View Full Version : Do you ride with fear?
I saw this thread title on another forum and was interested what the folk over here make of it...?
How do you feel when you hear stories of bones ground into tarmac, guts all over the place etc
For me the biggest fear if the worst was ever to happen would be the inability to use my body the way I do now. I absolutely love body building, cycling, mountaineering. I can't bear to think what life would be like if I couldn't do those things. At the same time, I cannot imagine a life without my motorbike. It would be like losing the love of my life.
My own reasoning is, although accidents are plenty, the very serious ones are rare and injuries often caused by lack of appropriate clothing. Then again even a low speed fall could crash my knee and mean I can never do a squat or a lunge for the rest of my life. I guess I don't think about it on a regular basis...
There are always 'what if's'.
The worst always goes through my head when I'm out on the bike. It doesn't stop me though, if something happens then it happens, until then I'll enjoy every second!
Dicky Ticker
18-06-12, 09:07 PM
No Fear----------------your not trying hard enough.
Nope, with caution. Building up my confidence up since my off last year. I ride for fun and enjoyment 8)
DJFridge
18-06-12, 09:10 PM
Stuuk's right, the "What if's" go through everybody's mind. I figure you need just enough fear to keep you sharp but not so much you pucker at every corner
First ride after a crash... that was fear :shock:
Accidents happen, all you can do is to have the correct gear and don't take (too many) stupid risks.
Do you get the same about having an accident on your bicycle or falling of a mountain?
When I'm riding, I never really feel that something could happen. If anything I tend to be more scared parking my bike in awkward places and then thinking how the heck will I get it out now LOL (ie one of those- how to reverse my bike up the hill moments hahaha). It's only sometimes when I see a photo of an injury that I think, shoot... But seriously I don't think about it at all normally. I had a nasty skid a week ago which knocked my confidence but in the scheme of things it wasn't that serious. It just means I now have a ridiculous and irrational fear of every bump, pot hole, white line in the road.
I have been seriously hit on my bicycle but it hasn't affected me at all. Not sure why...
No .
fear is a mind killer.
Caution is ok.
Assessing the risk and ridding appropriatly .
Any way fear never get a round in at the pub.so don't invite them on ride outs.
in one word no.
if you have a fear of being put in a wheelchair of dying etc.etc then don't go out the house and surround yourself with bubble wrap. you could die or get hurt other ways than on a bike.
i know i will more than likely die on a bike but if i do i will die happy. i would rather that than have someone wipe my arz and feed me threw old age.
unlike mr dodgy heart i do indeed try hard enough and fully expect to die every time i'm out on the bike so i have come to terms with it but don't think about it.
it's a risk every single biker takes every time they mount their bike. if you cant live with that risk then give up biking and take up knitting.
Spank86
18-06-12, 09:29 PM
If I'm not scared when I'm riding I'm probably half asleep and pretty soon a car driver will do something to wake me up.
Nobbylad
18-06-12, 09:31 PM
The only fear I have is of myself lol.
I'm not scared of dying. I would be far more scared of ending up in a wheel chair. I think I'd rather go full stop
Sid Squid
18-06-12, 09:40 PM
No. That's just not sensible, if you're scared of something then just don't do it. I am endlessly surprised by the level of paranoia in modern motorcycling, many people are seemingly so scared of falling off I wonder why they ever get on.
I'm not at all brave - I can realistically estimate the risks of riding motorbikes though, and that includes my inherent understanding of the possibility of injury and death through the wonders of motorcycling and if you don't then you haven't correctly estimated the risk, but remember this:
It can happen to anyone, but the reality of the matter is that it does keep happening to the same people.
i think having to look after someone that is not fully mobile and not all there gives me a different outlook on life. yes if i died tomorrow my family would suffer BIG time but they know that if i don't get out on the bike i get depressed so it's a risk they are willing to let me have.
Not realy, but on the flip side i do know what legs i want if i was too lose them
On a brighter note, if I had to start using public transport- there would be a very high risk of injury to my fellow passengers.. LOL the bloody things (buses, tube) make my blood boil :D
On a serious note, I think I'm in a bit of a thinking phase since this is my first big bike and I've only been on it for two months. Riding my old 125 was like riding a bicycle :D
Sid Squid
18-06-12, 09:54 PM
Public transport is a deeply depressing proletarian experience - just about any form of motoring is enormously preferable.
Trust me on this, I am upsettingly familiar with public transport.
Lol I think death is preferable to using public transport :D
If I don't murder the fellow passengers in a mad rage, I will take a gun to my own head :D
At the very least I would collapse out of sheer depression
unclepoo
18-06-12, 10:08 PM
I think riding safely and riding with fear are two very different things....riding with fear means you stiffen up at every little thing you see in the road.......look where you want to go, through the corner, and the bike will take you there....but if you fix your gaze on that wet man-hole cover and you`ll ride right over it...try and relax n enjoy yourself.
femaleacid
18-06-12, 10:12 PM
To be honest when I hear stories like this it doesn't make me cringe because now-a-days you see 18-19 year old lads on their brand new ZXR or whatever that their mum and dad have paid for, an go out on it acting like the next MotoGP racer in nothing but shorts and tshirt.
Driving to Rivington Barn a few month back and there was a young lad riding his GSXR with a girl on the back both wearing shorts and vests.
They laughed at us because it was extremely hot and humid and we was in full leathers.
I shall soon laugh to see them in the paper with skin looking like it has been on a cheese grater and missing limbs.
