[Four-Fifty-X]

Lately, after an hour or so of hard, fast riding, I have a hard time focusing on the terrain, and I have to slow way down out of fear of misjudging what is coming up.

It's very hard for me to explain the exact feeling/problem. I'm not seeing double or blurry, but I can't judge terrain. Feels very strange. Maybe a type of motion sickness?

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

Overall, I am very healthy and fit. I'm 42 and have hit the weights/cardio 5 days a week religiously for 10 years. No glasses.

[JAWS]

You are right in that age where your eyes start going away on you. The lens in the eye begins to lose it's elasticity. Focusing changes are more difficult and take longer to occur. I suggest that you have them checked to see if that is your issue. Unfortunately the changes are very slow and it's very easy to not notice until something like what you are experiencing occurs.

Just my 2 cents..

Joe

[nedirtbikr]

Unfortunately, I must agree. I'm new to the 40-something crowd and have experienced the same thing. Far away vision is good, but closeup (like trail terrain) and adding on the speed we travel at is cause for poor vision. Get your eyes checked...you're probably experiencing the 40-year-old-stretch (you know, when you have to hold a piece of paper at arms length to see the writing.) Sorry dude...welcome to the "Old Fat (and blind) Guy Racing" crowd. Time to get your t-shirt!

[FAiJT]

Also, it could be lack of oxygen, if your cardio is "scetchy".
the brain needs oxygen to function, when ur really tired, the brain has to much to do with to little oxygen supply. I know i used to get blurred out vision although i never use glasses/lenses. got my cardio up ways, and now the problem is gone.

i know u said u did cardio, life weights...

Dunno im just a swede

[Four-Fifty-X]

Also, it could be lack of oxygen, if your cardio is "scetchy".
the brain needs oxygen to function, when ur really tired, the brain has to much to do with to little oxygen supply. I know i used to get blurred out vision although i never use glasses/lenses. got my cardio up ways, and now the problem is gone.

i know u said u did cardio, life weights...

Dunno im just a swede

You are likely right. My cardio is good, but not great. I do 3 1-hour sessions on an elliptical each week. I get my HR up to 165 for extended periods.

...

The last time it happened to me, I was pretty exhausted. I had ridden 4 hours the day before. The day it happened I had ridden off-and-on for about 3 hours and they took off for a fast and hard ride with 3 others. We were WOT in sand wash, hitting tough whoops, a very challenging single track. About two hours into that ride, I was done. I was not panting or gasping--nothing like that--but I was fatigued mentally and physically. Plus, it probably didn't help that I put away 8 silver bullets at the campfire the night before...

My other thought is that it is something motion sickness related. All that bouncing and whatno for hours..

[ANYTHNGFAST]

It could also be what's called tunnel vision, where your peripheral vision fades out and becomes almost non-existent. Adrenaline or acceleration can cause it in most healthy people. I get it when I fly aerobatics. The condition is also associated with eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa or glaucoma. It has also been asscociated with your mind processing very fast visual information and high stress conditions- some kids get it playing race car video games.

[Four-Fifty-X]

Went to the eye doc today. Eyes are healthy--no signs of any disease.

My long vision is very good, but it does take some effort to see clearly. Two hours of fast riding could cause problems for the lens, since it has to strain somewhat.

Doc said a very light prescription may help ease the strain.

[redrooster65]

Perhaps a blood sugar issue?

[MXHJosh]

Perhaps a blood sugar issue?

exactly what I was thinking, I was having a similiar issue and found out almost a year later that I was close to being proclaimed diabetic, I have since been subject to a complete change of diet and actually paying attention to what I eat. Just the diet change alone was enough to bring me well within the normal blood sugar range to where my body is able to have some control over it. When my sugar was out of control I would also have episodes of feeling confused, or "daydreamy". So if you have anything like this, go have some blood labs done to find out, it certainly wont hurt and you may find something out.

[Halen]

It sounds like eye strain to me. Not only are we consistently shifting our bodies, changing gears, etc but also focusing hard on the road and reacting to what ever terrain is handed to us. It is hard on the body as well as the eyes... and gets worse the older we get.
Another form of this strain is when driving a car at night. Do you see 'halo's around the on coming headlights?
I get it too... but then again I have been experimently with some crazy herb lately.

[JAWS]

Went to the eye doc today. Eyes are healthy--no signs of any disease.

My long vision is very good, but it does take some effort to see clearly. Two hours of fast riding could cause problems for the lens, since it has to strain somewhat.

Doc said a very light prescription may help ease the strain.

That's that damn age thing I was referring to. As you get closer to 47 or so, they may go real fast. Most don't notice it, then, Wham! You have seen it coming.

Joe

[Asmith]

As you get closer to 47 or so, they may go real fast. Most don't notice it, then, Wham! You have seen it coming.

Joe

Can't you just reshim them and get a few more hours in???

[Danny]

When this happens do you lose peripheral vision anything with your ears? sounds like listening to seashells?

Danny

[Aussiecrf230]

If it is after/during a long day ride, dehydration can mean your eyes aren't moist enough leading to this problem.

Even when you drink lots of fluids(not the amber sort) during a ride it can stll happen.
The age thing isn't great either and only makes the problem worse.
Not fit and approaching 45 I really feel it now.

The alchol the night before means it can take a day or two to get your hydration balance back. You need to start drinking extra water a few days before big rides.
It really helps and is the only way I can still keep up with the teenagers I ride with.
They might think they're Superman but even he needed to drink.

[Beast Rider]

It happens to me too. It's not blurred vision but something similar to the aura before certain types of migraine headaches. It happened to me this weekend for the second time. We were riding fairly fast through sandy washes and lots of whoops for about two hours. We stopped and rested for about 15mins. I removed my helmet and goggles, when I put my gear back on I just felt like my goggles were uncomfortable and about 5 mins into the ride my ability to judge the terrain was gone, I tried everything...close one eye ..look down in front of the bike...nothing works and it's two hours of the same terrain home. I am so beat up from slamming into whoops but as soon as we reach camp and I take off my helmet and goggles I'm fine.

The next day we rode 70 miles of whoops and sand washes but it was all in a straight line not much thinking to do and I was fine.

I think it's just mini stokes nothing to worry about!!!!

Seriously, I blame mine on a pinched nerve in my neck and old age (56yrs) trying to ride with teenage boys that only know one speed---Fast!!!!!