Saturdays Ride & fear of Heights!
Gazspurs
Posts: 122
This one will make you laugh!... As it did the 3 people I was out with Saturday morning!
As I'm sure we all were Friday night I was very excited about Saturdays weather forecast. Probably the nicest day of the year so far was due, I had arranged with 3 other mates to meet up nice & early & hit a 70+ mile route.
The Mrs was out so Friday night did consist of a bowl of pasta, a bottle of red & unfortunately a couple of whiskey night caps.
Anyhow we might up, me with a slightly thick head but nothing that wouldn't ease once the porridge, energy drink & a bit of wind in my face kicked in.
All was going well until I found myself getting a little 'jumpy' on the bike, I'm normally a very confident rider but the odd car going by a bit close etc was spooking me.
I ploughed on with the boys until we reached our first climb, the climb although country lane based does have a bit of a sheer drop to the left handside going up, this was really playing on my mind & made me even more jumpy!
As we got to the top to admire the view, that was me gone! my legs turned to jelly & I became a 4 year old that needed stabilisers all over again!!!
I honestly couldn't continue (to the amusement of all my mates) while descending down the hill Id just rode up, all the time on the brakes, I even had to get off & walk some bits as I felt like I was going to force myself to fall off!
My head just completely went! :shock:
I know this is very stupid & slightly amusing but I'm hoping this isn't an underlying issue that has surfaced & will affect my riding as I'd like to do a trip to the Scottish Highlands or Alps at some stage & don't want this affecting me again!
I'm not great with heights or drops at the side of the road but its never hit me like that, I'm hoping the alcohol from the night before might have played a part.
Anyone brave enough to admit something similar has happened to them in the past or should I call for a straight-jacket!
As I'm sure we all were Friday night I was very excited about Saturdays weather forecast. Probably the nicest day of the year so far was due, I had arranged with 3 other mates to meet up nice & early & hit a 70+ mile route.
The Mrs was out so Friday night did consist of a bowl of pasta, a bottle of red & unfortunately a couple of whiskey night caps.
Anyhow we might up, me with a slightly thick head but nothing that wouldn't ease once the porridge, energy drink & a bit of wind in my face kicked in.
All was going well until I found myself getting a little 'jumpy' on the bike, I'm normally a very confident rider but the odd car going by a bit close etc was spooking me.
I ploughed on with the boys until we reached our first climb, the climb although country lane based does have a bit of a sheer drop to the left handside going up, this was really playing on my mind & made me even more jumpy!
As we got to the top to admire the view, that was me gone! my legs turned to jelly & I became a 4 year old that needed stabilisers all over again!!!
I honestly couldn't continue (to the amusement of all my mates) while descending down the hill Id just rode up, all the time on the brakes, I even had to get off & walk some bits as I felt like I was going to force myself to fall off!
My head just completely went! :shock:
I know this is very stupid & slightly amusing but I'm hoping this isn't an underlying issue that has surfaced & will affect my riding as I'd like to do a trip to the Scottish Highlands or Alps at some stage & don't want this affecting me again!
I'm not great with heights or drops at the side of the road but its never hit me like that, I'm hoping the alcohol from the night before might have played a part.
Anyone brave enough to admit something similar has happened to them in the past or should I call for a straight-jacket!
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Comments
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Which climb is this - sounds epic ?0
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... nope, that pretty much tops it... was there audio of you screaming like a little gurl???
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haha no audio although some kind older bloke asked from his car if I was ok!
He must have thought something was up seeing a cyclist walking DOWN a hill!
I told him I had punctured (felt awful saying it) thank god he didn't offer a hand to fix it!0 -
Which climb is this - sounds epic ?
That's the thing it wasn't even bad! I've done 10 x worse in the past! my head just went0 -
wow what a story and bet was very funny to watch.Just do the hill again see how you feel.Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori0
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Having had a similar experience (ie a completely irrational fear that took hold for a while), not cycling-related, I can totally get that it's not funny at all. It really messes with your mind, and in my case it took a sustained effort to get over it.
The trouble is, intellectually you know the fear is groundless, but that doesn't make it any less real.
In my case I was able to overcome the fear and remain functional, but to cure it, it took a) the reassurance from an experienced friend that there was nothing wrong with the technique or the gear, and then b) repeated brief exposures to the fear-inducing scenario but in a controlled fashion.
Sorry not to go into more detail - suffice to say that gradually it went away, but it left me with a lot more understanding of others who find themselves in a similar situation.
To the OP - I'd suggest in the first instance that you give your bike a really thorough going over, so that you completely trust the equipment. Then pick some less steep roads, with less abrupt drops, and cycle up and down them on your own (ie without the peer pressure and ridicule). Initially stay well away from the edge, and then gradually get closer as your confidence improves. If that's ok, then gradually build it up - steeper, faster, more droppier - and your confidence will probably return.
Best of luck.Is the gorilla tired yet?0 -
oh dear i've had friends on mountain walks go through the same thing, took my youngest girl and me on via ferrata recently, got to the overhang point and she said "Daddy, why have you brought me here? to her credit she completed it thoughAll lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....0
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Could possibly be the booze. After too much wine the night before I sometimes find myself with a sense of my spatial perception not being right and am easily startled by moving objects. Usually clears up before the rest of the hangover. Try not to go cycling (or drive!) if I'm feeling like that.0
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Having had a similar experience (ie a completely irrational fear that took hold for a while), not cycling-related, I can totally get that it's not funny at all. It really messes with your mind, and in my case it took a sustained effort to get over it.
The trouble is, intellectually you know the fear is groundless, but that doesn't make it any less real.
In my case I was able to overcome the fear and remain functional, but to cure it, it took a) the reassurance from an experienced friend that there was nothing wrong with the technique or the gear, and then b) repeated brief exposures to the fear-inducing scenario but in a controlled fashion.
Sorry not to go into more detail - suffice to say that gradually it went away, but it left me with a lot more understanding of others who find themselves in a similar situation.
To the OP - I'd suggest in the first instance that you give your bike a really thorough going over, so that you completely trust the equipment. Then pick some less steep roads, with less abrupt drops, and cycle up and down them on your own (ie without the peer pressure and ridicule). Initially stay well away from the edge, and then gradually get closer as your confidence improves. If that's ok, then gradually build it up - steeper, faster, more droppier - and your confidence will probably return.
Best of luck.
Thanks buddy & thanks for sharing your story - I have a cancelled meeting tomorrow freeing me up so I'm heading straight back out on the same route.
Its very strange & I'm sure alcohol has played a part. Religiously I never drink before big rides/sportives but I did for this ride & it made a difference. I felt lethargic, slow, not with it & not 100% confident & in-control from the start. I laugh about Saturday now but was honestly a truly horrible feeling, wouldn't wish it on anyone0
