still lacking confidence
- Thread starter thunderlips76
- Start date
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vickster
Legendary Member
Unfortunately road positioning wouldn't have really saved me, although going through the same spot now I ride as much in the middle of the road as I can - I don't quite shut my eyes, but I do pedal as hard as I can through there and breathe very deeply!
I really need to find a better route on quieter streets but easier said that done! Vauxhall to the City is chaotic!
I used to go through bethnal green shore ditch old st. Felt confident but it was a battle. New route about a mile further but it's much less stressful. Gorgeous wife says I come back less wound up.
You do have to practice shoulder checks and be more assertive on the road
I've only recently taken up cycling, but have ridden motorbikes for 30 years - cycling is way scarier in traffic, but I try to assert myself and haven't had a bad experience yet (famous last words !)
Last time I fell off a bike , it was a Raleigh Arena and I was 11.I *may* have fallen off motorbikes a bit, mind
I've only recently taken up cycling, but have ridden motorbikes for 30 years - cycling is way scarier in traffic, but I try to assert myself and haven't had a bad experience yet (famous last words !)
Last time I fell off a bike , it was a Raleigh Arena and I was 11.I *may* have fallen off motorbikes a bit, mind
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
If you've had a couple of clipless moments, you might consider putting flat pedals (i.e. really clipless pedals!) on for a bit, until you have more confidence in traffic and with shoulder checking. One less thing for you to think about at junctions. You can always swap the pedals back again later.
And there's nothing wrong with getting off at an awkward right hand junction, crossing the road as a pedestrian and getting back on the bike. If doing that at a junction means you can enjoy the ride, just do it. Confidence will come and you will then be able to ride all the route.
And there's nothing wrong with getting off at an awkward right hand junction, crossing the road as a pedestrian and getting back on the bike. If doing that at a junction means you can enjoy the ride, just do it. Confidence will come and you will then be able to ride all the route.
OP
OP
thunderlips76
climbs for cake
- Location
- BARNSLEY
You do have to practice shoulder checks and be more assertive on the road
I've only recently taken up cycling, but have ridden motorbikes for 30 years - cycling is way scarier in traffic, but I try to assert myself and haven't had a bad experience yet (famous last words !)
Last time I fell off a bike , it was a Raleigh Arena and I was 11.I *may* have fallen off motorbikes a bit, mind
I did my CBT about 3 years ago, but that was on a scooter. Riding a motorcycle has always interested me but again i think I struggle with the confidence. saying that i'd probably feel safer on a motorbike
OP
OP
thunderlips76
climbs for cake
- Location
- BARNSLEY
for me the clip in pedals are a trade off, I feel more in control on the bike and seem to save more energy on the flats as my pedalling is much smoother.....so I do like them......the trade off is.....I'm going to fall off
united4ever
Veteran
what about getting a rear view mirror to help with checking what's behind you?
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
As TMN said, practicing looking over your right shoulder while indicating is a very worthwhile. Some people say that looking back with a low head position gives them more neck rotation and better rear vision. The other thing that is vital in traffic is to ride in a manner that is predictable to other traffic....eg. if there is a parked car, gentle edge out to pass it a long way ahead. Don't suddenly swerve out at the last second. There is quite a lot of good advice on Google about riding in traffic.
It's just a matter of practice. You will learn to enjoy it. We all felt nervous when we started. Have fun.
It's just a matter of practice. You will learn to enjoy it. We all felt nervous when we started. Have fun.
+1 for trying a rear view mirror.
Bar end or helmet or thru the legs, all could be effective. I had a spell after a broken collar bone and a bit of whiplash. Couldn't look over my shoulder very much. The mirror helped until I got my flexibility back and with it confidence.
Don't use one anymore, but was very good when I needed it.
Keith
Spinney
Bimbleur extraordinaire
- Location
- Back up north
another +1 for this - but the mirror does not replace the shoulder check!
I ride with a mirror - it is useful for seeing what is behind - either I can see there is someone behind, in which case I don't need to bother twisting to look over my shoulder until they've passed me, or there doesn't appear to be, in which case I look behind properly and then make my manoeuvre if that check shows it is clear.
I'm OK now, but when I first started cycling I would look behind and the sudden surprise of something being there if I thought the road was clear could make me wobble. The mirror prevented that.
Ern1e
Über Member
- Location
- ROSSENDALE LANCS.
My other half suffersfrom the same problem as @thunderlips76 so thats a +1 on the rear view mirror from me there are several different style to choose from and the one she use's helps her in the confidence departnment also.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Don't beat yourself up if you aren't confident in traffic, everyone starts that way normally. When I first returned to cycling it was a slow process building up my confidence and experience and gradually increasing the type of roads or type of turn that I would do, and when I would get off and walk. If you can get out on the roads without lots of traffic so much the better though as others say, it can end up speeding up.