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

[srw]

Likewise to the best wishes - you were missed over the summer. And to the comments about multiple sources of stress - start by counting the non-cycling related sources, even those you don't necessarily associate as stressors.

When you get the mojo back we'll take you round the back roads of Buckinghamshire - with gears, this time.

 

[Flying Dodo]

It's odd. Tonight cycling home from work I felt rather uneasy. I knew both my rear lights were a bit dim, but cars weren't any closer than normal. Events in London reel around your head though. Is it fear of fear? Who knows?

I hope you do get out on the road again Greg - get whatever help you think might work.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Ride with others

I was going through the thread, and planning to post the above if nobody else had . When you're riding with others, you'll have more safety in numbers, not to mention the encouragement and moral support that your fellow cyclists can give you.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

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

While I emphasize with your difficulties - never completely free of the "fear of traffic" myself - I am also glad you posted the OP, having been made out to be a wimp on the roads a few times by fellow cyclists.
You will be ok with a little help from your friends, try again when you feel ready

 

[Gravity Aided]

Team Shouty were on foot.

Well, then, no excuse for that sort of behavior from pedestrians. Riding with others is always a cure for me. My sister gave up riding for many of the same reasons you state. Please do not let it be the same for you. I do not pretend to have the first idea what your situation requires. It seems like you have come to the right place, and talking about these problems, among people who care about you, is a good first step.

 

[markharry66]

Take a break until after christmas. Think about what you want to do forget cycling for three weeks wait till you miss it and get right out there again in New Year.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

another +1 for what banjo said.

 

[HLaB]

Turbo Trainer + YouPorn =

OT, at my last place a colleague was tellin me YouTube was blocked but YouPorn wasn't; how did he discover that

 

[Leodis]

OT, at my last place a colleague was tellin me YouTube was blocked but YouPorn wasn't; how did he discover that

Turbo trainer session?

 

[HLaB]

Turbo trainer session?

So thats why the 1st floor office stank of sweat

 

[Gravity Aided]

And popcorn.

 

[Andrew_P]

Back on topic, I feel safest on wide roads where traffic on the whole can pass without a problem, the last three miles on the way in are on country lanes where two cars + bike won't fit and that's where I feel least comfortable. So maybe quiet lanes is not the answer, maybe pick some nice and wide roads where mostly you can cycle without the concern of someone hanging off your rear wheel waiting for a passing point?

 

[mickle]

Kill them. Kill them all.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Lots of help and encouragement for which I am extremely grateful. Thank you one and all.

Cycle commuting used to be my great stress outlet. Having it become a source of "OMG I'm gonna die - thud" type-stress itself, and giving rise to a severe case of "I'm gonna chuffin' kill you" road raging wvm fisticuffs* - it was self-defence m'lud - and thus having it bite me on the psychic bum has been an 'interesting' experience to say the least.

The answer is, of course, to start to talk about the problem and, at some point, get back on the bike.

* @Aperitif may recall a certain road on a certain FNRttC. Twas the very same spot!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Kill them. Kill them all.

That does seem to be the local drivers' plan vis a vis cyclists certainly.