Lost confidence

[jonny jeez]

Had a pretty good 'off' on my roadbike last weekend, front wheel just washed out from under me on a bend at approx 20mph, had x-rays, nothing broken but feels like ligament damage in my shoulder.
Now I've had plenty of 'offs' from years of mtbing in the Peaks, a fair few broken bones, cuts etc, historically I've just got back on my bike as soon as possible & without a second thought.
This time however I really am struggling, have been out three times since, & have lost all confidence,........ I am freezing & going completely rigid on bends and under braking.
Have any of you lot had similar experiences, am I better off leaving it for a while, or is it better to 'jump straight back on the horse' ?

Yep.

I think the difference is that on the road you don't "expect" to have an off, whereas on an mtb you kind of do.

Had my only fall ever last summer on a bend also, wasn't bad just tank slapped me across the bike and rolled a little. Stayed clipped in and pretty much kept the bike off the deck.

Almost a year later I am wary of damp/ greasy bends and go around them overcautiously.

A mate came off in ice, knocked himself unconscious and was laying in the middle of a country lane for a while...he now wont ride if there is even a frost on the grass.

I have a suspicion that an incident that causes no long term damage...is healthy every now and again and reminds us to install a little respect.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Maybe go back and have a look at the bend, see if there is a slick patch repair you didn't clock etc, could have been a random fuel spill or similar that you just caught unlucky with, I assume you've checked the rim & tyre to be sure there's nothing there that could have caused a wee wiggle or tyre to roll out of kilter under cornering. Shoot happens, good luck with whatever you think is right to get your mojo back.

 

[jonnysnorocket]

I think the difference is that on the road you don't "expect" to have an off, whereas on an mtb you kind of do.

I reckon you've hit the nail on the head there, I've never come off my mtb & not known the cause........ Too fast, not fully committed, where did that tree come from etc etc.
It's the not knowing, and the fact that it could (possibly not) happen again at any point that's making me so cautious.
But as you say, in the long term a spill now & then keeps you on your toes.

 

[Crackle]

Sometimes back on works, sometimes a bit of time works. Whichever you choose, your confidence will come back.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Mate broke his hip 2 yr ago racing,washed out on a corner he knows well ,just happened..
took him a while to get his confidece back plus the hip repair etc physio was long and painful.
he's 54 now and has decided to keep it to sportive rides and local stuff.but I know he will want to go racing when the time is right.
he's a tough fit man but we're not all 25 anymore and it takes ages to get over these knocks. This ageing thing is a bugger..

 

[Eribiste]

My bike disappeared from under me at low speed this Monday (090315). I think the cause was probably oil on the road. As I acquired my very first broken bone, a Bennett's fracture of the left thumb metacarpal, I'll have an enforced 'holiday' from riding. As Arnie would say, I'll be back, but I won't half be careful next time!

 

[Chris1983]

I had a bad off last year on the mountain bike, 5hours in a and e being x ray'ed and sown back together.

I've previously had little spills, a graze here or there etc but nothing serious but this fall knocked my confidence no end. took a good dozen or so rides round familiar routes to get my confidence back, and I'm now way more cautious on new stuff, more so than I ever was.

 

[Dave 123]

I came off on black ice about 3 weeks ago. My right knee is still in pain.

Worse than that is that I'm in the same boat as you. My cornering is pathetic at present. Give it a month or two and we'll both be fine I reckon!

 

[Doobiesis]

I'm crap at corners anyway and always over brake and I haven't even had a crash on a bend! I remember when I was younger I would race down hills and not care if I came off. Wish sometimes I could have that couldn't care less attitude, might get my top speed up. Lol

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

I forced myself to lean into a few corners on the way in tonight, confidence is back more or less. I've convinced myself it was just one of those things.

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

I wouldn't push it; your desire to ride will probably eventually overcome your fear of another mishap. Might take a little while, everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another. It shakes us up when it happens and we suddenly realise how hard and unforgiving the road surface is; not much 'give' in it at all. The sun will be out soon, warm days, the lure of the ride, it's hard to resist; take your time, you'll be back out there enjoying yourself before you know it!

 

[Stu9]

Much like me but on the rds, I shoot myself out there and just can't get used to it

 

[ChrisEyles]

I'd definitely be straight back on the bike - but maybe a good idea to take it easy, slow, and safe at first if you're feeling nervous, and perhaps focus on enjoying being outside on the bike rather than trying to match your previous speeds. In time you'll naturally pick up the pace, and can feel confident that you're riding within your limits.

I kind of agree that the odd mishap does help you appreciate just how vulnerable you are on a bike at times. For me (as I said above), the trick is to be happy that I'm riding within my limits, rather than worrying about "what if".

Good luck!