I am an (almost) ex-cyclist....

[Tim Hall]

Optional?

It's a "no pressure" kind of a thing. Hopefully unlike our tyres. Ham Egg and Chips, otherwise known as the Food of Champions, on the other hand, tends towards the non-negotiable.

 

[Maverick Goose]

Optional? No way! Don't let them grind you down

 

[vickster]

Ride with others

 

[Sara_H]

Back in August I lost the plot. Over a period of ten, or so, days I had a number of life-threatening encounters with angry men in cars. One of these is subject to an ongoing police investigation so I'll say no more other than I was assaulted and he got assaulted right back. One complete stranger on a bicycle over Dorking way took me out by undertaking when I was in primary and then swerving into me to avoid a pot hole. Physically he came off worse but my bike got trashed and he is being a dick about it.

A relatively trivial 'close encounter' with a motorist at the end of that month saw me throwing my bike into the hedge, literally, "OH FOR ****S SAKE!" stylee and sitting down on a kerb sobbing with rage and fear. I just want to get to work and home again not fight some ruddy road war.

I've tried to commute a couple of times since then but have faced panic and anxiety in unmanageable amounts within minutes of setting off. And have bailed as a result. My recreational riding is almost completely curtailed. I've tried off-roading but on Sunday my ride was ruined when I met up with Mr Shouty and his Shouty wife/partner on a local bridleway and was then, mere minutes later, nearly run off the road by a nobber in a 4x4. Sunday road rides in company leave me in a hot mess as I need a Falklands style exclusion zone around me.

What needs I do to get back on the horse?

This isn't just about your riding, but your psychologica response to it. You're having panic attacks, which is basically natures way of telling you to GTF outta of here and is somewhat understandable. When I wrote my "utterley depressed" thread I was pretty close to having a Michael Douglas style Falling Down episode.

Some recomend CBT, hypnotherapy or psycotherapy to help control the panic attacks.

 

[michaelcycle]

Some recomend CBT, hypnotherapy or psycotherapy to help control the panic attacks.

A couple of sessions of CBT would do the trick I think.

You could of course just give it time and see if the issues play themselves out but I think you will get to where you want to be a lot quicker with some focused sessions. What you are experiencing goes beyond low level anxiety which many people have but that is understandable given the cluster of traumatic experiences you suffered within a short space of time.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Optional?

According to Google Translate, "Beer optional" means "You're buying".

GC

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Ride with others

works great. until they ride into you.

 

[vickster]

Ride at the back Surely if only one or two others this isn't an issue? Or perhaps wear hi viz so they can see you better

 

[Gravity Aided]

CBT would be good, perhaps, but so will some positive bicycling experiences. And horse folk, well, they are horse folk. I come from a really long line of them. I think the shouting is an ordinary level of conversation. That being said, I think they should be cognizant of the views and behavior of others. I realize that a horse can get very skittish around bicycles. But that is something for the horse and rider to work on, as well. And thinking that all cyclists the same, or all together, is just plain judgmental. Get out there and try some short, positive cycling experiences, and see what can come of it. Please.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Ride at the back Surely if only one or two others this isn't an issue?

I was riding on my own when I got taken out.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

CBT would be good, perhaps, but so will some positive bicycling experiences. And horse folk, well, they are horse folk. I come from a really long line of them. I think the shouting is an ordinary level of conversation. That being said, I think they should be cognizant of the views and behavior of others. I realize that a horse can get very skittish around bicycles. But that is something for the horse and rider to work on, as well. And thinking that all cyclists the same, or all together, is just plain judgmental. Get out there and try some short, positive cycling experiences, and see what can come of it. Please.

Team Shouty were on foot.

 

[michaelcycle]

Get out there and try some short, positive cycling experiences, and see what can come of it. Please.

Yep, that would certainly be helpful - trying to mentally reconnect cycling with positive experiences rather than negative.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Horrible isn't it. But by being willing to talk about it you're probably closer to feeling better than you realise.

 

[Aperitif]

I never ran into you, Greg - we were happy watching that insolent dunce blaspheme - or would have been had it not been for his children that time...
You can do it.
Tim will tell - if fact he'll tell you that on Sunday!
Change your user name. Lose the 'Grumpy' bit
Age can still be a number...just stop being a tart.
I just ride a bit slower, and care a bit less...(but then I'm less delicate I suppose.)
And, CBT therapy always worked after rugby - you know that. 'Copious Beers Tonight'

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Horrible isn't it. But by being willing to talk about it you're probably closer to feeling better than you realise.

That's a really good point. For feelings of ?shame? or ?embarrassment? I've kept it to myself until last week.