Very scared

[JenLeath]

I have major anxiety about riding my bike. Once I get out, with other cyclist I am pretty good. I have fun and wonder why I don't do this more. Then I go home and go about my life. The option to ride again creeps up and I get terrified. While driving to or getting ready for a ride, I get stomache aches, sweaty palms. I am afraid of other cars, gravel, getting stuck in my pedals and then possible dying or getting really hurt:eek: . I find myself eeking out on only a few rides per year. I do triathlons and those rides are monitored and mostly block for traffic and swept the night before by the local triathlon club. I know the more I ride, the more comfortable I will feel. But that isn't as easy as it seems. I just moved to a new area, now the season is a foot and I don't know any safe routes or people to ride with. I know there isn't much any of you can do. But I just took my bike on a spin up and down our street to see if all was well. Just that sent my heart racing. I was in sandals too, so no cleats.

Jen :confused:

[Bluetree]

I would talk to your doctor about the anxiety issues. The cycling seems more like a symptom of the underlying cause. Good luck.

[dianne_1234]

This site helped me understand how safe ordinary bike riding is. Hope it helps you too!:)

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/SafetySkills/SafetyQuiz.htm

[Crankin]

I still get nervous before a lot of rides. 3 times in the bathroom. I overplan everything because of this, but once I clip in, I'm fine. One of the reasons I don't wear my HR monitor anymore (outside) is because of how high my HR is before I start. It goes up even higher when I see how high it is! It settles in once I start riding.
I'm like this with a lot of things, so I just deal with it. I refuse to let fear stop me. My mom and grandmother were paralyzed with fear about everything. And, my mom was a very good athlete who never did anything because of fear.
One thing that helps is if you visualize what your ride will be like and anticipate any problem areas. Find 3 or 4 routes and ride them until you feel comfortable. Then find new ones. And find people to ride with, who you trust!

[JenLeath]

Thank you for your imput. I am usually not fearful. I am totally ok doing an open water swim alone, seems that would be much more dangerous. My husband has asked me not to do this anymore, so I drag him out with me. I don't have anxiety about much else. This is it.

Jen

[mimitabby]

I am like this too.
I'll tell you this, you have to keep fighting it or you will end up locked up in your house. (it's hereditary,, my mother can't drive up any hill... so she's stuck in her subdivision!!! :eek: :confused: )

I feel it particularly now, since I haven't been riding much all winter... Instead of looking forward to riding, I am dreading it. Once I get on the bike, I do have fun..
but man.. You are not alone. And yes, there is medication you can take for it, but I don't want to do that!

[Bluetree]

My best friend was prone to anxiety attacks with many of the same symptoms: sweaty palms, racing heart, stomache aches, panic attacks etc. She was irrationally fearful of doing certain things (i.e. signaling when changing lanes... she thought people would see her signal, and then intentionally try to cut her off) even though she had done them thousands of times before.

She was prescribed short-term anti-anxiety medication or anti-depressant (forgot which one) which did wonders for her. She was only on it for a few months. She has been free from the anxiety and panic attacks for years now. I'm not a big proponent of medication, but sometimes it's a good thing.

[tryingtri]

Hey don't sweat it. I say just find some place with low traffic that you are comfortable in and start from there. Are there sidwalks where you live? Don't be emberassed to ride on the sidewalk until you become more comfortable with your bike handeling skills. Another thought is ride at an off time - Sunday morning when there are not many people out. Live strong!

[mimitabby]

I have a friend who has tens of thousands of miles of rides under her belt,
including week long trips, etc. She still has trouble sleeping the night before a big ride.

[JenLeath]

Wow, that makes me feel a little better that I am not the only one. Sometimes I wonder if I should continue riding, then I go on a ride and have a blast. I'm pretty fast too, so that's kind of fun. It's just funny, because I am a spinning instructor, so I have these muscles meant for riding. I need to use them more. I vow to get out this weekend if only for a few minutes.

