Got back on the horse... er... bike

[Biciclista]

to OP:
what helps you gain confidence is just riding. Good luck and I hope the two of you heal fast!

[OakLeaf]

What helps me gain confidence is working hard to understand what caused me to crash and fixing it. No matter how much someone else's misconduct might've contributed to a wreck, unless it's something like a meteorite falling from the sky, there is almost ALWAYS something the rider could've done to avoid it. The last two wrecks I've had, I've had an initial impression of what I did wrong, that has deepened over a period of weeks as I got back on and reviewed my techniques.

I'm continuing to work hard on proper braking. Undoing decades of bad habits isn't easy. The last piece is learning to drink with my left hand. Not as easy as I thought it would be!

[colorisnt]

Oak Leaf, I was going down a hill not realizing that the sidewalk in front of me (multiuse) was dangerous. Likewise, I could have saved myself (most likely) if I would have been clipped in. I've done it before. However, I know now if there is any doubt just to walk the bike! It will take longer and be boring, but I won't fall off!

As for helmets, I used to never wear mine on the horse. I rode primarily Western at that time and showed stock horses. We are notorious for never wearing ours. And well, I went in this class called versatility. We were riding English first. I had on my helmet and my horse tripped and rolled on me. She kicked me in the head, kneed me in the chest, etc. This was a bombproof horse, but there was a ditch in the arena and she wasn't being careful enough at the canter. 15 minutes later, I would have been wearing a stetson in the Western portion of the event. I was okay only thanks to my helmet and I haven't been on a horse since without it. Likewise, I don't ever ride my bike without it either. Anything can happen.

Rita, I wouldn't have raced due to the fact that I most likely would have been too shaken and afraid to further injure myself. It's why I didn't get back on for two days. Glad you were wearing a helmet! Glad you are okay!

Riding with other more been there, done that cyclists helps. The guy I rode with was an older gentleman who was about my pace when I am body sore and it was a good confidence builder. There was a place where the pavement sometimes gets wet. I unclipped and walked just in case!

[Melalvai]

Oak Leaf, I was going down a hill not realizing that the sidewalk in front of me (multiuse) was dangerous.

Bah on MUPs. I've never trusted them. Was it the new one on Providence?

Sorry to hear about your wreck. I'm glad you & your bike are ok. Good luck getting back to riding!

[colorisnt]

Nope. I am staying off of that one, too, now They have been working on it for ages it seems. This one was one around Stephens. The MUP on providence by where I live gets water, sludge from the construction that they never cleaned up, etc. Very scary stuff. Before this, I never would have questioned it. I always thought pea gravel was dangerous. I mean, I ride on it probably 3 times a week, but still. Nope. White concrete is by FAR the worst.