Poor riding

[dpex]

I did quite a hard physical day today and ended up hurting my back a bit. Then got on my bike for a stroll into the city on the pretext of going for some cheap wine from downtown New World. Within 3-or-4 klicks from home (outbound) I realised my riding was a bit poor. My bike is particularly sensitive to weight shift and so can easily wander around if I ride stiffly; especially loading the HBs for support when my back is sore.

Then I noticed I had crept up to within a second of the car ahead, without realising. At this point I should probably have turned around and gone home. But I wanted a ride (hadn't had one for 24 hrs) and I'd given myself the Billy Grahame about concentrating, so kept going.

All the way and all the way back I felt my riding was well below par. I was tense. I noticed I'd sometimes failed to complete a full scan in the previous minute. My braking was jerky and, unusually for me, I felt myself getting shitty at car-drivers even slightly invading my space.

I can't think of a reason for this poor effort. The day was okay, if a little tiring, and I have nothing high in my stressor zone at the moment.

At the end of the day my self-analysis said I shouldn't have gone and that I sure didn't enjoy the experience.

So I'd like to ask you a Q or 6, just to enable me to compare

[Hitcher]

I didn't know Billy Graham rode motorcycles.

[kevfromcoro]

Tear the top of the wine bottle..and take a big slug..
Your riding will improve straight-away

[dpex]

Billy Grahame was a biker from way back. He reckoned that God kept the ungodly away from him.

[Mom]

I didn't know Billy Graham rode motorcycles.

You're home!!! What is a klick?

[Hitcher]

Something Japanese get in their necks.

[hayd3n]

You're home!!! What is a klick?

a measurement of distance

[mattian]

I think what you've done here is exactly what you should do...... you have identified the things you werent happy with about your riding. You obviously had a good think about it all before you wrote this post so, good on you for that. Everyone has something they can improve on if they really analyse it critically.

[Ixion]

Y'get that. Some days, it just doesn't work right. No reason, just happens. Other days , you drop right into the zone.

If it's not working, go home, or drop into commuter mode.

Sometimes on a long ride it comes and goes. I'll come out of a section, think back "hm, that was pretty crap, rough, jerky, nothing smooth or gentle". A few miles later it'll be smooth and flowing.

[hospitalfood]

If it's not working, go home, or drop into commuter mode.


i agree with this, if you go slow with your eyes open, and stay well back from others, it don't matter so much.

[Swoop]

Those rides when you are not "in the groove", you are better to stop and have a quick break. Re-think what you are doing and adjust your head-space.
Mr Murphy likes it when riders are not on top of their game...

[CookMySock]

I can't think of a reason for this poor effort.

Thats not a poor effort - thats a great effort. You took note of your mistakes and emotional state and re-evaluated your associated risk on-the-fly.

Not many people even KNOW they HAVE an emotional state, let alone the names of the components of it, and realise it on the go, AND re-evaluate their risk based on it. Stop worrying so much.

I'm a bit puzzled though. This is quite a change from your previous bragging, where you showed little or no care for your or others safety.

DB

[AllanB]

I actually turned around and went back home one time - I was so out of sync with my bike and its surrounding environment it was down-right unsafe!

But those days are rare and I look forward to the days when everything is in the groove and the ride is one big blissful flow of power, smooth lines and deep corners.


Ah - I may need a moment to myself now.......

[dpex]

Thats not a poor effort - thats a great effort. You took note of your mistakes and emotional state and re-evaluated your associated risk on-the-fly.

I'm a bit puzzled though. This is quite a change from your previous bragging, where you showed little or no care for your or others safety.

DB

Ah well Dangerous. It's the old story. 'Those who take at face-value end up getting only the skin.'

[CookMySock]

Ah well Dangerous. It's the old story. 'Those who take at face-value end up getting only the skin.'

What other way is there to read aparrently dangerous situations ? Wouldn't you do the same ? We aren't mind readers.

We read the road, and we make our call.

DB