First time back on a bike! advice please

Right, so I've been working on a little project the past 2 months, was going to be a car, but I managed to talk the folks round to letting me work on a bike as I haven't got the space to work on anything bigger. This was on the condition that I get rid of it by the end of the summer, only ride it on sunny days etc...

Will create a thread about the bike later on once it's MOT'd and ready to go (hoping within a week). But I took it out today, just on the street infront of my house. Something didn't feel right with the steering, felt it kept getting stuck and was very wobbly. So The previous owner (one of my neighbours) took it out and it was fine.

I now think that it was more me than anything else, having not been on a bike for almost 2 years since my accident. I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice regarding this, I am very nervous on the thing at the moment. I also noticed I got tired very quickly, I'm guessing it is all getting used to it again.

[Spiderman]

Go for a ride with a freind if you can. get him to lead first at a nice gentle pace and follow his lines and road positioning.
The swap places and ask him to make mental notes of what he sees you doing right and doing wrong.

it'll come back to you suprisingly quick once you get back into the flow of it, i'm sure

It takes a while. After my big off, it took months for my confidence to fully come back. I actually got to the point where I thought I was never going to be able to go round a corner at speed again and was seriously thinking about giving it all up. I actually left the road, went grass tracking and heading for a lamp post once at a roundabout just because I had convinced myself I wouldn't have made it round. The truth was, my mum who has never ridden a bike before would have got round it with out even thinking.

My point is just get out there and practice. As Zig says, go out with a friend if you’re not confident enough to go out on your own. Only time in the seat is going to bring the confidence back.

[dizzyblonde]

Even if you just go out with a mate and just ride up n down the street is better han nothing at all. Small steps

[dyzio]

Glad to hear you starting to ride the bike again!

I would disagree about going with somebody else, especially in front. He won't know what pace you're comfortable at, and you could try to keep up with him.
My off wasn't as bad, but I was sh!tting my pants first time on the bike again (after 1-2 months).
Took it really easy, really slow, even slower in corners, had no confidence at all.

Take it easy mate and good luck.

Originally Posted by Stig_Of_The_Dump

...just because I had convinced myself I wouldn't have made it round. The truth was, my mum who has never ridden a bike before would have got round it with out even thinking.

same here...

Don't be shy about starting all over again if that's what it takes. Down at your local bike training place, in a car park, on a CG100. (The CBT wobblers will think you are a riding God and it'll all come back.)

The most important thing of course is to get back on the horse in the first place, which you've already done.

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

Don't be shy about starting all over again if that's what it takes. Down at your local bike training place, in a car park, on a CG100. (The CBT wobblers will think you are a riding God and it'll all come back.)

The most important thing of course is to get back on the horse in the first place, which you've already done.

+1

You notice the weirdest feckin things, and really can pick out the smallest of noises, cant you?

I know how it is. I was addament my yellow SV's forks were bent when I eventually got back on it last year because left handers were not as easy to turn the steering as right, addament, I was followed by my Grandad one day and he said your way too stiff, your left handers your trying to force it round but stay bolt upright. It takes time. That is not to say there isn't something wrong.

well done you for getting back in the saddle. I should have my bike back on the road next week and Im terrified about riding again and Ive not had an off. baby steps and you will soon be back in the swing of things. good luck, let us know how you get on.

Originally Posted by on yer bike

I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice

Yeah, AVOID THE COMBINE HARVESTER !!

On a serious note good to see you back on two wheels. Your problem (tiredness, stiffness) is that you are too tense, you need to try and relax on the bike. I think Tiger's was good advice.