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| *Vultures Knob>>>Road Bike |
How do I work on overcoming my fear of getting back on my motorcycle? I laid it down and cracked my tibia.? |
I was only going about 20 mph, but the road was wet since I had gotten caught in the rain, and the bike slid out from underneath me. 3 months ago I went off a curve and broke my hand. Both times I was out alone, without my husband. I've been riding for a year. If I do get over it, I'll not be riding alone for a long time. I would like some suggestions on how to work through my jitters. Thanks! You made a mistake, that's how you learn. Don't sweat it. You know the saying: The person who rides on two has either fell down already, or will eventually. I fell twenty years ago this coming September. Had a spiral fracture of the lower left leg bones. (Plus some other little junk. It was the leg that was lots of fun to deal with.) Let me start my little sermon by telling you I still ride. I also ride a bike much larger than the one I had my little boo-boo on. I dropped mine when I hit a patch of sand that I did not see. (Actually, truth be told, I was not looking. I had been riding for about six months and thought I knew it all.) Mine also was while making a turn. I will get back to that later. The fact that you were wearing all the "stuff" probably helped more than you know. Wearing all the "stuff" not only gives you confidence, but lets others know you are a responsible rider. If you take a quick peek at my "avatar" pic, you will see I am wearing "stuff". And my helmet is right there on my bars. I live in Florida. I don't own a car. I ride every day, weather is not a factor. To continue my preaching, you can ride in just about any condition a plain cage can handle. Other than on ice, of course. (And even then, they ice race bikes up North with special tires.) It's good to get back on the horse as soon as possible after it throws you. The most important thing I learned was that you need to be aware of the location your tires are going travel through. I live in a fairly large city (Sarasota, FL.) and it took me a while, but I can now watch traffic AND see where I'm gonna plant my size 13's and my tires when I stop. I try to keep to the left of the lane, stay off the big 'ol painted arrows, (Which are slippery as heck when it rains.) and avoid even the puddles from cage A/C when I can. You can't just be aware of traffic, you need to be aware of conditions. Not to toot my own horn here, but I rode during the four hurricanes we had down here a few years back. I went to work the day after Katrina, and my boss was not even at work. And he had an SUV! The trick to riding in the rain is to take it easy. OK, take it easy you say. What the heck do I mean by that. I call it the "take it easy" approach to riding in bad conditions or places I have not been before. "Takin' it Easy" is riding below the speed limit (Close, but below.) watching out for knuckleheads that will tailgate you through a construction zone, keeping far enough back from the cage in fron so you don't get a rock to the face, and always looking at your lane condition when you are turning. And there is the catch. When turning. That is when a bike is most prone to go over. You can't brake when you are leaning (Well, you can. But you best be gentle!) and if you have the option to straighten up the bike and go for the sidewalk, damage to the bike is preferable. If you keep the road conditions in mind as a major factor of your ability to handle the bike, then you will have no problem in the future. Like I said. I ride in the rain all time down here. It no longer causes a problem since I take my turns straight up (Almost straight up.) and at low speed. If the putz behind me in the cage don't like it, that's tough. If I see sand or small gravel in the road, I make like it's raining. Slow and steady. The hell with anyone else that is used to being smoked by a bike in dry weather. The cagers just put on the windshield wipers and drive like they always do. Don't let a little accident turn you away from riding the bike you want. OK, so you are going to a smaller bike. No prob there, shows common sense, and not a small amount of guts, just to get back on. But, like I said, the sooner you get back on after you "get throwed", the easier it is. By concentrating on the road surface (While paying attention to all the other stuff going on around you, of course!) you will forget all about having any "jitters". I got to the point where I could see a potential road hazard 100-150 feet away. (I actually got fixated at one point and was about run over by a bus!) Then I just put the new tool in the bag (The road check tool.) and rode like nothing ever happened. Source(s): A bike ain't a car. (DUH!) You need to be a little more carefull about where you ride. The good thing is we have more places in a lane to drive in. If it looks bad, go around it. If it's raining, go the "Take it Easy" route. They can get mad, (The cagers.) but they can't get even. Get your hubby to work with you in a field, or somewhere flat and open-- somewhere EASY to ride-- you know what I mean if you ride. My mom has laid hers down several times, and luckily only been seriously injured once, and it is my dad who helped her get back on it. Don't ride alone, like you said, but take it slow. You'll get it back! We all do eventually I think! It sounds like you might be riding outside your comfort zone. Do you need a smaller bike maybe? If you havent already you should take a motorcycle riders safety class. Also make sure you always have boots, gloves, a helmet and a jacket. Wait an hour or so after a rain before you ride if you are in the hills or some place with heavy traffic. Rain and road oil = slippery. Waiting a bit gives the oils a chance to run off the road. Always use extra caution and ride slower in other than perfect conditions and in unfamiliar areas. i would suggest you taking a trip with your husband. get use to your bike again like around the curves up and down hills the first time it rains make sure you don't go out alone but you need to go out and have fun or you'll never get back on you need some one there who will make you feel save and then let you go out on your own. its that first step of getting out in the rain and on that bike again that's going to be very hard for you but you will get over it. it happens to the best of us. just have fun and leap over your fears. I think your concern is reasonable. It is SO important that you ride within your comfort zone. So if it makes you uncomfortable to ride or even be a passenger in the rain, DON'T ride in the rain. I never do for at least 2 days after a heavy rain. Rain loosens all the oil and grime from the road, and that comes into contact with your bike all the time. Learn from your experience. DON'T ride if you are feeling fearful. Wait until YOU feel ready....not when others say you should feel ready, but rather when YOU feel it in your heart. Most bikers are very in touch with their own sense of safety and feeling secure. Listen to that voice inside you and you will be fine...... Safe riding to you!!!!!!!!! I have been in a motorcycle accident personally. |
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