Road-craft 'skills'.

**vifferman** · 6th January 2009, 12:49

Originally Posted by Gassit Girl

Another thing I dwelled on later was that I found myself looking directly at the wheel, even though I have always believed that you should focus on the clear space you are going to escape into. Thought a lot about what I should have done, but concluded that the wheel's course was predictable and to judge its speed and direction I HAD to look at it. But I will still train myself not to fixate in cases of ''unpredictable'' obstacles like animals and cars.

By the sounds of it, in a sense, you weren't fixating on it (giving it your full attention), but looking at it and being aware of it, which is what you needed to do. Oftentimes, while the 'rule' "you go where you are looking" is true, you can still either look at something while eyeing up and plotting a route in a different direction, or look where you want to go while keeping the obstacle/danger in view. I think that once you are aware of the tendency to go where you look, you aren't bound by it to quite the same extent as a noobie might be. You can still focus on something without being stuck in that "frozen in the headlights victim" paralysis.

**Supermac Jr** · 6th January 2009, 19:04

Read the thread last night and it really helped today (Im still on leave - the whole day on the bike

). somebody mentioned the cager u-turn... I saw a car 6 ahead pull off the road and just thought 'thats not a parking spot'... anyway you guessed it and I had miles to spare - even waved to the bloke. As i passed the cager it just thought of the one comment (not sure whose

) that all an indicator means is that the bulb is working and had to smile. So thanks for the posts here!!!

**Katman** · 6th January 2009, 23:38

Originally Posted by vifferman

You can still focus on something without being stuck in that "frozen in the headlights victim" paralysis.

Exactly.

You only 'fixate' on a target if you allow yourself to.

**OutForADuck** · 7th January 2009, 11:43

Originally Posted by Katman

Exactly.

You only 'fixate' on a target if you allow yourself to.

Or give yourself no other options.. beware the mobile wall fixation... i.e. following trucks, buses or anything else that takes up all your vision.. you WILL become fixated on it if you don't get past!!!

Not to mention you rob yourself of the safety of vision

**GrayWolf** · 10th January 2009, 09:59

Originally Posted by Ixion

I don't subscribe to the theory that having fun must imply dangerous or reckless behaviour. That's the sort of weasellly nonsense the Greens spout, immediately before they call for some innocent pastime to be banned.

But then, I'm just a simple and innocent old man, so my pleasures are simple and innocent one

Hehe, trouble is Ixion, we just cant quite remember WHAT that innocent pleasure is........

**Winston001** · 10th January 2009, 17:58

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

The one I had absolutely HAMMERED in was the 'life saver'.

Right rear observation; when overtaking, manouvering or turning right. Mirrors lie for distance and have blindspots, they should not be relied on for changes in lane, turning or overtaking.

Interesting. I can't look over my shoulder while riding wearing a leather jacket and full-face helmet. The best I can manage is a glimpse slightly behind, so use my mirrors almost exclusively. And they don't cover the whole territory so I'm careful in lanes of traffic.

**varminter** · 10th January 2009, 18:24

Yep, I agree, I can't look far behind unless I swivel round on the seat and I ain't gonna do that. Some of these blokes must be owls.

**The Stranger:Me** · 11th January 2009, 08:29

Originally Posted by Winston001

Interesting. I can't look over my shoulder while riding wearing a leather jacket and full-face helmet. The best I can manage is a glimpse slightly behind, so use my mirrors almost exclusively.

Honestly, you will get caught out with that approach, it's just a case of when.
Nothing beats a head check.
Changing lanes for example I use mirror, if clear indicate, then head check before I actually move.

If you are extreemly vigilant in your mirrors and monitoring every vehicle behind you (and none sneak up) then you are spending too much time in your mirrors. About 90% of hazards originate between 9 and 3. That's where 90% of your focus should be.

**Winston001** · 12th January 2009, 00:10

Originally Posted by The Stranger

If you are extreemly vigilant in your mirrors and monitoring every vehicle behind you (and none sneak up) then you are spending too much time in your mirrors. About 90% of hazards originate between 9 and 3.

Yeah? That's it for me then - no riding in the middle of the day.

**OutForADuck** · 13th January 2009, 08:36

Originally Posted by The Stranger

If you are extreemly vigilant in your mirrors and monitoring every vehicle behind you (and none sneak up) then you are spending too much time in your mirrors. About 90% of hazards originate between 9 and 3. That's where 90% of your focus should be.

I"ll second that!! We tend to get into discussions about traffic awareness but forget that very important point... front quarter is where its most likely going to hit you.

**GrayWolf** · 31st January 2009, 20:31

Originally Posted by Winston001

Interesting. I can't look over my shoulder while riding wearing a leather jacket and full-face helmet. The best I can manage is a glimpse slightly behind, so use my mirrors almost exclusively. And they don't cover the whole territory so I'm careful in lanes of traffic.

It's not an Exorcist head turn.
This is the method used by the UK Police. (roadcraft manual) Very few bikes have a wide and clear field of vision in the mirrors. My own bike a perfect example, great elbow view, and the 'wide angle' view behind.
It's a glance round to ensure there is no other bike or car appeared in the 'blind spot' Thats why they call it the 'life saver'. I am sure you can think of a time when a bike/car has come up behind at a rate of knots greater than you assesed in the mirror. Relying on the morror would place you in possible peril in that instance, if said 'person' decided to overtake you at that point. maybe didnt notice your indicator? The head turn may also alert the said 'person' you are doing something, (strange)?. You will also have a little time to react and not turn right, or left in London with cycle couriers .

**Winston001** · 31st January 2009, 23:09

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

It's not an Exorcist head turn.

LOL

It's a glance round to ensure there is no other bike or car appeared in the 'blind spot' Thats why they call it the 'life saver'. I am sure you can think of a time when a bike/car has come up behind at a rate of knots greater than you assesed in the mirror....

Understood - I'll start another thread just to see what other say.