Specialone
18-06-12, 10:13 PM
Im not ashamed to say, bikes still scare the crap out of me at times, its healthy for me actually, stops me twisting that throttle more tbh.
I have a heart in mouth moment on virtually every ride (not because im being dangerous) and that calms me down to normal levels again.
When i was young, i was always the first to try a new ramp we'd built or a new zip wire etc, i just didnt ever think of what if's etc, im the opposite now, ive got too much to lose if i get injured, im self employed so being out of action for a long period just isnt an option.
Riding is enjoyable for me, i dont have to be scraping pegs at a million miles an hour to have fun.
Jayneflakes
18-06-12, 10:19 PM
I'm not scared of dying. I would be far more scared of ending up in a wheel chair. I think I'd rather go full stop
I work in care in the community, looking after people who cannot look after them selves and I can honestly say that having seen it first hand, I would rather die that live like that. A good carer is a rare thing and neglect is so common as to not be shocking anymore. :smt009
Before I started riding motorcycles, I was a dedicated Mountain Biker, Climber and mountaineer. I have ridden and climbed in many places in the UK and Europe, injury and illness have put an end to that aspect of my life though and I know that in time this will happen with my biking too.
If I am honest this does not make me sad, I have done things that not many people do and I did them well. When I was climbing at my best I used to love the exhilaration of climbing solo with out protection, just me, my chalk bag and my boots. There is a route at Tremadog that I always wanted to go back and solo, five pitches of glorious and very exposed climbing, right from the first pitch.
So, do I get scared when I think about riding my bike? I would say that the answer is no. If I were to have an accident what would upset me most is damaging my bike. If I was left disabled, I would not want to be anymore of a burden on my partner, who is not a natural carer. I know that she would feel awful if she tried to care for me and ended up neglecting me, so would want to be humanely put to sleep like a beloved pet. :nomore:
rictus01
18-06-12, 10:24 PM
Interesting topic, now I'd have to ask a question in order to answer yours, define fear for me? do you mean debilitating, to freeze up or to be overwhelmed by something? because I suppose that's one way of looking at it, but if you mean to bring all your senses to pin point sharpness to hear the blood rush in your ears, to focus and shape your thoughts far better than would be normal....then, that's what I've always looked for, so yes if fear can bring me to that point, I welcome it, I've never been afraid, more enter a sharper state of mind.
for as long as I can remember I've always been like it, I did many things when I was younger that would be seen as "dangerous" but the rush was always the thing, free climbing, parahuting, scuba wreck diving, abseiling, all have a moment of danger, the first time the instructor tears off your mask at 30 meters, the first overhang you climb out on and realise you can't get back but have to go on, the step out the plane when you commit to the jump, that moment that split second, I'm more alive than any other time, I guess it depends how you're wired :smt102
Funnily enough I have a road, some know which I mean, it's my "am I still alive" road, after an accident or an enforced time off the road I build myself up to it and when ready I commit to it and sort of benchmark myself again.
As to your point of the body taking damage, I'm already there, I've ridden bikes for over 35 years, in that time I've had several bad accidents, but fortunately good kit has protected me mostly, although I haven't come through totally unscathed, a 32 ton truck cause me to become diabetic (traumatic shock), and being T boned by a car resulted in a serious knee injury which pains me everyday, although hard to believe I was once a proper marathon man, ran 3-400 miles a week and even represented the Army for a few years, so I know about the "body as a temple" thing, and to be honest I mourn the loss more than anything else, but and this is the main thing, my bike still allows me to get to that zone when I want even if it is to a slightly lesser extent, sure most of my riding is more sedate, but when the need arises I can sate it with the bike.
Cheers Mark.
I had another thought: if bikers weren't to filter in fast moving traffic do you think there would be a lot less accidents? Secondly, I am yet to see a motorbike that would actually ride at the speed limit... If we all sat patiently behind cars and not try and squeeze though every gap, would it be safer?
I don't know whether it's because I'm a female or because I'm a new rider or whether it's just my nature but I am very cautious. If in any doubt whatsoever, I stay behind. I don't care if people overtake me. If I get injured - I can't work.... I love biking more than anything but I believe I can have a great time riding whilst staying sensible. The only time I let rip is when I'm on a motorway and it's pretty clear. That's my time to enjoy the speed :)
Femaleacid mentioned something I was going to write a post on: people riding in t shirts... what in the name of god??? I'd rather be wiping sweat than wiping my body parts off the ground... There was a thread on another forum of injuries caused when people weren't wearing proper clothing. OMG they were gory! I can paste a link to the pics if anyone would like to see...
Not filter at 70mph.
Are you mad. That is why i don't have a gold wing .
People who ride in T shirts are invincible,well so far ......
Elliott
19-06-12, 07:57 AM
No fear once I'm on the bike. The day I ride around in fear is the day I stop riding.
I've done the whole crashing thing and thankfully work out the reason for the crash each time.
Go big or go home.....
I have to say every time I buy a new bike and ride it for the first time I have fear , more like what have I done this is not like my old bike ( rides , drives like a barge, unwieldy, too fast , too heavy etc). Takes a little while to get over those nuances and gel. In some cases it took getting another bike to realise its not so bad after all.
I ride for fun and within my capabilities and well within the bikes. Familiarity and being comfortable on the bike helps a lot. I'm not worried about where the controls are, how effective the brakes are and what 0- 60s feels like.