Thank You All,

Jen

[missymaya]

It's ok to feel anxious when thinking about riding, especially on roadways. One way I helped calm my nerves was riding frequently in low traffic areas. I commute to work and for fun and usually both involve riding in traffic now. Try to find low traffic areas and during low traffic times, to help you adjust. Also, find a group to ride with consistently. Riding with a group can help ease your nerves too and help with your bike handling skills.
Have a fun ride!!

[liberty]

Jen, when I first started riding by my house, I would have to work myself up to doing it. I was scared and the possibilities for something bad happening kept going through my head. But, like you, once I got going I had a blast. I've learned now to just take the brain out of the equation, get my gear on and go before I talk myself out of it. Now it isn't such a big deal. I just pray over myself before I go, and God takes care of me. I don't want to live with fear anymore. Fear kept me from doing a lot of things over the years and I don't want to live like that anymore. So, I say just go for it and know that there are plenty of us out there who are overcoming this too. We believe in you!

Another Jen (Liberty)

[Starfish]

This organization has produced some cognitive change materials that have helped one of my family members enormously (regarding all kinds of previously controlling anxieties):

midwest center for stress & anxiety,106 n church st,suite 200,oak harbor,ohio,43449. 1 800 591 2233

[kelownagirl]

I did the medication route for about a year and it seemed to solve my anxiety problems. I still get the panicky feeling sometimes but I can usually "manage" it now that I know I'm not going to die. :rolleyes: I don't let it stop me from doing things.

[Duck on Wheels]

Just a thought: Would it help to have a riding buddy? Not necessarily somebody you train with, not the whole pack of club riders like on your weekend ride, say, but just a friend you toodle around the neighborhood with or ride to the park or out for a coffee. Would that take the edge off, to have company?

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Jen

Wow, you certainly have been given plenty of advice, also isn't it good to realise how common this problem is.

There are some situations on my bike when I get like this so I also understand your feelings.

However, I am impressed with your 2007 Schedule for all the marathons, I can't even run around the block, mainly because I am scared of falling over.............doh!

Don't give up and good luck. ;)

Sally

[Bluetree]

Jen,

Another thing to do when in new place... get route information fron the locals. I take my bike out to new places to ride, whether near my city or far away, but before I do I:

• Asked my more experienced riding buddies preferred routes in my area

• Asked the LBS the best/safest routes to take

• Visited a cycling site (such as BikeForums) and asked for routes

• Checked for ride descriptions on bikely.com

• Drove the course first in my car, looking for wide lanes, traffic, possible safety hazards, etc.

Being prepared is never a bad thing. You also might want to check and see if there is a cycling club in your area. I'm sure there are people eager to help along an "immigrant." :D

[SouthernBelle]

On the don't know routes problem: check www.routeslip.com and see if there are any routes for your area. Google for riding clubs in your area, they often post routes on websites. There is another website that lists routes, but can't remember right now.

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for asking this question since this has been on my mind a lot lately too. I have found myself nearly paralyzed with fear of riding ever since I had a serious cycling accident nearly two years ago now (caused by two dogs running on the road, always my biggest riding fear - I fractured my pelvis in three places). I have only been able to road ride a handful of times since then, and I've always enjoyed it, though every ride I begin fearful and loosen up the longer I ride. I was starting to get better at managing my fears and getting out there and riding again about six months after my accident, even did a 50 mile organized event, and then my dad was killed in a car accident in Oct. '05, and I couldn't bring myself to ride for 9 months after that at all, other than on the trainer.

Last summer I started mountain biking since it felt "safer" than the road, and it doesn't seem to trigger my fears as much (of dogs and motor vehicles), but I still get scared because of falling (which I have done several times) and the terrain (downhill switchbacks :eek: ), so I don't expect I'll ever be more than a very casual "beginner" mountain biker. I have no desire to jump logs or do anything highly technical; I just want to have fun and get a good workout.

