Page 87 - Australian Motorcycle News (January 2020)
P. 87
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Little things dotted around
the place can give us clues
to what dangers may or
may not lay ahead
Use your senses and take in
whatever clues and information ahead you’ve spotted a chimney.
might lie ahead on your ride able to see up to a kilometre or so
Straight away this tells you the ahead of you. You can see, either
road must veer off to either the left through other traffic travelling on
or the right – it’s a fair assumption the road or through some of the
3 the house hasn’t been built in tips outlined above, where the
the middle of the road – so you’d road goes. So other than perhaps
reduce your speed to something a few road surface or wildlife
appropriate to negotiate an surprises, you’re comfortable to
upcoming corner that may have sit on the 100km/h signposted
otherwise caught you by surprise. limit. If, however, you find yourself
Depending on the environment, on a country road, but this time
it may even be possible to in a heavily wooded area with
determine which way the roads hills and undulations, the farthest
veers and already be set-up for point you can physically see on
a left- or right-hand bend before the road ahead is constantly
you actually see it. You might changing and, at the same time,
notice a tree line which indicates so is the time you’ve got to pull
the direction of the road, more the bike up, or be presented with
roofs or chimneys might be an a think-quick scenario if required.
indicator, even a ridge line along So it’s not a bad idea to adjust your
a mountain. Like any skill on the speed according to the farthest
bike, you get better and quicker at point you can physically see, to
reading the environment around put yourself in a situation where
4 you the more often you do it. you’re comfortable being if things
Remember to use it as an indicator unexpectedly turned pear-
rather than fact, and always be shaped.
prepared for things to still jump
out of nowhere. Look back
5 As if all that looking forward
Look out! isn’t taking enough of your
4 We’ve all had it drummed attention, it is just as important to
into us that we need to be looking get in a habit of regularly checking
well ahead, and it’s something we your mirrors so you’re building a
all do. It’s a good idea to look as far full 360-degree zone of awareness
ahead as possible and set yourself around you and your bike. A far
some conscious guidelines too high proportion of motorcycle
around speed and distances, crashes in Australia are rear-end
depending on your experience. affairs and it’s just as important to
On an open 100km/h country road be aware and have enough time
with very few trees or undulations to take well-considered evasive
in the landscape, you might be action if and when required.
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