TAP YOUR SUPER VISION TO RIDE FASTER, SAFER AND MORE RELAXED | Works for all human mountain bikers

[@davehumpleby3440]

'Look at nothing. See everything.' I'm steeling that line! So many great mantras and tips coming out of your channel. You are truly masters of Bike Fu.

[@JoyOfBike]

Hahaha. I always want to say bike fu. But it's actually bike kung fu since kung fu means adroitness. Less fun. But I just googled fu and i got a definition of happiness. So maybe bike fu means bike happiness or joy of bike? That would be rad.

[@diverdog01]

This is a huge gift! I began riding about 17 mos. ago when I turned 61 years old. Riding and learning and learning and riding (and many bruises and scrapes to share stories with) has brought many tears and giggles and now I have gathered many skills. THIS video is a game changer. Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU! Today was day 5 using a soft focus and it brought me to a new level. My JOY JAR is spilling over every time I ride. I feel like I'm stronger and more graceful. My challenges are no longer nemesis. You both are true gurus and I bow in reverence. NamaStoked!

[@jimmylopez2015]

Story time: I got a mountain bike from Walmart just to ride normally but then I came across Mountain Biking videos which inspired me to shred my local normal parks by me creating my own trails. I've always pre-vis the trails but one time I decided to create one as I went and ride it "blind". I ended up riding into a small hill. The thing is that I didn't notice the giant roots on the hill and I flewwww over them and I didn't even know how I survived. After watching this vid now I know I was subconsciously in the flow and the the fact that i didn't focus on the roots but rather on what was ahead is what helped me survive 🤣 Side Story: the trails I've made have become boring now so I'm been not in the flow and I have fell awfully twice on areas I've shredded with ease before. Goes to show vision is bery important when biking🤣

[@BCpov]

I can relate to all this… but nobody has said it this way before. Great video guys.

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks brother! Play with the meditation. Fast acting flow. Love your vids!

[@BobMcKerrell]

Soo true. I have recently decided that at 52 I need to do jumps. There are some dirt jumps the kids made near my house and so I can do all except one. It's not a big jump but it's like an eye magnet. It looks bad because its not dirt, its a concrete block. I need to "soft vision" it. Maybe I need some Blue Blockers too : ) Love the clip from Kill Bill hahahaha

[@paulnutten8183]

Yep, I'm 46 and need to wheelie!

[@mudkayak6305]

62 here and Ive mastered otb, would very much like to up my game with Jumps and manuals

[@BryanKeller724]

@@mudkayak6305 I am also an OTB pro - Represent!!!

[@Coolcmsc]

@@mudkayak6305 🤣🤣🤣🤣 At 65 I know what you mean ‼️

[@davidh5940]

This is a revelation, the most fundamental piece of MTB skill that you bring awareness to. In all areas of life - you get what you focus on. In MTB it could be a rock or a tree! I catch myself focusing on the thing I don't want to hit all the time, and then I get snagged on it. You nailed the context of this phenomenon. Thanks you.

[@DonnieX6]

When I drive my bike in traffic, or also even just walk on a sidewalk or through a store, I do the same for navigating and finding my position in space, you almost feel like controlling yourself in a 3rd person game, so being able to sense your whole surrounding, where you are, where the people around you are etc... Two thumbs up for the video, totally relatable! Love you, guys! ☺️👍

[@incognitocolonel]

So that’s why I could do that drop that I wouldn’t do when I followed someone and looked at him. I just went where he was and I took that drop without a doubt in my mind. Now when I go back there I’m already looking at the turn after the drop. I just love this channel.

[@matt_m126]

I used to be an instructor for car racing. At the very start of our schools, I would say that 80% of what I will be teaching is looking properly. People who would miss flags, had inconsistencies, etc. all had a vision issue to resolve. I totally reuse this in my riding.

[@fademasterfade227]

Great video. I like that this gives insight into how we ride and process information rather than just making videos that give instructional how-to information.

