Talking to yourself
 

Morning orgers

Came across this article yesterday:

http://rideapart.com/2013/07/the-imp...g-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?

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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.

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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.

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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.

Re: Talking to yourself
 

Its still there !!

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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

Re: Talking to yourself
 

:laughat:

Like it :)

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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.

Re: Talking to yourself
 

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