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 . 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

[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/SafetyS...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!!! )

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. 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?