Anxiety on roads

[All uphill]

Maybe it's OK to have a break from a hobby/passion when there are other big life events going on? Could be an opportunity to try something else for a while.

Cycling will still be there in a year or two.

Best wishes with your wedding

 

[Globalti]

The other solution that nobody has mentioned is to buy him a really naughty bike. You know, a proper hooligan bike like a Tarmac S-Works or a Bianchi Specialissima. That will revive his interest! You might need to rob a bank first though....

 

[vickster]

The other solution that nobody has mentioned is to buy him a really naughty bike. You know, a proper hooligan bike like a Tarmac S-Works or a Bianchi Specialissima. That will revive his interest! You might need to rob a bank first though....

Maybe he already has one

He may not have pure titanium class though...Moots ahoy

 

[Archie_tect]

Buying a tandem as a wedding present would be a good, practical way for him to get back into it.

This is what we did, except it was for our 30th anniversary present.- most fun you can have on a bike!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

How about some off road riding on tow paths or in woodland? May require bike n + 1.

 

[ColinJ]

How about some off road riding on tow paths or in woodland? May require bike n + 1.

Or using towpaths/cyclepaths/bridleways to get to quieter roads which are less stressful to ride on?

The Rochdale canal towpath down the Calder Valley is being upgraded. They have already done a long stretch of it and the section from Hebden Bridge to Todmorden should be finished by the end of the autumn. That will provide a nice alternative to the busy A646. I used to ride the towpath on my MTB and CX bike but didn't like doing it on my best bike.

 

[Globalti]

This is what we did, except it was for our 30th anniversary present.- most fun you can have on a bike!

Mrs Gti and I hired one and thought it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. Ahem.

Get a hybrid style tandem though as we tried a mountain bike tandem and found it terribly sluggish compared with the lighter bike with narrower tyres.

 

[mjr]

He's expressed anxiety about riding and can't seem to make himself get back in the saddle. He's worried about traffic, which isn't something he's ever worried about before and he's not had an accident to account for it.

It's a shame we minimise them as "accident"s but never mind. It doesn't take being hit for one to get jittery. There's only so many times you can be skimmed, buzzed or brushed before it is no more fun.

I agree with others: I would ride off carriageway to get the feeling of fun back, then maybe add in some less idiot-infested roads and see what happens...

 

[RichK]

There's lots of good suggestions already. I developed anxiety issues after a driver & his mates tried to attack me! I'm now on medication for anxiety which isn't as draconian as it might sound. It takes a lot to talk to a GP about such matters (but since my prostate cancer diagnosis, I lost all such inhibitions). I also invested in a couple of cameras. That worked for me commuting with the difficulties I was(am) experiencing. Overcoming the issue is an individual issue & what works for me probably won't work for another.

Outside of commuting, I found riding with others was best so I was not alone so maybe a club?
Your support will be invaluable so keep that up too