Target Fixation (101)

[self_moto]

Well, I had my first crash after ~4k miles (hwy + back roads), on Palomares rd. that happened on Dec 26th (Day after Christmas). I rode this road multiple times before.

The video of crash - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJRB2amvApw

As I understand the bump threw me off the line, and I my focus got to side of the road.. when I've realized that's not where I want to go (fighting target fixation is really hard), I've tried to steer the bike but I think I was tense and my hands were fighting which side I need to push... and then I realized I couldn't make the turn - panic comes in.. and I grab front brake. Another important part of crash I think that I mentally prepared to crash, I remember my though pretty clear, surprisingly, the thought was "that's it, I'm going to crash". But the truth though is that I could make turn even after I fixated on side of the road.. I just needed to relax and push left..

As result I broke my left clavicle and got a concussion (I forgot what I was doing or where I've been couple days before, it got back to me pretty quick though, pretty much the same day). Also bruised up my knee pretty bad, but didn't brake anything. I was wearing all the gear, and I guess because I went into the dirt, pretty much all the gear was okay, besides few scuffs and left knee pad had actually cracked because of the crash.

As a conclusion, things which I think was most important:
* I zoned out - I think I was thinking about where I want to go for lunch before the crash, hence weren't ready for this bump.
* target fixation - I've never experienced it with such intense (I had couple not-so close calls before).. my vision was tunneled down to just this side of the road, I didn't see anything else around me... when I've tried to fight it back, it was super hard..
* mental state - accepting the crash, is pretty much guarantee the crash..

So what I'm doing now:
* keep mind on the road, trying to do not let it drift out from task at hand
* practicing my vision - trying to keep it's wide open as much as possible and look through the turn, pretty much past the most far point of road (vanishing point)
* mental state - trying to keep my mind clear or fight any potential thoughts about any complications.

The craziest thing was that pretty much just after the crash another rider appeared, Curt, who helped to put bike to side of the road and was super kind to use his truck to tow bike to shop (keeping it over holidays at his house)! Another person Alfonso was driving by and helped me to get to ER, where my wife took care of the rest. I believe I went to ER pretty much within 10-15 minutes after the crash! I owe to these guys for being so great, if you know them please let them know how great they are!

Here are some photos of gear after the crash in attachments

 

[dowlinginchico]

Damn dude. It looks like you were going at a reasonable pace. That turn did tighten up, right at the bump, but to me it did not look like you were ready for the decreasing radius. Your line looked screwey for the second part of the turn, on top of the bump.

Maybe you did not realize that the turn radius decreased? Not looking far enough ahead? Too fast for the second part of the turn?

EDIT: Glad you are OK!

 

[Mellowtonin]

I rode on that same day coming from the opposite direction and must've passed by your wrecked bike just after the crash (you were already gone by then). I remember seeing it parked off on the side with pieces behind still on the road, I'd been wondering since then if the rider made it okay:nchantr

Glad to know you are healing up:thumbup:thumbup

I live in Castro Valley and ride Palomares (it's closed now for repairs) 3~4 times a week, when you are ready to get back on the saddle (if the wife lets you:rofl) contact me anytime, I'm always down to:ride

 

[self_moto]

Damn dude. It looks like you were going at a reasonable pace. That turn did tighten up, right at the bump, but to me it did not look like you were ready for the decreasing radius. Your line looked screwey for the second part of the turn, on top of the bump.

Maybe you did not realize that the turn radius decreased? Not looking far enough ahead? Too fast for the second part of the turn?

EDIT: Glad you are OK!

Yep, I know this turn (or at least I thought I know it), I've been there multiple times before, but you're spot on that I wasn't looking where I need to look (although I remember that I was looking at my turn in point, which I was planning to be right about this bump, sadly). Thanks for kind words!

 

[self_moto]

I live in Castro Valley and ride Palomares (it's closed now for repairs) 3~4 times a week, when you are ready to get back on the saddle (if the wife lets you:rofl) contact me anytime, I'm always down to:ride

My wife is a keeper! She doesn't think that I was doing anything crazy, and allows me to ride bike after that, there for she is looking to get one for herself

I'll definitely ping you once my bone heal up completely, doc told to wait another 6 weeks, but I have pretty much full range of motion now, and don't have any pain, so I'm planning to continue commuting to SF (I kind of was doing it for few weeks already), can't stand BART, but will definitely ping you once I'm cleared up by doc.

