Help please! I'm a wuss on the open road!

[flat battery]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a few confidence issues riding on the open road and was hoping you might have some advice for me!

I'm a new rider, got my learners end of last year and was loving riding around town. But since then I've been out on a few slightly longer rides (2-3 hours) on the open road and I've just lost all my confidence! I feel really unsteady above 80kmph and any crosswind is enough to give me the willies! My boyfriend suggested I tuck my elbows in more and that helps a bit, but I'm still too nervous to enjoy the riding I haven't ridden for so long that the battery on my bike went flat!

I'm not sure if it's my bike (quite light and narrow) or my riding position, or if it's just in my head! I really want to get over it though so I can enjoy riding again. If anyone's got any ideas or tips I'd really appreciate them!!!

[Mr. Peanut]

It's in your head...

Position.

Keep your head up, don't look at the front wheel, look where you want to go.

The bike will take care of itself, those VTRs will take corners at speeds that'll do your head in, so relax!

[vifferman]

Relax - especially your grip on the handlebars. Like Fumeux said - look where you want to go, as far ahead as possible. You should be looking through the corner.
And above all - stop thinking/fretting so much! Just relax and enjoy the ride. You're doing a really, really fun thing!

[klingon]

Hello Flat Bat & Welcome

First, good on you for getting out on the open road. Two or three hours at speeds you're not used to is a huge achievement! Also with some of the weather we've had recently, I've heard even experienced bikers complain how they felt like they were blowing all over the road.

Maybe you should consider 'rewarding' yourself by doing some of the things you used to enjoy before you started pushing so hard? How about meeting a bunch of fellow bikers at a cafe (somewhere where you can go all the way there in 50k zones!)? I'm sure you'll find a few biker angels on here who would jump at the chance for an excuse for a short ride to your favourite cafe, or along the waterfront, or to a park, or wherever takes your fancy.

Keep up the open road stuff, but don't let it spoil your enjoyment of the things you already enjoy, and don't let it put you off riding. Get out there and charge that battery!

As Buckbuck is fond of saying (I'm sure he'll be along soon) "Head up and enjoy!"

[kevfromcoro]

Relax..As above post. Mayebe get out with a few more riders. Dont be frightened to ask advice. Iam sure people will help...rember it isnt going to happen over night...But iam sure you will gain your confidence

[Duke girl]

Good on u 4 getting out there on the open rd but the more u get out there the quicker yr confidence will build up and then it wont feel as bad as it does to u at the moment. There r plenty of riders out there who r more than happy to ride with u and help u, all u have to do is ask ok?. We have all been in that same situation sometime in our riding life so yr not alone. Goodluck w3ith it and Happy riding.

[Macktheknife]

Confidence only comes from achievement, that means you have to go out and get some!
Baby steps is fine, if that is what you need, take the bike out and do some 70 zones etc and build your confidence. Try the mentors nights too, learn and practice good skills in good company.

[Duke girl]

Good on u 4 getting out there on the open rd but the more u get out there the quicker yr confidence will build up and then it wont feel as bad as it does to u at the moment. There r plenty of riders out there who r more than happy to ride with u and help u, all u have to do is ask ok?. We have all been in that same situation sometime in our riding life so yr not alone. Goodluck with it and Happy riding.

[janno]

My husband and I have taken quite a few nervous beginners out and we've got a great system going. (I've only been riding three years, he's been riding 35 plus).

This may work for you.

Firstly, find someone whose riding you admire and trust - cool, calm, smooth and chooses when and where to peel it back. The ones that boast the most about how great they are, generally aren't. (Don't be surprised if this isn't your boyfriend. Sometimes that's not a great mix - sometimes it's fine. If he fits the bill, then that's handy for you.)

Get this person to go over with your slow speed work in the empty carpark. You can never get enough of this, and they can see where you are at.

Then on the open road, rope in another person, so you follow Great Leader, all you have to do is follow this person's lines and trust they are going the speed you are capable of, in conditions you can ride in and that you are going over roads suitable for your level. It's their job to do this.

The other person rides sweep, protects your tail, and keeps cars from hassling you or trying to overtake and landing on your butt.

Don't be afraid to wear your nana vest (hi vis jacket or vest). I wear mine at night or when taking newbies out and it bloody well works in alerting others that A) a motorcycle is here and/or B) training is in progress.

Make sure you have a ride brief before, sorting out signals, what to expect, and where you are going.

Have a debrief afterwards, let them know of any problems you have and what you noticed about their riding - ie should you be doing that too just yet?

