Concepts Review (12/12)
Concepts Review
The APE Barrier
Hazard Analysis
Throughout the Operational Hazards section we went over the underlying principles of how the motorcycle interacts with its environment. Using the knowledge from that chapter gives us an understanding of what to strive for with regards to traction and stability. Applying that baseline of knowledge to regular riding will hone the rider in on the threats to motorcycle operation. There is an extensive list of Traction and Stability Hazards that can be encountered while riding. Thankfully, only a small handful pose a significant risk to the rider. Many Passable Hazards will be commonly experienced within certain areas and are easily recognizable from a distance. When the motorcyclist combines excellent Line of Sight with keen hazard detection/reaction is when road navigation will start to become a seamless process. Taking the lessons from Mentality Hazards, the rider sets herself up for success by respecting risky locations, being aware of her surroundings, prioritizing motorcycle handling skills, and expecting the unexpected.
Ride Plans
Passable Hazards was our first big look into Ride Plans. Starting as a simple point A to point B, the concept showcases how the Ride Plan can be varied to manage Passable Hazards. Ride Plans are the primary strategy for managing outside hazards and the variations that were applicable in this chapter were as extensive as the list of Passable Hazards that can be encountered. Passable Hazards can come in many shapes and sizes, but are all managed in similar ways by the motorcyclist. Ride Plans should aim to eliminate Passable Hazards through avoidance in most situations, and by opting to control hazards with specific motorcycle operation when necessary. It was also explored how lane position can affect Evasive Potential, Line of Sight, as well as affect the likelihood of encountering hazards by travelling inside or outside of vehicle tracks. Depending on current conditions and rider preferences, the motorcyclist is able to consider many variables to make smart decisions in the moment.
Fluid Execution
Many of the strategies described in this chapter will manifest as concise, assertive motorcycle operations. The skills required to perform such manoeuvres can require delicate precision. The levels of muscle memory needed in high stakes situations does not develop overnight. It takes dedicated practice outside of general day to day riding. The Evasive Muscle Memory building drills previously outlined are of dual purpose. They are not just a means to better motorcycle control, but are also a means of experiencing motorcycle feedback. When the rider and motorcycle become one, the stability and the traction are not separate from the individual, but are experienced directly by the motorcyclist. Being highly in tune with stability and traction, coupled with the ability to make assertive or gentle operational changes depending on the situation, is what defines Fluid Execution at the Passable Hazards level. Achieving this level of operational prowess will put you a cut above the average motorcyclist.
The 13 Deadly Risks of Riding
Dressing For the Ride, Not For the Slide
Throughout the Passable Hazards section, we discussed Ride Plans at length. Ride Plans help the rider stay one step ahead of danger by using good foresight and calculated approach. When mistakes are made, the rider must resort to reflexive emergency manoeuvres to avoid danger. If the attempts at evasion are unsuccessful, the rider is brought back to square one which is smashing into or scraping against objects that are much tougher than the human body. Now that the rider is moving at street speeds, their motorcycle operation will be very unforgiving in the event that all else has failed. In a perfect world, this would never happen. In the imperfect world that we live in, recognize that you are human and that you will make mistakes. If mistakes are made that lead to an accident, your fragile human body will be grateful for the gear that you have on your side.
Poor Machine Connection
Knowing how your machine functions and how Passable Hazards affect those functions is only half the battle. Top-down wiring learning must meet bottom-up wiring practice. Creating fireable circuits that are useful in adverse situations is a long bridge to cross. However, if the student takes the drills seriously, they will find that when they are faced with emergency Passable Hazard situations, they will be able to react assertively which is the ideal manner to respond to unexpected risk. If there is a disconnect between rider and motorcycle, extended response times and improper/sloppy control inputs can hold back the motorcyclist from successfully avoiding dangerous situations. When the Ride Plan has failed, you must be able to react instinctively without batting an eyelash.
