Lost my nerve to ride

[Blossom]

Good on you for pushing past the fear factor.

I am on a similar position but a wee bit further down the track.

To deal with the panic attacks I would sit on the bike for 5mins till my breathing calmed down, then start the bike and wait till my breathing calmed down, then pull out to the end of the driveway and wait till my breath... well you get the idea.. Then rode down to the supermarket/round the block/to the dairy etc. Just short rides to get me going.
The next time it would just be a little bit easier etc. Personally I found being on my own made this process a lot easier. Having someone there telling what I needed to do just made it worse. I felt way too much pressure to go too fast too soon.

Now the only big anxiety I have is on roundabouts and the motorway. I had a lesson on how to ride safely round roundabouts recently and that has helped heaps.
Then the man lured me onto the open road with promise of a weekend away etc and after actually doing that, at my own pace a couple of times, I have to say I feel lots more confident.
Anyway, good for you, there are lots of supportive people out there and you sound like you have done the hardest part already.

Feel free to pm me if you want to chat. (sorry to sound like oprah) You are not alone.

[slimjim]

Kels.........To ask some of "Jaffa's if they have a spare radio helmet system that they could assit you in to approaching this ....as i'll like you to consider that ..having voice interaction...with the allowance of the other rider been able to listen and talk you though would be a huge help...its also giving the chance of another thought as your breathing and heart start to race...one where you have inter talking..in time that need you be yours and control will have time to allow its self present...

[vifferman]

...couldn't see myself having the co-ordination and balls to get back on again...

So, where did you get the balls from?
Is there some male somewhere who's stuck at home cooking meals, washing dishes and knitting scarves because you've got his goolies?

[Number One]

So, where did you get the balls from?

e-bay is your friend

Is there some male somewhere who's stuck at home cooking meals, washing dishes and knitting scarves because you've got his goolies?

Probably not my man though....sadly (I mean washing dishes and cooking meals - I can do without the knitted scarves)

[davebullet]

Not that I have any more advice to give other than just another person to provide support and to say you can do this. What is great is you are entertaining going back on the bike again. That is really your subconscious telling you you are ready, with your conscious telling you to be careful.

Your subconscious has actually thought more about this... and is right! you are ready and you know you can do this.

I am far from a confident rider, and I find slow maneouvring and round-a-bouts the scariest. What helped me is:
a) trusting your peripheral vision (that is when you enter the roundabout - your eyes have already plotted a path and you won't hit the round-about). As you go through the round-a-bout, your peripheral vision will maintain your line

b) look through the roundabout. For me I look dead ahead going in, then (if a right hand turn), I turn my head to look through the exit about a second or 2 before I commence the turn to the right.

c) Always, always keep your eyes up. You definitely, definitely end up going where you are looking, so by keeping your eyes up - you send the balance signals your body needs to keep its balance, can see ahead and give yourself thinking time for whatever is ahead.

Take it easy, your own pace and do things slowly. Don't beat yourself up when you make the odd mistake, don't go out when you are tired ( I find riding takes a lot of concentration) you will have good days and days you felt you could be better. But... you know your confidence will get better.

All the best,
Dave.

[alanzs]

You've already conquered the first part of overcoming your fear by realizing you have it and want to change it. There is much good advice here. Good luck you're going to do fine. If you ever want to ride sometime, let me know.

[vgcspares]

there was a thread on this subject way back (not sure if on KB) where someone suggested going for rides at 2 in the morning :- empty roads, which made sense to me

[Okey Dokey]

Try to think of riding as a treat you give yourself. Give yourself lots of praise after going for a ride and tell yourself how well you did. Think to yourself that your skills are getting better each time you go out. Really think positive about the whole bike and riding thing!

As others have said, try to pick good roads with light traffic on sunny days to minimise any distractions. I wish you many safe and wonderful rides.

[OutForADuck]

I'm impressed already... riding will come and so will relaxing with it.. just keep the wheels spinning at the pace you can handle and you'll be amazed at how fast it all seems ok.

I'm impressed BTW with the obvious courage you have, not too many would be able to call for some support... Fantastic courage right there.

[<Rhino>]

Make the bike a him, you might be more inclined to ride that!


Sorry couldn't help myself

[FROSTY:Me]

Kels. Lots of folk have offered suggestions.--one or more of em might work for you.
But Heres an offer for ya-- come see me and Jorja with an old jacket helmet and gloves.
We'll haul our boys lil trail bikes out and you can rip around their "track" for a couple of hours. -Its basicly a feild with a few humps n bumps and corners in it
If you feel up to it Ill take ya for a pillion ride on my RF900

[Bulletwalla]

About 20 something years back I got to the point where I could not turn a corner of go round a bend, just went straight and stopped thankfully on the opposite side of the road. I just did not know how to do it even after riding for 10 years before that.

I stopped riding until 2006 and had to really talk myself through each corner, like having an instructor go through each step and process. It was tuff as I was also learning to ride again after 20 years and a Royal Enfield 500cc in a strange country with the gears on the wrong side. So between changing with my brake and stopping with my gears I just had to get on and do it if I was going to ride through the mountains.

I got through it but still sometimes if I am not talking to myself and cruise off into the distance I can be heading across the road and just getting round the bend on the grass or gravel. I do put it down to substance abuse of course or my brain short circuiting which is one and the same I think or thought I did at the time, maybe.

[Radar]

Then look at going on group rides where you will have support from other fellow riders.

Going with a group is one of the best ways to improve your riding skills. Of course you must have the right group - one for beginners that will cruise easily, rather than a fast as hell race group. If you cannot find a group, start your own by asking here on KB for people to join you. Being in Auckland should be no problem in getting a group together, but you may want to choose roads that are not congested and maybe try a Sunday morning when there should be less traffic.

[woodybee]

to be honest this may sound rash but you gota get over it before u get on other wise you will be a danger to your self and to others..\

sorry be the one to say but get over it and toughen up, how you do that ebats me but you shouldnt ride ( i know you dont yet ) at all until you feel ok

Oi you rotten git, the chick wanted some support, and as for being a danger to herself, I bet you ride like a maniac and scare the shit out of other riders, so cut the chick some slack.

Anyway, you stick at it, read all the encouraging logs, ignore the negative ones, and yup just get on it, early on in the day, when there.s not much about, take a flask and a cooker and plan a morning and snack somewhere beautiful, then it hits you, this is whats it;s all about.

I don't hoon about as that scares the crap out of me, have tried it, didn;t like it, so thats why I have a bonneville, to cruise and look at NZ's fab countryside, so don't be scared, do a bike safety course for sure, get to a track day, to try and smooth out the corner phobia, they teach you some great skills, and have fun

[fireliv]

Well some time has passed since you made this thread, I hope that you are feeling more confident on your bike and have taken up some of the advice offered. Any updates?

Good luck getting back on the horse, it cant be easy