Before my accident and my father's, I had ridden on the road for years and put many 1000's of miles on my various bikes with minimal anxiety. I feel so different now. I am not sure if I need anxiety meds short-term just to get me back out there or need to just suck it up and "just do it". I desperately want to ride (even on the road!) again, but my fears keep me inside with a million excuses.

The last time I tried to do a road ride, I fell going down my gravel driveway and was sidelined for another couple months with sore ribs, so that didn't help my anxieties any.

Now the nice weather is coming and I need to push through these fears so I can once again enjoy the rides I used to relish. I have done centuries, a 9-day self-supported tour (with DH only) across NY state, and many, many club rides, and yet now, the thought of riding five miles on the road makes me queasy. :(

You are not alone. But just knowing that isn't enough....I'm not sure what is.

Emily

[mimitabby]

Just a thought: Would it help to have a riding buddy? Not necessarily somebody you train with, not the whole pack of club riders like on your weekend ride, say, but just a friend you toodle around the neighborhood with or ride to the park or out for a coffee. Would that take the edge off, to have company?

Gosh, Duck, I'd love one of those, will you be my riding buddy? Its easier said than done. You might look at the Pacific Northwest Rides board... We have so many near misses; She has to work, she doesn't, she's starting at 10, i can't be there until noon... KNot wants to ride, I'm stuck with family, etc, etc..
and we each have between a 15 to 20 mile ride just to get to a central meeting place.
My DH used to be more of a riding buddy, but he graduated. This morning I dropped him off at the startline of a 200 k ride... So now what? I'm not riding. well, I might a little by myself. owell, thanks for listening.

[momof4greatkids]

I have major anxiety about riding my bike. Once I get out, with other cyclist I am pretty good. I have fun and wonder why I don't do this more. Then I go home and go about my life. The option to ride again creeps up and I get terrified. While driving to or getting ready for a ride, I get stomache aches, sweaty palms. I am afraid of other cars, gravel, getting stuck in my pedals and then possible dying or getting really hurt:eek: . Jen :confused:

Hi Jen...big hug, you are not alone. I feel the same way, especially in a group, and especially about getting out of my pedals. Sometimes I lay in bed, thinking about a ride and my heart will race thinking about all the things that could go wrong.

For a while I would just ride up and down my street, or on the trail, in very safe places.

It helps me to ride w/just one other person, and I'm super-lucky to have a great guy to ride with, who is experienced and safe, not a hammer-head.

On club rides, w/more than 2 or 3 people, I'm still pretty skittish. I'm unclipping 500 yards ahead of every intersection, or possible stopping point. This makes me a little slower than everyone else pulling away (since we often don't have to stop) but.....I always say, I'd rather be last than plastered on the windshield.

I wish you well. Try venturing out of your safe territory a little at a time, in small increments. Find a good friend to ride with who understands your fears and will help you along.

I wish you were close to me I would love to ride w/you. Are you near NE Ohio?

Colleen

[lacyliz]

Hi Jen,

You are definitely not alone. I've suffered from anxiety about a few things in the past and I know how criplling it can be. I've also worked with people (I'm a clinical social worker) who suffer with transient panic or have a mild phobia about a certain thing.

The great thing is you are out of the closet with it - that's the best thing. Other than what the other girls have said and without know other things about you, my only other couple of comments/questions are: Did you ever fall off your bike? If so, did the anxiety start afterward?

Also, when you think about going for a ride- are you thinking of going for miles or traveling very fast or doing a lot - if so, you might want to make a deal with your self: start out just riding on your driveway. then a tiny bit more when you feel comfortable, ride at a slow, easy to maneuver speed, etc. The other thing is you could try "book ending" your rides - call someone before you leave and tell them that you'll call them when you get back and what that time should be. This way you are really "riding alone"- someone will know where you are. You can even share your route. These things might sound corney- but usually help.

Also, like a couple of people said - there are short-acting meds that could help - beta blockers, etc. - someone who has treated panic/phobias would know best.

