Getting over fears

[bikefam2]

I love cycling but my fears are getting to me... Has anyone experienced fears of downhills and traffic?

[Kerry1976]

Traffic for me, as I'm a newbie on my first ever road bike who is learning to clip in and just learned how to ride a bike whereon my butt doesn't sit in the seat at the same time my feet touch the ground. So starting/stopping is new, too.

[Biciclista]

oh yes. Took me a long time to relax on downhills. Drove my DH crazy. (DH= Dear Husband)
I'm still not fast on downhills, but i'm not squeaking all the way down the hills anymore either.

Welcome to TE Bikefam2!

[Catrin]

Welcome to TE!

As with most things, exposure is the way to deal with fear - in a considered day. Is there someplace you can ride that is low traffic, like a park with roads or access to country roads? Do you have someone who can ride with you from time to time? These things do help.

[Melalvai]

I'm interested in this topic because after I went got past my panic attacks related to my daughter's wreck, next I thought "I wonder if there is a way to not be afraid of bridges or spiders?" I kind of looked on the web briefly but didn't see anything obvious right away. If you know of any methods for that, I'd love to be able to see a spider without yelping, and to be able to go across a bridge on my bike without trembling.

[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.

[bikefam2]

Thanks to everyone, I'm so glad to hear that I'm not alone! I'm rode around a slightly less traveled road yesterday and made myself conquer my fear of traffic. I admit I was a bit shakey, but told myself to do it! And I did!!! I wasn't able to tackel the downhill yet, but I'm hoping that I will get enough courage to go for it!!

This Saturday is my very first ever 'shop' ride, it's an easy route, I'm nervous but excited all in one! Wish me luck.

Thanks for the welcome, to TE, what a great place to share our experiences and have support!!

[indigoiis]

I have never had any problem bombing down hills - to the point where my husband, a seasoned rider from way back, considered me reckless. Since I am such a scaredy cat about other things, his comment made me back off a little on hills. But my feeling is, no matter if you are going fast or slow, when you fall, it's going to hurt.

On the other hand, I am a complete wimp on my mountain bike. Last year because of a fear I made a stupid mistake and ended up getting hurt because of it. So fear can sometimes cause you to over-react which can be problematic.

I think you have to take it in small doses and embrace it. Shove that scaredy cat girl out in front of you and promise that you have her back. Take little bites. When in traffic, take a lane and make bold hand signals. Nothing gives you more confidence than communicating via hand signals to a driver you can see and who sees you. Then ride home, and try a little more tomorrow.

On hills, start with small ones and practice getting out of your seat, crouching like a cat, using your knees to stablize the top tube, kinda like a Pilates crouch where your body is weighted evenly over the bike, tuck the head a bit, look straight ahead, and go for it, feathering your brakes evenly.

If you do that, I promise not to screech so much crossing sand on my mountain bike.

[Karma007]

Traffic in suburban neighborhoods. 2 years ago I was hit by a car, and even now, riding in suburbia- driveways, cars parked on the side of the road, intersections etc. make me a little nervous. Riding with other people and going at my own pace helps. It's taken a long time, but now I would say my 'nervous' vs 'timid'. Just keep riding, it'll come.

[nscrbug]

This is my 3rd full season of riding, and I still have a slight fear of certain roads that we ride. One road, in particular, is a 2-lane in a wooded area with a very narrow (if any) shoulder. I've ridden this road countless times without any problems, but it still makes me nervous. If it weren't for the fact that it is the only way to get to the better riding roads, I would avoid it. It's not so bad when we are heading out, because it's very early and traffic is light. But when we are on our way back home, it's later and everyone is out by then so traffic is much heavier. Of all the roads that "go through" to get back home, it actually seems to be the safest option compared to the other roads.

[indysteel]

I'm okay in traffic for the most part, but I can get freaked out on technical or fast downhills. I did a long downhill in Tennessee in the rain a few years ago that I swear took a year off my life. It was all I could do to coax myself down, I was shaking so hard.

You might look into whether the League of American Bicyclists is offering a Traffic 101 class in your area. That's a good way to gain some confidence and skills.

[lawnchick22]

But my feeling is, no matter if you are going fast or slow, when you fall, it's going to hurt.

Now, that's just funny...true too!

That's my mentality.