Rather than worry about what you might not be able to do if something happens enjoy what you are currently doing. Stay safe and happy riding :riding:
SoulKiss
19-06-12, 08:21 AM
I'm not at all brave
Ha - this is patently untrue - I've seen the Burgervan, erm Burgman of doom - to paraphrase
You came on that thing? You're braver than I thought.
And no it is not now named The Millenium Falcon :p
It can happen to anyone, but the reality of the matter is that it does keep happening to the same people.
That would be me huh?
Seriously, I've had my share of offs, I even think I ave had some of some other peoples shares, but each one taught me something, and none of them scared me off of bikes, and if I had been a bit scared after the last one, using public transport would have gotten me over it VERY quickly :)
The scariest bit is not knowing what happend immediately before, during or after the last one, my body, thanks to a remodelled shoulder and broken ribs told me I had an accident, but my mind is saying "what accident".
Until I put a plausible explanation of events together that I was happy with I was a little unsettled.
Scared? No, I don't think I am. I don't like being scared, it isn't how I'm wired.
Concentrating hard on something, taking it seriously because it's important, because there are very serious consequences for doing it badly, that's more me I think.
To me fear implies the feeling interferes with what you're doing, in this case in all likelihood it would make it more likely for you to have an accident. Calm and aware is the key to good observation and planning. And this makes it more likely you will not end up in a bad situation without seeing it coming, and that when things do start developing into a situation that could go wrong you'll have the mental capacity to make good judgement calls.
Fear isn't healthy, but pretending that it could never happen to you, regardless of how you do it is cruising for a bruising.
Jambo
timwilky
19-06-12, 08:55 AM
I have seriously crashed once about 30 years ago that hurt me enough to give up with bikes. Fortunately health problems put me back on two wheels 10 years ago.
What I learned from crashing badly was it hurts and had serious implications for my employment, family life etc. So yes I now ride with fear. I respect that fear, know my limitations, I ain't invincible, I am no riding god. Shit happens. I got a knackered shoulder after being hit from behind 6 days after I got back on two wheels. But I also know why I got back on two wheels, spending a month in hospital with blood pressure so high that 5 times they had to cancel the endoscopy they needed to find out why I was vomiting blood. No crash since that 30 odd years ago has put me in hospital for more than 2 days, my non biking lifestyle put me there 3 times probably 70 days in total.
Respect the fear, but don't let it control you.
I love my bike. My "fear," if it is fear, is breaking my lovely bike by getting it wrong. As a result I often go out to practice specific things. As for breaking me, like Mark, I carry a few scrapes that interfere with life and occasionally its frustrating but hey, that's life.
If I was in a wheelchair I'd probably take up extreme crochet, or riding unaccompanied in a lift. Life's too short for wasting time on worrying.
SoulKiss
19-06-12, 09:07 AM
LITANY AGAINST FEAR
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
Basically a mechanism to recognise fear, remind yourself of the effects and just deal with it :)
dizzyblonde
19-06-12, 09:12 AM
I rode with a fixation of anything coming out from the left for years. It's dulled with time. Sawing a deer in half does that to you, it tried to kill me.
Peg left parts of his knee stuck to a car and roadside. His biggest fear is probably not riding. Tough old boot that fella of mine.
rictus01
19-06-12, 09:19 AM
extreme crochet.
where?
Geodude
19-06-12, 09:27 AM
I still have 'worries' not real fear after my off a few years back when cornering which i still haven't managed to overcome yet.
-Ralph-
19-06-12, 09:41 AM
the very serious ones are rare and injuries often caused by lack of appropriate clothing.
Then again even a low speed fall could crash my knee and mean I can never do a squat or a lunge for the rest of my life. I guess I don't think about it on a regular basis...
The first part on appropriate clothing - to an extent it helps, and you should always wear appropriate gear, but it's not the utopia of invincibility everyone seems to think it is.
Appropriate clothing helps with the fall and the slide, and perhaps with some encounters with small dangerous objects along the way such as kerbs, fencing, hedges, your arm or leg clipping a lamp post, etc, but if your torso hits a tree or post at anything over 30-40mph, or your head, there's not much a layer of leather or a helmet is going to do to save you.
Body armour helps protect certain bones from breaking, most important being you back protector as that's your most important set of bones. It also helps absorb impact with objects, but only if it's the armour that hits the object, and most road riders ride with the very vulnerable neck, rib cage and stomach totally un-armoured.
Leather protects your skin and helps hold your body in one piece in the right shape, and the latter is why it's better than textiles.
Helmet protects your head - to an extent.
I always say though that falling off a motorbike is not dangerous (MotoGP riders do it at 150mph and walk away), it what you hit after you come off and the stopping you too quickly that gets you, and if you hit something solid at normal road speeds, that's going to give you severe internal injuries, forget appropriate clothing.
People ride outside of their ability and get this delusion that they will be OK if they come off, because they wear the right gear, and if our recently departed friend Reeder or Simoncelli last year, teaches us anything, it that it's bolox. If either of their circumstances had been a split second different, they'd both be alive today, and Reeder would have been posting one of those threads we see every week saying 'Whoops, I ended up in a field and broke some plastics'.
You can't control what you hit after you come off, the only way to ensure you don't die or get seriously injured on a bike (on the road), is don't fall off in the first place. Save pushing the boundaries and putting yourself at risk of falling off for track days IMO.
On the second bit, a friend of mines little brother recently toppled off his push bike, damaged his spinal chord, and is now paralysed, so you are absolutely right, there's no point in thinking about that kind of accident. If life is going to deal you that blow, then you've been very unfortunate.