Let us know how you are doing. BIG Hugs to you. It's going to be OK.

[teigyr]

Hi Jen,

Noooo....you are definitely not alone. I never really read it described so well though and I didn't know what my problem was. I actually have nightmares that I am not strong enough to go up a hill and have to unclip but I'm going so slow I can't unclip in time. I also unclip when cornering, unclip when people are slowing down...etc. I am also learning routes where I live and I haven't ridden around traffic in the past few years. The few times I've been on streets with cars, I feel like they are so close and I almost go into panic mode.

There have been times when I want to ride and I get ready to ride and I just sit there all tensed up. When I actually ride though, I feel great! Unless there are cars, of course.

Please let us know what works for you! The idea of looking for roads with good bike lanes/shoulders looks like a good idea. The problem with bike trails, nice as they are, is they continue to shelter me from things I should be learning to cope with. (Not to mention they don't have enough hills!) I think finding a good ride buddy, as mentioned above, would help you tons especially if the person knows good bike routes. I think cycling should be something we look forward to! I remember back when I knew experienced cyclists, we could share routes and sometimes that is better than heading out on your own and finding yourself on a narrow road with cars speeding by...

good luck. I'm sure by identifying the problem, you will find ways to manage it.

[MyLitespeed]

I have a big fear of riding sometimes also, like today. It just didn't feel right before I even climbed on the bike. During the whole ride I found it hard to turn the pedals to start again once I had come to a stop. I made my self do the route I wanted but shortened it up because of the way I felt. Sometimes it gets so bad that I feel like the bike will fall over at any moment but I can't bring myself to just turn the pedals. I have had some hypnosis to help me with my fear and it has helped quite a bit. Most days I can do fine, but once in a while I have my off days. I know the hypnosis has helped me a lot when it comes to riding our tandem (I'm just the stoker), I was terrified going around corners (even at a slow pace) or going down hill. I keep a journal of how I feel about each ride and overall I have improved quite a bit. I know that eating a power bar just before I go on my ride seems to help a lot, (this morning I didn't do it). I know that I will have good days and bad days, but the good days are definitely out weighing the bad days by a lot.:)

[JenLeath]

I did sign up with a local cycling club. They have started riding, but they start a little earlier than I can get there. But when the days get a little longer, they will have more rides. I am new to the area, so I haven't found some training partners yet. I just need to get out there. Thanks for the anxiety info, but this is the only thing I have any anxiety about. Other than this, I am usually the first one on the horse, so to speak.:D
Jen

[JenLeath]

Not to offend, but I am a little surprised at all the suggestions to get medicated. I only get anxious about cycling on the road. Let's not assume the sky is falling. :o

Jen

[ace]

A very nice woman who was in my Cindy training group is a therapist, and after some of the women said they had major fear of going down hills (one had had a very bad accident going down hill), she posted this information. Hope it's helpful:

These training rides are actually a perfect opportunity to use what is
called systematic desensitization (aka "gradually getting used to what
scares you") to overcome worry (thinking about what might happen),
anxiety (minor physical symptoms) and panic/phobia/ post-traumatic
reactions (major physical symptoms often leading to avoiding the
activity altogether, and/or flashbacks, nightmares, or scary thoughts
that won't go away).

Some suggestions:

(1) Check out the Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, or a similar self-help
book. You can overcome this without formalized therapy, if you take a
systematic and structured approach. This particular book is good, but
there are plenty of others like it in the psychology/self- help section
of most bookstores. What you should look for is a book that explains
anxiety and phobias and their treamtent, and provides a structured
approach, preferably with both written and practical activities, in a
format/style that you feel comfortable with.
http://www.amazon. com/Anxiety- Phobia-Workbook- Edmund-Bourne/ dp/157224223X

(2) Do-it-yourself systematic densitization
(2a)Learn some relaxation techniques and practice regularly them when
you are NOT riding -- meditation; deep breathing or counting your
breaths; visualizing/ imagining, in great detail, something that calms
you and makes you feel good (I usually imagine napping on a beach in
the sunshine). Interestingly, smiling a little bit (some call it the
Buddha smile, or the Mona Lisa smile) can actually calm you and
improve your mood, even if you are just faking it at first. So try
that, too -- be sure not to grit your teeth behind the smile!!

