The focus of
this video is unrelated to motorcycling, but the concept of continuous training and practice is directly related. At the end, one of the police trainers describes the ability to use a weapon in a high-hazard situation as "a perishable skill," one that dissipates quickly with disuse.
Lots of people imagine that driving or riding a bicycle or motorcycle is the kind of skill that sticks with you indefinitely, once you've "mastered" it. One of the side-benefits of being a motorcycle safety trainer is gaining the absolute knowledge that physical/mental skills are perishable.
I agree. I always notice a difference in my skill level if I haven't been on the bike in a while. Or even on a weekend trip, I notice my skills seem better by the end of the trip and I am usually cornering faster.
ReplyDeleteit is why we must practice. Good thing we enjoy riding, practice isn't a hardship.
I learned how to ride a bike when I was 8 and drive (a tractor) when I was 10 or so. Didn't prepare me for rush hour in Mpls. For a long time, I was a menace to society learning 'situational awareness' OJT when I finally got a license.
ReplyDeleteDon't want to think about the OJT situational awareness training that associated with hand guns. Most owners, I think, are also a menace to society with no hope of improvement unless they get law enforcement trainging and refreshers. Without that, like a beginning rider / driver, they're simply a danger to us all.
When you see stories about cops wildly shooting and hitting everything but their targets in defensive situations, it really brings this into focus. I'm unconvinced that we're a smart enough animal to bear arms. There was a reason nature equipped us with . . . nothing of defensive value; no claws, sharp teeth, speed, agility, or strength. We are just big brained prey.
ReplyDeleteOn a motorcycle, pretty much anything you think we are in control of is, in fact, grossly out of control. Crashing occasionally reminds us of how little we can control, which makes a great argument for off-road riding and on-track racing. At the minimum, regular training and constant practice is absolutely required.