[@TheBrocky03]

I used this on the cross country trail today and noticed a huge difference! Softened my vision and kept eyes about 15 feet ahead of my bike. Felt myself navigating rocks and roots much more fluidly. Also found this made the ride genuinely more relaxing and enjoyable as well, great video guys.

[@JoyOfBike]

That’s great!!

[@dday-does-stuff]

Maaan, this is such a great channel - thank you guys! This alone will immediately help my drop progression tomorrow, because that oblivion line is a mind killer.

[@bikespike711]

In spiritual practice all the masters point at the same truth, MTB Yodas have talked about how relaxation and wider gaze helps performance. This is the first objective vid or a ‘how to’ on the Zen art of riding. Kudos!

[@jddallager1699]

Terrific Alex and Lee! I flew fighter aircraft for 30-plus years and we called tunnel vision "Target fixation". You get so locked onto the miniscule that you disregard the big picture and it can kill you. Look where you want to go, but take in the big picture.

[@JoyOfBike]

Yes. Much more dangerous in a fighter plane!!

[@pauls3616]

A truly important aspect of riding that I don’t do all the time. Stress carries over from everyday life and man does it ever show up in my riding as tunnel vision. I love watching Lee get so stoked on riding. How can you watch that and not immediately want to jump on your bike? Thanks for the video.

[@LeonardOutdoorsNM]

A couple weeks ago I took my boys to a flow trail with jumps a bit out of our league. Every run I took was so focused, it was not enjoyable, and there was zero flow. The last run down I told myself to quit being so analytical and just ride. It was by far the best run of the day, and the flow returned in full flowiness. As I watched this video, I was reminded of that day and BOOM! It all made sense. I was riding faster, flowing like a river, and focusing on much less that last run. Thanks for yet another amazing video!

[@JoyOfBike]

That’s it. Vision is just another tool. Sometimes breathing isn’t enough. Sometimes I get stuck in a non flow state so we keep looking for new hacks.

[@bobcieslinski]

Thanks for thr awesome video! I really needed this one on the trails. Keep up the amazing work!

[@lorimoritz7749]

This is my favorite video that you have done so far, and I love them all. Thank you for touching on ways to be in tune with what your body is feeling and being able to recognize that. We have such a disconnect with our bodies are trying to tell us. Watching this has helped me identify why I have rides that are either in flow, or end up with me swearing at the mountain (true story). Bike skills translating into life skills. Thank you both for all this amazing content. 👏🙏

[@JoyOfBike]

The mountain and gravity can be so unreasonable. I would have liked to hear that conversation. : )

[@OzNick81P]

G'day fellas, what a great video. I'm 40 yrs old and new to this MTB game and this cracks me up. Cracks me up because I identify with literally everything you say, holding the stress, looking down not up when riding...amazing. thank you

[@JoyOfBike]

You are not alone! Stay shreddy OzNick!

[@Coolcmsc]

Hey Alex, you, your son and Lee are doing something new these last few vids. It’s a great thing and tricky to describe. But I can say you’re binging me at least into your vibe riding together. This is similar to working through something with a couple of biking mates. Kind of like sessioning. That’s where the chat - banter, support and honesty - is as important as the riding. Thank you, as an old bloke whose ridden a GREAT deal without getting that good and who had stopped progressing years ago, it’s the only chan that’s helping me improve. 🌈

[@JoyOfBike]

It’s good to have you along for our rides and great to hear what we feel doesn’t get lost along the way.

[@souljaboy3556]

This makes a lot of sense! On bigger scary features I always like to get towed in, so I can focus on following my buddy and not the actual feature itself 😅

[@eduardsorianosidera1860]

Singing a song while riding also helps. I sing my daughter songs (3 years old, very flowy songs!!) on technical sections and it helps me relax and open the tunnel vision. Great video, like all your videos. Your poket videos are great. Are very useful to have a quick view at the basics. Please, keep doing poket videos!

[@JoyOfBike]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@j4im3r]

I do this like a mantra, watched GoPro footage of my own rides, and I naturally sing during the toughest bits haha

[@H.D.83]

Paul the Punter has a video where he's trained by a pro mtb-er, her tip: sing a song to go fast!