(2b) Create a "fear hierarchy," with 8-10 "levels" of scariness
related to whatever it is that bothers you. At the "scariest" end is
the thing that you are working toward -- e.g., riding down a
moderate-steep hill, in a group of riders, and going faster than, say,
10mph. At the other end, you might have "riding down a gentle slope by
myself, riding the brakes," or maybe it would even be something like
"looking at pictures of people biking down hills." Anything that makes
you feel a little more anxious than normal is acceptable. Fill in the
steps in between Level 1 and Level 10-- riding steeper hills, going
faster, riding in a group or around curves -- in whatever way fits
your thinking/fear.

(2c) Plan some rewards/incentives. You are doing hard work, and you
deserve something for it! For me, the reward is usually chocolate or a
good meal, or a new book from a bookstore -- might also be bike gear
that you want but don't *need*, or a manicure/pedicure/ spa trip. Come
up with a series of them, so you can reward each step of the process.

(2d) Give yourself some reality checks. Most anxiety comes from
overanticipating the likelihood of a negative event (e.g., "I will
definitely crash") and from overestimating the impact of the event if
it happens (e.g., "I will die."). Remind yourself that if you are calm
and careful, you *might* fall or crash, but you probably won't (think
about how many cyclists ride down how many hills every day); if you
*do* fall or crash, you will be hurt but probably not irrevocably
(again, consider all the bike accidents you know about; scrapes and
bruises are way more common than more severe problems. If you've had a
very bad experience in the past, that doesn't mean all your
experiences will be that bad; it was unlikely but it happened, and it
has no bearing on what will happen next time. Talk to other cyclists
about it, and find out about their experiences. Finally, remember that
the calmer you are when you're on your bike, the more you will be able
to concentrate on riding properly, and the more likely you will be to
stay in control while you're riding.

(2e) When you can dependably use your relaxation techniques to slow
your breathing and your heart rate a bit, start at the low end of the
scariness scale. Just *think about* doing the thing at that end. When
you feel yourself getting anxious, use your relaxation technique to
calm yourself down. Do this for 10-20 minutes a day (i.e. imagine,
feel mild anxiety, relax, and repeat) until that image or idea no
longer causes an anxiety reaction. Then actually *do* the thing you
were thinking about and see how that goes; again, use your relaxation
technique and the Buddha smile to calm yourself back down. Once you've
conquered the first step of the fear hierarchy (or rung of the
ladder), give yourself whatever treat/reward you've planned! Don't
forget this step, and get someone to help remind you or encourage you
to do this piece. Heck, get them to give you a massage as the reward!

When you are ready, move up to the next thing on the scale, using the
same basic approach. If you get to the point where you're actually in
the saddle and on a gradual hill (have a friend with you to help!!),
remember that you can stop after just a few feet, and calm yourself,
and then go on. Give yourself lots of time and encouragement. It's
okay if some steps take more rounds of practice than others.

(2f) Use your training group to the extent you are comfortable doing
so. We are all in this together, and so far I've seen nothing to
suggest that people would be anything less than enthusiastically
supportive and helpful in whatever ways you might need. If you feel
comfortable telling the group about your anxiety (especially before
you're experiencing it, when it may feel too vulnerable to do so),
tell them! Tell people what might be helpful for you -- do you need to
check in with someone when a hill is coming up? Do you need to tell
someone what your calming images are, so they can remind you? Do you
want someone to stop and breathe with you at the top of a hill? Do you
want everyone but the ride leaders to just let you alone? Are we
allowed to cheer for you at the next regroup point? (We might want to,
you know!!)

