John S. Hegamyer is a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach and coaches at training sites throughout Virginia.

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Lesson #8 - Do muscles have memories?

John S.Hegamyer

I was young, probably about nine or ten years old when I came up with the idea to be a rock star. That's right, a bona fide entertainer of the stage, playing to thousands in arenas around the world. I could envision myself walking up the risers, crowd cheering and chanting my name, lights dim and the anticipation rises to a fever pitch. Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Luckily, I had an older brother that was an accomplished guitarist. So the logical step was to ask for his tutelage in the fine art of guitar mastery so that I could be the rock star that I envisioned. He agreed to take me under his wing and the lessons of notes and chords began. No one told me that you had to work at this. It all seemed so easy; just pluck a string and power chords blasted through the amplifier and people flocked to hear you play, right?

The first days my fingers ached and were growing calluses and to tell the truth I was thinking about a new career goal. Slowly, very slowly it started to happen. I could change chords without my fingers ending up in a warped game of twister with each other; I could find notes that actually sounded good together. And my brother said that I had developed muscle memory. That was the turning point, and even to this day I can play three or four songs at least! I still triumphantly walk out on the stage every other night or so, depending on how my dreams go.

Who would have thunk that muscles do have memory, kinda. Knowing this valuable piece of information related to repetition and consistent procedural use of our limbs we can program our reactions or develop muscle memory. You're probably asking yourself what business does muscles and memory have showing up on a motorcycle related website? Funny you should ask because that's going to be our topic of discussion today.

Think about any physical activity such as swinging a golf club, throwing darts or even bowling. Just how good do you think Mr. Woods would be at golf if he had not perfected his swing, making it reliably the same each and every time? I would be willing to bet that you could probably say that his muscles have something akin to total recall memory when it comes to a golf swing.

What developed that perfect swing, repetition, that's what. Consistent training, that's the key, to the point of taking a learned action and to develop it into a reflex or a second nature.

You've probably figured out where we're going with this. Let's take a look at what riding skills could benefit from developing muscle memory in the hopes of riding like Tiger swings. First thing that comes to my mind is:

• Braking
  1. Roll off the throttle before squeezing the front brake
  2. Even pressure on both brakes (takes practice)
  3. Squeezing the clutch (Four fingers are best)
  4. Squeezing the clutch (Four fingers are best)
  5. Downshifting
  6. Get that left foot down first (every time)

• Swerving
  1. The "Press" on either handgrip
  2. The recovery press (Steer with hands and arms not your butt)
  3. Maintain a steady throttle while pressing
  4. Practice looking at the safe path!!!

• Cornering
  1. Slow with both brakes (See above)
  2. The "Press" on either handgrip
  3. The head turn (Turn your head, look where you want to go!!!)
  4. Smoothly roll on the throttle (Smooth!!!)

What else can those memorizing muscles help with? How 'bout easing that clutch out? Every time you shift or start out from a stop, train your muscles to ease the clutch out, the smoother you are here the more enjoyable the ride, just ask your passengers. Ever see the guy on the 25 or 30 thousand dollar Harley and stalls at the light. In all of his bar and shield glory, factory leathers and all; I'll bet he wishes that his muscles were smart enough to have a memory. Poor fella.

Simple tasks also require a certain level of muscle memory. Think about it, simple things like using turn signals can benefit from practice; it allows you to use them without diverting your attention.

• Turn Signals
• HornHigh and Low beam switch
• Fuel petcock
• Starter (For those unfortunate stalls)
• Radio, CB, i pod, all the electronic gizmos require a certain level of familiarization.
• Make your own list and practice using your accoutrements

Now take a look at your gear. How familiar are you with your helmet? Can your hands find the vents while you ride? How about the zippers on your jacket? Can you find the pocket that has the toll money? Can you find it safely? Assess all your gear and how well you can use it while riding.

No, no, please, please don't even go there! You know. You know where, that cell phone place. I know some of you have the Bluetooth equipment or something similar. Hey it's your safety. Personally I'm just not that important to have to be reachable on my bike. The world can wait 'til I stop. President Obama can hold the fort down at least 'til I stop for gas, you know what I mean. Seriously, how badass do you look with a techno thingy attached to your helmet? Nuff said 'bout that.

The bottom line, practice; train them muscles, it can't hurt and I really believe there is some truth to the whole enchilada. Yep, with frijoles and guacamole! Seriously, before you head out take a second and practice a roll-off and brake squeeze or reacquaint yourself where the turn signals are. It can't hurt and it's free. Not much else these days is free, so enjoy it!

Ride safe out there guys and gals, I hope to see you in a skills class sometime this season!

Next issue: Obamanomics, with a twist of Bush on the side

1. Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough published by Bowtie Press available at Barnes & Noble
2. Ride Hard Ride Smart by Pat Hahn Photography by Kim Halvorson published by Motorbooks International available at Barnes & Noble
3. Sport Riding Techniques by Nick Ienatsch published by David Bull Publishing available at Barnes & Noble.
4. Total Control by Lee Parks published by David Bull Publishing available at Barnes & Noble.
5. A Twist of the Wrist & A Twist of the Wrist II by Keith Code available at Barnes & Noble

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