[@raheemgahelable]

"look at nothing, see everything"! Gold! 🤘

[@TheDustyShredder]

It's the same concept when running full pace through the woods, the instant you look down or back, you fall. As long as you keep your eyes ahead of you and momentarily focus on each thing coming up so your brain can see exactly where to go for grip and inertia, that's just where you go. The instant you start actively thinking about it is the instant you fail. I've always enjoyed running through the woods, it touches upon something very primal and it feels amazing.

[@jeffwertz8108]

One of the most original videos on riding I've seen. As a psychologist i find this particularly fascinating. I am so tense on skinnies. I can't wait to try this technique next time out

[@rekamniar]

Did it work?

[@jeffwertz8108]

@@rekamniar it has worked getting me through a rock garden consistently that before I was 50/50 on

[@johnnoesser4121]

Learning to patrol in the Army, we called this "soft eyes." Looking at nothing is totally the key!

[@bob4q]

Dude’s!! I can’t thank you enough 🙏🏽 I just rode my usual fun local trails and had more fun than in my 34 years of riding due to your videos. I adjusted my RAD with a shorter stem which made an enormous difference, employed the cornering tips, vision advice, bunny hop and jumping tips. Pure joy and awesomeness. Sending positive vibes, keep up the great work. Cheers!

[@JoyOfBike]

Great to hear!

[@macfawlty]

One of the best MTB videos I’ve seen. Totally outside the box, but critical info.

[@gernottoventile_mtb]

Guys, your blend of riding technique, entertainment, science, psychology, physics and sometimes math is really unique - Each and every one of your videos made me have a better day and made me learn something.

[@JoyOfBike]

Wonderful!!

[@mikemyles4916]

All so true. Everyone from auto racers and runners say - relax to go faster. Bring your beginners mind - and eyes - to the trail.

[@MrWhynotnow]

This is sooo cool. I've done so many sports that take extreme concentration and it's so easy to lock up and lose the cool flow. Surfing, climbing, kayaking, dirtbiking, mtn biking, etc. Making the transition into calm shredding takes continued reminding "stay calm" and "breath". I was thinking of your Hawaiian mantra and flashed on the classic "hang loose". That's really what it's all about! Stay calm in the middle of the sensory maelstrom and everything flows. Way to rip guys, and thanks for sharing your wisdom and stoke. I love all your content and have amplified my stoke from watching.

[@brantsanders1432]

My ashtanga yoga teacher calls it “drishti”. I’ve never taken it to trail until now. THANK YOU. One of your best vids. It works on trail, on yoga mat and in life. 🙏🏼

[@richardradcliffe6047]

I don’t go to valmont too often, but when I do I always avoid those rocks on that trail. During the approach, I’m fixated on that first rock fully intent on sending it. Fixate. Fixate. Fixate. Then at the last minute: no. No more fixation. Yes.

[@JoyOfBike]

Ride the pumptrack and then take that feeling to the rocks and look past them. And smile and say something positive!!! You got it.

[@buggs9950]

The 'hard vision' clips look just like my mate riding. I've been trying to give him tips for smoother, more confident riding but I'm not a good teacher. I can see he has target-fixation but haven't been able to offer much help. I'll send him a link to this video as you explain it far better. Thanks!

[@BitsOfEternity]

Absolutely love this; totally agree. I learned this from racing simulators, where you're driving a car at 200mph, or in a flight sim, where you're flying 600mph (and take that to flying my drone, which goes pretty fast - a lot faster than it feels like, because you can't feel it, and it is often too late, if you're not careful/aware!). In a race car, at that speed, you can't look at the ground ahead of you - you need to look way off in the distance - and I took that into my real life driving, whether I was driving a fast car, or when I take my Jeep (Wrangler) off road (the exception is with the Jeep, at very slow speed, there's no need to look far ahead - the obstacle and landing is the focus). Anyway, it is the same thing with an aircraft - look way ahead, or you'll never get the courage to attempt that 'pass/space/crevice' in a mountain. Until now, I had never thought about it for MTB, but it obviously applies in the same way, so thinking about it that way starts now! I'm so thankful you guys have made these videos - we are of a similar age, and while I was inspired before, 'believing I could do it', I now know I can, because I've seen you do it. Cheers!

