So...it's been a few years since I've ridden for a sustained time in the canyons of the central Rockies.

Yesterday, just another perfect sun-filled day in CO. But along with the nice weather on a weekend these days, you get an incredible amount of people who figure it'd be nice to take a drive op into the mountains.

These are two lane roadways with a 35-40 mph recommended speed limits...rock wall on one side, 30-100 foot cliff down to the river/stream on the other. Bumper-to-bumper cagers with about 50% going much faster than they should, 10% going MUCH slower tan they should, and the rest acting 'normal'...and of course the periodic 3"-8" rock laying in the road (broken bits from the cliff wall). So, this all makes for the need to be 'processing' a sh*t-load of stuff and be hyper alert...as this is all going-on in on-going S-curves and general twisties.

Here's the deal...after an hour or so (of a 3 hour ride), I noticed that it was getting harder and harder stay focused. The steady 'surprises' around every corner (cars flying out of the oncoming corners and the possibility of road hazards) on the left at the speeds we are traveling...the movement of the rapids/river to the right...the intermittent guard rails...occasional tunnels...and pull-offs...create a weird sensation...leaning in and out of corners...with the sorta 'stereo' movement right next to me...started to give me a sort of vertigo.

Am I making any sense?? I dunno...maybe it's just me...but I don't recall having such a feeling 20 years ago...and there were def not as many people on these roads back then...but still.

It was unnerving...yes, I stopped and walked it off...which helps...and yes, I know how to ride and handle/manage serious corners and speeds. Have you experienced this form of "whit line fever"?

Maybe I'm just losing my mind (finally)?

Ideas on how to counteract this?

 

i'm getting to the age to where my focus and mental wandering tend to take over from time to time. that's when it's time to find a place to pull off the road and take a break. i prefer not riding when traffic is bad. weekends, too busy for me anymore. unless i take coffee/pee breaks every so often. i used to do the canon city to salida ride lots when i lived in pueblo, but now down here in oklahoma, there are also some wonderful rides in the eastern section of the state where i live, but same principle. i always carry a coke, water, smokes, etc, with me when riding. sometimes for me it's just as important to find a rock to sit on and view the area as it is for the ride itself.

 

Yep, I feel your pain. I first noticed it last fall mostly when i was riding later in the evening when the sun was going down, it kinda flickers through the tree branches, "flicker vertigo" is what I was told it was. Pretty much the same thing as when a pilot looks through the spinning propeller. It doesn't last very long but it certainly gets your attention and the ol' pucker factor definatley goes up.

bh

 

Perhaps riding somewhere else will help. Not much traffic on the mountains I ride. Lots of bikes on the weekend but not that many cagers. I live on a mountain that is mostly farming so you have to get use to tractors on the road during the summer. It is a rush going around one of the good hairpin curves and there is a tractor in front of you running about 20 mph. It pays to pay attention and be prepared. At my age I do not do the fast thing any more, well not as much anyway. I love a good mountain curvy road but not the traffic you spoke of. I would find some other place to ride if it's like that all the time or ride week days.

In God we Trust

dd

 

Is that what that is called? That drives me crazy and makes it almost impossible to concentrate sometimes.

I find that I will have this problem in my car more often than on my bike. It scares the hell out of me when I lose my concentration when riding. I am not sure it is an age thing though.

 

Yea, I've had it too. Great advise; stop, walk it off, take a breather.

 

good advice, walk it off, I think this maybe age related, starts around 45ish

 

I know u live there but what u described sounds like a little altitude sickness.

Could be anything but that would be something to sneak up on ya.