Bottle Job

[confusedcyclist]

As others have said, well done for getting back in the saddle, takes some balls. Just remember, there's always tomorrow.

 

[Mrs M]

Have a good one tomorrow, today will be gone

 

[Mummy3monkeys]

You are not a wimp, every reason to feel the way you do. Don't be hard on yourself, it is a big deal.

 

[Moodyman]

if it's any consolation I had a cross- wind induced shimmy last month at 36mph. Absolutely terrified me and still makes me shudder now when I think about it.

it's a hill I'd ridden hundreds of times, but now I've lost the nerve to go down it. I've been riding a longer, less direct route to avoid this particular hill.

 

[spen666]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm off out in a minute on today's commute.

Some great ways of looking at things on here.

 

[Ganymede]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm off out in a minute on today's commute.

Some great ways of looking at things on here.

Well I think you did well to open up about it. It's not easy carrying a burden like that and it's not easy to admit it! Bless yer heart.

 

[mgarl10024]

I haven't been in a major accident so can't really comment with any authority. I do however agree that it is good that you are back on the bike and that you felt able to share on here.

The thing that concerns me a little is the irrationality of choosing Nov 5th. Admittedly, we like to think we are rational and much research shows we are far from it. For example, I understand those who say that they avoid junctions or vehicle types because it may be that the junction or vehicle type has a greater risk to the cyclist and experience is showing that they are best avoided. However, I am struggling to see how Nov 5th is any different from any other day - avoiding it just because something occurred on that day would be the same as say not wearing the same cycling shirt or not having the same thing for breakfast.
As it is irrational, I'd be tempted to challenge it next year. Make a conscious decision that it is an irrational fear and that Nov 5th is no different from any other day - then get on the bike and prove it. The only caveat being that you must believe in this decision - it's no good going out so focused on the date that you cause another accident!

Good luck!

 

[clid61]

Do whats comfortable with you . I got wiped out in march 2013, plated collar bone. Just avoid the area it happened most times , but plough on regardless!

 

[spen666]

I haven't been in a major accident so can't really comment with any authority. I do however agree that it is good that you are back on the bike and that you felt able to share on here.

The thing that concerns me a little is the irrationality of choosing Nov 5th. Admittedly, we like to think we are rational and much research shows we are far from it. For example, I understand those who say that they avoid junctions or vehicle types because it may be that the junction or vehicle type has a greater risk to the cyclist and experience is showing that they are best avoided. However, I am struggling to see how Nov 5th is any different from any other day - avoiding it just because something occurred on that day would be the same as say not wearing the same cycling shirt or not having the same thing for breakfast.
As it is irrational, I'd be tempted to challenge it next year. Make a conscious decision that it is an irrational fear and that Nov 5th is no different from any other day - then get on the bike and prove it. The only caveat being that you must believe in this decision - it's no good going out so focused on the date that you cause another accident!

Good luck!

My accident happened on 5th nov,
The next time I rode on 5th November there was a fatality at exactly the same spot as my accident.

It is no doubt irrational, but we all work by calendars and mark anniversaries of dates....

Its far easier to say MTFU (to paraphrase your post), but far harder in practice. I had intended to ride in on 5th November until I got up that morning and really couldn't bring myself to put my kit on. I had everything ready to ride, kit sorted, saddle bag filled etc.

I wish I had ridden and will intend to do so next year

 

[mgarl10024]

MTFU (to paraphrase your post)

No - that's not what I was saying. If that's how it came across, I'm sorry. I can see how it must be difficult for you (even having not been there myself). I'm simply saying that if you can recognise that the date is irrational that you should try to challenge it quickly before it starts to become a larger thing - and it sounds like you are intending to do that next year. Best of luck.

 

[Lemond]

I bottled out of the commute today.


Why? well 5 years ago today I was in an accident on the way home and ended up being off work nearly 3 months.

Last year was 1st time I had cycled on 5th november since then. Sadly there was a cycling fatality that day, at exactly the same spot I had my accident.

I'm a wimp and need to MTFU

I am gutted I bottled it. I missed cycling in to work

Sounds to me like you're being a little bit too hard on yourself. All you did was take a day off. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[jonny jeez]

Don't do that MTFU nonsense, just ride when you feel ready for it. It's not a competition

Well said.

 

[Tynan]

I'm a a very cautious/nervy rider these days, an accumulation of all the accidents and near misses over the years have slowly eroded my nerves I think, I still go quick in the right conditions but I slow for turnings and ease off on downhills if there's turnings and/or it's wet

Do I think it's prevented accidents, yes, slowed me down a bit, yes

And after my last couple of incidents it took me quite a long time to get back up to speed again and no-one died in any of my incidents, listen to your head

 

[Lemond]

I'm a a very cautious/nervy rider these days, an accumulation of all the accidents and near misses over the years have slowly eroded my nerves I think, I still go quick in the right conditions but I slow for turnings and ease off on downhills if there's turnings and/or it's wet

Do I think it's prevented accidents, yes, slowed me down a bit, yes

And after my last couple of incidents it took me quite a long time to get back up to speed again and no-one died in any of my incidents, listen to your head

It sounds to me like you're sensible, not cautious or nervy!

 

[Tynan]

relative to how i used to ride and a lot of other riders still do, the old bubble of invincibility is no longer in effect