[@ChefIan73]

Please, PLEASE Alex and Lee come back and do some new videos!! The KZbinverse needs more of you two.

[@lee_likes_bikes]

I’m posting at my Lee McCormack channel. Come on over!

[@mtbandenath]

"Look at nothing, see everything." Was awesome, whole video was gold. Thanks for doing such great videos. Always excited for them each week!!

[@JoyOfBike]

Glad you like them!

[@mtbandenath]

@@JoyOfBike like is an understatement, the videos and lessons have 180 my riding and helped recenter my life. You have my utmost gratitude and I wish you and Lee nothing but the best in life, you guys are game changers!

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

I can promise you I have successfully landed my paraglider in every bush that’s caught my eye in a landing zone! Object fixation takes some serious effort to unlearn but the payback brings flow. We all want/need flow.

[@JoyOfBike]

Flow is the goal. So juicy!!!

[@FlowConsciously]

TREASURE the importance of this content! I hit a deer at 85 mph, on my sport bike (Suzuki gsxr), and did not crash. ALL because of what you guys are talking about! I teach business owners why and how to use meditation - Lee, lets chat! Seriously, you guys NAILED it with finding sense to leverage to manage your mind! WOOOT!

[@lee_likes_bikes]

Like! [e-mail]

[@JoyOfBike]

How did the deer do?

[@FlowConsciously]

@@JoyOfBike LOL - here's a link to the aftermath (I bought my first gopro 2, 3 days later... ). facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4228809521311&type=3

[@FlowConsciously]

@@lee_likes_bikes email sent! looking forward to connecting!

[@FlowConsciously]

@@JoyOfBike link in other comment

[@christiank9204]

Watched the video yesterday und tried it today on my hometrail. I never expected such awesome changes: Less braking, more fun, less tension and more speed! Thank you for this video!

[@JoyOfBike]

Nice work!

[@layspeed]

The vibe from your videos is always so good. Keep bringing us the great content. I was about to go to bed and ended up watching this instead. It was 2am!

[@jammanjim6914]

So I tried this on my usual weekend loop. Smashed my PB by 8 minutes without trying. And a whole 18 minutes faster than I've managed all year! 'Look at nothing, see everything' is the best mtb mantra everrrrrr- so much flow. Thanks guys!

[@lee_likes_bikes]

WOW!!

[@JoyOfBike]

That is incredible. Well done.

[@tcb613]

"It's like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory."

[@michaelparry9377]

Dont try to hit me, hit me !!!

[@paulsampson7918]

Zen and the art of mountain bike riding. Love it.

[@mbanvard]

Beautiful exploration of vision/mind. I love being part of the bunch of folks who are learning to see the world in a new way.

[@JoyOfBike]

Good crew here!

[@tidenberg]

Shiiiiieeeet! I had time to try this out today, and I was truly sceptic, but let me tell you guys this was it! I've wondered why sometimes I feel better flow and sometimes it feels like flow is missing... I've also wondered why in our local spot I've been hesitant with jumps even when I've cleared them just fine... Today I went there and "forced" this method and immediately everything felt somewhat different. I cleared the jumps immediately without hesitation! I still need to tune it to get it to be more natural, but this definitely changed how I handle these jumps, but also all general trails and jumps.

[@JoyOfBike]

It's real! Glad you had a great session.

[@mariopejovic]

Bikes and philosophy. So great. Watching you guys for the past months, applying what you teach to my riding also changed in a way my thinking in general. I tend to fight things less, just go with the flow, adapt, move around smoothly. As Lee said in one of earlier videos, you can't attack the mountain. Biking is big reason why I am still mentally strong after pandemic and lockdowns and stuff. Riding is my mediation, but more and more I learn how to lose all that built-up tension sooner and faster, just to go with the flow, to let the trails and paths to take me, without fighting my bike. And what Lee said in this video, look at nothing, see everything, that brings so many things home. So powerful. And guys, even if you didn't share tons of knowledge and gems like these, I'd enjoy these videos, because I really like your energy and joy from biking. Loving the camaraderie 🤘💪

[@lee_likes_bikes]

Thank you so much, Kind Sir!

