Getting over fears

[marni]

on the southern tier cross country I did, there was a woman who was terrified of bridges, to the point where she would wait for the SAG wagon to catch up and transport her across. We finally designated a different rider each day to ride across the bridge with her, both singing at the top of their voices. By the time we were half way through texas, she was riding the bridges on her own.

Is there any point in singing yourself across the bridge, something upbeat and cheerful? Might that help?

[channlluv]

I actually laid my bike down trying to avoid a truck once -- I was clipped in and turning left onto a bike path, he was turning left into the lane I was about to cross, I couldn't stop very well - still learning clipping in and out at that point -- and I just fell over. He didn't hit me. I got up and walked my bike over to the sidewalk while the truck and car behind him waited on me to move out of the street.

I was embarrassed and a little banged up, but it made me focus more on stopping and unclipping at traffic lights and stop signs.

Roxy

[Catrin]

I am not afraid of "regular" bridges, but I am terrified of the mere thought of riding over one of those iron bridges that don't have a concrete or asphalt deck over the metal. I am unsure if I could even make myself ride over one, though I suppose that when I am finally faced with one that I will have no choice...Thankfully there are not many of those around

All of that being said, I have never ridden over a high-traffic bridge.

[Crankin]

Melavai, it's called exposure therapy, or desensitization. Look up specific phobia disorder.

I still get nervous when 1) I am riding in an unfamiliar area and I don't know what is coming and 2) downhills. I am better than I used to be, and I just force myself to go. Sometimes that means I am the last person down a hill, but at least I know I'm not going to be the last person up the other side .
Once I decide to do something, I do it.