Lost my nerve to ride

[Toaster]

I DID IT!!!

I rode in to work this morning!!! I loved it!!!

I didn't want to stop, I just wanted to keep on going. I am still going to take up the mentor and riding buddy offers as I know how important it is and the support has made all of the difference.

Thank you everyone for helping me through this, I can't wait to finish work : )

Good stuff!!

If it helps for encouragement read page 30 of the December issue of Bike Rider magazine. Keep riding and keep building that confidence back up

[cheshirecat]

Some time ago i spent almost 3 years despatching in London, 150,000km on a vf500, probably one of the hardest jobs I've ever done. 5 days week 10 hours a day, rain all day, ice and toasting sun. Fell off three times, once in the snow, once on grease on TCR, once in 140km/hour cross wind on London bridge so quite lucky. Everyone else in our company was hospitalised at some stage and they were really good steady riders, (you heard of them going down on the radio) but somehow I wasn't - don't reckon I'm that good a rider, I make so many mistakes, especially now. I remember about once every two weeks a real close one happened, but that bike still had to be ridden to earn the weeks food and rent. The Honda never let me down - ever, sad to have to sell it. I think if your number is up then it doesn't matter what your are doing, walking , driving, biking. Thing is to minimise risks, take emotions out (contradiction of terms with a bike) and look on it as your profession, ie be professional about things, taking pride in your riding skills and road craft. The UK Police riding guide is really good, I took their course when about 18 and it provided really good foundations. I've just got back into bikes and learning all over again - technology has moved on in 20 years, but enjoying every minute despite near misses, some strange NZ traffic laws and even stranger car driving.

I emphasis with what you are going through and this probably won't help you. Everyone is different and that's OK, I just hope you continue to enjoy Bikes again - in your own time, emotions can be trusted.

What I mean is that I had to get on that bike every morning no matter what, I didn't have a choice. You didn't. You had a choice but you rode again. That takes real guts.

[Moki]

Confidence will come with practice and road time....