Getting over fears

[Roseisarose]

I'm afraid of bridges, hills and other cyclists.

The hills are either trying to kill me when I'm going up because I start to wobble, or they are trying to kill me when I'm going down because of the flying.

I love riding over the bridges in Portland, but during rush hour I'm so pokey and there are all these flying cyclists and I'm in the way so I'm afraid I'll fall off the bridge.

I'm just going along though with the fears.

Rose

[Bethany1]

So glad I found this post. Nice to know I'm not the only one who gets scared. I've only been biking for a little over two weeks so everything is new.

My son can go down hills at top speed leaving me to eat his dust. He can do 35mph on one of them. I haven't been brave enough to attempt going down that hill. Most I've ever done is 21 mph down a hill. Usually it's about 12-13mph as I panic when going through the neighborhood intersections and almost come to a complete stop. To be 15 again with no fear like my son would be nice.

I'm getting better at hills since my entire town is built on them. I may be going only 5mph and having to stop to rest, but I figure as long as I'm not walking with my bike up the entire way, it's all good. Some of the hills are a 1/2 mile in length so it's a long walk if needed.

I have two major highways intersecting town with semis/trucks/cars going 60mph so it was scary the first time I went down into town. What really scared me was that my son didn't tell me the overpass bridge narrowed to nothing leaving you open in the right lane. I had to wait until it was safe and pray that I could go fast enough not to terrify drivers or myself. I made it and was really proud of myself, but don't plan on doing that ride until I'm faster. As you get closer into town, the roads narrow again leaving no space for a bike and a vehicle to be in the lane. I just have to go off into a side street to get home.

Today I made it to 18mph down the highway back home. I just said "get over it" and went.

Biggest issue so far is that my mountain bike sucks in town and does great out on the graveled rural roads. There isn't a decent middle ground yet.

[Reesha]

Best way to deal with a downhill no brakes? Scream "WOOOOOHOOOOOO!" at the top of your lungs as you descend. Start on smaller hills first though and work your way up!

Totally works (and I'm STILL overcoming my fear of downhills)

[maryellen]

Nice to know I'm not the only one who gets scared. I've only been biking for a little over two weeks so everything is new.

Bethany, what you are doing is amazing for 2+ weeks!