 

[Pking]

Bummer on the crash and glad you're okay. Looking at your speed it looked like just a simple easing off the throttle would have helped to bring the bike back over to the middle of the road. So perhaps not solid muscle memory yet? But then again, I'm at a computer at work that has buffer issues when it comes videos so maybe I'm missing something.

 

[self_moto]

Bummer on the crash and glad you're okay. Looking at your speed it looked like just a simple easing off the throttle would have helped to bring the bike back over to the middle of the road. So perhaps not solid muscle memory yet?

Yeah, that could be the case, but I dont think I was on the throttle after the bump though, I was planning to start rolling it at the exit. I think it's just panic which caused to tense up and i started fighting my right hand in attempt to steer the bike, and then final stage wheni grab the brakes... but throttle control(probably even pressure on handlebar) is definetly a thing to work on!

 

[Enchanter]

When riding around town, what brake do you use more frequently?

The reason I ask is that it appears that you locked and released the rear brake before you left the road. That big shake could have been enough to cause you to freeze and quickly leave the road.

Also, how often do you ride with a camera? Was this the first time, or one of the first times?

 

[self_moto]

When riding around town, what brake do you use more frequently?

The reason I ask is that it appears that you locked and released the rear brake before you left the road. That big shake could have been enough to cause you to freeze and quickly leave the road.

Also, how often do you ride with a camera? Was this the first time, or one of the first times?

I'm mostly using the front brake, having problems with rear though - it locks up pretty easily on me. Although I don't remember hitting the rear brake, but I think it could have happen automatically, tire after that crash was kind of messed up (pretty much looked like someone was doing burnout).

I've been riding with camera pretty much since the begging of riding (in Aug). Why?

 

[DataDan]

You've analyzed it pretty well, and the corrections you've identified will be beneficial. One suggestion I have involves techniques to improve visual skill that will help alleviate target fixation; more on that in a sec. But first, this screams for immediate attention:

I've tried to steer the bike but I think I was tense and my hands were fighting which side I need to push...

The countersteering instinct doesn't come naturally. In fact, it defies common sense. To develop it, to imprint it deep in your brain so it happens automatically, you first need to think about it every time you change direction. Turning into your driveway? Press right, go right. Merging into the fast lane at freeway speed? Press left, go left. Swerving around a dead skunk in the middle of the road? Press right to avoid, press left to regain your previous path.

Sometimes, the motorcycle seems to go where you want it to without your help. Don't slack off and let that happen. To turn right, press right. Every time. Soon enough, a situation will arise--like the one on Palomares--where you need to go left, and there will be no hesitation. Your eyes point in the direction you want to go, and the newly developed neural wiring will command a press on the left bar without conscious intervention.


Getting your eyes to do the right thing as you negotiate a curve also requires deliberate practice. Here's a post from a few years ago about the technique:


The most noticeable improvements I've made in cornering have come from developing visual skill. To me, the most important is the technique of spotting reference points in sequence and quickly advancing to the next. This discipline keeps my eyes and brain ahead of the motorcycle, but not too far ahead.

The technique is described in Code's Twist II and demonstrated in his video.

As you approach the turn, locate a turn-in point. Before you get there, move your eyes to the apex you're going to aim for when you steer. But don't lose track of your turn-in point; you'll follow it in your peripheral vision while centered on the apex. When you get to your turn-in point, make your countersteering input. Because you're now focused on the apex, you'll be able to make an accurate steering input that will hold your planned line. After you've got the bike turned, don't let your vision dawdle at the apex. Move focus to the turn exit and keep the bike pointed toward it. But before you get there move your eyes to the next straight.

This illustration shows how to do it.

 

[Mellowtonin]

You've analyzed it pretty well...This illustration shows how to do it.

Data Dan delivers once again!:wow:wow:wow:wow:wow:wow

 

[self_moto]

You've analyzed it pretty well, and the corrections you've identified will be beneficial. One suggestion I have involves techniques to improve visual skill that will help alleviate target fixation; more on that in a sec. But first, this screams for immediate attention:


The countersteering instinct doesn't come naturally. In fact, it defies common sense. To develop it, to imprint it deep in your brain so it happens automatically, you first need to think about it every time you change direction. Turning into your driveway? Press right, go right. Merging into the fast lane at freeway speed? Press left, go left. Swerving around a dead skunk in the middle of the road? Press right to avoid, press left to regain your previous path.

