I am an (almost) ex-cyclist....
- Thread starter GrumpyGregry
- Start date
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byegad
Legendary Member
- Location
- NE England
Seek professional help. You are describing the beginning of something I went through some years back, and you really don't want to complete that journey! Seek help, seek it now and don't be fobbed off.
Frood42
I know where my towel is
- Location
- Magrathea, Horsehead Nebula
I don't really know what to suggest... 
I sometimes have thoughts about taking my d-lock to headlights and windows, I wouldn't actually do it mind...
I guess what I would do is head to some canal tow paths and go for a slow pootle, I like to ride on my own, but that is me.
Perhaps you could find some friends and make a run on some pubs on the bike
I haven't had anyone shout at me while on the Lee Valley Way on the canal tow path...
Expect once, it is the only small tarmaced section for cars, and is narrow, which means its a pain for both walkers and cyclists when cars come down there.
A chap in a white van called me a "self-gratification artist" because I held my line and refused to be barged into the gutter by him...
Everyone else was either very nice, or said thanks, but in the colder weather I think you tend to get the more sensible people out on the paths.
When I did come up to people walking in the middle of the tow path chatting I did make a little game out of it.
I would see how close and quietly I could ride behind them and for how long I could do so, got quite good at it, and of course when they did finally see me they were quite apologetic, which of course made me smile as they didn't really need to apologise.
Other people I just said "Afternoon" to and they would let me by.
.
I sometimes have thoughts about taking my d-lock to headlights and windows, I wouldn't actually do it mind...
I guess what I would do is head to some canal tow paths and go for a slow pootle, I like to ride on my own, but that is me.
Perhaps you could find some friends and make a run on some pubs on the bike
I haven't had anyone shout at me while on the Lee Valley Way on the canal tow path...
Expect once, it is the only small tarmaced section for cars, and is narrow, which means its a pain for both walkers and cyclists when cars come down there.
A chap in a white van called me a "self-gratification artist" because I held my line and refused to be barged into the gutter by him...
Everyone else was either very nice, or said thanks, but in the colder weather I think you tend to get the more sensible people out on the paths.
When I did come up to people walking in the middle of the tow path chatting I did make a little game out of it.
I would see how close and quietly I could ride behind them and for how long I could do so, got quite good at it, and of course when they did finally see me they were quite apologetic, which of course made me smile as they didn't really need to apologise.
Other people I just said "Afternoon" to and they would let me by.
.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Sorry, made me smile, Tim.
Leodis
Veteran
- Location
- Moortown, Leeds
Turbo Trainer + YouPorn =
It's that. And there's no point forcing yourself through it, it won't work. You need a strategy, provided by yourself or someone else but you need one.
@GrumpyGregry Sorry to hear this, but glad that you are able to talk about it. I hope you get back in the saddle, as it has always been delightful to ride with you. I can't offer any advice, other than you should listen to the wise. Best wishes.
Wobblers
Euthermic
- Location
- Minkowski Space
Sorry to hear about this Greg. The FNRttC just hasn't been the same without you. All I can suggest is going out late at night - there's no buggers around at one in the morning, you just need to worry about the suicidal rabbits! Crackle and Sara_H both talk sense: get yourself a strategy and get professional help if you need it.
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
+1 to all the comments about it not being about cycling but your reactions. You can't control how others will behave but you can learn to change your own behavioural patterns so that the bad stuff doesn't leave you in such a state.
Or at least that's what everyone tells me.
I thought of you and this thread as I was cycling back from town this afternoon. A nobber on a motorbike rode beside me, yelling abuse and gesticulating so that I could still understand him even though his words were muffled by his helmet and the wind. Then a lorry did a punishment pass, horn blaring throughout. I was ready to sit and cry. Then the road narrowed - car coming the opposite direction, huge 4x4 behind me. I groaned, and waited for the inevitable, checking the side of the road immediately ahead of me to work out just how close I could get the bike to the verge without falling into the ditch, and never mind how appropriate that would be. I braced myself ... and nothing happened. The approaching car passed: the 4x4 had slowed and remained behind me before passing slow and wide, smiling and giving me a massive thumbs up as he passed, only speeding up once he was fully clear. A timely reminder that it's not all [insert rude word here].
Or at least that's what everyone tells me.
I thought of you and this thread as I was cycling back from town this afternoon. A nobber on a motorbike rode beside me, yelling abuse and gesticulating so that I could still understand him even though his words were muffled by his helmet and the wind. Then a lorry did a punishment pass, horn blaring throughout. I was ready to sit and cry. Then the road narrowed - car coming the opposite direction, huge 4x4 behind me. I groaned, and waited for the inevitable, checking the side of the road immediately ahead of me to work out just how close I could get the bike to the verge without falling into the ditch, and never mind how appropriate that would be. I braced myself ... and nothing happened. The approaching car passed: the 4x4 had slowed and remained behind me before passing slow and wide, smiling and giving me a massive thumbs up as he passed, only speeding up once he was fully clear. A timely reminder that it's not all [insert rude word here].
I sometimes do a quick survey of passing cars in London on my commute. Doesn't take long as it's so busy!
Anyway, +1 for good/safe overtake, 0 for acceptable overtake, -1 for bad overtake. The result is always positive. The trouble is that 1 good overtake does not make up for one dangerous overtake which is potentially dangerous, but do try and keep it in perspective. I also find that soem that seem bad aren't always as bad as you might think at the time when the heart is pumping.
Ride definsively and you'll also find that the result is even higher.
Anyway, +1 for good/safe overtake, 0 for acceptable overtake, -1 for bad overtake. The result is always positive. The trouble is that 1 good overtake does not make up for one dangerous overtake which is potentially dangerous, but do try and keep it in perspective. I also find that soem that seem bad aren't always as bad as you might think at the time when the heart is pumping.
Ride definsively and you'll also find that the result is even higher.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
Greg,
You clearly have cycling skills and cycling chums.
Combine both and go for a ride with your mates.
Banjo
Fuelled with Jelly Babies
- Location
- South Wales
If you have reached the stage of sitting on the curb with head in hands I think maybe all this stress is not just coming from cycling.
If your allready stressed out then things you would normally not worry about can affect you out of all proportion.
None of my business but if you are suffering from stress speak to GP for referral to help.
Good Luck Greg
If your allready stressed out then things you would normally not worry about can affect you out of all proportion.
None of my business but if you are suffering from stress speak to GP for referral to help.
Good Luck Greg
growingvegetables
Guru
- Location
- Leeds
Going for early morning rides? I mean EARLY morning - between 1 and 4. Especially good and calming on a clear, starlit, moon-free night.
Andrew_P
In between here and there
as per Banjo really it could be cumulative stress that is surfacing with the close encounters and bullies in 2t of metal bring it out in big bursts, but if it really is purely the cycling causing the anxiety and panic, exposure in small gradual controlled doses is the key, bit difficult on a commute in rush hour to get the small dose though, so maybe a few Sunday rides picking a route with a mix of roads and traffic conditions.