Interesting topic, now I'd have to ask a question in order to answer yours, define fear for me?
Exactly what I was thinking.
I ride with fear in that the fear stops me doing silly things. I almost never have heart in mouth moments when riding nowadays, I can't remember the last time another motorist did something that surprised me (though it will happen one day!), and other than one right of way violation when I was a teenager and too inexperienced to see it coming, I have only ever crashed a motorbike when I was doing something silly.
Secondly, I am yet to see a motorbike that would actually ride at the speed limit... If we all sat patiently behind cars and not try and squeeze though every gap, would it be safer?
No, definitely not. I am doing ROSPA training at the moment, and it's supposed to be all about removing dangers and improving safety. You have to ride at or below the speed limit however, and that is totally contradictory to the aims of the organisation, and introduces dangers into your riding. Cars get impatient and try to overtake you. They can't figure out why there is a bike in the mirrors that is not trying to overtake them. They pull out even though they've seen you, when they realise you are not going as quick as they initially expected, and they have more time and space than they thought they would have (in actual fact in the time they've spent thinking about it and getting confused, that space is gone). They generally get confused and do silly things, because the biker is not behaving in a way that they normally expect a biker to behave. Part of being safe on the road, is understanding what other drivers are expecting you to do, and being very careful if you are going to do something different. Much safer to flow with the traffic, than it is to rigidly obey speed limits.
metalmonkey
19-06-12, 09:43 AM
On my pushbike more than anything else, I have had some words with car drivers:smt021 I think the whole of Baker street noticed when a taxi cut me up, the passangers heard me through a closed window! When I first got my SV yes a little bit, but once I got used to my bike it was fine.
As Jambo said if your so caught up with fear, then you just can't ride. The only way to ride a bike, is to be relaxed if your wound up tight and stiff then it just won't work, but that goes with anything. Just relax it will all feel more natural then, rather than like a forced action.
Spank86
19-06-12, 11:50 AM
No. That's just not sensible, if you're scared of something then just don't do it.
I'm scared of everything, this advice could make my life much more boring.
[/B][/I]Basically a mechanism to recognise fear, remind yourself of the effects and just deal with it :)
Is it bad that I actually use that?
ChrisCurvyS
19-06-12, 12:37 PM
Have to totally agree with Ralph - proper gear saves your skin (literally!) but that's where it ends. It's all about whether or not you hit something solid as you're sliding along, or highside so badly that the impact with the ground itself breaks bones and damages the head.
Ralph's also spot-on re speed limits - I'm also doing my advanced RoSPA training and while I agree with a lot of what they teach you (positing in corners for visibility, constantly adjusting your road positioning relating to potential hazards etc) I do find riding at the limit on my lessons often puts me in danger.
When you're pushing on and overtaking everything ahead of you, you're concentration is intense and you've only really got to worry about what's in front of you. You can also put yourself in a nice little bubble with no other traffic around you where you're very visible, rather than getting bunched up among cars and lorries and being at their mercy.
Always found riding my 125 really stressful as I spent all my time waiting to be overtaken or watching yet another car driver pull out on me once he saw the L-plates. Now, the only reason I'd trade in my SV is to get something that can absolutely see off any car (I live in footballer-infested Cheshire so it's full of knuckle-draggers in 911s, M3s etc which will keep up with an SV once you're rolling).
Owenski
19-06-12, 01:00 PM
I'm not afraid of riding but crashing scares the crap out of me ;)
In no way would I be happy to die, this "if I die on my bike I'll die happy" thing is complete bull**** if I die on my bike I'll die paralysed with fear and a distinct oder of my own urine. To end my life now would be the worst thing I could possibly imagine, I love my wife and son very much and to miss out on seeing him grow up would cause me more pain than any injury.
SoulKiss
19-06-12, 01:09 PM
Is it bad that I actually use that?
Just glad it isn't just me :p
While I agree mostly with what Ralph and Chris are saying about having to ride to speed limits while undertaking advanced tuition, as a Senior observer IAM i am bound by rules, one of the most rigidly enforced is that of keeping to speed limits, I cannot say to an associate that he/she can exceed them according to circumstance and nor could anybody else, wether it be bikesafe, rospa or bike instructors, however there is some flexibility with regards to overtaking in 60s or 70s, (10%ish) as long as the associate then comes back down to the limit after. This is because we would rather the associate is looking where they are going and not at the speedo. also I would say it is dangerous to do what you think the driver in front/ behind wants or expects you to do, the only person who can tell 100% what they are thinking is them, I am not a mind reader and I doubt if anyone else is. As long as you are keeping up with the flow of traffic then ignore what other people may be thinking, if someon wants to overtake illegally then let them, don't be tempted to speed because of them, it may also put you out of your comfort zone and into danger. I agree totally about the right gear worn, it won't stop an accident but it makes it a lot less painful.
Daryl.
So Daryl .
Were is fear in thoes situations
On numerous occasions I've been overtaken by a car (and bikes for that matter) when I was already doing 40 in a 30 zone... I shouldn't have to do 50 in a 30 zone to keep up with the traffic. It's not just about road users. It's about pedestrians jumping out too
Spank86
19-06-12, 01:49 PM
Theres a difference between keeping up with the flow of traffic and trying to keep pace with a dangerous idiot.
So Daryl .
Were is fear in thoes situations
Hopefully not in those at all, caution for the unexpected yes, but not outright fear. it all depends on your degree of fear and perception of it. Everyone is different. A person who rides with fear will prob be a menace on the road and should have stayed at home.
