Making Your Way (Part 1 of 2)

Does this look like a drive on your favorite freeway in rush hour?
Would you like a strategy that would work to get you through this or any situation quickly and safely?
See how I've applied lessons learned on the street and in places like this to decrease my anxiety and stress and increase my safety and enjoyment.


Safely Through The Crowd.

Way back when I started driving a car one of the first things I was taught was to keep looking ahead. Over the years I’ve heard variants of the same theme and most recently the best description of why I should do this came in my Total Control training. Lee goes into detail regarding how our minds work and why looking ahead and even expanding my vision would help to reduce anxiety and stress. All of this helped me to connect some dots and with a bit further research and application I had my own epiphany regarding vision and control.

As I get a bit older I am really beginning to view life as a puzzle and each experience I’ve had has been a piece that I’ve turned over. Some have fit into place very easily and others have been sitting on the side waiting to be places. If you’ve ever put together a puzzle there comes a point when a large group of pieces come together just from the simple placement of one or a few. Most recently, from riding on the road, training on the range, walking around a crowded convention hall and finally a few discussions online I had a large group of pieces come together and finally have a well to tell the story to others.

Warning Zen Zone Ahead

Motorcycling constantly reaffirms old and teaches me new lessons about life. When it comes to vision, the lesson is probably the biggest of them all. You see, looking ahead not only applies to riding on the road, but living your life as well. If you focus too closely on what right in front of your face you’ll miss what is going on around yourself and quite possibly opportunities in the future can drastically change as well. The further you look and plan ahead the better things will eventually turn out. But let me start at the beginning instead of skipping ahead to the lesson learned.

For more than half of my life I’ve worked directly in sales, from on the floor retail stuff to national direct and factory representative situations. In all of those positions the key to any successful sales came from preparation. In every single sales training I’ve ever taught or trained, what to do before beginning the sale, has always included. In the teachings of Dale Carnegie, probably the most famous sales trainer, I learned many things, but one lesson that applies here is this “First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.” You see the mental state that you place yourself must be proper before you look at any situation and the same holds true on the street. If you have not set a state of mind first, when you do look at things your have no agenda and therefore no way to proceed until something happens. With a plan ahead of time, or as I just described, a state of mind, I can approach any situation prepared for the worst and therefore not stressed if the worst does happen and actually relaxed when the worst doesn’t happen.

While Total Control does address mental state, it does not break things down into a strategy. I don’t fault the curriculum for that because it is an advanced training program designed for riders who have been on the street for quite a while and does assume that these folks already have a strategy that they use and that works for them. The MSF curriculum that I teach also addresses “Are You Ready” in their training, but do not include Mental State in their prescribed SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) Street Strategy. Once again I don’t fault that curriculum because it obviously has millions of students that have benefited from its teachings. But that being said I do believe that after taking that training and before attending a TCARC a modified strategy can help to better handle the street and be more relaxed while doing so.

Over the last year I’ve spent a lot of time relaxing myself on the street and tracking exactly what I was doing that allowed me to have less and less issues or close calls. Over the past 6 months I found that literally nothing surprises me on the street and although I do get frustrated with the occasional stupid driver, I’m not in a dangerous or iffy situation because of that driver. Mostly because I apply a strategy that maximize both time and space whenever I drive or ride. I’ve also found the more I concentrate on the mental preparation of each situation then less stress and anxiety I have, and overall I’m a lot more relaxed and happy all the time. So. Let me share my approach and feel free to adapt it to what you use.

With my next post I'll introduce my advanced strategy for the street. I call it SCAN and as you'll see it is a comprehensive way to maintain your focus and safety as you move along the roadway.

Set your mind
Categorize stimuli
Analyze movement
Navigate the situation

Zippy-Zap, Here and Back!

Just about 10 days ago a friends called and said, "Hey, you need to come to Lake Havasu and bring your camera. Well, since I had the ability to clear my schedule and I'd never been to Lake Havasu I decided what the heck, jumped on my bike and went this past Thursday for a one-night turn around trip.


