falling off

[jogray]

I fell off my bike just before xmas on my way to work and i cant get back on! i got on for 10 minutes and had to get off 4 times. I not only ride to work everyday but i do triathlon and i am just so scared of riding now. does anyone have any advice or maybe been in the same situation?

 

[Fran143]

I came off last summer and it took me a few weeks to get back on it....due to fear and pain. It's just a case of taking it steady and persevering as I found I was being over cautious re speed and other cyclists/cars near me. Back to normal now and loving whizzing along....just in from a 60miler today and booked a few century sportives, stick with it and the feeling does go away!

 

[jogray]

im so jealous i would love to have just come in from a 60 miler when i got back on for 10 mins i found i was frightened of everything in front of the bike wheel even down to a leaf!!

thanks for your words

 

[HLaB]

I've been lucky whenever I've come off the bike, I've managed to get back on relatively quickly; I think that's best way before any misplaced doubts fester. Don't press your self and select quieter, flatter and less technical routes (thats what I did) until you feel confident again and you will, good luck

 

[jogray]

thankyou...... im glad i registered here now! many people dont understand.
im getting a new tri bike next week for some motivation so i will keep you posted

 

[fossyant]

Just get back on. Really.

I always have done, and I've even had to ride broken bikes home after car vs bike accidents - the worse was my road bike with a massive dent in the top tube - took out the primary lights (cable to bottle battery) - frame was a write off. Got home, broken hand. My latest has resulted in permanent damage to me though... was back on the bike next day, but damage a bit more deep.

I commute every day, and I think some of us are a bit 'war' hardened to it. I also know and do the correct falling off procedure - i.e. don't tense up.

 

[Linford]

Losing your mojo can take a bit of time to return - but it will if you give it a chance.

Can't you go out to the back of beyond and ride around there for a bit ?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I fell off my bike just before xmas on my way to work and i cant get back on! i got on for 10 minutes and had to get off 4 times. I not only ride to work everyday but i do triathlon and i am just so scared of riding now. does anyone have any advice or maybe been in the same situation?

Hi Jo, I'm a "later in life beginner cyclist" fell off twice last sunday, because I was silly Had 2 days off worried about my next commute ... chickened out the third day .... made myself ride to work and back since Friday, terrified was an understatement!
But suddenly this morning I stopped being scared, fairly enjoyed my commute, even tonight when I had to dismount due to no lights watsoever on the path. You will get back on your bike!
All the best for your next commute!

 

[totallyfixed]

My partner who races [most of the time on a tt bike] had her first accident about three and a half years ago, ironically caused by a male triathlete who thought it was ok to brake on a chain gang. Although she got away without breaking anything she had multiple cuts and bruises and it was obvious to me after this that she had trouble following a wheel. I know this isn't as bad as your case but the parallels are similar. I eventually cured her fear by doing lots of "two ups", with her, she trusted me [god knows why ] and now she is much better but still more cautious around cyclists she doesn't know.
My advice then would be to ride as much as you can with someone experienced who you know and trust until your confidence has returned, which it will do. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[Steve H]

Fell off mine 3 weeks ago. I eventually got round to inspecting the bike yesterday. Planning on getting back on again this week, but I'm sure I'll be quite tentative at first. Determined not to be put off though. If it feels too daunting at first, then take yourself off to a very quiet road and begin to build back the confidence.

 

[jefmcg]

People: stop posting examples of your terrible offs, you're just going to scare her!

Can I +1 all the "get back on". I've had a few offs over winter, and the it was "get back on or don't get home", so I did. Every time I was so nervous I was wobbly, but courage returned within a few miles, and I am just left with a growing list of road surfaces I am afraid of cautious with.

And a friend, who'd had several clipless moments on her first road bike (more embarrassing than anything else, I think) and was get quite shy of her bike: I had to pretty well bully her back on, but she got her courage back within half an hour.

Do you have a friend to take you out?

 

[jugglingphil]

try a different route.
your confidence will return

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Do you know why you fell off your bike? Once you've figured out the reason you'll be better equipped to stop it happening again in similar conditions.

 

[Scoosh]

Choose a quiet route, a friend whom you trust , a pleasant day , some CAKE and go for a ride 'just for the fun of it'. Doodle around at whatever speed you want, practise going round in circles, enjoy the views , breathe the fresh air and remember what fun cycling can be .

Then come back and tell us how great it all was !!



ps ...

 

[VamP]

Off-road riding is a good confidence builder. It also teaches you how to fall, which is a useful skill. Once you get used to falling off, and nearly falling off but recovering, it will help you understand how close (or not) you are to falling off in road and traffic situations, and you will have a lot more confidence in evaluating those situations as well.