Daryl.
Spank, honestly at least half the bikers I see do 50 in a 30 zone...
even scooters! they're the worst in fact :D
Yep .
Like a frighten animal.
Unpredictable
[QUOTE=NTECUK;2729401]So Daryl .
Were is fear in thoes situations[/QUOTE
Hopefully fear does not come into those situations, caution yes, but not fear, fear is different to all people and means different things.
Daryl.
I love my bike. My "fear," if it is fear, is breaking my lovely bike by getting it wrong. As a result I often go out to practice specific things. As for breaking me, like Mark, I carry a few scrapes that interfere with life and occasionally its frustrating but hey, that's life.
If I was in a wheelchair I'd probably take up extreme crochet, or riding unaccompanied in a lift. Life's too short for wasting time on worrying.
Or extreme ironing! There is such a thing you know :D
ChrisCurvyS
19-06-12, 02:41 PM
Spank, honestly at least half the bikers I see do 50 in a 30 zone...
even scooters! they're the worst in fact :D
Sorry I should've said - my comments about speeding a bit to avoid having people up my backside and get into my own space were meant in relation to the open road, ie 60mph country roads, dual carriageways etc.
I stick closely to the limit in 30 zones - especially when you've got things justifying that limit like pedestrians, narrow streets etc. However, because there's almost always heavy and slow-moving traffic in these areas anyway, you don't get the same problems with people hanging an inch off your rear tyre and making cack-handed attempts to overtake.
The other benefit of shaking off other traffic out-of-town is it leaves you free to drop your speed dramatically if you think you need to - as I do coming up to junctions which potentially have cars emerging from them etc.
Bordtea
19-06-12, 02:55 PM
Just to add to the speed limit debate, I tend to stick to 30s where I can see that it obviously should be a 30, and sometimes even go slower. However there are alot of 30 roads around me that at the very least should be 40s or 50s, and I don't tend to stick to 30 on these. However if I'm on one of these roads and the car in front me is doing 30, I generally won't overtake (depends if I'm running late or not :D ).
Spank86
19-06-12, 05:24 PM
Spank, honestly at least half the bikers I see do 50 in a 30 zone...
even scooters! they're the worst in fact :D
Well so do I, but it doesn't mean I'm not a dangerous idiot.
Just go as fast as you're comfortable going in the environment.
-Ralph-
19-06-12, 05:28 PM
I'm not afraid of riding but crashing scares the crap out of me ;)
In no way would I be happy to die, this "if I die on my bike I'll die happy" thing is complete bull**** if I die on my bike I'll die paralysed with fear and a distinct oder of my own urine. To end my life now would be the worst thing I could possibly imagine, I love my wife and son very much and to miss out on seeing him grow up would cause me more pain than any injury.
+1
I'm not advocating 50 in a 30 limit. I almost always stick to 30 limits as usually there is a good reason for them. I pretty much stick to anything with a red ring around it, if there's a good reason for it being there.
But if I'm in one of these ridiculous speed limits, like a 40mph limit for 2 or 3 miles of open countryside between villages (only there because whoever set the limit thinks it'll help get people back down to the next 30mph limit), then I won't sit at 40 if the rest of the traffic is doing 60. That's just unnecessarily putting yourself into conflict with other road users IMO. It may be illegal, but legal doesn't necessarily mean safe, and vice versa.
Same goes across most of Warwickshire and the Peak District, where they've introduced blanket 50 limits on all A roads, that have been perfectly safe at the 60 mph NSL since 1977. I ignore them completely.
Luckypants
19-06-12, 07:10 PM
No
Sent from my phone.
I often push my bike to the limit and have close calls with regard to a slide etc but none of these things tend to scare or phase me due to the amount of experience and time I spend on a bike. The one thing that does scare me is cars sitting at a junction waiting to pull out; the worst offs ive had are due to people simply not taking the time of day to see me coming, I fear this because it is something I cannot control.
ChrisCurvyS
19-06-12, 07:29 PM
I often push my bike to the limit and have close calls with regard to a slide etc but none of these things tend to scare or phase me due to the amount of experience and time I spend on a bike. The one thing that does scare me is cars sitting at a junction waiting to pull out; the worst offs ive had are due to people simply not taking the time of day to see me coming, I fear this because it is something I cannot control.
But even that, to some extent you can control by constantly looking for every junction, looking to see if there are cars approaching and if there are, back right off and perhaps feather the brake, make a quick escape plan in your head (ie anywhere to go if they do pull out - front or behind of them - or will you drop the bike etc) and look straight at the driver to see if they're looking at you.
The only irrational fear at the back of my mind when I'm riding is something going wrong mechanically - prob from having a chain break and two cutouts at 90ish in the fast lane of a busy motorway. (Chain stayed with the bike but didn't wrap round the wheel or damage the front sprocket - I was very lucky.)
Sometimes find myself wondering if I tightened up the front wheel nut properly as I'm overtaking a truck. Clever that.
-Ralph-
19-06-12, 07:36 PM
I fear this because it is something I cannot control.
Why not?
AkiraSV
21-06-12, 05:48 PM
I get a bit nervous before I go for a ride but once I'm out there I'm fine. I don't get my kicks out of scaring myself, I get my kicks out of having fun, so yes that may mean a little bit of spirited riding out on the back roads, but I try my best to keep it within reason. If some plonker comes up behind me on his R6 and tries to goad me in to some cat and mouse, I let him go, I'm not interested. I ride for myself, not other people.