I didn't get an early start on Thursday so I arrived in Havasu after lunch, but early enough to capture the action an the International Jet Sports Boating Association Finals. I fulfilled my photo duties and then sat and chatted a bit with the folks at Monster, JBL and Kawasaki.

It was actually cool to watch the races and even look at how some of the same riding techniques we use on motorcycle apply and benefitted the racers. I commented that it didn't seem that dangerous of a sport and got some odds looks, but heck, there was plenty of run-off.


While I was hoping for a cooler ride it didn't really happen and temps were into the triple digits, although I must admit that 103 is a lot better than 115. Since I was trying to get there in back in a timing manner I did not have a lot of time to take photos, but when I was on the final section of a road that would take me to I-10 (The Superslab) I saw a sign, you know the ones you just have to turn around to take a picture, just to show your friends? Well anyway, here is the photo, and now I will have to return to get the story. I just that that maybe I will not do it at night...

A Whole Lot of Activity!

Man, what a month! In the span of 30 days I've been to California twice, Las Vegas and traveled across the valley a good 20 times.

I've gained a lot more knowledge about Twitter, seen Pink in concert and even taught a female Marine how to be a better rider. It has been a rewarding month, but a very tiring one as well. Now I'm look to finally drop into more of a standard schedule, which means of course I'll probably pick up speed. One thing I've certainly learned is that just when you think you've found the perfect way to do something a new process or product will come along and change things up for ya!

First up was the most recent event in which I participated which was the Grand Opening of GOAZ in Scottsdale. If you haven't heard by now Bob Parsons of Go Daddy fame is getting into the motorcycle business and he is doing so by buying up property after property in Scottsdale. Currently he has opened locations in the old Hacienda Customs building and the old Hyundai dealership, but there is more to come! The event hosted Chris "Teach" McNeil an award winning stunter as the main attraction and also had a few other motorcycle riding displays including Tealdo Teal and myself showing off the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. It was very cool to work with Teach and getting kudos on riding from a guy that really takes things to the limit sort of made my month. It will be interesting to see how things progress as GOAZ, and certainly interesting that there has been no leveraging of the Go Daddy celebrities...

Before that event I was in Vegas at a party for Interbike that was hosted by Argon, Thule and Oakley. It was interesting to be in a crowd completely outside of anyone I know, that was until I ran into an editor from my journalism days that tied things all up nicely. Running the schedule that I've been running sort of showed itself in Vegas and was a nice reminder that we all get to our limits, regardless of who we are. No harm no foul, I just go to bed much earlier than I used to 10 to 20 years ago.

In the training realm I've graduated over 40 Marines now through Level 1 and 2 of the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic. The process has made me master the curriculum at a level that would have taken months in a very short time. There is nothing like constant practice and proper re-enforcement of the incorrect and correct way of doing something to firmly train your muscle memory and brain to get the exact result you expect.




Now, on the funnier side of things I've got a new addition in the realm of hydration. I am an admitted bag and bottle freak, so my new military CamelBak (with USMC Digital Desert pattern) is no real surprise, but in the process of getting my new pack I was give a new water bottle. It came with a marketing piece that stated that some University did a study and with this bottle users drank 24% more water?!? Anyway, it was free and I tried it.

Well, I am addicted and it is kinda odd, once I realized what the bottle really is and the evil plan that makes me OK with drinking from it constantly.

Yes, the Camelbak Better Bottle is an Adult Sippy Cup!! And, I LOVE it!

So have fun, keep hydrated and I'll see ya on the road!

Boy Scouts and Riding (The fuel dilemma)

"Always be prepared" it is the motto of the Boy Scouts and also a very smart way to ride. With that I show you a coffee traveler from Starbucks?

Well, a little while ago a friend of mine told me about a cool way to be be able to carry fuel back to a bike, just in case you happen to run out somewhere. In the past I've run out of fuel before and the hardest part was always getting a container to use to get the fuel from the station to the vehicle. If you run out you don't need a lot and on a bike even a one-gallon container is hard to carry, so when I was shown this work around I ran out to get one for myself.