Disregarding The Right Of Weight
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Assuming Motorists See You
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Forgetting About Murphy
Now that we have been discussing outside hazards is when Murphy starts to become a significant, but unexpected factor of riding. When you consider the way you think, the way you control your motorcycle, and the maintenance of your motorcycle, these are all aspects that are under your direct control. Having supervision over these aspects will create a level of certainty that things will not go astray. Passable Hazards are variables that the motorcyclist can encounter, but will never had direct control over. Aside from your ability to spot these hazards from afar, you will never have any idea that they are there. As you develop as a motorcyclist, you will acquire skills that will help you determine the likelihood of experiencing certain types of Passable Hazards in certain areas. Never overestimate your skills. No matter how proficient the operator is at reading certain environments or spotting hazards from afar, Murphy’s Law can , and often will, materialize when you least expect it. Always leave reserve in your riding for the unexpected.
Ignoring the Hit On You
Building off of Murphy’s Law, expect that the world is out to get you. How does this relate to Passable Hazards? Expect objects to be on the roadway. Expect your favourite corner to have sand on it today when it didn’t yesterday. Expect roads to be riddled with pot holes. Assume that the incoming intersection will contain gravel. Pretending there is a hit on you is designed to work against Murphy’s Law. Murphy’s Law will sometimes have unexpected hazards show up out of nowhere. Pretending there is a hit on you makes you expect the unexpected every time you flip up that kickstand. When you are out riding your motorcycle, assume that there are incoming Passable Hazards until you have direct Line of Sight to confirm that there are none. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
Blindspot Complacency
We briefly touched on Blindspot Complacency in this chapter when we talked about Vanishing Point. In a nutshell, Blindspots pose a risk to the rider because they can suddenly restrict visibility which inhibits the ability to detect incoming hazards. As you are progressing with your motorcycle, be sure to monitor if and when there is a Vanishing Point up ahead. If you do notice one, think if there are ways you should be optimizing your lane position for Evasive Potential and/or Line of Sight. When Vanishing Points are brought close to the motorcycle, this is indicative that a sharp bend in the road is imminent. Roads with tight bends are best met with increased Lead Time through the deceleration of the motorcycle.
Charging Intersections And Turns
Charging turns is a bad habit that has ended in tragedy for many motorcyclists. While a motorcycle navigates a turn, it is an intricate balance that leaves the motorcycle more vulnerable to Passable Hazards while doing so. Reducing speed mid corner is not easy even for the skilled operator. The most ideal situations for new riders is to approach a curve with inadequate speed, which allows them to accelerate through the turn once their balance has been found. The least ideal situation is coming in hot and having to reduce speed and manage their line mid-curve. The new rider should focus on selecting an appropriate gear, and then work on maintaining a steady speed as they manage their Ride Plan through the curve.
Riding With An Unfit Mental State
Poor mental states generally affect the rider’s ability to make sound decisions and manage their attention effectively. Poor decision making can result in risky approach speeds or angles for certain situations. Poor ability to focus will often result in a rider being oblivious to incoming Traction/Stability Hazards. The hazards that will have the most adverse affects on the rider are the ones that they don’t see coming. It is important to stay tuned in to notice the fine details of the road from afar.
Restricting And Out-Riding Line of Sight
The implications of Line of Sight on road navigation were a small section of this chapter. The material in Passable Hazards was not inclusive of the effects of other vehicles on the roadway. Assuming that the motorcycle has mostly clear sight lines creates an overly optimistic expectation for the detection of incoming Passable Hazards. In reality, there will be many aspects of the environment that can restrict Line of Sight such as: vegetation, signs, vehicles and bends in the road. The motorcyclist should always be mindful when their visibility has become restricted and manage the lane position and speed to maintain adequate levels of Lead Time. Most of the Passable Hazards you encounter will not be a significant threat to traction or stability. However, when you do encounter a significant threat you want to see it at the earliest possible moment.
