This optical illusion has muddied the field of vision.
Brainteaser buffs are losing their marbles over this picture of a mountain bike, which appears to have a very crucial component missing.
[Warning: Spoilers below.]
This cycle-logical marvel, posted to Reddit last week, shows a dirty bike sitting in the mud on its back tire with no front tire anywhere in sight — as if it’s popping a phantom wheelie.
It initially seems like the bicycle’s front tire was taken off for repairs. However, upon closer inspection, it’s revealed that the bike does sport a front wheel but it’s so caked in mud that the tire blends into the muddy background, rendering it nearly invisible to the eye.
Needless to say, the dirty trick baffled many a Redditor, with one incorrectly claiming, “There are no tires.”
“IDK why I was searching for 2 front tires,” spluttered another flustered puzzler of the bike stunt.
Fortunately, many users spotted the camouflaged component, which one eagle-eyed Reddit user claimed was given away by the “two parallel (ish) lines where the mud isn’t caked on the tires.”
Optical illusion lovers were similarly stumped by a trippy pic from earlier this month, which purported to determine if the viewer has a dirty mind.
Optical illusions such as this are often just intended as a lighthearted diversion from the stresses of modern life, but they also hold actual scientific value for medical professionals. These brainteasers are credited with helping researchers shed light on the complex inner workings of the human mind and how it reacts to its surroundings.
Dr. Gustav Kuhn, a psychologist and human perception expert at Goldsmiths University in London, once declared to the Sun that illusions are important to our understanding of the brain. “We typically take perception for granted, and rarely think about the hard work that underpins everyday tasks, such as seeing a cup of coffee in front of you,” he said.