[@JoyOfBike]

My friend and I were riding the other day and she said no two rides are ever the same. It's so true. You can ride the very same trail time and time and it is NEVER the same. You clearly feel all those intricacies. Sending love from Colorado.

[@andyginther8562]

You guys are the bodhisattvas mtb. Always giving me a new way to think or see mtb. Big thanks

[@JoyOfBike]

Appreciate you!

[@nickcummings81]

Pretty recent sub, got back into mtb after 10 plus years away. I gotta say this channel has made me a better rider already even more than 10 years ago when I was riding more often. Thanks fellas and keep the good stuff coming!

[@VitaleCoachingBoulder]

Love that you mentioned Hakalau. Such a great form of being alert and yet relaxed.

[@JoyOfBike]

It really is!

[@TheClick56]

I have a vision tip that doesn’t concern riding but working on bikes. I’ve worked on heavy equipment and machinery since 1974 and sometimes I would misplace a tool or part and not be able to find it while working on something. So I noticed if I looked down at my right foot and then looked back up I would see what I was looking for in my peripheral vision. So now I tell people just look at you right foot to find what your looking for.

[@JoyOfBike]

Reminds me of zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. Love it!

[@GiArK]

Bike lessons and life lessons. Much thanks!!! NO other channels goes this deep on biking in such a clear concise enjoyable manner!

[@desertcrab6331]

Really enjoyed this video guys. At 65, I have just taken to off-road cycling, which has resurrected my old motocross passion days. So I am having fun. But this video really helped me with this tunnel vision issue because I have 'always' had issues with skinnies. If it is muddy and some areas of the track get skinny ruts, I always had a hard time getting through them and I think this is the key to that. I can't wait to get back out and give this a try. From now on, I look at nothing but see everything. Good job guys!

[@callmekurt13]

The vibe on these vids is just awesome!

[@rekamniar]

Im gonna practice that straw exercise. You guys have really great content and your chemistry is really positive.

[@JoyOfBike]

It’s fun!!

[@Seby-biketrial]

That is my experiences also. Thanks for reminding. It is so important to be relaxed. Any thought of doubt or fear gives me tension and tunnel vision. Tunnel vision is contracting the eyes thus putting effort tension in the body.

[@methoded6110]

i agree! i think that a great and simple training exercise for looking ahead and not fixating on anything is the ol' track stand. just try track standing looking down at your bike or just in front of it...l. Good luck! take your vision up and out and you'll find your body calms, your breathing relaxes, and your balance gets waaaay better!!!

[@danielgagnon5287]

Very well done, again. I’m ready for a video devoted to flow states. This is obviously one of the tools for achieving flow. Thanks.

[@gatoryak7332]

While I watched this video, I thought of my experiences with 'Flow'. Not in the MTB sense, but as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. One of the characteristics of Flow is the narrowness of focus and how peripheral information fades out of consciousness. I love that feeling. When I am in an activity that also includes motion, the focus stays narrow, but does extend to include the path forward (the 'line'). I definitely do not "see everything". However, although my focus has a narrow range, my vision is relaxed. So is my intention. That way I can adjust to unexpected events such as a rock teetering and forcing me to change my line instantly.

[@lee_likes_bikes]

Yes!! I’ve been studying this.

[@danielgagnon5287]

@@gatoryak7332 yes, I need to learn more. Unnecessary information gets booted from awareness but narrowing of focus in flow and tunnel vision are no way synonymous, right? I always find flow hits in a sweet spot where the challenge is just right, not too overwhelming and not too easy. Meditation and breathwork have been tools that helped me achieve more flow as well.

