The Fear

Does anyone ever get the fear when riding?

I've had it once or twice, the sudden realisation that my life could be swept away by someone else lack of concentration or overconfidence. Its well annoying.

No, next....

You've got panic attacks, mate.

Perhaps you should go for a cycle training to gain new confidence?
Did something happen to you while cycling before?

I used to heave dark thoughts while driving, but not cycling. Like that time when I drove with the open roof though the Rotterhithe tunnel during the rush hours in the middle of summer :-)

Does anyone ever get the fear when riding?

Only if I'm riding at 8:00pm Sunday evening. Fear time.

the sudden realisation that my life could be swept away by someone else's lack of concentration or overconfidence.

It's just a plain fact. I feel it when ever I'm going through static traffic; I think some pedestrian will amble in front and I'll mash my face into his/her backpack full of used hypodermics

Really weird. At work an this just came on shuffle on my ipod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgI1ovaYrl4

Only if I'm riding at 8:00pm Sunday evening. Fear time.

What, oh coz you've missed Songs Of Praise?

i used to get it all the time, i used to think that my bike might disintergrate and i would end up face sliding across the floor, head under a trye. but now i concentrate on what's going on around me/the music in my ears more so that helps keep the paranoia at bay

i used to think that my bike might disintergrate and i would end up face sliding across the floor, head under a trye.

I had a similar ting when I was a kid. Whenever I had a hot bath, I thought that the water would turn to lava just after my knob went below the waterline.

Nah its not panic attacks really, its only happened once or twice and only for 1 or two seconds usually around coaches.

I'll go get a cup of HTFU i think.

Take ride on the Central Line from Bank to Mile End at 5.30PM every now and then and you will be cured!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-wGMlSuX_c

mandatory.

i got it this morning on a quiet back street. and in the wet when avoiding man holes "oh fuck my front is going to slide out!" or not "oh fuck my front is going to slide out"

advanced cycle training is being organised...tis free thru camden council if anyone else is here, and a few other offer it free too.

Only if I'm riding at 8:00pm Sunday evening. Fear time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4BPWo3V1Uw

I used to get it all the time, i used to think that my bike might disintergrate and i would end up face sliding across the floor, head under a trye but since I sold the Unipack I am now ok.

Fear is for Losers.......

I had a surreal dizzy feeling today as I was riding, I thought for a second that it could be my brain trying to ignore something really bad that just happened. Kind of like a shark biting off a divers leg without the diver realising. This freaked me out & I had to pull over and walk for a bit.
I then remembered being encouraged to drink a lot of polish vodka last night and missing breakfast!

A couple of weeks ago I was just turning into my street, seconds away from home and I started to think about the reality of being hit head-on by a car. In my mind I ran the collision in my head in slow-motion as my front wheel buckled and folded under the initial impact and then my knees were hit by the bonnet of the car still moving slow-motion through my bike. The images were all of me as my body began a whipping motion swinging my torso forward, faster than my arms and hands could react to save me, then my jaw, teeth and face took the brunt of the roof section as it meets the window screen. I watched in the third person as my skull began to deform around the metal... then I snapped out of it.

I have no idea why it popped into my head, or why I felt the need to run the thing all the way through, but it gave me the proper willies and I've definitely been a bit more vigilant ever since.

i'd say it's good to have a bit of fear. keeps you on your toes. you can never under estimate the stupidity of others.

Again, that's a panic attack :-)

And seriously, if yous lot had any bad experiences while cycling and can't shake them off (panic attacks etc.) you should try some cognitive-behavioural therapy to and disassociate any dark thoughts from a pleasure of cycling.

I pretend that I'm a comboy if I ride at 10 to 10 (am or pm).

HTFU

But yes.... last night when I was undertaken by another cyclist, as I was behind a parcel force arctic and didn't want to filter as the truck was weaving a bit in slow moving traffic and as he went past, I told him to be careful, just as his gap narrowed to naff all/handle bar width...wtf

When I the pass the spots where I have been taken out, if I think about it, I get a sickening feeling in the bottom of my stomach

Something like that, Gatti...

no, but i do when driving.
fuck I'm terrified of driving- had to get to brighton today, and no jokes, i had two nightmares about it yesterday.
Then on my way down the M23, a massive crash happened on the other side of the road.

I have this irrational fear when I crack my neck while riding my bike that I'll hit a pothole or something and crack my neck for good! I "see" it happening, too.

Again, that's a panic attack :-)

And seriously, if yous lot had any bad experiences while cycling and can't shake them off (panic attacks etc.) you should try some cognitive-behavioural therapy to and disassociate any dark thoughts from a pleasure of cycling.

Panic Attack! Really? I say it was pretty dumb not to consider that someone else's ignorance could have a major affect on you... I walk, cycle, drive around London and regulary witness stupidity from all parties. I think awareness and fear are part of the same beast, some people are just more spun out than others and over thinking things... but rather that, than to be plain ignorant.
But hey, if i could get a regular prescription for Valium, Beta Blockers and some time of work then bring it on...