Over time and with structure (that's where the book comes in handy),
this really does work. I am a college professor, so I sometimes teach
classes of 50-100 students, and I also make presentations to
various-sized audiences at conferences about 2-3 times a year. I had a
public speaking phobia, and I used to panic and usually throw up
before every class I taught. Now, I am a little anxious before
teaching or speaking, and my voice sometimes shakes a little or I lose
my train of thought -- but I keep going without a hitch, and I usually
get good evaluations from students and conference attendees.

(3) Brief therapy can also be very useful for stuff like this, and
there's a technique called EMDR that is particularly effective; it
usually takes only 2-3 sessions for a trained EMDR practitioner to get
good results for phobic/panic/ post-traumatic reactions. So, if you
want to try some of this stuff but would prefer to have professional
guidance, you needn't worry that it will take forever and break the
bank!!

[mimitabby]

Just curious, do MEN not have this problem? Or do they just say they don't like biking and hang it up?

[freshwater_pr0n]

Aw, darlin'. A lot of us, male and female, are really scared at first. That fear is natural, but in the end, it can hurt you.

Fear makes you do dangerous things. It makes you hug the side of the road, it makes you try to be invisible, it makes you yield to cars too soon and it makes you less predictable to drivers.

Ride with large groups until you feel more comfortable. Take notes. When you're driving in your car, observe the way confident cyclists integrate themselves into traffic. Memorize http://www.bicyclesafe.com.

You're not a crybaby or a wuss for feeling scared. You're a smart, cautious person. Turn that fear into healthy awareness of the road around you.

[Bluetree]

Not to offend, but I am a little surprised at all the suggestions to get medicated. I only get anxious about cycling on the road. Let's not assume the sky is falling.

Jen, I only brought it up because in your OP you called it "major anxiety."



Just curious, do MEN not have this problem? Or do they just say they don't like biking and hang it up?

I've read that anxiety/panic attacks are far more common in women than men, but I'm not sure if this is clinically true, or if men just won't admit to it. Personally, I do not know a man who has suffered from anxiety (except when it comes to losing their hair), but I sure know a LOT of women who do.

[Geonz]

... and if the only thing different about this fear and anything else is that it makes your husband nervous or he doesn't like it... I'd want to deal with that issue.

[Starfish]

I've read that anxiety/panic attacks are far more common in women than men, but I'm not sure if this is clinically true, or if men just won't admit to it. Personally, I do not know a man who has suffered from anxiety (except when it comes to losing their hair), but I sure know a LOT of women who do.

Lots of men have anxiety disorder and the panic attacks that can accompany it. (Jen, I'm not saying you have an anxiety disorder.)

[Tuckervill]

I take my self and my 13 year old son on cross -country trips quite often. About 3 years ago we started taking our bikes and finding rides to take. Last year we rode 17 miles on a backroad to Cerrillos, NM, where the film Young Guns was made. Other rides were way more remote.

I always have an ENORMOUS amount of anxiety over the trip as it approaches. I mean, I'm taking my CHILD out to the wilds of New Mexico or Oregon or Vermont. Forget what might happen on the ride...what about on the freeway? We're going to Oregon in 4 weeks, and I have a lot of anxiety about the drive from Cheyenne to Salt Lake City. What if we end up in a freak snowstorm? That's what I'm afraid of, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

It seems like a strange thing to be afraid of, but how I cope with it is to plan and prepare. I've been all over every weather website, looking at precipitation averages for almost every town along that stretch. For the bike routes, I've looked at every route, made copies of the route, and even poured over them on Google Earth. I've got a plan for food and things to bring. I wish I still had my diesel Bug, so I could leave it running if we got stuck in the snow--but the Element will have to do. Things can happen on other parts of the trip, too, but I've already planned for those as a matter of course. (I've got my wind-up flashlight!) We had to drive to Ohio through the remains of Hurricane Katrina, and we were fine! Things happen. I prepare, and I don't go until I feel prepared. I use the energy contained in that anxiety to provide energy for my action. (One of my mantras from my poor single mom days was "Anxiety=Action".)