Inattention To The Surroundings
Paying attention to the surroundings will allow the motorcyclist the most time to react to Traction/Stability Hazards. For the observant rider, many of these hazards can be spotted from a fair distance away or be expected when certain road characteristics or areas are noted. In order for the Ride Plan to be a powerful risk management tool, it needs to be as proactive as possible. Being proactive is not possible for the rider who is ignorant of their surroundings. Stay tuned into the pavement you are on, the pavement that is coming, and any visual nuances that you see from a distance.
Operating Without a Ride Plan
The rider who does not plan their line through sections of pavement will be largely negligent with their traction and stability. Many sections of pavement are relatively low risk with regards to Passable Hazards. The problem that arises is there can be little stimuli to encourage proactive pavement navigation habits. When the rider happens upon a critical Passable Hazard, they are likely to notice it too late and may not react in the proper way. Many of the Ride Plan strategies contained in this chapter may seem over the top. Quite honestly, in many cases they are. Regardless, they produce proactive mental and physical habits that become second nature to the rider. Use the Ride Plan to consider current traction/stability versus what is incoming, and how that will affect current motorcycle operation. If the Ride Plan can be changed to optimize traction and/or stability, the rider should make these changes. A rider that constantly adjusts their Ride Plan in this manner will be properly equipped to deal with an assortment of Passable Hazards as they read incoming pavement and micromanage their traction and stability with high degrees of effectiveness. In addition to micromanaging traction/stability, the Ride Plan is an excellent tool to manage lane position, and the Line of Sight to maximize risk management. Be sure to flip the small vulnerable nature of motorcycles in your favour by strategically using your small size to pick the best areas of pavement that also offer great Line of Sight and Evasive Potential.
Taking Risks Outside Your Skill Bubble
Taking parking lot skills onto public streets will equip the rider to deal with mild to moderate Passable Hazards. Being in an uncontrolled environment means that the rider now has to moderate how much risk he is subjecting himself to, and consider the skills needed to manage said risk. While learning road navigation skills, the rider should aim to minimize the amount of risk and variables that they are encountering on the road. Until pavement navigation becomes more intuitive, the rider should consider learning with light traffic conditions, warm sunny days, summer as opposed to spring/fall, and areas with decent pavement that are not turn heavy. Keeping the ride simple will allow the rider to focus on their Ride Plan and how it relates to the pavement they are navigating. Too much distraction could cause the motorcyclist to learn slower or miss critical aspects of their surroundings. Riding at night, during adverse weather, or tricky sections of roadway can overwhelm the skills of the new rider. With regards to Passable Hazards, approaching turns at too high a speed is the most dangerous risk to take outside of your Skill Bubble. Start slowly and work your way up. Until the rider is familiar with Traction/Stability Hazards and High Stability Mode, riding degraded sections of roadway or gravel roads would be outside of their Skill Bubble.
While we do not want to ride outside of our Skill Bubble, we do want to encourage its growth. There is a fine line between safe and risky Skill Bubble Growth. First and foremost, stay within your comfort zone. If you feel uncomfortable, you can bet your leather vest that you’re riding outside your Skill Bubble. The “comfort zone” directly correlates to control and confidence. If you feel comfortable approaching and navigating a corner, you were in control of the various aspects physically and mentally associated with the corner. This “even keel” feeling equates to confidence throughout the corner and is what should be striven for at all times on two wheels. Confidence is the opposite of Panic Reactions. It means that you are aware of surrounding threats and are managing them comfortably. Confidence comes from operating within the means of your Hazard (A)nalysis, Ride (P)lans, and Fluid (E)xecution. Pushing boundaries is a necessary part of learning, but should never be pushed too far, too fast. This is where your intuition comes in, AKA, feeling uncomfortable. Trust your gut. If you’re feeling uncomfortable while navigating turns (or any part of learning in general), take a breather and evaluate why you are experiencing those feelings. Guaranteed, in one way or another you are riding too far outside your capabilities. Keeping these points in mind, baby step the progression of your Skill Bubble growth.
