It’s almost alive!!!

There it is!

SIPDE

Many months have passed since my last post. I’ve been thinking about this one quite a bit, so here goes…

One of the most important things we teach in motorcycle training is the SIPDE process (say sip-tea) which stands for Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute. It’s a method to train new (and old) riders to consciously pay attention to their surroundings and evaluate threats. The theory is that by getting the information early, as early as physically possible, you have more time to react to said information and can thus do so in a safe and controlled manner. Panic is the reaction that causes accidents,  something we all struggle to eliminate from our own lives, and something I spend a significant portion of my life trying to eliminate in other people’s lives as well.

In teaching the SIPDE process to dozens of people each week, I have become intimately acquainted with its true power, as well as its nuances. I try to explain how “heavy” this technique is and over the years, have realized its parallels to real life.

And here is where it gets tricky. Without getting too personal, I’m good at using sipde in my life on two wheels, yet terrible at applying it to my life on two feet. Since I had this blog saved, it’s about two wheels (I’m still a little shy about the two feet part, but I had a good talk with my mom earlier which helped with that)

I have used SIPDE to literally save my life.

Remember that freakin deer?!?!

On several occasions, and more than likely on a daily basis. It is something I am good at, pride myself on, and share with perfect strangers regularly. That little technique means so much to me. I wish I could make it standard learning for anyone who wishes to use a publicly maintained roadway.

This may be crass, but (you won’t judge, dear reader) BUT I’ve seen exactly one motorcycle crash in my life that could NOT have been prevented by the rider using the sipde process (even that one is arguable due to his high(ish) rate of speed) and I’ve seen a lot of accidents!

It’s exactly for this reason, this is essentially my primary focus in life, to prevent stuff like this or this from happening. These are people’s loved ones, who died foolishly, because they are undereducated. It’s ridiculous, I get all riled up sitting here spewing all this, but 1/3 to 1/2 of all motorcycle fatalities are a direct result of the rider being DRUNK. Over HALF of the people who die on motorcycles are not wearing helmets. Wtf is wrong with people? The rest Die because they are going too fast for their talent/conditions/bike/brains…OH, wait, no, it’s because they don’t use the GD SIPDE PROCESS!!!!!!

I digress, I’ve spent too much time thinking about work, and there will be plenty of time for ranting now that I have a computer and, well, some freedom! Now, if only that Duc were running… I can almost taste it…

 

 

 

 

Solitary Man: Cyril Despres is a lonely figure as he cuts through the desert of Chile in stage 6 of the Dakar Rally. PHOTO BY M. MARIGNI/KTM IMAGES

Baja

This is a pretty good trailer for a movie. It shows some of the more spectacular footage of Baja. Johnny Campbell strikes me as being a pompous ass, but I know he’s very good at what he does.

The important part here though, is the race itself. While I certainly couldn’t compete with those guys, I definitely want to compete in the race! It’s also covered in a movie called Dust to Glory, or something. It’s just insane to see how fast they go, in crazy conditions, with booby traps! I heard, if you see large groups of people, to slow down, they are the locals, and know where the holes and jumps are. Then it gets dark! Man, you should see the lights these guys are running. There are donkeys in the road, when you find a road, and HUGE cacti when you don’t. I feel as though this type of thing is what I was put here for. Maybe not this race specifically, but the whole idea surrounding it. It feels like there is no truer (?) form of competition than racing in almost any genre. Maybe cage fighting, or boxing, but I prefer High-speed Near-misses to getting socked in the face….

#3

Mmmmm, Egypt!

Call me a thief, but we’ll go with that one as number 2. The pyramids alone are worth it in my mind’s eye, but the birthplace of civilization, roman ruins, and nile certainly don’t take anything away

For number three on the bucket list, I’ve gotta get back to my roots a bit.

3) Baja 1000, or the paris-dakar rally. Preferably both.

These are races which take place in the “deserts” of the Baja peninsula, or through S. America, respectively. I know it’s called the Dakar rally, but only in name. Historically it was run from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal. A few years back the race was canceled due to the threat of terrorism in Africa, and consequently moved to the jungles of S. America, with the majority of the race being in Chile and Argentina. I don’t know the exact route, but it seems as though one can’t really go wrong. You experience the breathtaking elevation of the Andes, battle the scorching deserts, and throw in some brutal jungle for good measure. From what I’ve heard those are the most amazing areas in the world, and is definitely a ride I’d like to do. Both of them are, for that matter, but a good ride is an even better race. Right?

Both of these races test the physical and mental endurance of the rider. The Baja appeals to me because it’s condensed. There is no day one, day two…. You start in Ensenada, and go as fast as you can to La Paz. Most people race it in teams, with rider/driver changes performed at least once throughout, but some do the “Ironman” doing the entire event, about 15 hrs, alone.

Having spent days on end in the desert, I’ve grown to love it. The high desert nearby offers a plethora of activities, wildlife, and just plain eye-candy. There are incredible sights no matter which direction you go! Caves, canyons, wide expanses, and sometimes, huge holes! There is so much exploring to be done in the desert, it’s like you can never see it all, but it also offers some great dirt-biking. The dry soil and small (usually) rocks create something of a natural race track. Diving in and out of trees, off steep ledges, and through rivers is all quite exciting, but they cannot compare to the flat out, high speed runs across the desert. Often you find huge jumps unexpectedly, which are naturally my favorite.

The challenge and obviously danger presented by these events make them something like my Everest.

Spies

Wow

Support

I mentioned yesterday about my most recent BRT, I don’t know if I mentioned the guy who was quite upset with me for his failing. We ended up bickering for several minutes, and in the end he stormed off in a huff.

I figured there would be repercussions for this exchange, so this morning I called our training director to fill him in. I figure it’s always best for my side of the story to be heard first. I was all prepared with witnesses to the actual event in question, but after describing the scenario to him, he said “That won’t be necessary. You are the instructor for a reason.”

I am very happy to have a job where people can question me, but in the end, the people in charge have enough faith in me to support me. I know what i saw, there is no question in my mind. His anger is simply frustration, and i get the unfortunate job of hearing about it. Events like that are a rare, but inevitable aspect of the job.

One of the things I so desperately crave is the support and encouragement of those around me. It really means a lot to me to know that people I look up to and respect often reciprocate. This restores some element of my faith in humanity whenever such a situation arises.