What Do Fighter Pilots and Mountain Bikers Have in Common?
At first glance, not much.
One commands a supersonic jet, the other a bike on dirt. But both operate in environments where the margin for error is razor thin and every decision must be made in fractions of a second. The link is situational awareness, the ability to scan, interpret, and act faster than events unfold.
Fighter pilots train it through disciplined eye - scanning patterns and OODA loops (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act), constantly updating a mental model of the battlespace.
Mountain bikers, whether they realize it or not, are doing the same thing on the trail. Reading the terrain, projecting how a corner sets up the next section, and committing to a line are the MTB version of aerial combat tactics. This isn’t just reaction time - it’s anticipation, choice, and execution under pressure.
At GSMBC, we call this skill Terrain Awareness. And just like in the cockpit, it’s often the invisible separator between surviving and excelling. Let’s break down what science tells us about awareness, how to coach it, and how it shows up on the trail.
The Science of Awareness
In aviation, Endsley’s situational awareness model explained why seasoned pilots outperform rookies: they perceive more cues, connect them into a mental picture, and project what’s coming next. Elite athletes do the same thing. Abernethy’s classic anticipation research showed that experts don’t just react; they recognize advance patterns and adjust earlier.
For riders, Terrain Awareness has two parts:
Observational (Trail Scanning): Constantly shifting gaze between “now” (the ground just in front of the wheel) and “next” (features further ahead). This dynamic scanning uses both focal and peripheral vision. The eyes pick up the entrance to a corner, while the ambient vision tracks surface texture and immediate feedback. The result is a far richer picture of the trail than staring at one fixed distance.
Tactical (Decision - Making and Line Choice): Turning those observations into action. Do I roll over the rock or skirt around it? Stay wide through the berm or cut a sneaky inside? These micro - decisions link vision with execution and, over time, become second nature.
Riders with strong Terrain Awareness aren’t just looking ahead; they’re forecasting. They understand what each bump, turn, or shadow means for their ride, and they’re already preparing their response. The payoff is huge: fewer mistakes, quicker reactions, and more frequent flow state, where the trail seems to slow down under your wheels.
Coaching Application: Building a Rider’s “OODA Loop”
Pilots drill OODA loops until it’s instinct. Riders can do the same. For coaches, the challenge is moving beyond the vague “look ahead” cue and instead giving athletes a structured awareness system. Three layers work especially well:
Trail Scanning Drills
Teach riders to move their vision near-far and side-to-side. Corners are a great testing ground: check the inside and outside lines, not just the obvious path. Elite racers like Sam Hill are legendary for spotting unconventional inside lines because they never let their eyes get lazy.Decision-Making Practice
Before dropping in, ask: “What line options do you see?” Have them verbalize smooth, direct, and efficient (racing) lines. Speaking choices out loud forces reflection and builds confidence. Over time, they start seeing the trail like a chessboard with multiple routes instead of a single track.On-Trail Tactics
Create sections where riders must commit to different lines: high vs. low, outside vs. inside. After each run, debrief: “What worked? What didn’t?” This reflection-projection loop is where growth happens. They learn that scanning only matters if it leads to decisive, adaptable action.
Good coaching language reinforces this link between vision and action:
“Scan from now to next, then side to side.”
“Pick a tactic before you enter: smooth, direct, or efficient?”
“What’s your plan if your first choice isn’t available?”
With repetition, riders internalize their own loop: scan, decide, ride, reflect.
Why Most Coaches Miss This
Instructors often default to “eyes up!” It’s easy, but also incomplete. Staring too far ahead makes riders miss what’s right under their wheel. Fixating on a single line sets them up to freeze if it doesn’t pan out.
Others stop at scanning drills but never connect it to tactics. Students get better at spotting terrain, but they’re still reactive because they haven’t practiced committing to decisions. It’s like teaching a pilot to scan the horizon but never to act on what they see.
The result is survival riding: picking the path of least resistance, braking late, and dealing with each obstacle one at a time. Effective coaching reframes Terrain Awareness as a standalone skill - one that transforms survival into mastery.
Fighter pilots and mountain bikers may live in different worlds, but they share a common truth: awareness is everything. In both cockpits and on trails, survival depends not on raw reflexes, but on the ability to scan, anticipate, and decide before events unfold.
For riders, Terrain Awareness is the invisible skill behind confidence and flow. For coaches, teaching it elevates every other technique - because a student who can find good lines will naturally corner, jump, and descend with more control.
References:
Abernethy, B. (1990). Anticipation in sport: A review. Physiology & Behavior, 47(3), 357–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(90)90092-5
Endsley, M. R. (1995). Toward a theory of situation awareness in dynamic systems. Human Factors, 37(1), 32–64. https://doi.org/10.1518/001872095779049543
GSMBC Reference Guide. (2025). Terrain Awareness (pp. 145–149). Global Syndicate of Mountain Bike Coaches.