An excellent way to aid Skill Bubble progression is to ride with more experienced riders and see how they manage their Ride Plan. This is one of the safest and most constructive ways of encouraging Skill Bubble growth. Be sure to communicate with your riding buddies that you would wish to learn from the way they manage their motorcycle, but remember that what they are doing might be acceptable for their Skill Bubble, but not yours. Your friends can try to be accommodating to your level of riding but, ultimately, staying inside your Skill Bubble is your responsibility. For those who want the maximum depth of skill for managing Passable Hazards, get a dirtbike. Dirtbiking is quite literally the conquest of frequent Traction/Stability Hazards which, obviously, makes for skill-full motorcyclists in these areas while riding on pavement.
The APE Risk Management System
Clearing Passable Hazards
Eliminating A Passable Hazard
Avoidance of a Passable Hazard. If the hazard does not touch the motorcycle, then the hazard can not affect the traction or stability of the motorcycle. Optimize Ride Plans to avoid Passable Hazards when favourable.
Controlling A Passable Hazard
Use specific forms of operation to nullify the Passable Hazard. In general, riding straight with a constant speed will successfully negate most Passable Hazards. Traction Hazards will only pose significant risk if current motorcycle operation demands traction. A steady velocity requires very little traction. If you are not on the throttle, brakes, or actively leaning, Passable Hazards will have negligible effects on motorcycle operation. When Traction Hazards cover a large area or a change of speed/direction is needed for a turn, perform the changes beforehand if possible, and, softly, if they must be done on the low friction zone. Such operation would be consistent with High Stability Mode, the green areas of the Traction Matrix. When caught off-guard and braking must done on a Traction Hazard, the back brake is a better option than the front. In the likely event that the tire locks, rear wheel lock-ups are much easier to control compared to front wheel lock-ups.
Ideally with Stability Hazards, the middle of the tire will contact the hazard, not the side. When the side of the tire is contacted is when the hazard will have a more destabilizing effect on the motorcycle. Where the tire is contacted is managed with approach angle, 90o being optimal. Larger Stability Hazards can create a shock that travels through the suspension and into the rider. Minimize the effects on your machine by minimizing lean-angle. Minimize the effects on your body by retaining a firm grip, but relaxed posture. Large shocks can be absorbed with the legs by lifting the butt off of the seat a moment before impact. As with Traction Hazards, Stability Hazards are best managed with High Stability Mode, the green areas of the Traction Matrix.
Mitigating A Passable Hazard
Electronic traction systems that are installed on some motorcycles can help with Traction Hazards. Despite the integration of electronic monitoring systems onto our motorcycles, they are not 100% effective. They have their limitations, which can be exceeded with negligent riding practices. Learning to manage the traction and stability of your motorcycle manually is far more reliable that electronic systems. That being said, traction systems do eliminate the risk of over-braking and can decrease braking distance for those who lack experience.
A highly effective piece of equipment to counteract wobbles and tank-slappers is called a steering-damper. It uses a small chamber of oil to resist handle bar oscillations that can be caused by motorcycle instability. The steering-damper is a great addition to any motorcycle that doesn’t already come stock with one.
Hazard Stacks
The most common Hazard Stack when talking about Passable Hazards will be Traction Hazards stacking upon one another, and encountering hazards mid turn. A good example of Traction Hazard stacks would be the entire road surface being covered with water during a rainy day. Painted lines, metal and alternative riding surfaces would become very slippery as the hazards are stacked. Stability Hazards cannot stack on top of one another, but many can be encountered in quick succession. So, as long as the rider is going straight, many Stability Hazards can be hit without any ill affects on their machine. Changes to velocity should be made prior to, or after, a bumpy section so the machine can properly settle into the suspension.