[@danielgagnon5287]

@@lee_likes_bikes research for the flow video is how I'm taking that comment

[@gatoryak7332]

@@danielgagnon5287 I can speak only of my own experiences and how they relate to what I think I understand somebody else is saying. I don't understand what you mean when you use the term 'tunnel vision', so I'll take your word that it is in no way synonymous with 'flow'. Your other descriptors of flow are congruous with my experience and the concepts that I've taken away from reading Csikszentmihalyi's book, but that was several years ago and my memory applies seemingly random filters to everything. There is a trail near my home that is so engaging, uphill and especially downhill, that I did not notice that the road that it parallels is visible for about a half-mile while riding the trail. How I discovered the proximity was by watching a KZbin video of somebody's GoPro footage of his descent (watching KZbin is not a flow experience). I still don't see the road or the car traffic while I'm riding. I consider that to be a flow experience, but maybe it's tunnel vision. Either way, it is different than "look at nothing; see everything", yes?

[@rcranes2227]

You guys are--and I mean this as a high compliment--such nerds! Love it.

[@JoyOfBike]

Compliment accepted.

[@lee_likes_bikes]

Namastoke to you.

[@willaweela]

Watched this video yesterday and went riding today - made a huge difference for me. Thank you!!!

[@EuphoricRecallMusic]

Great "tutorial" ! One is so ready for whatever is coming up when one looks "up ahead".

[@JoyOfBike]

You missed the most important part. : (

[@stevecalland1]

Loved watching this so much! Thanks for your combined passion guys 👏👏👏👌👌

[@Paul-oe9sy]

This video was right in time for my annual visit to whistler bike park. for jumps i stopped staring at the lip of the jump (bad) and started taking constant scans / samples of the entire jump and landing area and just feeling what's under my wheels. This got me about 10x more information and the whole jump was much more comfortable. started actually clearing the tabletops. awesome advice guys - thanks.

[@JoyOfBike]

Love it!!

[@j3ptv420]

as a new rider i have been struggling with how will i conquer the segments, thank you for explaining it and illustrating it with science guys more power! namastoke 🤙🏼

[@t.o.f.t.s.]

SO TRUE. Saturday I practiced a rocky corridor with a tight turn to a boulder/rock at the end like in the video. My eyes keep dropping to the narrow corridor right in front of the tire with the chunk causing me to fail. Wasn't until I looked through the turn and OVER the rock until I cleared it.

[@JoyOfBike]

Great job!

[@marklangley217]

So cool to see this! When I was training as a golf coach, I had a great mentor who taught me this and always said to look softly at where you want to go, not what you want to miss. Always detune out the risk. It so powerful and applicable to so many things. So brilliantly explained here! Awesome as ever guys. Thank you.

[@JoyOfBike]

Well said!

[@McD09Msa]

Top work fellas! Vision change paired with self belief and positive self talk helped me learn jumping. I jump best when my plan is to enjoy the run and on those runs I look past everything. Skatepark really helped my jumping take off. Alex, do a trials vid! Paying homage to the ultimate forms of discipline will benefit every member of the community. Cheers fellas. 👌

[@nicholaswilson2568]

Thank you 'Bike Chi Masters', from The Yorkshire Dales, UK.

[@airliftpilot]

Thanks for featuring some skinnies! Why this channel doesn’t have more subscribers is beyond me! This is the most informative , influential MTB channel out there. Good for bike, good for life!

[@waynesmith1895]

I used it on my ride this morning and it made a huge difference on a couple trails I was having difficulty and I rode through them very easily. Thanks for post this. You guys are Awesome

[@JoyOfBike]

Great to hear!

[@DHOBSESSIONS]

another amazing episode, i love how u and lee coming up with these mantras...."Look at nothing and see everything" is soo good... one of the biggest mountain biking wisdom...I got a tip from another friend rider a while ago...once you got the skill to ride at high speed from looking far ahead try to make it feel slow with soft vision but actually go faster.

[@MrDanAstro]

" Seeking the Higher power of the Ultimate Truth " Rock on Boys.......

