Crisis of Confidence

Sounds like you are getting worried and looking at the road right in front of your wheels, try looking down the road and though the corners. This certanily helped me loads

And get out on a ride with some other peps

i know how you feel.
just after passing my test over a month ago now i didnt want to ride.

but i got a friend to follow me in his car
then my dad came with me on his bike.

after a few days i was fine
now done about 400miles in a week!
once your riding ull forget all about the nerves so just take it easy on some small back roads to begin if your by urself.

good luck
badger

Thanks for the PM's folks!

Fizz & Dizzy too thanks for the advice, I'm obviously just having an off day because I know I can do this.

This is a great place for rambling on, tried talking to my husband but he likes bikes of the pedal variety so doesn't really understand!

Guess we all have off days eh

Just get a few miles under your belt to get used to the bike and being out in town, country etc, no ones an expert straight off so bite the bullet and go and do it, like now, right now, get your gear on have half an hour on it, you,ll feel a lot better for just going out and doing it, dont sit and think about it, get your lid and leathers on and enjoy the bike for 30 mins or so.

I think that its a very brave decision to say 'hmm im not ready for this' and good on you for doing it. A lot of people would try to push on regardless and potentially put themselves and others in danger as a result.

A little extra tuition and im sure youll be right as rain.

Just read my last post back and it looks a bit bullying, sorry , you,ll be fine though.

I felt the same when i got my bike, as i had a long break from riding and i was so ****ting myself. However i went out with a mate a couple of times and my confidence began to grow and you do pick things up from people which do help.

I now go out on my own at my own pace and i ride to my capabilites, if i see other biks coming up behind me i move over a bit and let them pass, don't be put off by them, they were all like you at one stage of their riding life.

Best thing to do is short jurneys to start with and build up and you will be enjoying the open roads, just take your time and don't push it to hard.

I am not the best rider in the world far from it, but i love to ride and the more you get out the better you become.

GO ON ENJOY IT

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by silverelephant

I'm obviously just having an off day because I know I can do this.

Yes you can and you know you can, because if the examiner thought there was something wrong with your riding you would not have passed your test. You need to remember this

As my old friend Yoda said "Do, or do not, there is no try"

Originally Posted by silverelephant

Guess we all have off days eh

Yep we do, even now I have a day where I ride like a burk and do stuff wrong, just put it behind you learn from it and dont repeat the same mistakes again.

Having just passed my test, I know where you are coming from. I get nervous just looking at my bike, but after about 5 mins i kind of call myself a daft idiot in my helmet.

I think as others have said its a miles thing.... I've done 500 ish miles since passing last friday (15th) and I have seen an improvement in my riding since then. I know there is still a lot to improve, but if you weren't ready for the road they would not have passed you!

Most of those miles have been with drew leading me and Hovis sat behind me, as that is how i felt comfortable as they were kind of my bodyguards.

I posted last tuesday about not feeling right, and was given some great advice from the guys and gals here. And managed to get my confidence up enough that i rode to work yesterday, all by my little self (i did talk to myself all the way tho)

I think if you could ride little but often you may feel more confident. Maybe ride to work most days which is what i am going to try and do. Also go out when the roads are empty as there are less cars to put you off.

I can't really talk as not been riding long enough...... but i am told it gets easier.

Keep at it as its to much fun not to

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by lily

Most of those miles have been with drew leading me and Hovis sat behind me, as that is how i felt comfortable as they were kind of my bodyguards.

I used to ride like that a lot. Still do on occasions, but it seems these days that peeps just like following Dizz, and won't overtake her...talk about a road hogger...lol..Especially on long trips when they can't be ars$ed to follow their directions......as if a blonde can find her way out of a paper bag