Target fixation

Target fixation is the tendency to lock your eyes on an obstacle, such as a pothole, a car or the edge of the road, and then ride right into it. The bike goes where your eyes go, because your head, shoulders and steering inputs follow your gaze almost automatically.

It often appears in a panic situation or when a corner tightens unexpectedly. The fix is a trained habit: consciously turn your head and look at the escape route or the exit of the corner, not at the danger.

Practise it in a car park with cones, and in rider training courses. Off-road the same rule applies: look at the line between rocks and roots, not at the rock you fear hitting.