I have managed to psyche myself out...

Nairnster

After a very near miss when a bus decided to overtake and immediately turn left, forcing me against some railings (this happened about 2 months ago), I have lost all confidence cycling.

I am finding myself a nervous wreck, and it's crept into all parts of riding, not just around traffic.

If the road is less than perfect, or damp, or has any bumps etc in, I find myself getting nervous. I feel myself tense up, and then it just goes downhill from there. I start to feel very unstable on the bike, to the point where this morning I had a speed wobble doing about 10mph round a very innocuous bend.

I know the obvious answer is to try and relax, but I am finding it a lot easier said than done.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to build up confidence again?

I am gutted, as I have signed up for the Etape loch Ness, and was planning on the Glasgow to Edinburgh 100 mile ride in September, but as things stand I can hardly ride around the block.

Jon_1976

I think I might find myself in the same situation after taking a trip over the bars the other night

Nairnster

It's definitely me, as I am getting it on a new bike (admittedly all the same components) but prior to the near miss, I could fly down hills at around 40mph, the thought now just terrifies me.

I have toyed with the idea of hiring a mountain bike, or seeing if I can borrow one from somewhere/someone to basically just have some fun skidding about, wheelies, bunny hops etc just to see if that works.

Hiring is probably cost prohibitive though.

chrisaonabike

'Trying to relax', is (almost) by definition, impossible.

The only thing to do is start small, build back up. So ride round the block. Once. If that's too hard, drive somewhere without traffic with the bike. A track, a quiet road, anything.

Do it repeatedly, until confidence just doing that is restored. Then do a tiny bit more, and repeat.

I haven't had to do this on the bike (yet), but I have had to do it with something else. Build up slowly, small steps, do more than you need to at the lower levels, and don't be afraid to drop back to less, if the fear comes back.

Good luck.

alidaf

Aye, small steps for sure. I've been there. Even if it is just very short rides, get out every day if you can. Change routes - change is really important, even if it just the time of day. Try night rides, after the rush hour. Around 7pm is good around here because the traffic is minimal. Just remember to be visible. It will come back.

It may be worth trying to find a cycle buddy too as you seem to be suffering alone.

Colinthecop

Nairnster wrote:

I have toyed with the idea of hiring a mountain bike, or seeing if I can borrow one from somewhere/someone to basically just have some fun skidding about, wheelies, bunny hops etc just to see if that works.

Hiring is probably cost prohibitive though.

If you're passing Nairn I have an FSR XC Pro sitting in the garage. Feel free to take it for a spin. 8)

Although I'm more than happy with you going slow around Loch Ness, that'll be one less person overtaking me before Torvean.

cougie

Why are speedy downhills a problem ? You've not crashed there ?

Riding in town I could understand - but seems like your brain is trying to make more out of it than there actually was.

I'd persevere on quiet roads away from buses I think.

Nairnster

That's exactly the problem, I am making more of it. Its in there now though, and that's why I am having the problems.

Colinthecop, I would live a spin on the mtb if I got the chance

Buckie2k5

More time on the bike should build up confidence although you are getting panic attacks/anxiety on the bike which maybe your GP can help you with. You dont want it too start affecting other parts of your life or mental state.

meursault

For some reading material which may help, I recommend this



http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Chimp-Paradox-Management-Confidence/dp/009193558X

By sports psychologist involved with Team Sky and Team GB cycling. May help manage your fears, but it's also excellent as a life thing. It isn't about cycling, but all the themes are relevant.

DevonClimber

I can relate to this.

I am usually pretty nervous getting my gear on etc whilst thinking about where I am going and the traffic on that particular route, this usually subsides after about 20 mins and when I am past the busy bits. But I have never totally got a grip of it, and the nervous energy adds onto the physical effort.

Small chunks sounds like good advice, building it back up slowly. Some self help confidence techniques wouldn't do any harm either, you will find plenty of resources online, and they can be very effective as long as you work at them.