The women we have taken out have really thrived on this system, and said being in the middle of a ride knowing they were guarded front and rear meant they could concentrate on handling the bike and reading the road without panicking about scary traffic or weather (by that I mean if their mentors thought they could do it, then it must be OK).

Bloody well be prepared to practice instead of whingeing! Not a swipe at you or your post, but we took one lady out - she was not prepared to listen, whinged the whole way, and now wonders why everyone who has tried to help her only does it once.

If you are really prepared to work at it and take things on board, you will have no trouble finding people to take you out, because plenty of people want to pass on the buzz they get from bikes, and enjoy teaching a keen newcomer.

I learned this way and it is really fast and quick if you put the time in and LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE BEING TOLD!!!

Hope this helps, it's miserable being afraid of your bike or the road. Been there, done that. I can tell you, once you're over it you'll be set for life.

Jan.

[Hanne]

Maybe you should consider 'rewarding' yourself by doing some of the things you used to enjoy before you started pushing so hard? How about meeting a bunch of fellow bikers at a cafe (somewhere where you can go all the way there in 50k zones!)? I'm sure you'll find a few biker angels on here who would jump at the chance for an excuse for a short ride to your favourite cafe, or along the waterfront, or to a park, or wherever takes your fancy.

Coffee? Yes please!
Welcome to the site.

I haven't been riding for that long either (just got my own bike in January) but I have found it really useful to go out with people who have riding for a while to follow their lines on the road and hear what they have to say about improving my riding... As you can see, there are plenty of people willing to give you a hand right here.
If you think your partner is the right person to help you, that is definately handy!
(It was all good having Squiggles take me out for rides until he went and sold his bike... :P)

Hanne

PS if you do want to ride somewher for coffee, I am in

[MSTRS:Me]

.....LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE BEING TOLD!!!

...

I'm sure you didn't mean to shout however, this advice is best when the listener is prepared to practice what they are told. The 2 greatest mistakes that new riders make is they tense up, and they do not look far enough ahead.
Ms FB - you have a perfect bike for learning the dark art on. Talk to The Stranger or Micro about doing a RRRS course

[janno]

Oh yes I bloody well did mean to shout!

Have you ever taken out a beginner who absolutely won't listen? And as a responsible rider you can't just leave them out there no matter how damn dangerous they are to yourself and others?

Done that once and once only. A person who has specifically asked for help then chose to ignore advice and actually endangered the lives of others in doing so deserves to be shouted at - though we didn't at the time, were so bloody shell shocked by what this chick was doing.

If you've never had this charming experience, you will think I'm being a bad tempered old cow. If you've had it happen to you, you'll probably know exactly what I'm talking about.

So my advice to a beginner or person asking for help is, choose your mentor wisely, someone you can relate to, and LISTEN!! It's the best way to stay alive and in my opinion can't be emphasised enough.

Plus, more importantly, be quite clear about what you are finding hard or don't understand so the other person can try to help you solve the problem, rather than trying to tough it out. People don't mind you not picking up something immediately, it's just a bad attitude that stops people trying to help you.

Jan.

[yungatart]

Ride Right, Ride Safe course! They are run on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Whenuapai Air base.
There is a sticky on here about the course. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=28643
It will be the best $50 you have invested in your riding, and trust me, you will be doing things after that course, that would have scared the bejesus out of you beforehand.

[Disco Dan]

Hey everyone,

I'm having a few confidence issues riding on the open road and was hoping you might have some advice for me!

I'm a new rider, got my learners end of last year and was loving riding around town. But since then I've been out on a few slightly longer rides (2-3 hours) on the open road and I've just lost all my confidence! I feel really unsteady above 80kmph and any crosswind is enough to give me the willies! My boyfriend suggested I tuck my elbows in more and that helps a bit, but I'm still too nervous to enjoy the riding I haven't ridden for so long that the battery on my bike went flat!

I'm not sure if it's my bike (quite light and narrow) or my riding position, or if it's just in my head! I really want to get over it though so I can enjoy riding again. If anyone's got any ideas or tips I'd really appreciate them!!!

Welcome!

Come along to the AWNMR and we will sort you out!

Also, RRRS is a great course to take.

Disco

[The Stranger:Me]

Oh yes I bloody well did mean to shout!

Have you ever taken out a beginner who absolutely won't listen? And as a responsible rider you can't just leave them out there no matter how damn dangerous they are to yourself and others?

You didn't per chance teach Justsomeguy to ride did you.
Nah, he was worse, he would listen, nod appropriately, agree then just carry on as normal.
His ability to resist the teaching efforts of so many accomplished and well respected riders forever forms part of KB folk lore. Generations to come will hear of his heroic resistance to logic, respect and knowledge.