Almost all Passable Hazards are easy to deal with when travelling straight. They create a more dangerous problem for the rider when encountered with a lean-angle. Mild to moderate Stability Hazards can be ridden over while leaning with a constant speed to keep the motorcycle suspension balanced for the impact. Serious Stability Hazards should be traversed close to upright and the rider should manage the Ride Plan in an attempt to decrease lean-angle before impact. Reducing speed will make the motorcycle more manoeuvrable to perform operational changes faster.
When a Traction Hazard is encountered mid-turn, the quickest counter measure is to decrease lean-angle. The rider can briefly enter High Stability Mode to nullify the hazard as they ride over, re-initiating their turn after the low-friction zone has been crossed. The rider must pick the best angle to “coast” across in this manner. Reducing speed before the Traction Hazard can reduce the strain on your friction. Just remember to release the brake before contact with the hazard is made in order to prevent traction loss as available friction drops.
Evasive Potential and Secondary Ride Plans
With regards to Evasive Potential, adjusting lane position to avoid hazards and lean-angle to control hazards are the main strategies for managing risk. Consider the whole lane and roadway. Are you in a good position that allows movement in all directions? Are you selecting a lane position that offers good traction/stability? Should you have to, are you in a good position to swerve, and which directions offer you the best paths of evasion? If you need to suddenly decrease lean-angle, will your roadway position be able to accommodate this change in operation? Where will your motorcycle go if you bring it upright? Are there currently aspects of the road or environment that would limit your ability to accelerate, decelerate, swerve left, or swerve right? Are there ways to remove these restrictions of Evasive Potential? In general, the most Evasive Potential will be in the centre of the road, on your side of it. As you are riding you should always be considering which Secondary Ride Plans would be useful in an emergency, and if your current operation is limiting your access to those plans.
Peripheral Perception
Learning to navigate pavement is when the fundamentals of Peripheral Perception begin to develop. After the Ride Plan has been established, lightly unfocus the eyes and hold the gaze above the end of the Ride Plan. Use your Panoramic Vision to monitor lane position and detect incoming hazards. Take note of the baseline pavement colour and aim to be in direct contact with that colour as much as possible. Use Peripheral Perception to detect contrast changes, Vanishing Points and surface anomalies as you progress with your motorcycle. When your eyes pick up detail, use Binocular Vision to evaluate if your Ride Plan needs adjustments. Scan. Lock on. Assess. React. With time, your eyesight and attention will be managed in highly effective ways to spot and react to Passable Hazards as you navigate pavement with your motorcycle.
To refresh yourself on some activities to build skills with Peripheral Perception, please refer to The APE Risk Management System.
Passable Hazards Summary
It is fairly common for the driver of a regular vehicle not to pay attention to the fine details of pavement. Years of riding a motorcycle will turn you into a pavement professor. Motorcyclists will worship good sections of pavement and avoid poorly degraded sections like the plague. Passable Hazards that are encountered are not under the direct control of the rider, but the way they control their motorcycle over them is. Properly directed attention and motorcycle control makes most Passable Hazards relatively easy to deal with. Throughout this chapter, we began to explore awareness associated with the outside world. Passable Hazards is where hazard information and muscle memory are used in real time. The skills developed in a parking lot can be adjusted to approach hazards in purposeful ways. In addition to that, once the new rider becomes more acquainted with their connection to the roadway is when they can begin pushing their muscle memory further. The Basic Muscle Memory developed initially is extremely useful for dealing with Passable Hazards, but inadequate for dealing with Impassable Hazards. As the rider becomes comfortable on the road, they should look to start building Evasive Muscle Memory with the drills outlined near the end of this chapter. When road navigation meets muscle memory and vision management, the rider is well equipped to deal with the most common category of hazards encountered in every day riding; other motorists. Impassable Hazards can only be evaded, take up large areas, restrict vision, and, potentially, direction of travel. The rider must be on their toes and ready to act at the slightest hint of danger.
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