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This is not so much a story as a subject over which I have pondered
many times.
I ride behind a Vetter faring with tall windshield while wearing an
open faced helmet. I keep goggles handy if I have concern for my
eye safety or want to look like a Stormtrooper.
Unless lightning is hitting all around me I tend to change into water
proof gear and press on regardless, passing other motorcyclists
in underpasses waiting for their hot pizzas to be delivered or
something.
No matter what speed I go, some raindrops find their way behind
the shield and in front of my face at eye level. Blink. In less than
perhaps 200 microseconds, my lids slam shut! They do so in
response to detection of danger from a colorless transparent
substance towards which the eye is moving at major speed. The
droplet hits my goggles or hits ME above the eyelashes. Plit.
What amazes me is the reaction time and the ability this event
demonstrates. Clearly it is a reflex. The detector is probably the
retina - which is part of the brain - but I think that voluntary
eyelid closing is controlled by an upper cervical nerve. Mayhaps
there is a short circuit or direct link for emergency action. There
sure ain't time for perception, which takes place after the fact.
I've studied sensation and perception, cognitive psychology, and
human factors. It seems to me that this experience motorcyclists
have riding in rain surpasses some of the parameters in text
book chapters on the human eye and vision. IMO there is more
to it than meets the eye.
Sorry if this is too esoteric.
Ed
many times.
I ride behind a Vetter faring with tall windshield while wearing an
open faced helmet. I keep goggles handy if I have concern for my
eye safety or want to look like a Stormtrooper.
Unless lightning is hitting all around me I tend to change into water
proof gear and press on regardless, passing other motorcyclists
in underpasses waiting for their hot pizzas to be delivered or
something.
No matter what speed I go, some raindrops find their way behind
the shield and in front of my face at eye level. Blink. In less than
perhaps 200 microseconds, my lids slam shut! They do so in
response to detection of danger from a colorless transparent
substance towards which the eye is moving at major speed. The
droplet hits my goggles or hits ME above the eyelashes. Plit.
What amazes me is the reaction time and the ability this event
demonstrates. Clearly it is a reflex. The detector is probably the
retina - which is part of the brain - but I think that voluntary
eyelid closing is controlled by an upper cervical nerve. Mayhaps
there is a short circuit or direct link for emergency action. There
sure ain't time for perception, which takes place after the fact.
I've studied sensation and perception, cognitive psychology, and
human factors. It seems to me that this experience motorcyclists
have riding in rain surpasses some of the parameters in text
book chapters on the human eye and vision. IMO there is more
to it than meets the eye.
Sorry if this is too esoteric.
Ed
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