Talking to yourself

[Roberrrrt]

Morning orgers

Came across this article yesterday:

http://rideapart.com/2013/07/the-importance-of-talking-to-yourself/

Now, I've heard of this technique before, but I've never tried it myself. I decided I'd give it a go on the ride home yesterday evening, and whilst yes I did feel a bit of a t*t doing it I noticed that I did indeed feel more in control and more aware of my surroundings, and that my rearwards observations & shoulder checks became more frequent.

It's quite tricky to get the words out quickly enough sometimes - by the time you've described what's going on, you're at the point of passing the hazard / observation so I think it does force you to look further up the road.

Not sure I'd do it all the time. Anyone else tried it? What did you think?

[Mark_h]

I do this when I'm coaching a rider who is not getting any better at reading the road ahead. Basically a commentary run where I radio a commentary back to the other rider telling them what I'm seeing and feeling and what action I'm taking and plans I'm making based on that information. You do have to remember to breathe once in a while too.

The other trick is to imagine you have an examiner or policeman or a respected rider behind you and ask how your execution of that hazard (bend, overtake, junction) would have looked to them.

Basically anything that makes you think is good.

[Dicky Ticker]

I don't know about today's world but this was a part of the training for police advanced in the late 60's.
I agree that it is hard to put into words quick enough what your eye sees.

[wideguy]

I never tried talking to myself aloud while riding, but I sometimes do it non-verbally, usually just maligning the character of drivers in cars.
Anything that helps you to focus on what's going on is good. Situational awareness. It's very necessary for safe riding.
Somewhere along the way, after I had a good bit of experience riding, I found myself entering a sort of Zen state while riding. My conscious mind isn't involved, it's above it all. Information enters and is dealt with.
It's very nice. Puts me on top of the situation. Also causes me to get lost in the mountains.
I think there can be a hazard involved in actually verbalizing situations while riding. Things often happen too fast, and you don't want to be sitting on your bike saying "There's gravel across the turn- the turn is tightening up more than I expected- and a dog is running toward the road-" and trying to make some conscious decisions. Sort of like trying to play table tennis while verbalizing what's happening. By the time you figure it out and decide on a course of action, it's too late.

[Ch00]

I don't know about today's world but this was a part of the training for police advanced in the late 60's.
I agree that it is hard to put into words quick enough what your eye sees.

Its still there !!

[Fallout]

It would've been really funny if nobody had replied to this thread! Oh well. :)

[DJ123]

It also reminds you why you do what you do eg. Why you change your road position, what the advantage is. Makes it easier to explain to others if you know why you do it yourself

[Specialone]

It would've been really funny if nobody had replied to this thread! Oh well. :)

:laughat:

Like it :)

[rb8989]

Did this on my test. Helped me with all the checks and orders of things as you remember it both as actions and as a written list almost. Passed everything first time and I'm convinced it really helped.

[tonyk]

I don't talk to my self any more, not since I got a reply back.......

[missyburd]

Did this on my test. Helped me with all the checks and orders of things as you remember it both as actions and as a written list almost. Passed everything first time and I'm convinced it really helped.

Same here, great for making sure you turn indicators off and get all relevant lifesavers in. I suppose I do a similar thing in my head when out on the bike, never thought to give a running commentary though. Would be interesting to watch a vid of someone more practiced doing their thing while on the road.

And fallout, I like your style, we all failed :p

[Roberrrrt]

Haha, never even crossed my mind fallout!

[Cymraeg_Atodeg]

My dad was a Class 1 police driver for the Met Police and he told me about this. He had to do it as part of his training and it really makes your mind think more about what is going on.

I don't talk out loud when I do it, as I usually have people in the car with me... But, I do think about what is ahead, who is behind me, what speed is the limit for the road, what are the conditions, the car I am in or vehicle I am on.

It makes it funny when I am on a busy road and the people in the car are talking, I get asked a question and they get no answer for 5 minutes...