still lacking confidence

[thunderlips76]

hi guys, so I'm like 2 months in and have done 10 rides ( most over 20 miles and one 40 miler ), but I'm still struggling when it comes to been confident in traffic. I find myself dodging rush hour times, and try and compress my rides in between these times. I also ride more on the weekend (if i get them off work) because there's less stuff on the road. I am still pretty anxious when it comes to turning right, as i tend to lose balance a little when i look over my shoulder. I've had three falls, one due to looking over my shoulder just as a massive gust of wind caught me off balance, and two clipped in moments (I'd clipped one foot out and shifted my weight over to my other foot....forgetting it was clipped in....duh). I'm really enjoying the cycling but the traffic just puts a downer on things. I also feels miles more comfortable riding with someone. Just feel like it's stopping me getting out as much as i want to. It really is just traffic......i have no problems attacking hills ( love it in fact) or doing 45 mph down a steep incline. Also I feel a bit soft as I'm 38 and a big confident lad (off the bike), any tips, help or advice would be very welcome. Oh just in case this helps, It's the first time I've been on a bike in 20 years, I've never had a geared bike till now.

 

[Markymark]

Buy and read cyclecraft, ask questions on here with specifics abd get miles under yiur belt on slightl busier roads. Confidence will come in time.

 

[BSRU]

Nothing wrong with trying to avoid traffic, I get to work at about 8am in order to avoid morning rush hour.

 

[Mo1959]

I know how you feel. I am getting very nervous about starting back after injury and reading reports of so many riders around here being killed or badly injured in the last week or so isn't helping.

I like early mornings before the commuter/school runs start but not always possible for some riders.

 

[Markymark]

I live in the east London burbs. I feel safer cycling into work into central London thatn I do when on quiet Essex country lanes. The key for me is the speed differential. London is so slow moving I'm keeping up with/passing cars. In Essex the cras tear past at 70mph+ and taht's what freaks me out.

Riding in traffic is about being assertive and understanding your road position. Cyclecraft is an excellent read, it really helps you know where you should be for different junctions etc.

 

[Kestevan]

Find a quiet road and practice shoulder checks (over either shoulder, and you can also try looking back under your shoulder), hand signals and unclipping. Get to the point where you are happy to ride along in a straight line 1 handed looking over your shoulder.

You'll then find dealing with traffic is easier without having the additional worry of being unstable on the bike.

 

[arch684]

practice looking over your shoulder but keeping the bike in a straight line and if you have to slow down to turn right unclip. you can still pedal uncliped

 

[vickster]

Totally understandable, I've decided not to commute into London on my office days as the traffic and sheer number of cyclists is just too stressful for me. I already had one off thanks to another cyclist cutting across me - can't risk any more serious injury! Not really ridden in traffic in the dark since my accident, not looking forward to that much either

Cyclecraft and practice are invaluable, but also being sensible and not taking risks if not feeling safe IMO

 

[GravityFighter]

I'm in a similar boat OP. I bought a bike and started riding for the first time two weeks ago at the ripe old age of 30!

I'm staying off the road completely for now and sticking to canals and towpaths, as well as practicing looking over my shoulder, signalling and turning on an empty stretch of tarmac near my house.

As we live in a fairly urban area, I've decided I'm only going on proper roads once I'm 100% confident in my own ability. Might be a few weeks yet...

ETA: Will get Cyclecraft purchased too, cheers for the above comments!

 

[thunderlips76]

I was talking to my girlfriend about last night. I think that sometimes you have to take command of the situation and be assertive as markymark said. I just feel sometime like a dick for doing it. Like if I turn right and I'm not in the correct gear to get moving I hold traffic up.

 

[Markymark]

I was talking to my girlfriend about last night. I think that sometimes you have to take command of the situation and be assertive as markymark said. I just feel sometime like a dick for doing it. Like if I turn right and I'm not in the correct gear to get moving I hold traffic up.

Who cares, safety is paramount. You do need a bit of a thick skin, but you have to learn to shrug it off. There are idiots in cars. You are one more cyclist and that is +1 for the greater good. If you drive too, I bet you will also be a better driver around cyclists and that is brilliant.

Being assertive is not about annoying other road users - sometimes it does, but they will get annoyed by anything, its about being it the correct place and being seen. Cars may well appreciate being around a cyclist being visible and understanding what it is they intend to do.

COnfidence will come. Don't assume other cyclists you see are doing things properly, there's plenty of crap cyclists too.

But above all, it is supposed to be enjoyable. Get confidence, enjoy your riding and it will be a pleasure. Cycling thrugh central London is sooo much more fun tha being stuck in the car/tube - I love it.

 

[vickster]

But above all, it is supposed to be enjoyable. Get confidence, enjoy your riding and it will be a pleasure. Cycling thrugh central London is sooo much more fun tha being stuck in the car/tube - I love it.

I really like it out of the rush hour or at the weekends, but in the rush hour, once I hit zone 2, it's just awful on the main roads (including CS7)...and it's not actually the motorised traffic (although 99% of London taxi drivers do appear to be utter c****)

My non bike commute is a train plus a 15 minute walk, slow and boring but not stressful or dangerous

 

[Markymark]

I really like it out of the rush hour or at the weekends, but in the rush hour, once I hit zone 2, it's just awful on the main roads (including CS7)...and it's not actually the motorised traffic (although 99% of London taxi drivers do appear to be utter c****)

My non bike commute is a train plus a 15 minute walk, slow and boring but not stressful or dangerous

I don;t find it dangerous but I am aware you had a serious off and your epxerpeince is very different to mine. My route in great in London and it's ofen avoiding the nasty junctions (Olympic park, Vicki park, London fields dropping down to Bloomesbury) and it's a pleasure. I'm able to stick to primary on these ruotes and usually avoid the other cyclists who want to be stupid fighting it out in the gutter..

 

[fossyant]

You've always got to have your wits about you. Even us experienced commuters get taken down. I didn't do bad, 6 years since my last one. This stings a bit more but not too bad.

 

[thunderlips76]

yeah I drive, and I've always been hyper alert near cyclists. Try to be a nice guy as i believe in karma. And your right I just need to get out more......although recently my uncle got knocked off his carbon frame at 30 mph by a car just pulling out on him, and one of the lads from work has a broken collar bone for the same reason. I've only had the one knob head shout at me ( he couldn't get passed me thru a traffic island as I'd decided to take the centre of the lane).