Thanks for information! I've always wondering how to approach turn-in point, where I need to look, at the point or past it (and I was trying to do latter). GIF is definitely beneficial.

As for counter-steer, yeah, I picked up a cue from Hough's book (Proficient motorcycling) and Park's book (Total control), to consciously relax opposite hand, and I've been trying to practice this behavior.. but I guess in panic situation it just didn't work for me (not enough practice, I guess), and I'm talking to myself pretty much on each turn - look/push/relax etc. Also another cue which seems to help is actually rotate body into the turn as well, from my experience it makes a lot of difference, but I guess when you tense nothing really works


Also I think "zoned out" part contributed to problem big time...

 

[Smash Allen]

Thanks for information! I've always wondering how to approach turn-in point, where I need to look, at the point or past it (and I was trying to do latter). GIF is definitely beneficial.

As for counter-steer, yeah, I picked up a cue from Hough's book (Proficient motorcycling) and Park's book (Total control), to consciously relax opposite hand, and I've been trying to practice this behavior.. but I guess in panic situation it just didn't work for me (not enough practice, I guess), and I'm talking to myself pretty much on each turn - look/push/relax etc. Also another cue which seems to help is actually rotate body into the turn as well, from my experience it makes a lot of difference, but I guess when you tense nothing really works


Also I think "zoned out" part contributed to problem big time...

Yes, thank you Dan

Were you VLogging at the time of the crash? Multiple cameras, microphones, speakers... a lot of distractions that take away the crucial working memory you need to be using in order to imprint the muscle memory of operating a motorcycle. Just a suggestion as you continue to rack those miles up with Data Dans advice in mind :ride

 

[Enchanter]

I've been riding with camera pretty much since the begging of riding (in Aug). Why?

If it was a recent addition, it could have been a distraction. I was wondering if you were trying to make the ride look good, thinking about where it was pointed, etc.

 

[self_moto]

Yes, thank you Dan

Were you VLogging at the time of the crash? Multiple cameras, microphones, speakers... a lot of distractions that take away the crucial working memory you need to be using in order to imprint the muscle memory of operating a motorcycle. Just a suggestion as you continue to rack those miles up with Data Dans advice in mind :ride

No I wasn't vlogging or trying to do something special, just enjoying the ride.. but to be fair I had another camera on tank, but it died around the time when I get to Palomares rd.

I was riding whole day (until I crashed), so I'm wondering maybe just a fatigue.. I started from dublin, went to San Ramon (made a stop there for 15-20 mins), via Redwood rd and Lafayette. From San Ramon via Crow Canyon to Palomares rd.

Something like this - https://goo.gl/maps/TQGrH1Fd2tL2 (google doesn't allow to create route to crash point, I guess because Palomares is closed now)

 

[self_moto]

If it was a recent addition, it could have been a distraction. I was wondering if you were trying to make the ride look good, thinking about where it was pointed, etc.

Frankly speaking I was kind of hoping to get a good video from this ride.. which I got.. not a good one though. I got camera on helmet initially as a "dashcam", but after first couple months I just enjoyed capturing scenery.. I went to Calavares, Mines, Morgan territory (actually all the way from Walnut Creek to Livermore), Marsh Creek, La Honda.

I find hwy/commute miles the worst part of motorcycle experience (except view on the bay from Bay bridge

 

[self_moto]

Not closing the thread, just wanted to tell everyone thank you for suggestions, and kind words. I'll definitely going to take those in consideration!

I guess ФШ just need a riding buddy who can help me improve (follow me and give me some feedback on my riding). I'm going to take a Total Control Park's course somewhere in April, and after that thinking to get to track school.

 

[dowlinginchico]

Do remember seeing the bump? Did you see the bump coming up and fixate on it, moving your vision closer than it should have been??

 

[self_moto]

Do remember seeing the bump? Did you see the bump coming up and fixate on it, moving your vision closer than it should have been??

That's the thing that I completely forgot about this bump on this road, and I didn't even notice it until I hit it... I remember that I fixated on site on side of the road actually

 

[Paulo666]

Hey I'm also in Dublin. Let's talk bikes.

Fastest way to lose your front wheel is to brake suddenly in the dirt.