Crisis of confidence

[Deviant Esq]

I am a Nana, I don't have testosterone.

I'm in the same boat - only I haven't been riding as long. I get a bit nervous before I go for a ride pretty much every time I'm heading out. I'm always keen to get out though, and once I'm on the road all the nervousness gets left behind and I just think about what I'm doing and enjoying being on two wheels. I'm sure I've seen car drivers do a double take when they see me riding along with a loopy grin on my face! Anyway, I think that having your stomach in knots before a ride is fairly normal for most newer riders. We know riding can be risky, and we're not completely comfortable with our skill levels or the capabilities of our bikes. So I believe it's only time.

"When you can't find the world
You can only find yourself
And you can't break away
'til you find your own way
But it takes time
You know it takes time..."

[Kendog]

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!).

Thats what I did, but started in a camping ground cap park. Round and round till I had gear changing and braking as more of a second nature action. Then round and round the same road slowly going further and further.

As every one else has said. Take your time and practice. You will know when you are ready.

[shadynz]

brilliant thread!

I'm nervous as hell of my first ride... But then I remember it's been a long time since I've become interested in/passionate about something which is consuming sooooo much of my time (hope the IT guy at work doesn't look up my internet use!!)... I'll go in tomorrow and KB will be banned

I couldn't imagine not going through with riding now. Simply not an option in my life.

I say enjoy the nerves, we only get these type of nerves once in our lives normally and once we've worked through them, I'm sure it'll be an amazing feeling!

(well, that's my plan anyway!)

[pixc]

Theres some good advice here. McJim has hit the nail on the head. Good on you for getting a mentor sorted..I am yet to find mine.

I still get nervous when I havent been on Blue Bella for a week or so. Shes patient and forgiving. Pactice your basics and on quiet roads to start is the key.

Have fun and enjoy, as shadynz said, enjoy the nerves/excitement while you have them

[trump-lady]

Hi there
My female input:
Ive been riding for 1 year and I still get knots in my stomach for big rides or riding with new people or groups. Ill do dumb stuff like forget to put my stand up lol....The knots I dont mind because it makes me respect the bike. I also find that after Im out on the road Im usually good and settle and the knots go away....however.... I talk alot to myself. If you could hear me youd laugh. I say things like "your ok, youll get the next corner......slow down girl your too hot.....gravel coming get ya wits up" etc etc. While I find that helps at times I have to also tell myself to shut up. I concentrate to much on what might happen (negs) that I make myself more nervous.....So I do reverse psych. " you nailed that corner..... you kept ya line..... I love my bike" etc. When everything settles and I become one and ride with confidence I know why I get back on my bike

[The Stranger:Me]

Whoa, this thread is kind of freaky.

You even got grown men admitting to being scared here. What are you guys? a bunch of Austalians?

[Trudes]

I think they all got in touch with their feminine side after a certain discussion. harden up, and go get me a Speights.

[yungatart]

I know what you mean, and after a recent bin, I'm back to that stage again.
Get yourself a mentor
Relax.. it will pass eventually.

[Pwalo]

I've been riding on and off for over 30 years. I still get that 'twitchy' feeling when I start the bike up each morning.

Don't forget nerves and excitement produce similar reactions in the body so just relax, breathe, and don't try too hard.

I think that's why I always go through the pre ride ritual. Start the bike, ear plugs in, helmet on, right glove on, left glove on, swing the leg over, check the engine temp, clutch in, gentle blip, engage first, and gently away.

[Scorpygirl]

Hi Noobie - Yes, I know exactly what you mean about nerves, sometimes this is almost like waves of nausea. I have only been riding for 2 months after a bad experience too. As others have said, once I am on the road I tend to lose the nerves, cause I am concentrating on what's around me and what I need to do. Keep practising. I am riding back and forth to work now - not that far, but it sure is helping me ride in Auckland traffic. I have now realised just how aggro people get when they want to get home after 5 pm!! Good to see that you have a mentor as this really helps, especially so they can cover your butt in traffic and give you tips along the way.

You will get there. Keep at it and good on ya.

[ManDownUnder]

Get yourself a mentor
Relax.. it will pass eventually.

Yeah - get a mentor and go riding with a couple of people you trust if you can... head along to the Wed night mentoring session at Westgate (assuming you are anywhere near there?) and ask for someone to ride with you there and back if needed.

It's normal, and being on a bike you do feel more at risk. That's a good thing.

There is no substitue for mileage ...

[Chickadee]

Hi Imanoobie2

It's natural to be feeling how you've been - I was the same. I didn't have the confidence really to ride on the roads until I'd been on a Ride Right Ride Safe course organised by Bronz. They are well worth doing, around $50 for a days riding skills on a airforce base (no cars - yayee!). The website is www.rrrs.org.nz - next course is on the 18th of March, it's in Auckland so you have no excuses. I'll escourt you there if you want.

I live out Botany Downs way, where are you? Wonder if you'd like a riding buddy sometime. I've been riding for around 7months and I've already had a bin to slow me down!

There are mentor rides - just do a search, that would be worth your while. I'm 30 by the way - not a yungan, but not a crusty yet.

Cheers Chickadee

[Rosie]

When I was first starting out I was pretty nervous about my bike, and about getting myself onto the road.

I found that going on short rides every couple of days was helpful. Even if you only have time to go around the block a couple of times, the more often you decide to go for a ride, get yourself suited up and go out there, the more normal (and thus less scary) it becomes. Figuring out one or two things you are going to focus on for your ride helps a lot. There are so many things you need to learn at first, and your less likely to feel overwhelmed if you can say "today I did really well, I remembered to cancel my indicators every time" even if you did stall, or were a bit wobbly or whatever else.

Spending time with the bike when you aren't riding it helped me. Give it a good wash, check the fluid levels, practise pushing it around and 'parking' it, sit on it and play with the controls. Or just stand and stare at it until the garage door light goes out

I wasn't terribly interested in motorbikes before I bought mine, it was something of an impulse purchase, and it took a little while to get used to the idea that it was my motorbike and I was going to learn to ride it.

[MSTRS:Me]

Biking can (is?) be a scary thing. It is so long since I was a noobie that I forget how it feels firsthand, but I mentor Yungatart (my better half) so can appreciate the fear factor when low on skills and putting faith in a machine and other road users. Really, you would be in a much worse (head)place if you were full of inappropriate confidence. Get yourself a second/third/fourth... mentor too. We all have different styles of riding and teaching, and what one misses in observing you, another will pick up on.

[vifferman]

Damn.
I feel like I'm a weirdo. I loved riding, from the first time I rode a bike. Admittedly, the first few rides were on the dirt, so I didn't have to worry about traffic. Plus I was young and immortal, and all that.
Even though most of my riding now is commuting, which tends to sap my enjoyment of riding, I still get excited heading out, and if I don't ride for a day or two I get grumpy.