How can I recover mentally after crashing?

I crashed with a car a couple of month ago. It was not a big accident. I am ok even if my right shoulder still hurts sometimes. My bike is now fully repaired. I have been riding since and even went to France on my own. That's not the problem. The main issue is that I have become totally scared and suspicious of car drivers. I don't trust them at ALL anymore - I have never completly trusted them though! I never drove one! but I now always imagine the worse scenario. In addition, I feel entirely and utterly invisible.
The result is that I don't enjoy riding as much as I used to. Does anyone got any suggestions? Remarks? Miracle cures? Readings? Anything really...

[dizzyblonde]

read the bikers sixth sense thread. you'll find that theres one or two that don't like the invisibilty feeling car drivers give us. However im indoors has had more crashes than hot dinners and titanium parts to boot. He's not scared of them but certainly rides like everyone else on the road is the enemy, so its perfectly natural, and probably not a bad thing.

When in doubt, honk the horn...and get a louder one while you are at it. Even when you aren't in doubt I honk the horn. Some people get mad, but it's better to have people mad than be dead.

edit: Just don't make them too mad, they might try to run you off the road. Chances are you will be able to filter past them with ease.

Originally Posted by Aline

I don't trust them at ALL anymore - I have never completly trusted them though! I never drove one!

I drive a car every day and ride my bike often, and I don't trust ANYONE except myself, car or motorcyle alike.

Treat everyone else as if they can't see you and you'll be safe - it doesn't mean I enjoy riding or driving less, if anything it's part of the challenge and that makes it fun for me.

[dirtydog]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

rides like everyone else on the road is the enemy

they are the enemy!!

IMO its just a case of getting back on the horse. After my most recent off i am more wary, but thats probably a good thing.

There is no point worrying about what might happen....

Thank you all for your comments. They make me think about the way I feel when I am riding. If I feel that scared, I must look like a victim. Not good being a victim in this wild world... I am going to get eaten alive, innit?

Originally Posted by Aline

Thank you all for your comments. They make me think about the way I feel when I am riding. If I feel that scared, I must look like a victim. Not good being a victim in this wild world... I am going to get eaten alive, innit?

If you ride agrresively enough to make your presence known, yet defensively enough to give yourself time to avoid incidents then you should survive...innit?

I just treat every road user as an unlicensed, uninsured drug addict with a psychotic streak and I manage to survive.

[SoulKiss]

Ok, where in London are you?

Come along to the Selkent meet on Wednesday - is about a 50 mile round trip from Central London - obviously less if you are out East or South, more if West or North.

Its another 50 miles of riding/experience.

Then come and hang out in Soho on a Friday where you will meet people, be able to talk about this (and share fears/experience) as well as make arrangements for other rideouts.

Its kind of what worked for me after my off, which was totally my own fault, so it was my riding that was the issuem, not traffic, but still very much the same.

David

Originally Posted by Aline

IDoes anyone got any suggestions? Remarks? Miracle cures? Readings? Anything really...

Have you tried a track day?