Crisis of confidence

[<G>]

Finally got my bike, had an awesome time doing the refresher basic handling skills, and now I find my stomach in knots at the thought of going out on the road. Been out yesterday and today - albiet at 5am - fine whilst riding - but ffs - what is the problem!

Please tell me that this feeling will pass with practice, practice, practice.

Replies from women riders would be greatly appreciated - not that I discount advice from guys but your testosterone gives you the edge.
Don't mean to start a debate on the equality/inequality of the sexes.

TIA

[skelstar]

While its important to be aware of the dangers, perhaps youre putting too much emphasis on being careful and just not willing to enjoy the experience?

It'll pass, don't worry.

[Trudes]

LOL. I used to be like you, but unfortunately it took a change of bike to get me on the road properly. Determination, someone you trust following along behind even if it is in a car for a while and riding around quiet roads you know well and just time on your bike should help heaps. You've got the right idea, practice practice and some more practice. Just take it slow, no hurry and you'll get there. Chicky!

[The Stranger:Me]

You may want to check out the wednesday mentoring ride and/or attend an RRRS course.

An escort to either one can usually be aranged to help you get there if you like.

[James Deuce]

I still get tied in internal knots from time to time. Some mornings I just don't want to ride anywhere and I'm scared stiff of going beyond the end of the driveway.

Then Chopper Read turns up, gut punches me, pulls a 9mm, and makes me ride to work.

Come to think of it it may just be the riding to work thing.

I should ride away from work.

Doh.

[chanceyy]

Hi ya girl .. Yup I know that feeling well & can totally relate

apart from what others may think, I have just got back on a bike after 25 yrs .. & prior it was my brothers motox bike .. so have never ridden on the road .. yesterday I rode to manfeild but i jump the gun

yesterday was my 5th road ride, in the last month & I was pretty nervous about it as i had to ride from levin to shannon by myself approx 18 ks
I was not trying to overthink things .. & this was the second time out by myself ( prior a quick pootle up a side road) I also have to add I live on state highway 57 so outta my driveway & straight up to 100 ks .. no practice around quiet streets here.

I also tried to pick the time that I will head out .. when its quieter its much better on the ride to shannon only had one vechile pass me & that was on passing lanes so all good ..

Even now the thoughts/fears/concerns are still there but luckily i am one of those ppl that once i am on the road riding I am fine ... so do not think that you are the only one suffering a lack of confidence, but yes get out & even if its a short ride it will do wonders for your confidence to grow

good luck

[bull]

I know how you feel, sat my BHS in Aug last year then got my GT250R in November so it was 3 months since going on a little suzuki 125 around a carpark to riding my brand spanker bike on a road. I was extremely apprehensive and my first little ride had me nervous as hell, funnily i only rode about 600m up the road and back doing about 35km/h. I felt like i was absolutely hooning as until then it had only been low speed at BHS. the best thing i did was put my hand up here on the forum asking for a mentor in my area. Met with mentor and talked about riding then organised an evening ride with mentor to local carpark for some familiarisation with my bike. For some strange reason i felt alot more confident with the mentor around me, and it made me feel more at ease on the bike. (Cheers UncleB RIP)

So id reccomend asking for a mentor, in your area. Once you get a few km's behind you you will be really enjoying the ride and forgetting to be nervous.

[Motig]

Dont Panic !!!!! Theres very few people that can honestly say they were not nervous on the first few rides on their bikes. Those that were not are probably dead or racing MotoGP or something. As has been said practice,practice,practice = confidence. And it isnt just a girl thing, its a normal thing. So happy riding

[scumdog]

Relax, I too am terrified to 'head out on the highway' after a bit of a break from riding.

Just keep riding, don't push yourself TOO much and you'll find you start to relax and enjoy the ride.

But never lose sight of the fact that there IS a shit-load of danger out there, just make sure you recognise it and stay alert.

[Ixion]

I am a Nana, I don't have testosterone. But it is a wee while since I was a beginner , and the world was different then.

If I understand you, you are frightened ? or just nervous? Are you frightened of something in particular ? Being hurt, embarrasing your self etc. Or just nervous because what you are doing is an "unknown"?

Do you drive a car? The reason I ask is that if you do you can reassure yourself that you know *roadcraft*, so all that is needed is to learn the mechanicals of riding a bike. Whereas if this is your first vehicle then it may be the whole "being out on the road with all the traffic" thing that is frightening.

If the former, just try riding round your lawn (or a convenient local park or some such. Just riding up and down a grass berm if nothing else), just "getting the feel" of the bike, getting confident that you can start; stop;get on , get off, etc. So that the beast does not intimidate you. Baby steps.

If the latter, then I suggest that someone would certainly be hapy to pillion you to one of the Wednesdya mentor sessions. Just being a pilliuon on a bike, especially with a rider who is willing to comment and explain will give you confidence .

Just think "Helen Clark managed to ride a motorcycle. If *she* can do it, I most certainly can".

And I agree, input (better still some practical tutoring) from one of the female riders would help a lot.

BTW the machine you have chosen is an excellent one for a learner, and you will have no problems with it. So you do not need the fear the bike.

Give it a name. become friends with it. Tuck it up in an old blanket at night. Yes, I am serious, it helps to make it less 'scarey".

[<G>]

Thanks for your support, guess I just needed to release some of the pressure - as in "a problem shared is a problem halved". Put the L-Plate on so I'll feel better knowing that cars behind me will be aware that there is a potential problem in front of them - I did vote yes on today's poll. I do have a mentor - kudos to Sue for being willing to come with me at the ungodly hour of 5am!

Have been pillion for years, tried riding a bike back in 2003 and it ended badly (but not that badly!). Realised the mistake I made and have thought long and hard about it until it felt the right time to get another bike (the previous one was an Eliminator too). I'm 5" so choices are limited especially as I like both feet on the ground but I don't like the cruiser feet position!

Have named the bike and have had a long chat to her. One day at a time, hey!

[skelstar]

*sucks breath through teeth* not sure about the L-plate thing.

I reckon a good approach is:

1. Ride with intent, don't diddle around indecisively. Indecision causes doubt and potentially accidents.
2. Look at other driver's eyes to see if they have (probably) seen you or not. Esp on streets/intersections to your left.
3. If you're following a car, I tend to weave left and right a bit for the cars that turn across me at intersections. They may not see me behind the car infront.

Just a wee selection.

[limbimtimwim]

It'll pass. I occasionally sometimes too, but for me, it passes after a few gear changes and I'm then focussing on the task at hand / enjoying the ride.

To be honest, biking would loose it's sparkle if there wasn't just a tiny amount of fear in it from time to time in it for me.

What would be the fun in it if it were not there?

[KATWYN]

and now I find my stomach in knots at the thought of going out on the road.

I've been riding 7 or 8 years. Every single time my stomach was in knots at the thought of going for a ride or actually going for a ride.

It stopped when I rode my bike daily and finally got an understanding of cornering geometry (cos that was my lil "issue")

So yea you are correct - practice practice practice there comes
a time when you will love the thought of getting on your bike everytime!

My 2c worth

[McJim]

I was a noobie this time last year. I remember fighting through the terror to go out on the road. I got over it by doing circuits of the same roads, the same junctions over and over until I had confidence in those roads and junctions. Once I had conquered a set of roads I'd expand the route and ride some extra roads (when they were quiet!).

slowly I found the confidence to ride in a variety of conditions and a variety of road surfaces.

Best of luck and good for you conquering your demons.