Also, I might add, I had a pretty big accident last year but that didn't put me off, or make me fearful of bikes. I love bikes, something about them just calms me down, even just reading about them. It did introduce me to the idea of proper pain though, lol.
Also, earlier on in the thread bike gear was mentioned. Most of the time I get my power-ranger suit on, race gloves and boots, back and chest protector, full shebang. For me it's not to feel invincible, it's so that if I have a crash at least afterwards I can say that's the best my injuries could have turned out in the circumstances.
Interested thread.
Akira how I agree with you. I am exactly the same. I ride for myself. I don't need to speed around like a maniac. I just love riding. I take things easy, I don't rush. If people want to overtake me (ESP mad scooter riders) I just let them go. I'm not out there to prove anything. If I want to ride fast, I go in the countryside or on a motorway. I rely on my body too much to take ANY unnecessary risks
yorkie_chris
21-06-12, 09:40 PM
How do you feel when you hear stories of bones ground into tarmac, guts all over the place etc
I think "silly c***s", if they had seen it for real they wouldn't talk about it except with some respect and after about a liter of vodka.
Good question.
No. I dont ride anymore here in Portugal because I am too fearful to do so.
After 3 years of riding in London you would think that Portugal wouldnt phase me, but the enjoyment I got from riding my bike completely disappeared when I moved here. The feeling that everytime I went out I might not come back became the over riding factor of me not taking the bike out of the garage.
I love the bike and I enjoy being pillion, just not here.
I see how others drive here and even after 3 years I am not convinced that I would EVER take the bike out of the garage and enjoy a bike ride here. So I dont.
I know others here will tell me that I need more time/confidence on the road, and perhaps you would be right. Honestly though Ive tried riding over here several times and each time I have been terrified.
I love riding the bike, and I hope to do so again when in the UK.
rictus01
21-06-12, 10:50 PM
I think "silly c***s", if they had seen it for real they wouldn't talk about it except with some respect and after about a liter of vodka.
I don't drink Vodka :smt102
Mikey10
22-06-12, 01:00 AM
To be honest when I hear stories like this it doesn't make me cringe because now-a-days you see 18-19 year old lads on their brand new ZXR or whatever that their mum and dad have paid for, an go out on it acting like the next MotoGP racer in nothing but shorts and tshirt.
thats me im looking for a GSXR as even my dad of all people think im past the SV stage and should get something more powerfull im only 19 and although im young im not mad and i wear all the correct gear. but just say i do **** up i know i'll gone enjoying myself. i have ridden my dads fireblade so im fairly confident i won't be the power that kills me merely my lack of experience of the roads.
i never get on the bike thinking of the what if's as thats just not the right mentality.
i just relex enjoy myself get home with my bike and not on the back of someone elses cause i thought i was better than anyone else.
Good question.
No. I dont ride anymore here in Portugal because I am too fearful to do so.
After 3 years of riding in London you would think that Portugal wouldnt phase me, but the enjoyment I got from riding my bike completely disappeared when I moved here. The feeling that everytime I went out I might not come back became the over riding factor of me not taking the bike out of the garage.
I love the bike and I enjoy being pillion, just not here.
I see how others drive here and even after 3 years I am not convinced that I would EVER take the bike out of the garage and enjoy a bike ride here. So I dont.
I know others here will tell me that I need more time/confidence on the road, and perhaps you would be right. Honestly though Ive tried riding over here several times and each time I have been terrified.
I love riding the bike, and I hope to do so again when in the UK.
What do the drivers do??
thats me im looking for a GSXR as even my dad of all people think im past the SV stage and should get something more powerfull im only 19 and although im young im not mad and i wear all the correct gear. but just say i do **** up i know i'll gone enjoying myself. i have ridden my dads fireblade so im fairly confident i won't be the power that kills me merely my lack of experience of the roads.
i never get on the bike thinking of the what if's as thats just not the right mentality.
i just relex enjoy myself get home with my bike and not on the back of someone elses cause i thought i was better than anyone else.
So why don't you pace yourself and gain more experience?? How can you think at the age of 19 "if I go, I will have enjoyed myself..." There are an awful lot of other things in life that are also incredibly enjoyable and would be good if you stuck around quite a bit longer to experience them :)
The Idle Biker
22-06-12, 06:42 AM
A lot of my time in the saddle is spent thinking about the "what if's". I don't think its fear as such but I definitely feel a heightened state of attention, that I don't feel elsewhere.
I am however fearful of dying on my bike. **** that, I want to pop my clogs in my sleep dozing on my yacht with a whisky and my family with a garage full of bikes and the next road trip planned at the age of about 120. That'll do me.
Specialone
22-06-12, 07:00 AM
A lot of my time in the saddle is spent thinking about the "what if's". I don't think its fear as such but I definitely feel a heightened state of attention, that I don't feel elsewhere.
I am however fearful of dying on my bike. **** that, I want to pop my clogs in my sleep dozing on my yacht with a whisky and my family with a garage full of bikes and the next road trip planned at the age of about 120. That'll do me.
+1
With you on that one mate, feck dying young crap, I want my grumpiness to mature to a whole new level, something that will only come with very old age :)
Dicky Ticker
22-06-12, 07:53 AM
If you need fear to make it an adrenaline trip,back off a little and enjoy your biking. It is not all about being the quickest,yes it is nice to have a blast to clear the cobwebs but not necessary 100% of the time.
