What are reflexes? I believe most people evolve their perception of word meaning from context over time but what do dictionaries say? Wordweb says, "An automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus." I believe that to be an inaccurate or incomplete definition, at least when we talk about reflexes and two-wheel dynamics. What we do in an emergency is instinctive in the sense of being unthinking but these reactions are definitely learned, practiced to the point where we can and will do them unthinkingly. Is reflex the correct word?

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary says reflexes are, "...an automatic and often inborn response to a stimulus that involves a nerve impulse passing inward from a receptor to a nerve center and thence outward to an effector (as a muscle or gland) without reaching the level of consciousness... a way of thinking or behaving." "Often inborn" does not preclude "learned" responses and we definitely want our responses to be automatic so I believe the word "reflex" will work. Perhaps it will work even better if, within the context of its accepted meaning, I fine-tune it for the task at hand. I suggest reflex means for riders: "The ability to act quickly, correctly and unthinkingly to a sudden and perhaps unexpected need for control input." We all do it—so often it becomes routine.

Do reflexes slow with age? The Mayo Clinic says, "Older people's brains lose neurons and memory becomes less sharp. Reflexes slow down causing a lack of coordination sometimes." They also say, "There's no way to predict when, and to what extent these changes will occur. Indeed, some people may never realize they have experienced some of them."

I've long respected the Encyclopedia Britannica as a source of information. Articles are written by experts in each subject field. The Britannica says this about the aging process: "There is a general slowing of responses in the elderly [said elsewhere to be past 70]. Reflexes become slightly more sluggish and the speed of conduction of impulses in nerves is slightly slowed. The slowing with age is greater in situations where a decision must be made. More time is required to initiate a response."

There are endless other examples but this is representative of what experts say. I presume it's science. Surely experts base their opinion on the results of controlled tests.

Do older riders retain adequate reflexes for an emergency? Can they maneuver safely at speed and in close proximity with other vehicles when decisions have to be quick and decisive? Despite the frequent warnings to riders past forty years of age I would say, "For many riders, yes. Even riders in their sixties and seventies." For some aging riders, maybe most, I would suggest the slowing of motorcycle-relevant reflexes can be arrested or even reversed.

I would be among the first to argue that anecdotal evidence is not science. Nevertheless, I wish to make a point, introduce an opinion. I'm getting old and I ride fast. Not as fast as real racers but fast enough. Although in my late sixties, I see no evidence that my reflexes, always good, have declined at all if I remain focused. Focus is important. I have experienced a perceptible loss of my ability to multi-task. I compensate. The faster I go the more focused I become. Nothing I do anymore focuses me like fast motorcycling which is one reason I like it.

For me, an aging motorcyclist, the reflexes comprised of learned responses that are now automatic have improved significantly in recent years. I've learned appropriate reflex reactions even though I was past 60 when I first became interested in fast pavement riding. With four track schools and a huge amount of practice I've improved every year and intend to improve even further. I'm riding relaxed and confident at high speed on remote, familiar paved mountain and canyon roads, carrying more corner speed now than ever before. I'm comfortable with late-braking, trail braking and accelerating hard from the apex.

I'm saying I believe that while it may be true that reflexes slow with age, that age cannot be fixed at 40 or 50 or 60 or even 70 years of age. I think attitude is a big factor. If we think our reflexes will slow with age and consequently ride slower and less, then yes, our reflexes will probably slow as well. If a rider wishes to retain the reflexes and skill that will help make fast riding safe, then one should practice, practice, practice, on a race track when possible. A friend makes a good point by citing the late Andres Segovia's ability to maintain the astonishing dexterity necessary to play exceptional classical guitar well into his eighties. Most of us know someone who once played a musical instrument, perhaps well, but quit and now can't. I would suggest that fast pavement riding is more like dance than playing a musical instrument but in either case practice is required to keep the reflexes honed.

My advice to older riders: only you know if you've had a moment of indecision that could have resulted in a crash or worse. If it happens, only you can decide if it's age-induced and indicative of more to come or merely what a friend calls a "brain fart." How do you know for sure? I don't know. I suppose it's best to err on the side of caution. I only hope my own dangerous moment of indecision doesn't happen on the track although that might be better than some twisty road clinging to precipitous canyon walls.

We sometimes say our gut tells us how fast to ride but are we aware that in this context, "gut" means, "Unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct"? In any case, it's our brain that tells us whether popular opinion is science or myth.