Gremlins are bugging me

[OakLeaf]

I think it will come if you give yourself time.

But in the meantime, I think you can work on the skills you can control, and that will help you getting past the fear of the things you can't. Work on your cornering skills in places with open sight lines and little traffic. Practice "seeing with your whole eyes," i.e., being aware of everything in your peripheral vision rather than fixating on a narrow area. Look through the turns, and look up once you've glanced at the road surface to make sure it's clear of debris.

I've never had a crash even remotely as big as yours, but this kind of thing has been helpful when I've found myself reinforcing rather than getting over past crashes.

[LBTC]

CC - Oakleaf has some great suggestions! Do those and arm yourselves with butterflies to protect you and help you to be seen by others. You'll get there!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Bad JuJu]

I have no practical advice to offer, but can say from experience that the more you do the thing you fear, the less fearful it becomes. I guess that's obvious in theory, but not always so obvious in practice, since it still takes time.

One cornering skill I've read about it is putting your weight on the outside foot/leg--this is supposed to lend greater stability during cornering. Just a thought.

Best of luck in putting your cornering gremlins behind you!

[mimitabby]

I crashed into a fence once when my handlebar hit it (not enough clearance)
it probably took 5 years for me to get over that one. I used to be on the back of the tandem with my eyes closed!!! to go through posts or through fence gate openings.

Time will heal.

[silver]

hi cc!

I know what you are feeling. It's frustrating, isn't it?

I'd say it took a good 9 months to feel a little closer to normal. And I'll never ride the same again. It's not worse, it's just different. My nemesis is hills that I don't know. If I don't know the grading and what's at the bottom or around the bend, I take it really slow. I don't do that great on unknown courses.

But even though I have to deal with this, I still have found a joy in riding that I never had before. When I face down the fear and still go on and finish a ride, I know that I am stronger and more couragous than before.

I hope this helps.

silver (once broken)

[crazycanuck]

Silver-Yep..It's rather frustrating & am annoyed about being frustrated. I have so many thing to work on-strengthening my right leg, aligning my hip, speed etc etc..I never thought about how much i'd truly have to work on until i got back outside.

Oakleaf-i'm still working on getting my 'cycling' eye back to where it was.

Thanks muchly appreciated!

[RoadRaven]

Hey there CC
So good to see you are out there, and on your bike again
I have thought about you often while I life took over from my TE visits.

I have no practical advice either, but like JuJu says... the more you face your fear, the easier it is to face your fear because you build strategies to cope.

And people like Silver who, like you, have had much to face when reaching for the bicycle have much more insight than I.

But my thoughts are with you and I wish you continued courage as you relearn to ride the way you loved to.