Here I give you the Starbucks' Emergency Fuel container! Follow along and you'll understand.

First you need to get a Coffee Traveler from Starbucks. If you get one with coffee it is useable, you'll just need to clean the bladder afterwards.

But, if you're like me and visit Starbucks quite often you can ask for any empty one, which not put together looks like this.



You'll see that the container holds 96 Fluid Ounces, just under a Gallon. Certainly enough to get you to a station, or you can even get two bladder, just in case.



When you look inside the cardboard you'll see the shiny bladder.



The bladder is held in place with 2 glue spots and the hole is held in place by the cardboard. It comes out rather easiliy, simply with a slight pull.




After getting the bladder out of the cardboard you'll want to remove the glue spots, the one at the bottom is very thin and the one at the top is more sticky. Both come off simply by using your fingers to get it off the bladder.



After that you are left with a bladder and a lid.



Roll the bladder up and screw on the lid and you have an emergency fuel bladder.



Now, I would not store fuel in this and I would make sure to protect the bladder from getting poked or torn wherever you carry it. Other than that it is perfectly suited for the need and fills the purpose very efficiently and effectively.

Have Fun!

I Understand Risk, I Don't Understand Delusion. (Or do I?) (Part 5 of 5)

OK, the previous posts have been about understanding how others can have a different level of risk assessment than I might and I've come a long way to accepting that they are allowed to do that and it will not hurt me or any website I might operate. I also will defend my opinion that I can talk safety, provide good examples and not have to fight every person that does not adhere to what I think.

I recently met a group of individuals that are so militant in their safety beliefs that they categorize any advanced training or event including Total Control and Trackdays as irresponsible. They say this because they believe that these things only encourage riders to ride above and beyond what is legal on the roadway. I can only assume that they ride in a manner that obeys every written law, and I'll even accept that as possible. But, I get lost in their understanding of how advanced understanding directly means that a person will automatically use that understanding or skill inappropriately.

I can imagine this as a misguided approach of saving people from themselves and have even fallen into the trap of thinking I could help people avoid pain by trying to change their behavior, but never did I think someone would think learning how to better ride a bike would be bad, let alone trying to stop the process all together.

As I said recently I met a group, well specifically I interacted with an individual who slammed the Ten Step To Proper Cornering as presented in the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic by Lee Parks. His misunderstanding of the 10 Steps are what he first started to slam, but once corrected on the actual step he stepped further back in his defense and eventually it became clear he was simply against any training of the sort.

Of course this was all based upon what he believed the training or curriculum was about, not from any real attempt to understand any of it at all. In fact he has never cracked Lee's book open, nor did he take advantage of actually sitting through the Clinic (which he was offered, for free.) To be clear, he didn't even sit in the classroom segment, nor did he ride. So, in the end of my interaction with this gentleman I decided it is impossible to respect a negative opinion, when the person doesn't even bother to understand what they are critical of in the first place.

In the end, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and as such it is my opinion that people who ride with our regard to others are rude and those who simply throw stones at things they clearly have spent no time to understand are sad.

While both being rude and sad in my above statement come from the lack of understanding, I am a lot more tolerant of rude, unless it becomes obvious that they do not want to understand, versus those I define as sad. Because the sad folks refuse to understand and ultimately must really be missing the point of riding a motorcycle.

In my mind, when riding is 100% safe, it is boring.

I can't imagine anything worse than riding without any thrill, just using a motorcycle for simple....boring transportation. I know that some have a motorcycle as their only choice and may choose to ride a lot safer, that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about riding a motorcycle and missing the whole point of riding a motorcycle!

So, the next time you go on a ride, take a deep breath and soak in the reality that what you do is dangerous. Then seek comfort in your ability to understand risk, manage it and be truly in control. Because a life without risk, at least in my mind, just simply isn't worth living!

Why Do They Ride Without Helmets?!? (Part 4 of 5)

I know people that will ride a bike 160 MPH on a public street who can't stand that other riders will ride a bike at any speed without a helmet. I've always found this as the most interesting contradiction, but until recently couldn't tell either group (which don't understand the other by the way) why each does what they do.

