fear

[Dogmama]

When I first started riding, I took the Effective Cyclist course which sounds like the same as CindySue outlined. I learned all kinds of things (for example: when you're going through an intersection and you have the right of way, if you gear down (making you pedal faster) you will appear to be going faster than you are and cars will be less likely to try to cut you off. Cars think: Bike = Slow)

Also, when I had difficulty getting back on after an accident, I examined what my brain was doing (very scarey! ) and I was imagining that I'd get back on the bike & have the same accident. The fact is - I've ridden thousands of miles with no accidents. Statistically speaking, I should be just fine. So, I set out to prove my brain wrong with small, easy rides. I quickly became addicted to cycling again and started riding the same as before.

[Susan Otcenas]

Hey Goddess1222, good to have you back!

Let's do a ride! I can grab a girlfriend or two and we can have a "coffe shop ride" to get you back on your bike. Something low key, maybe Springwater Corridor. Or you could come out here to the west side and we could ride some rural backroads...

Up for it?

Susan

[CorsairMac]

heck susan - wish I lived in your area - I'd go! lol


welcome back BG!! Yup, I believe there is a purpose for everything and everything has a purpose - sounds like it was time for us to "pop" up and let you know just how supportive we are and that we ARE here for you!! Know that you Can do this - you've done it before and that when all is right with you you Will do it! and we'll still be right here for you! cheering, applauding, wishing you the best, and riding in spirit right there with you!

[Susan Otcenas]

CorsairMac,

There's lots of beautiful riding up here. I've heard so many tales of people coming for a vacation and deciding to move here. Should you ever find yourself here on vacation, let me know. We'll ride!

Susan

[MountainandRoad]

I've road ridden for years, and whoever wrote that mountain biking has its own set of fears was right on. Unclipping upon stopping and safely navigating especially in traffic is second nature to me now (it helps not to ride in areas of congested traffic or times of peak commuter/weekend traffic) but unclipping from my mountain bike is a different challenge altogether, because for the most part, you can't unclip early and anticipate when you want release. I have an underlying fear of the bigger critters on the trail too, I see rattlesnakes on a regular basis, and there have been numerous mountain lion sightings in our area. Not to mention riding with pepper spray in the event that I am confronted by the male of the species when out riding the trails alone. I've thought alot about how I would defend myself if threatened by any eventuality. Its a great suggestion to ride with someone both on the road and moreso on the trail, but in my situation, that is hardly ever possible, and if I wait to find someone to ride with, I don't get to go. I've found the best way to overcome your fears is to try to anticipate and prepare for any contingency based upon common sense as well as other's experience, and go out there and face them...can't live your life not doing things because of fear...on the flip side of that idea is the idea that no one should be foolhardy...trolling unprepared or unaware for mountian lions or riding alone without the necessary plan B isn't a good idea either. When I ride alone I carry cell phone, small gps, pepper spray, CO2 cart for quick flat fix, essentials of 1st aid kit, practiced at quick flat fix, be alert to all that is going on around me...

[goddess1222]

oh God!!! where have i been without these boards? you are all so amazing! i would like to say thank you to each of you for lifting my spirits through the roof! CindySue, i appreciate the information on who to contact for skills training. i knew we had the BTA, but didn't know they threw skills training courses.

also, Susan, our ever present and supportive den mother. yes, i want to ride with you and some of your girlfriends. absolutely! preferably away from major traffic, as it has been a while (clipping in and out). i am home sick this week, but please contact me through private message and we will set a date.

my main fear is falling from not clipping out, or panicking. guess it's time to get back in that abandoned parking lot and practice.

to all of you: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND SUCH A WARM WELCOME BACK. I AM TRULY BLESSED! and i don't even know any of you personally, and i feel such a sisterhood to you all.

[DeniseGoldberg]

my main fear is falling from not clipping out, or panicking...

Well, the good news is that if you fall from not clipping out, you're not going to break a leg by sticking it out to catch yourself! Just reading this made me remember my own initial experience with clipless pedals. I only fell once due to not clipping out. Luckily it was on a lightly traveled road, and when I tipped over I went toward the edge of the road. I wasn't hurt, but it took me a minute to recover and stand up again because I was laughing so hard (at myself). Of course it would be better if you don't fall, but...

I hope that your fear will go away quickly. Have fun getting back into cycling.

--- Denise

[BikeMomma]

....and i don't even know any of you personally, and i feel such a sisterhood to you all.

That's TE....Sisterhood! Enjoy your ride(s) with Den Mom (Susan )...practice makes fun, not just perfect!
- BikeMomma

[Dogmama]

Well, the good news is that if you fall from not clipping out, you're not going to break a leg by sticking it out to catch yourself!

Yup, the biggest injury is to the ego. I always looked around to make sure I didn't know anybody at the stop lights...

BTW, if you must fall, be sure that you do not stick your arm out to catch yourself or you might break something. Better to tuck in & roll - think of how a football player falls.

[CorsairMac]

Goddess: at the risk of sounding negative - you probably will fall.....it probably will happen, and has happened to pretty much all of us. So don't be afraid of falling, just accept it. The best thing you can do is unclip Before you need to - it's always easier to clip back in and keep pedalling than to try and do that last-minute-panic-unclip thing. I unclip as I approach any intersection, crossing, anything that I'm unsure of etc etc. You can always rest your heel on the pedal until you decide if you need to stop or clip back in. Another thing you might try is to find a park or even put lots of blankets/pillows in your backyard, something soft - and then just fall.

I know you'll do just fine and pretty soon clipping/unclipping will happen without you even thinking about it! Heck - you'll wonder how you ever rode without clips and pretty soon you'll be reassuring someone else just how awesome they are!!

[RoadRaven]

Well done Goddess, always good to lassoo the fear and make it work for you...

The turning of the wheel so it points away from my unclipped foot is the best advice I have geaned from this site, and since receiving it I have not fallen as I deliberately slow down/stop at all!

Congrats on your growing confidence... looking forward to hearing more about your rides