Good luck

nweststeyn

Nairnster! I got hit back in May the week before the Etape Caledonia. The sportive was my first ride back and was relatively nerve-destroying. After that, I just kept forcing myself to ride and ride and ride. I'd say I'm only just back at full confidence now, 7 months later.

You'll be fine but build up slow, and I'll see you at etape loch ness in 6 months zipping past me!

mfin

OP... Don't grip the bars like hell (if you do) when you're stressed, stay loose, holding on like a vice makes for a far more nervy ride. Same applies on the track in a car, tense grip of the wheel makes everything handle like crap and the whole situation becomes compounded, it doesn't make the drive smoother, does the opposite.

Speed wobble on bikes can happen from holding on too hard, but it can seem counter-intuitive to stay with a looser grip, try it, on some quite hills and bends and see how it feels it might help bring some confidence back.

Mikey23

I also found it very hard to regain my confidence after a serious off in July with broken bits. Plus one for building up slowly and sensibly. Just now starting to ride like I did before after nearly six months. Still incredibly nervous of the possibility of coming off again cos I know it's going to hurt and to do damage. But I'm not going to let it stop me doing something I love...

fatsmoker

I don't want to sound flippant, but I find singing (quietly) as I cycle helps take my mind off the bad stuff after near misses and general c**tishness from drivers - keep the cadence high (get the balance right) by Depeche Mode or The View - Superstar Tradesman work quite well.

napoleond

It'll come back. It takes time but it'll come back. Just keep riding. Try club runs/chain gangs or mountain biking with friends if you can, that's what started getting my confidence back.

Nairnster

Thanks for the words of encouragement, and the advice guys.

Will keep working on it and see how it goes.

markhewitt1978

NapoleonD wrote:

It'll come back. It takes time but it'll come back. Just keep riding. Try club runs/chain gangs or mountain biking with friends if you can, that's what started getting my confidence back.

That's good advice, it's amazing how much more confident you feel with other riders around you, even though objectively you're safety situation is probably no different.

caad8

Sounds daft but when I feel myself tensing up for whatever reason (dodgy/fast descent, rough road, being amoungst cars) I waggle my elbows slighty like a bird flapping its wings for a few seconds. Seems to work, perhaps taking my mind away from the situation!

Get back out there with mates and familiar roads, you know it'll come back.

desweller

If you want to make the bike a bit more forgiving then fit some wider tyres and drop the pressures a bit; it will feel less like it's trying to kill you every time you hit a bump on a descent (at the expense of being a wee bit slower).

BrandonA

Would you describe yourself as a nervous person in other parts of your life or is it just this one issue? I ask as you didn't actually have a crash and I suspect most cyclists who cycle on busy roads have had near misses. I get aggressive and shout at the driver (possibly hitting their vehicle), once I've cooled down I put it behind me and enjoy the rest of my ride - afterall the enjoyment is why we all cycle

Think positively. How many miles have you ridden on your bike? How many near misses have you had? It sounds like your incident to distance ratio is very low. Therefore the chance of a repeat issue is quite low.

I'd also be interested to know your position when the incident occurred? Although it is the fault of the driver if a cyclist is forced off the road, there are things you can do position wise to make yourself more visible. I for example wait behind vehicles larger than a car and I only wait along side a car if I am parallel to their front side window as they'd have to be pretty stupid not to see me there. I'd never wait by the side of a bus or lorry, instead I'll wait behind them.

Mikey23

there you go then... act aggressively, shout at drivers and hit their vehicles. that'll sort you out

Nairnster

BrandonA wrote:

Would you describe yourself as a nervous person in other parts of your life or is it just this one issue? I ask as you didn't actually have a crash and I suspect most cyclists who cycle on busy roads have had near misses. I get aggressive and shout at the driver (possibly hitting their vehicle), once I've cooled down I put it behind me and enjoy the rest of my ride - afterall the enjoyment is why we all cycle

Think positively. How many miles have you ridden on your bike? How many near misses have you had? It sounds like your incident to distance ratio is very low. Therefore the chance of a repeat issue is quite low.

