Hi everyone,
I'm after a bit of advice about regaining my confidence and rive after a period away from cycling. Long story short I had a herniated disc in my back that took a long time to be diagnosed. Once diagnosed i had surgery and the road to recovery started. All together i was away from cycling for around 4 - 5 years. I did try cycling on and off during that period but nothing regular. I lived in an area that was country side and quiet but due to my job i had to move and i now live in a much, much busier place.
I've been fine for around 12 - 18 months now but am really struggling with confidence. I have found where i live, people seem to be impatient and fairly reckless with overtakes. I plan my routes to use quieter roads and do move off the road when safe to let cars past. I tried joining a cycling club but the rides are to long and i have a young family so don't want to spend 3 maybe 4 hours away from them on a weekend as that's the main time we have together as we all work and are in school.
I do have mental health issues and cycling was always my escape so not being able to do it and enjoy it at the moment is really beginning to get me down. I have a mountain bike and take my son but again my confidence and fear is there as i seem to be terrified of falling of the bike and injuring my back.
I have considered a gravel bike instead of my road bike but when trying to use route planners there doesn't seem to be many off road routes or I’m just terrible at using them and cant find them!!
Any advice on regaining my confidence and best route planners for finding gravel/off road type routes would be appreciated.
Thanks everyone
I'm after a bit of advice about regaining my confidence and rive after a period away from cycling. Long story short I had a herniated disc in my back that took a long time to be diagnosed. Once diagnosed i had surgery and the road to recovery started. All together i was away from cycling for around 4 - 5 years. I did try cycling on and off during that period but nothing regular. I lived in an area that was country side and quiet but due to my job i had to move and i now live in a much, much busier place.
I've been fine for around 12 - 18 months now but am really struggling with confidence. I have found where i live, people seem to be impatient and fairly reckless with overtakes. I plan my routes to use quieter roads and do move off the road when safe to let cars past. I tried joining a cycling club but the rides are to long and i have a young family so don't want to spend 3 maybe 4 hours away from them on a weekend as that's the main time we have together as we all work and are in school.
I do have mental health issues and cycling was always my escape so not being able to do it and enjoy it at the moment is really beginning to get me down. I have a mountain bike and take my son but again my confidence and fear is there as i seem to be terrified of falling of the bike and injuring my back.
I have considered a gravel bike instead of my road bike but when trying to use route planners there doesn't seem to be many off road routes or I’m just terrible at using them and cant find them!!
Any advice on regaining my confidence and best route planners for finding gravel/off road type routes would be appreciated.
Thanks everyone