By slowing down a little you give yourself more thinking time to appraise situations that may arise,thereby allowing yourself more time to react and reducing the "Fear factor"
Even after all my time biking I have things that I don't like and my own one is filtering after being taken out by a numpity a couple of years ago but although I do it with trepidation still do it,if a bit slower than before.
I'm cautious of filtering now cos the middle of the road scares the crap out of me sometimes... you know not only the white line but also the fact that the middle is sort of pointy and very uneven.. :/
if there's nothing coming on the opposite side I take the other side of the road but do not like riding right in the middle...
-Ralph-
22-06-12, 09:59 AM
What do the drivers do??
Just very erratic and unpredicatble. Need to be careful mid-late afternoon onwards, especially in the countryside as many will have been drinking.
I'm OK with riding in Portugal, you just need to have eyes in the back of your head, and be prepared to change what you do to compensate for other peoples mistakes/inattention/lack of care.
Mexico City and Queretaro City are much much worse!
Even some of the rural towns where there are drug dealers in massive blacked out 4x4, that literally do own the road, and literally don't care if they kill you, is just as dangerous as the big cities, but in a different way.
Ralph is 100% right.
We live in the North, most of which is cobbles rather then real tarmac. By cobbles I mean the loose stones pushing into the ground and held there by sand.
This means that the sand in summer comes loose and becomes an ice rink, and when it rains it becomes an oil slick as there is no drainage systems for the water.
Drivers here believe braking distances are spaces you are leaving for them to overtake you, roundabouts dont have rules on.
Im sure that I should just grow a set and get on with it :rolleyes: but really I ride a bike for the enjoyment, now thats gone here, no point in riding a bike.
-Ralph-
22-06-12, 11:39 AM
At least in the summer you see the cloud of dust and the speed that cloud is travelling at, long before you see the vehicle itself.
Whereabouts are you Anna? My best friend comes from a village close to Covilha. I've been a few times now and borrowed bikes over there, but last year I rode down from Santander, via Salamanca and Guarda.
This was my choice of bike and tyres!
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd82/colinbal4/XT600/SNC00170.jpg
yorkie_chris
22-06-12, 01:00 PM
I don't drink Vodka :smt102
(ingest spirit of choice)
granty92
22-06-12, 01:38 PM
i had a big off about 2 months ago, damaged me more than the bike, friend picked the bike up and pushed it to the side of the road while i started crawling to the curb(not a single car driver offered help) knocked my confidence the most though, luckily my family and friends all ride so im fine ish now, shouldnt ride if your scared though, you'll be all rigid and could fall
Granty, what happened?
The is also, if you don't get back on, you won't get over the fear. I make myself get on after the skid. Just ride slow and extra careful.
Ralph we are a little north of Porto.
Covilha actually is very pretty and has some great mountain roads, I think the further down you come the more boring the roads become. The journey you take through Spain I take it you go through Gerês is very very beautiful and has amazing twisties.
Looks like you made a good bike choice for the roads too. I love the SV but really it doesnt suit the roads over here.
missyburd
22-06-12, 10:24 PM
Seriously, I've had my share of offs, I even think I ave had some of some other peoples shares, but each one taught me something, and none of them scared me off of bikes, and if I had been a bit scared after the last one, using public transport would have gotten me over it VERY quickly :)
This...
I love my bike. My "fear," if it is fear, is breaking my lovely bike by getting it wrong.
...and this. My motorbike was the sole saviour of my hellish life on buses, I have an awful lot to be grateful for where its concerned, I don't like breaking it :(
I'm cautious of filtering now cos the middle of the road scares the crap out of me sometimes... you know not only the white line but also the fact that the middle is sort of pointy and very uneven.. :/
if there's nothing coming on the opposite side I take the other side of the road but do not like riding right in the middle...
From a lot of your posts it seems you have a real "fear" of road surface. I had 3 offs on my 125 and one on the SV, each one was down to road surface be it gravel, diesel, divots in the road, whatever. Each time I got back on being way more cautious but without being put off.
Since these offs my SV has been ridden up and over kerbs, grass, rickety bridges, farmyard tracks, roads that were more pothole and gravel than road...basically more offroading than should be allowed and certainly far more than I thought I'd ever be comfortable with. And yet when I see a challenging bit of road I just put faith that the bike will cope, and it certainly seems to, I'm amazed with just how well it does. Yes it's taken a good few miles to get that confidence built in but I tell ya, riding on as many different roads and surfaces that you can (while leaving the brakes well alone in most cases) can only serve you in good stead. I know every person is different and everyone copes with such differently but only you can instill confidence in your own riding, it's what it's all about.
As for a personal fear of riding? Well I guess there's always a niggle in there, oh crap what's going to be round that corner, but it's like constantly looking over your shoulder in normal day to day life, you just can't spend your time doing it. As folk have said, it's not healthy. Know your limits.
Edit: Ooo and very interesting thread btw :)
Bluefish
23-06-12, 12:15 AM
Fear no, just an appreciation of the risks involved, and take appropriate action, mostly ;0) sometimes, you just got to give it stick to feel alive.
Sid Squid
23-06-12, 12:52 PM
Is it just me that thinks anyone who decides not to ride again after experiencing a misfortune clearly didn't fully appreciated the situation prior to that? I also don't appreciate the commonly new found disparagement of my enjoyment of biking because they've had a knee jerk reaction to their own sudden exposure to reality.
