I was roaming round the web last night and chanced upon this thread, so I joined the forum!
Hello all!
A little history, I’ve been one-eyed since about 4yo, gradual development over 8-10 years. I’ve been on bikes since I was old enough to ride, and raced in my late teens. Growing up within easy reach of the Lake District, descending was part and parcel of club runs, and while I couldn’t keep up with one particular nutter (and he rode fixed all winter!) I could descend well. No-one ever took note of me obviously having one eye, either in the club or in the bunch. That’s an unfortunate experience you had there.
Fast forward, and now in my mid fifties. Had a break from riding for 8 years. Still riding the bike I got when I was 14, amongst others, but now I’m getting some serious wobbly shit when descending, particularly on bends! Most embarrassing. It’s not the bike, they all do it.
I do have a bit of the Fear, not from cycling accidents, but other experiences which made me value living.
I don’t think being one eyed has anything to do with it. We may not have great 3D perception, but the brain is an adaptable thing (but not to the extent that I can be trusted to miss the table when pouring a cup of tea!). I don’t do well with close up depth perception, but middle and long range works well enough. I has never been an issue riding or racing.
I think for me it was a mix of the Fear, and an increase of inflexibility over the years I was off the bike. I realised I was carefully looking where I was going, rather than looking way ahead with my head up a bit more. Too stiff to look up. Raising my stem a centimetre helped a wee bit, but looking way ahead helped more. So instead of looking just in front of the bike and getting caught by surprise, I looked way ahead and let the bike ride itself, trusting my body to do its balance thing. You never forget how to ride a bike, right?
Relaxing helped but is difficult. Various factors here, it’s all interlinked. If you’re stiffer that what you used to be, your position will have changed. I found my position has changed radically, still haven’t worked out a new position! My next thing to try is to lower the saddle position a wee bit.
I don’t have the answer I’m afraid, but I really don’t think one eyed-ness is it. Anything that is contributing to you being stiff and inflexible on the bike is worth paying attention to. I remember I used to feel pretty much at one with the bike, no longer though! So, saddle sores, stiffness, hands, whatever. Strength and fitness probably helps too, so you’re riding the bike rather than sitting on it like a sack of tatties (speaking from experience).
Anyway, just my tuppence worth.