I'd also be interested to know your position when the incident occurred? Although it is the fault of the driver if a cyclist is forced off the road, there are things you can do position wise to make yourself more visible. I for example wait behind vehicles larger than a car and I only wait along side a car if I am parallel to their front side window as they'd have to be pretty stupid not to see me there. I'd never wait by the side of a bus or lorry, instead I'll wait behind them.

In answer to your question - although just starting out again, over the years I have cycled since I was about 14, doing thousands of miles on and off road, including commuting through town centres in all sorts of conditions.

I am not a nervous sort at all, and am more than capable of sticking up for myself.

After the 'incident' I actually waited for the bus to come back down the hill, as I recognised the bus number and the route it would take, so I could have a word with the driver. My positioning was fine. I was riding 2 feet out from the kerb, holding my position and was clearly visible on a bright day. There were no vehicles in front of me and I was doing approx 15 mph up to and over the brow of a hill, and the bus decided to overtake and then turn left as he was going past me still. He cut in so quickly, I was braking hard and still only narrowly missed being crushed against the metal railing on the corner ( the silver vertical railings seen on a lot of corners in the UK). When I stopped the bus on its way back, the drivers excuse was that he was struggling to keep up, so had to drop a gear to get past. I suggested he should have waited instead of performing a dangerous overtake which could have killed me.

It didnt affect me on the rest of that particular ride, but is now. I would love to 'just put it behind me;, unfortunately I am not finding it that easy, and it is for unknown reasons affecting me quite badly when on the bike now. Hence asking for advice and help with this thread.

unixnerd

I broke my wrist at the start of October and was a bit nervous about getting back on. I found that just going out and enjoying a ride without pushing myself to go faster helped a lot. Find some of the quieter roads around Nairn and take it easy. Maybe put the bike in the car and drive out to Cawdor and do some of the back roads south of there, almost no traffic.

I'm signed up for the Etape Loch Ness too, hope my wrist is OK for a long stint on the bike by then.

johnmcl7

Nairnster wrote:

It didnt affect me on the rest of that particular ride, but is now. I would love to 'just put it behind me;, unfortunately I am not finding it that easy, and it is for unknown reasons affecting me quite badly when on the bike now. Hence asking for advice and help with this thread.

I think it's entirely understandable as it's a downwards spiral when you lose confidence as you start over thinking things, your riding gets worse so your confidence drops further etc. We like to think we're logical but in many ways we aren't, I was surprised how much a near miss in the car affected me as I've always been a confident driver but for a while after that I just hated being in the car.

I think the group riding suggestion is a great idea as it's good encouragement to get out on the bike anyway and when you're riding socially you're thinking less about your riding and just get on with it rather than thinking too much about it and worrying yourself. For road cycles in particular it just feels much better being part of a group rather than a lone rider particularly on the busier roads. The more time you can spend riding the better and hopefully in time you'll find your confidence coming back.

John

thegibdog

Have you considered recreational drugs?

top_bhoy

I understand where exactly you are coming from. What helped me after being hit by a car who came flying through a roundabout was in having no bike, it forced me to take a break. Two or three months later which also helped with the physical injuries, I got back into it on a borrowed bike. It wasn't particularly great, every junction and roundabout with an approaching car was 'the enemy' and my previous relaxed carefree riding was replaced with caution. However with time and just gentle cycling, it did improve and probably for most people, it appears the situation is similar. The only other advice I would suggest is to initially avoid busy commuting routes because it is a far less predictable environment. A few years on and the experience has made me the wiser for it and the incident is almost forgotten.

vanleapo

I would definitely advise doing some off-road riding just to get your confidence back on the bike, over the winter months.
It doesn't necessarily require an MTB. Most tow paths and footpaths can be ridden on a road bike with winter tyres.

Then slowly increase the amount of time on the road.
By the time spring comes round you will have totally have forgotten you had a problem.