The simple answer goes back to why most all of us ride, which is....because it is dangerous!

The 160 MPH rider feels safe in the helmet and gear, so to get closer to the thrill they must go faster. The helmet-less rider feels safer riding slower, so they ride without as much gear and no helmet to feel the thrill. (Is either really safe?) And then, we have the rider that needs to ride without a helmet, without gear, helmet, at 160 MPH and even added risk to truly get a rush.

These folks are essentially the same, they simply have different thrill thresholds, thus the difference in choices. You can look at most all riders and you'll see this logic holds true. Of course you'll need to set aside what you feel is responsible for your life or you'll constantly disagree with their choices. (Just as they don't understand your choices...)

I still shake my head when I see a guy on a bike with a helmet, shorts and a T-shirt. Not because I think they should have gear, but because I wonder why they bothered with the helmet.

Ultimately however I'll never say a thing to them, because they don't affect my physical or mental condition.

Personal Safety vs Safety Enforcement (Part 3 of 5)

Talking safety is the best way to put a target on your riding or opinion. People will line up and start throwing stones almost immediately, in fact they'll go out of their way to call you a hypocrite and try to cite everything you've ever done. If they can't find something you've actually done they will put you on trial by association and if that doesn't work they'll finally move to criticism based upon things you haven't done to help stem the tide of unsafe acts. The bottom line is that they are very good at tearing things down, so they don't have to feel judged. When in reality they are self-judging and simply trying to feel better about that judgement.

Now, here is the most misunderstood part of having an opinion. Even though you have one you can let others to have their own. I'll use knee-dragging on the street as an example. (It could be wheelies, stoppies and a bunch of other horseplay items.)

I don't think it is responsible to drag a knee on the street and I don't think it is safe to drag a knee in front of others on a group ride. (Note, I did not say the act was unsafe alone on the street.)

I say this because I don't believe it is a skill that should be used on the street unless you are put in a situation where that much lean angle is needed to avoid a hazard. If a rider is paying attention as they should, that situation is one in a billion.

It isn't safe on a group in front of others because it is a skill that requires understanding of proper body positioning and done wrong can lead to a crash fairly easy. A crash on a group ride is disrespectful of other people's time and that's the real reason I don't like it. I feel if you are going to ask others to accommodate you during the day, you should be respectful of them and not do something that would encourage them to crash or risk a crash yourself.

I'll take respectful riding over safe riding every day, as ultimately the mere act of riding a motorcycle is less safe than the accepted norm, so trying to define the one true "safe" way becomes ludicrous. (I did not just say I am OK with riding with unsafe riders.)

For me, being responsible means that I'll return home to my wife in the same basic physical condition that I left. Doing something that places me in a hospital with tons of bills would beyond that commitment I've made to her. Others might not have the same level of responsibility and as long as they don't threaten my physical or more importantly mental condition (keep in mind that riding is more a mental activity than a physical one) at risk, I have no issue with the risks they take.

In the past I've tried to explain this to others and I know they simply hear that I personally don't want them doing wheelies or stoppies on a ride and not what I'm actually saying, which was that it made others uncomfortable and there is nothing worse than a mentally stressed rider for everyone concerned. I've recently decided to abandon this approach as it puts me in an odd position and gives people and inaccurate assessment of my views and why I have them. Quite simply I'll avoid riding with the folks I don't like and if they make me feel uncomfortable on a ride I'll simply distance myself from them. If they continue to try to ride directly near me I'll say something.

If they ride near someone else inappropriately I'll leave it to that person to move away or speak up. In the past I've had people complain to me and I then approached folks, but no longer. In the future if people are upset I'll assist them in approaching the person, but they'll have to express the issue themselves as once again I'm done have my time affected in such a way.

The bottom line is that if someone wants to drag a knee on the street (or any other of those items) I don't care, as long as they are not placing me in danger or being disrespectful of my time.