[@michivanhalen7086]

What you're doing is so important to the world. I hope you're doing will❤️

[@JeffMMiller]

I wish I'd seen this video before last night's ride. It completely validates what I experienced. I was on a group ride in the middle of the pack and felt so out of control. Conditions were dry and my front tire just felt squirrely. On the second lap of the trail I was at the front of a smaller group and felt completely dialed in. The main difference? On the first lap I was focused on the tire in front of me to not run up against them. I realized later on the second lap it had been because I couldn't read the trail at all. I couldn't look ahead/outward and in trying to focus on what was right in front of me I couldn't see anything. On that second lap my eyes were free to wander and enjoy the scenery and it was a beautiful ride!

[@orlandoalejandro8940]

Guys, what you do is insane, I couldn't stop laughing of joy because what you mentioned is all true! I learn more from all of you that you can imagine. Kudos from the other side of the continent!

[@JoyOfBike]

Appreciate you. Where on the other side?

[@orlandoalejandro8940]

@@JoyOfBike Just around the corner, in Venezuela haha

[@SecretSpots]

This was hands down the best thing I've learned on KZbin so far to improve my MTB riding! WOW! Phenomenal job guys! Namastoke!

[@JoyOfBike]

Namashred my friend!

[@matstanley6278]

Watched this video a few times this week. Took it out with me today to ride the 2012 Olympic MTB trail Hadleigh Park. It helped so much. I didn’t realise how much I was looking at the drop or the obstacle until I stopped looking!!! 😂 Then it just felt so much easier. Thanks guys. This is a great tool for the bag. #lookatnothing #seeeverything

[@VeeVeeArcher]

I know the trick to avoid the tunnel vision, yet I love love love that you are reminding us all to relax and look ahead. Kudos. But, sometimes a bit of sweat in the eyes is all it takes to become negative and then go right to the line I was trying to avoid on a slow, techy climb. I gotta stay calm, keep the momentum, and keep looking further ahead. Thank you.

[@JoyOfBike]

So true. It’s a constant battle!!

[@jkeiffer]

No wonder kids are messed up from staring at screens. "Look at nothing. See everything." That's what many people need. Hakalau. That's also why people enjoy and need to be outdoors more!

[@chasewreyford6665]

This was soo good, guys! Thanks for pumping out great content. Gets me stoked to ride!

[@JoyOfBike]

Namashred

[@yogamitranickhight3889]

Love this! So good for life off the bike too. Loving all the content, complex ideas presented simply, the sign of true mastery of the sport.🤙🤙🤙

[@dasanoneia4730]

Hey i went to the trails today and tried this technique and wow it really works yall guys are the true gurus of MTB

[@JoyOfBike]

🙌 🙌 🙌 🙏

[@rvigean]

It's unbelievable how much this helped me today at the bike park. Thanks!

[@thebrowns5337]

I love this vid. So honest, so true and so useful. Obviously having a good time working through it too. Nice!

[@CmiiwTheSeries]

OMG😱... I feel like sitting in of my professor. This is bike-science😎🤘

[@ogxr626]

I watched this while on the toilet 🚽. The peripheral exercise definitely works. While looking at my phone, I also noticed the trash 🗑 can, toilet paper 🧻 roll, drying towel hanging on the door 🚪, and the rug. Now if I can just reach the air freshener 💩😳. All kidding aside, this was a great lesson that will be saved to my favorites 👍🏾.

[@JoyOfBike]

Brilliant. I’ve been doing it at my computer. The funny thing is a beautiful vista doesn’t work any better than a parking lot.

[@rallyrob3232]

Looking back there are times I was in flow state and I started doing this subconsciously where I was comfortable. This video is so illuminating to bring it to all of my riding and other sports as well. Keep up the amazing channel!

[@vladimirbarkhatov]

Makes total sense. Thanks, guys! Namastoke

[@thereignofthezero225]

I just flew over a rock like that today. One skill I have mastered I guess. Many I haven't haven't though haha

[@arneilson4450]

Another great video. I find the same thing applies for skiing. When I am narrowly focused I make bad turns/catch edges/mess up, when I am looking farther downhill and going with the flow I ski way better. Also, if you haven't read the book "Breath" by James Nestor I highly recommend it.

[@JoyOfBike]

Yes!!! Some days I see the trees. Some days I see all the snow between the trees. : ) Thanks for sharing!

