]

What's good to do in Hawaii?

I'll be there in a week.

Hire a BIKE ....

[Bikemad]

Hire a BIKE ....

then go find that twat Dog the Bountyhunter and tell him he looks like a fag with his wee tassles n stuff............that should keep ya busy for the rest of ya time there