Bert, The Nodding Donkey
© Simon Matthews. Senior Observer LAM
I was making my way to work last week and I came across a fairly well ridden Honda Blackbird. Decent line, reasonable smooth, clearly there had been some ‘advanced’ training going on. However Bert (let us give a name to the Blackbird rider) was committing the cardinal sin of reading the book and only half understanding it (The book of course being Roadcraft).
This in fact made his riding LESS SAFE.
Why?
Bloody nodding donkey head checks all over the place! No rhyme or reason for them, just chucked in all over the place.
Head checks or lifesavers if you prefer, are important in the right place and they need to be considered for various reasons.
Sometimes incorrectly timed ‘donkey’ head checks can be put down to training not having focused on the flow and simplicity of ‘advanced’ riding.
Associates can misinterpret how the System is used in this situation. I suppose Bert logically followed each part of the System subconsciously. He looked, considered adjusting his position and then speed. Then comes the problem: during this, the System say’s ‘consider’ a Life Saver and this is where Bert tended to just chuck one in because the book said so.
Remember how flexible the System is meant to be, and that consideration is required to many things including head checks.
However the System should not be used by rote.
In fact good riding should be so well planned, that it'll appear as if the rider isn't doing anything. Small corrections to speed and position are done so early for a hazard that you hardly notice… beautiful… this translates to the best track riding as well.
Treat yourself to Duke Video review of the 1989 season for 500cc Grand Prix. The riders to watch are Lawson and Rainey who look like they are going slow, but are often leading the lap times. When they make a mistake it looks like the fast forward button had been hit, and everyone goes home to mamma!
Anyway looking over your shoulder at the wrong time or place could affect your safety. So when planning your ride, think about the priorities in terms of danger to you. Approaching a hazard will normally take priority. Consider this accordingly and use the System. Remember if you are part way through the System for the first hazard you saw and then something more important [dangerous] has taken priority, start SYSTEM again for the new danger.
Remember – SAFETY then everything else.
Head checks are ideal just before you commit to a maneuver that puts you at extra risk. Notwithstanding all this, good mirror work on the approach to a hazard should have built a bank of information.
Also lifesavers just before an overtake can sometime be bad news.
This is particularly the case on country roads, when traveling at speed. When Bert was in the overtaking position, he was close to the car in front. At this point Bert does a lifesaver, but if he really had to do one I would question if he have been paying full attention up to this point.
When I see a life saver at this point, it is VERY dangerous. He was traveling at speed, close to the vehicle in front. Then he looked over his shoulder! What is going to happen if the car in front brakes? If it decides to change direction?
So, remember what the System suggests and that is “CONSIDER a LIFESAVER before you accelerate or move”
Sometimes they are ‘lifesavers’ and sometimes they are not!
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