Back and Afraid

[karatemomLisa]

Hey, so I've introduced myself here before. I finally got a pretty good bike for me. It is a mountain bike and I eventually want a road bike but am saving up. Did anybody else have a fear of riding a bike?

[FunSize]

I never really rode a bike when I was a kid. My boyfriend bought be a bike last year and I honestly said to him, "you're going to have to teach me how to ride this, honestly, I haven't ridden a bike since I was like... 8." I was really scared when I first started riding it. I could stay upright but couldn't turn around in a steet. Scared my bf a couple of times as I almost ran into parked cars.

But... I have an adventurous personality so ill just about try anything. I fell off my bike a couple times. Once in front of a bunch of people, in the middle of a busy road. I was mortified, but this forum helped me realize I wasn't alone in falling, or struggles, or questions. The women on this forum are very encouraging.

The learning curve for bike riding is very fast, too, so the fear subsides quickly.

Also, I'm still terrified on busy roads.

[PamNY]

I had some fear when I returned to biking a few years ago.

Could you be more specific about your concerns? This group is smart and supportive.

I can almost guarantee that someone will have helpful suggestions, and that you will get applause for every bit of progress that you make.

[karatemomLisa]

Afraid of falling or running into other cyclists.

[malkin]

Yes.
The more I ride, the more confidence I get.

If you are really scared of falling, you can try taking your bike on to a grassy or sandy surface and take a couple of fake falls. You are probably tougher than you think.

[PamNY]

Assuming you can balance on the bike and go forward, I'd just start riding. Grassy surface if you have one, empty spot like a parking lot if you don't. Don't go into traffic until you feel confident.

I worked on specific skills (still do). Getting on and off the bike, stopping and waiting (like at a red light), and weaving around obstacles are a few
suggestions.

As FunSize mentioned, the learning curve is pretty fast.

I'd say just do it, and ask here about any specifics that you can't figure out on your own.

[crazycanuck]

I ran into another cyclist in a fluke incident a few years ago & would suggest the following:

Look ahead, know which areas might require you to slow down just a smidgen.
Be predictable.
Don't expect others to slow down
Core strength is uber important

Just remember, you will eventually fall & it's a part of cycling. If you don't want to fall, dont' cycle. (don't even think about mtn biking!)

Get out there and ride, don't let fear hold you back.

[PamNY]

Core strength is uber important

Yes to that!

As a beginner, core strength was something I didn't know I needed. I thought cycling was just legs. I was wrong.

[hebe]

I learned to ride "properly" last year at 44, after doing not so well in my 20s (I never learned as a child).

I fell quite often and always had bruises. Then I stopped falling so often. Then I put my dd into a bike seat and fell again At the slow speeds I travel falling is really not anything to be too worried about. Do you have a helmet that fits?

I haven't yet run into another cyclist, they are all still faster than me and there aren't many around here.

Could you think about booking a session with a cycling instructor? I did this and it made all the difference in getting me going safely and building confidence. Your local bike shop might be able to sugggest someone.

Good luck and enjoy riding!

[Mr. Bloom]

I'd encourage you to seek out some League sanctioned education seminars in your area or a local club.

Traditionally, seminars are not well advertised in advance, but if you go to this site, you can find contact info for instructors in your area who may be able to give you more advance notice.

[AZchick]

My greatest fear of falling always happened when I was stopping and that foot had to hit the ground with steadiness and just at the right time. There are videos online that show you how to to this. But it really just takes practice, to 'get the feel'. I had my seat quite low to begin with and raised it a teeny bit at a time. You'll do it!!! Take your time and have fun meanwhile!

[redrhodie]

I was very scared at first. I was hit by a car door when I was 14, and didn't get right back on the bike (I was in my mid 30s when I really started riding again, and I'm 43 now). So, I had some issues to work through.

If you have a bike path, use it. Try to go when there aren't a lot of people, I find the middle of a work day is usually perfect. I rode one bike path back and forth until I knew every crack in the pavement. I rode for a couple of years with my seat too low, just so I could put my feet on the ground. Raising it the the proper height was done in increments, as I was ready. I did everything that way, as I was ready. I'd let myself master a skill, then I'd work on the next one. There's a lot to learn. You don't need to do it all in a day. I should add, I never fell, well, not until 2 years ago, cornering too aggressively on sand. Let's say, I've come a long way. After my fall, I felt totally pumped up, and excited. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared at all.

Oh, and if I could do it, you can do it.

[karatemomLisa]

Thanks!

[linzq]

I just wanted to say thank you for this post and for all the helpful replies!

I'm a total newbie to road riding (just bought my bike this week -- a new 2011 Cannondale CAAD10 with Shimano 105 - and I adore it)!!!!

I've done a little bit of gentle suburban & bike path riding on my mountain bike (a handful of times over the last 10 years), and then I started spinning classes last year. I loved the more aggressive position, and decided to get a road bike to be able to join my partner and his friends who go out riding together.

And now I have a bike and a whole bunch of fear around getting used to it - so thanks for the beautiful words that help to chill me out a bit. It's nice to think about this as a learning curve that will get easier over time. PHEW!

My plan is to start on the trainer (no traffic!) and get used to the new position plus unclipping -- then to move to gentle bike paths...

I am so glad to have found a forum of like-minded ladies and mentors!!!!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Another great place to practice I found was the empty parking lots of my local schools, on Sundays especially. Great wide open place to practice starting and stopping, figure 8's, etc.