2023 Dick Russell Memorial Rally - Mountain View, AR. May 4th - 7th, 2023. Hosted by the Yamaha 650 Society.

[46th Georgia]

You aren't accustomed to roads like that. The fast curve came up on you unexpectedly. I've noted that drivers here in North Mississippi drive stupid fast on country lanes. 70 mph is common where the speed should be 45 mph. Few of them will attempt to negotiate a bend in the road. They drive way over their head, then slow to a crawl for a gentle bend. For Mikey, it may not have happened if you were riding alone. A group ride with a bunch of canyon carvers can be very dangerous. The majority of the group is experienced at very brisk riding on mountain roads. Speeds may actually increase as the road gets interesting. You have to pretend you're alone. For example, if John Chaves is leading the group in a crooked portion and I'm behind him, I stay about 2 seconds back. I maintain awareness of his position, but focus on the road looking through him rather that at him. I'm always looking far up the road doing my thing. If someone else is faster, they're always welcome to move ahead of me. I think we all have a propensity to focus on the bike ahead and that can get us in trouble.

Great advice. Ride YOUR ride.

 

[Kevin Werner]

You aren't accustomed to roads like that. The fast curve came up on you unexpectedly. I've noted that drivers here in North Mississippi drive stupid fast on country lanes. 70 mph is common where the speed should be 45 mph. Few of them will attempt to negotiate a bend in the road. They drive way over their head, then slow to a crawl for a gentle bend. For Mikey, it may not have happened if you were riding alone. A group ride with a bunch of canyon carvers can be very dangerous. The majority of the group is experienced at very brisk riding on mountain roads. Speeds may actually increase as the road gets interesting. You have to pretend you're alone. For example, if John Chaves is leading the group in a crooked portion and I'm behind him, I stay about 2 seconds back. I maintain awareness of his position, but focus on the road looking through him rather that at him. I'm always looking far up the road doing my thing. If someone else is faster, they're always welcome to move ahead of me. I think we all have a propensity to focus on the bike ahead and that can get us in trouble.

All of that is true but I was one bike behind Mikey and we were going well below th posted speed. I am guessing only 20 or 25 in what was posted35 IIRC.

 

[Bumblebee1]

There's a book by a well known motorcycle performance riding instructor named Keith Code. He's instructed many big name racers and helped thousands be safer, better riders.
The book is called "A Twist of the Wrist". It's REALLY helpful for getting your head right about riding.
What ya'll are describing he calls "target fixation".
It all happens in the blink of an eye, A person enters a corner that is tighter than than they anticipated. A small rush of panic hits and the believe they are gonna crash. They start to look for the best place available, no rocks or posts, etc. They focus their attention on that spot and surprise, surprise... that's where they crash. Happens to us all, he gives you strategies to fight it.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

 

[Jim]

There's a book by a well known motorcycle performance riding instructor named Keith Code. He's instructed many big name races and helped thousands be safer, better riders.
The book is called "A Twist of the Wrist". It's REALLY helpful for getting your head right about riding.
What ya'll are describing he calls "target fixation".
It all happens in the blink of an eye, A person enters a corner that is tighter than than they anticipated. All rush of panic hits and the believe they are gonna crash. They start to look for the best place available, no rocks or posts, etc. They focus their attention on that spot and surprise, surprise... that's where they crash. Happens to us all, he gives you strategies to fight it.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Just ordered a (used) copy. There's always room for improvement.

 

[Bumblebee1]

Just ordered a (used) copy. There's always room for improvement.

Give us a review after you read it. I think youre gonna like it and can just about guarantee you'll learn something.

 

[Jim]

Will do.

 

[Kevin Werner]

I sometime times distract myself. I ride a little slower and practice eye discipline.

 

[gggGary]

Not easy to put to paper but:
I'll put it out there that there are "time lapse events" that some people are susceptible to.
I wasn't riding near you that day but seem to recall other's mentioning your control, cornering was not "what we would expect of a fellow rider" at a rest stop before the corner talked about here. We all gain issues as we age, sometimes it's necessary for us to re-examine what activities we should and shouldn't engage in. Not a one of us will ride "forever".

 

[jetmechmarty]

Not a one of us will ride "forever".

Dick Russell sure came close.

 

[Mikey]

There's a book by a well known motorcycle performance riding instructor named Keith Code. He's instructed many big name racers and helped thousands be safer, better riders.
The book is called "A Twist of the Wrist". It's REALLY helpful for getting your head right about riding.
What ya'll are describing he calls "target fixation".
It all happens in the blink of an eye, A person enters a corner that is tighter than than they anticipated. A small rush of panic hits and the believe they are gonna crash. They start to look for the best place available, no rocks or posts, etc. They focus their attention on that spot and surprise, surprise... that's where they crash. Happens to us all, he gives you strategies to fight it.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Just found this video

 

[gggGary]

Dick Russell sure came close.

But even Dick was backing off, knew the time had come.
I'm shopping a touring bike, wrastling my abilities, attention span vs long road trips bike weight etc. Gumption to pack up and go.....
For me the fat lady ain't started singing but she's lacing up her corset.

 

[Mikey]

Not easy to put to paper but:
I'll put it out there that there are "time lapse events" that some people are susceptible to.
I wasn't riding near you that day but seem to recall other's mentioning your control, cornering was not "what we would expect of a fellow rider" at a rest stop before the corner talked about here. We all gain issues as we age, sometimes it's necessary for us to re-examine what activities we should and shouldn't engage in. Not a one of us will ride "forever".

I was just out again yesterday out in the country going through a bunch of twistys and it was a great ride
And if I think I'm coming in a corner to fast I'll drop a gear and let the engine slow me down and not the front brake
And I've been through the Bighorns and that was a challenge !
I do remember before the crash one time I drifted off the side of the road and went through a small mud puddle and I was watching the rider in front and behind me so everyone stayed together so maybe I wasn't focused enough ?
I just don't think it was my day to be riding

 

[Bumblebee1]

I was just out again yesterday out in the country going through a bunch of twistys and it was a great ride
And if I think I'm coming in a corner to fast I'll drop a gear and let the engine slow me down and not the front brake
And I've been through the Bighorns and that was a challenge !
I do remember before the crash one time I drifted off the side of the road and went through a small mud puddle and I was watching the rider in front and behind me so everyone stayed together so maybe I wasn't focused enough ?
I just don't think it was my day to be riding

Its a good idea to keep the bike in front of you, in your peripheral but you don't want to focus on it.
It seems like you should watch it closely but that's a mistake.
By focusing on the road ahead, you will naturally avoid the bike in front. Ask anybody that's ever raced.

 

[Bumblebee1]

Just found this video

I promise, if you watch this video, learn what he's teaching and practice it, you will be a better rider.
I read his book (several times) and took one of his "California Superbike School" courses.
I feel it really helped me to have the right mindset and develop skills i wouldn't have even known I lacked.

 

[Bumblebee1]

Will do.

Did you ever receive the book?

 

[Jim]

Did you ever receive the book?

Yes. Haven't read it yet. Promise I'll do a "book report" soon as I do.