Afraid to get back on

[sundial]

Hi - I'm brand new at this and pretty disgusted with me right now.I am 56, in pretty good shape and lost about 110 lbs...

That is QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!! You have NO reason to be down on yourself. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? I got over my fear of falling on the bike by a) practicing on the grass and b) doing it in slo mo in front of the neighbors. Once I got it out of my system I was ready to roll.

Momentum is your friend. It will keep you upright. Keep your eyes focused ahead on the road rather than looking down at your feet on the pedals. And then think of a song to get you into a rhythm and pedal around in your yard. Or try it at a nearby church parking lot or school. And having an experienced cyclist there to guide you will help boost your confidence as well. Are there any ladies that work at your bike shop that could give you a private lesson until you get the hang of it?

Go at a pace that's comfortable to you. Take it slow and don't pressure yourself to do more than what you are willing to commit to. There's no set timetable on when you should be cycling X number of miles by X number of days. Listen to your body and if your head isn't in the game, do something else and come back to it later. It will come to you.

[crazycanuck]

Sundial...this thread is over 4yrs old...the OP's never posted since....

[sundial]

Sundial...this thread is over 4yrs old...the OP's never posted since....

Aw gee I did it again.

[redrhodie]

Aw gee I did it again.

I wonder if she ever got back on? Poor thing.

[stella2]

I must say I am very glad of your 'mistake' Sundial. I only began learning to ride very recently at age 51 and, due to some health problems following the first couple of weeks, the gaps between riding sessions were growing from a day or two, to a week or so and I started becoming anxious and putting it off! Now I am writing this at 3am UK time as I'm in hospital having had surgery today and can't sleep. It will probably be a couple of months before I can get back on my bike again and no doubt I'll be scared to death by then

Sundial reminded me about singing. I used that as a strategy when I was learning to ride a horse (in my 40s), but I had forgotten all about it! It helps regulate breathing (it's common to hold our breath when doing something we are finding difficult or anxiety provoking), provides rhythm and is cheery

Now I have that in my plan for when I'm back on board

I hope the OP got back on. Maybe she found a different activity she preferred though.