[@rigelsan9744]

You guys give so much inspiration and namastokeness to an old fogie like me! Thanks so much. 🥲

[@JoyOfBike]

You’re welcome

[@TheButlerNZ]

holey.... 3:36 is exactly what I was thinking as you led up to it... I used to do this playing scroll down shoot-em-up video games... (eg Xevious for those of us around Alx's age...) I could "Focus" on a point in the screen yet really be staring way into the distance beyond the screen, track my space ship anywhere on the screen, avoiding anything coming at it from any direction... As soon as I snapped out of it and tracked my ship, things would plow into me... Trailbikes and MTB are much the same... I ride at my worst when I start focusing on what's in front of me instead of the feature beyond what I'm about to hit... roots are almost not a thing.... until you look at them... then they are bulldozers and muggers with baseball bats... Its actually a little difficult.. but I do sometimes try to unfocus... stare at nothing... and try and ride a section.... A bit like Skiing in a white out... prepare your body for the unseen but don't bother looking for it. Once you get good at peripheral vision.. (I was always quite good at it) your reflexes get supercharged as you almost react to things you cant see... (My favourite was back in college.. y'know, back when you had "enemies"... and I was confronted by one in the school yard who, out of nowhere, threw a stomach punch at me... and I caught his fist and pulled it to a side of me while looking like it was nothing... (I think it surprised me more than him). Unfortunately over five Oh.. I now have that handbrake that keeps snapping me out of it with "watch that tree", mind that stone, avoid that bush... So of course, I glance off the tree, run over the stone... and end up in the bush!

[@JoyOfBike]

It's my new favorite meditation.

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@JoyOfBike Mine is (and I've suffer anxiety all my life... yet people seem to think I"m one of the most relaxed people they know...) Relax... Breathe out slowly through near closed lips, nose blocked.. (Ok I can do that without touching my nose...) now a little more... just a little more.... keep breathing out.... counting to about 15... (I get about 25 secs with deep breath) now breath in... counting about 5.... now rinse/repeat... as long an exhale as you can, don't breathe back in too fast but not as slow as out... closed eyes is good... doesn't work too well riding DH... but I have done this on the ups when my heartrate passes 120.. Chest mount cams are great for picking up your heart rate in odd places... I think there's footage in my Rotorua ride where you can hear my heart (interestingly I exhausted myself possibly with a little heat stroke to boot, to the point where that night my digestion system decided it was stopping and I could take that last meal back... dangers of hitting a XC track when trying to get off a mountain I guess) I digress... (as usual)...

[@robinwalker5830]

This was a really useful tip tucked into one of the drops videos. Glad you did a whole episode about it.

[@renordy3776]

You guys are the best. Love this channel

[@idhvew8]

"Namastoke" love it! You guys rock and I look forward to your videos and sharing these with my riding partner(my wife). You guys have assisted in building our riding skills in so many ways. Keep it up!!!

[@JoyOfBike]

Our pleasure!

[@traviswoyen2243]

I think you can apply this basic idea to nearly any skill. Vision is just the sensory system in question (mostly) with mountain biking. If you're playing music and you start focusing on exactly what you're playing at the very moment you're playing it, you're sure to screw up. If you play with a light ear and just hear what you're doing in combination with everything else, you're fine. You can apply it to herding cattle, playing football, reading, or whatever else you're up to.

[@JoyOfBike]

Absolutely.

[@JohnBooth]

so glad I'm not crazy. I rode one day without my glasses and thought I was on acid, My timing was so off I had to walk any obstacles.

[@GianniPhat]

Awesome video, guys. Your tips here and in other videos have made a huge difference in my riding as I get into it after a 25-year hiatus. Major gratitude for y’all.

[@chrissavasky455]

Y’all are a great pair. Perfect complement. Thank you for the vids.

[@mattfinnigan8414]

Really good stuff as usual, Alex! I believe this all relates to the Japanese term, "Kamiwaza"... It’s when you try to fly closer to the sun and become super human. Kamiwaza is the destination in the pursuit of excellence.