All that to say that one way to handle anxiety is to imagine the worst case scenario from the safety of your living room, and DECIDE IN ADVANCE what you would do about it. Imagine what the results will be if you do fall over going uphill. Instead of just imagining what can happen, imagine what will happen after "the worst" happens. Take it to the next logical step, and the next, until you can focus on the eventual non-threatening outcome.

(Thank you, Dale Carnegie, for that advice which I read when I was just 15. It has served me well. _How to Stop Worrying and Start Living_)

Imagine it, and then try to figure out things you can do--in advance--to prevent the thing that you imagine will happen. Practice clipping in and out. (whatever it is that you feel anxious about) Tell yourself that you know how to clip in and out, and that you're capable of being aware of all factors that will prevent you from unclipping in time, falling into the path of a car, or falling uphill, and are fast-thinking enough to do it in time to prevent a tragedy. Even if you do fall, it's not likely that you will die or anyone else will die, and if you're hurt you will heal, and after you heal you will have a great story to tell.

Yes, anything is possible. But is it probable? Prepare for the probable.

Karen

[Starfish]

(Thank you, Dale Carnegie, for that advice which I read when I was just 15. It has served me well. _How to Stop Worrying and Start Living_)


GREAT book!

[mimitabby]

today was my 4th day of riding with the SPD "clipless" system.

BEFORE the ride it's like a fight. Too cold, too windy, might rain, don't have
time, maybe i should just drive. over and over and over again.
(the weather HAS been a bit iffy, but not horrible)

I have been terribly nervous before EACH ride. (drove DH crazy sunday when we rode the tandem)

I hope this goes away soon!

[Duck on Wheels]

I'm pretty sure men have anxieties too, or at least phobias. I know men who avoid air travel if at all possible, and it's not out of concern for their CO2 "footprint". My own phobia is heights. It's gotten worse over the years rather than better. But it rarely gets in the way of my doing things I enjoy. If I were getting deflected from something I truly would miss doing, like say biking, I'd do something about it. Mine keeps me from hiking some routes, but I'm not in shape for those anyway and there are enough routes I enjoy that don't challenge my fears that I haven't really had to change activities.

There are courses for some phobias (air travel, spiders, ...). I don't know if biking is among them. Most involve simply getting used to the thing bit by bit, and building up positive associations while you're at it.

That was why my suggestion of finding a biking buddy for outings such as to a cafe or park. Wouldn't have to be a serious biker. In fact, maybe preferably just a friend new to biking herself. Last time I confronted my fear of heights was on a hike with DH, DD and DD's SO. They're all great hikers, so they were no help. What helped was running into another lady with a height problem a tad worse than my own, and the two of us offering one another mutual encouragement (including noting that at least part of the problem was the dizzying effect of our progressive lenses).

[mimitabby]

my biking buddy is my DH, but he is not always around. For example, today
he is going to meet me at work and ride with me downtown!!!
He goes out of his way to be here for me, and he knows about the problems i am having. I hope that if i keep riding it will lessen and YES it gets worse as i get older.

[anorange]

Hurray for you Mimi! I think that if I can do it anyone can. I've waffled quite a bit between clipless and not, but something clicked into place (no pun intended) a couple of weeks ago and I feel MUCH more comfortable with the clipless. I've even done a couple of 40 mile rides in them. One thing I do is to unclip the foot I first release with WHENEVER I think there might be a need to have it free. I know I unclip more than most people, but like when I'm coming up to an intersection- why chance it that a car might be coming through and have to unclip at the last minute? It makes me much happier riding with the clipless knowing that I can have one foot free whenever I want. I usually just put my heel on the pedal. THe Specialized shoes I have give me enough grip like this. Sometimes I even pedal for a ways with one foot unclipped. It seems to work for me. I can't see any downside to this. Just take it slow and at your pace- YOU CAN DO IT!!!:)

[teigyr]

Mimi --

Congrats on the pedals, by the way! If you ever want to meet up to ride, PM me. Right now, I'm off sun-tues and am good to ride on any of those days usually. While I'm good with clipless for the most part, I tend to slow down and unclip on sharp turns, etc. And I've had the same too windy, rainy, cold....debates. I'm in North Seattle but usually end up driving to a bike trail to ride.