That isn't intended to sound harsh, but a number of people I have spoken to over the years only seem to come to the realisation that there might possibly be a downside to this pastime after it happens to them. It shouldn't be uppermost in your mind when you're riding, that way leads to no enjoyment, but it should be understood and understood well.
If I felt the way that some who have contributed to this thread feel, I just wouldn't do ride.
OP: It's all in your head, every last bit of it. The bike doesn't matter, the tyres don't matter, the traffic on the road doesn't matter, your confidence in your ability to pilot a motorcycle and deal effectively with the situations - good, bad and indifferent - that you will encounter when you're on your bike is the ONLY thing that matters.
Fear is not the problem - the unknown is always un-nerving - the route to gaining confidence is the important bit and equally important is understanding that whatever level of ability you can muster isn't important either, just so long as you can be comfortable with it.
Confidence is king and smoooooooooth is the key.
yorkie_chris
23-06-12, 01:50 PM
Went to Lancaster last night on the teflon-tyred XJ900.
More rain than I've seen in years, force 8 winds. Back roads going through puddles up to the axles. Getting blown all over the place in between the artics and the BMW idiots on the motorway. On 3 cylinders at one point...
Fear, nah. First time I've actually enjoyed being on a bike in months...
Missy, it's true. I am currently paranoid about road surface. Never ever used to be. In fact I used to love going over potholes and bouncing on uneven roads :D it's that off that messed with my head so badly. I just need to get it into my head that this was a freak accident (combo of wet, manhole, pothole) and my bike is NOT going to topple over every five minutes! Gosh if that was the case every biker would be down at least once a day lol roads are by enlarge dreadful.
Squid I can't say I agree. It's one thing accepting that riding may be dangerous but until you have a serious close call, you can never really know how it must feel.
Geodude
23-06-12, 04:05 PM
Went to Lancaster last night on the teflon-tyred XJ900.
More rain than I've seen in years, force 8 winds. Back roads going through puddles up to the axles. Getting blown all over the place in between the artics and the BMW idiots on the motorway. On 3 cylinders at one point...
Fear, nah. First time I've actually enjoyed being on a bike in months...
Respect :notworthy:
Geodude
23-06-12, 04:25 PM
60mph corner, wet road, drain cover, slip, flip, weeee, bounce, roll, ouch, crack, ouch, crack, can someone get me out of this hedge please :)
Came off bike few years back mid corner 50-60mph due to inexperience and drain cover fixation ended up over the top of the bike, flew through the air and bounced and slid and landed upside down in a hedge about a foot away from a concrete block and telephone pole and about ten feet away from a low bridge eek. Two broken ribs and a knackered wrist quite lucky really. As soon as i could get back on bike without pain spoiling my concentration i was back out. Why because i love my bike.
Balky001
23-06-12, 05:52 PM
Went to Lancaster last night on the teflon-tyred XJ900.
More rain than I've seen in years, force 8 winds. Back roads going through puddles up to the axles. Getting blown all over the place in between the artics and the BMW idiots on the motorway. On 3 cylinders at one point...
Fear, nah. First time I've actually enjoyed being on a bike in months...
Yeah, sounds fun. That's confidence mate.
Sid Squid
23-06-12, 08:26 PM
Squid I can't say I agree.
You have a democratic right to be as wrong as you like :D.
You have a democratic right to be as wrong as you like :D.
fight fight fight, agy looks like she would win, im putting my money on her
Sid Squid
23-06-12, 08:37 PM
Safe in the knowledge I won't be folllowed I would quickly ride away along a gravelly potholed road.
That would make it a draw.
Safe in the knowledge I won't be folllowed I would quickly ride away along a gravelly potholed road.
That would make it a draw.
:p take the easy way out
Sid Squid
23-06-12, 08:42 PM
:p take the easy way out
Discretion is the better part of valour.
Anyway I don't think Agy would hit a cripple.
Hahaha maybe that's what i need to get to grips with pothole fixation- i need to be forced to ride through loads lol
Orherwise I can always jump off the bike and chase you on foot :D
yorkie_chris
23-06-12, 09:12 PM
Go play...
Try going over some lumpy bits stood up, give it a little bit of rice to unweight the front end. Make sure you're upright and not death-gripping the bars, grip with legs.
Start by jumping it over speed bumps :)
You know what, I think it's not even a fear if falling off the bike, it's a fear of dying of embarrassment from falling over a pothole :D
You know what, I think it's not even a fear if falling off the bike, it's a fear of dying of embarrassment from falling over a pothole :D
stay behind peeps then, then lie
Riding my motorbike doesn't scare me, my motorbike riding does scare me.
If I don't scare myself at least once a journey, then I may as well hang up my helmet because the fun has gone out of it.
I'm going to go to box hill tomorrow if the weather is decent. That bit of road on the way out of the car park is hideous :D if I fell over there I would want the earth to swallow me up! But as they say, must face thd fear head on-hopefully not actually ever literally :D:D
missyburd
23-06-12, 09:37 PM
More rain than I've seen in years, force 8 winds.
Can tell someone has been hiding in the comfort of their van all winter, some of us saw this quite regularly :D
You know what, I think it's not even a fear if falling off the bike, it's a fear of dying of embarrassment from falling over a pothole :D
So practice picking the bike up then you can drop it as much as you like*!
*tried and tested on numerous occasion, including picking bike out of a ditch at 10pm at night out in the middle of nowhere on my own....ooopsie!
Lol I'll go bankrupt buying levers :D I'd prefer not to practice dropping it
P.S I can pick it up myself no probs
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.