Now my hugest fear besides heights? Downhills. Ugh...and I know I need to start working on that.

[anorange]

Sounds like a Seattle ride might be in order- one without downhills. I am also petrified of downhills. I go through a lot of brake pads! I think I am going to do the STP this year, for the first time. I'm putting in one long weekend ride,every weekend. Saturday or Sunday depending on the family schedule. I'm doing some of the rides with with the Cascade Training series, but can't make all of their rides. Would love some riding buddies, even for part of the mileage. Or just on another ride for fun. I'll post something in the NW section for an upcoming weekend that looks promising.

[teigyr]

anorange, sounds like a great idea! I work on saturday but am off on sunday, I don't know how that fits in with other peoples schedules.

I know I need to practice downhills but I'm not ready for Downhills (ie steep grade and long/winding). I like the hills where I can see the end and it goes back uphill so I know if I do get going too fast, I'll slow down on the next incline. Even still, I don't think I'd ever be comfy going over 25 or so.

I had Gregg's do my last tune-up and they put different brake pads on my bike. They said that these ones are softer and wear out more quickly but they also stop better. The ones I had weren't quite as responsive, I guess. I don't know if that would help you or maybe you already have them. I don't know what they're called but they are an orange color (hah! coincidence there?!). I know I like them so far!

Hey, congrats on signing up for STP!!! I signed up for the Tour de Cure in May and honestly I despair that I'll be ready for it. Riding buddies are always appreciated!

[JenLeath]

I went out on Sunday, very little trafffic. I rode about 30 min. I did much better than I thought I would. I was still pretty shy on the downhills. I made sure I stopped and started up again several times. That used to be a little nerve wracking for me, but I did just fine:D . I am riding with a couple of women this Saturday, it's in my old home town, so the comfort factor will be there. Thanks for all of your advice. My goal this season is to get so hooked that I don't want to take a break for the winter. Oops, I guess I will have to shop for winter cycling stuff. LOL

Jen

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I had Gregg's do my last tune-up and they put different brake pads on my bike. They said that these ones are softer and wear out more quickly but they also stop better. The ones I had weren't quite as responsive, I guess. I don't know if that would help you or maybe you already have them. I don't know what they're called but they are an orange color (hah! coincidence there?!). I know I like them so far!

Those are Kool-Stop pads (or Cool-stop?), and they are great. I'm getting some to put on my bike. They are really good for if you get caught in the rain and your rims and pads get totally wet. They will keep you from losing your braking power in the rain, they will still grip when wet. That happended to me once- we got caught miles from home in the pouring rain and I freaked out because suddenly I had only about 20% of my normal breaking ability! There I was cruising down the highway with almost no brakes- you bet I was creeped out. I'll feel safer with these Koolstops this summer when we do some multi-day tours (like REALLY far from home!)

[teigyr]

Lisa S.H., thanks for the name. I LOVE those things! I realized the necessity after riding in the rain...I went to stop and ended up going through an intersection. I recommend them wholeheartedly to anyone with downhill/stopping issues :)

[anorange]

Teigyr, I will p.m you about a Cascade ride this weekend. I have the Kool-Stop pads on my mountain bike. The kind where you just slip our the pad and shove a new one in without having to reposition the whole brake again. Funny thing, the other day I took my Soma road bike to the shop where I bought it because I needed some new rear brakes and the guy tried to put on the Kool-Stops but said they wouldn't fit. The little nut that hold the brake on wouldn't go through the slot in the Shimano centerpull(?) brake mechanism. I was bummed. I hope to give it another go in the future.