I'm fine until I start thinking about it - that's when it all falls apart Just relax and enjoy No idea how to help with your riding through
Ok understand where you are coming from. I am guessing we all have crisis of confidence from time to time was talking with my neighbour about this he is 67 been riding since god was a boy and still gets it. That feeling that you're out of control? Not completely on it etc
Didn't explain properly I'm 45, been riding off road for near on 40yrs road for near on 30 . Ex as in did 14 yrs got out last year as doing what I did has a shelf life.
not had the same confidence when i got back on a bike after 9 years away okay rode like i was indestructable when younger ........... but experiance has taught me ......well that i am not got the scars to prove it doh ! but the main thing i have noticed is volume of traffic compared to before not sure if its the safety on the roads compared to before or just me thinking how much it hurts when you hit the tarmac in the back of my head lol
I loved scrambling, such a great sport, love all off road stuff. Its a different style, but I will always say that scrambling will teach you more about control. I will do the advanced road, but I know my reasons. You get on a crosser, get in a field and slide your ass on some grass. Don't go scraping metal up tarmac.
Book yourself a long journey to the Continent. Ride hundreds of miles every day on roads you don't know. Practice makes perfect. You sink or swim in the deep end but will probably swim. And don't think too much about it - none of this hyper-planning, "do I need a fluorescent vest?" crap. Just put yourself in a 25-year old mindset and you'll be fine. Far too much thinking goes on. Not enough riding.
My name is johnv, only it isn't and I am rated 'Senior Member', although I have been called worse. I passed Direct Access almost exactly 5 years ago, therefore along with previous snippet that makes me 60. I ride a MUltistrada 1200S Touring. I rate myself above average but, like most people, I am probably not as good as I think I am. I consider myself safe but regularly break the national speed limits, I obey 30 and 40 limits, don't cross double whites and do have off days. I don't have close shaves, literally and metaphorically, but I regularly think that I could have done something better. I am not a member IAM but I do believe wholeheartedly in Roadcraft. The best position to be on the road is to have space in front of you, which gives you options. Anything else ?
i have days that are exactly as you describe sev. i have been riding for almost 40 years in total. put me near a motorway i even have to remind my self to breath i can get that tense. think i need some more training. track and road. think its a combination of being over critical, having young kids and being more aware of what happens when it all goes wrong. it does leave me wondering sometimes why i still ride. in the wet i have zero confidence now where as up till about 4years ago i could easily scrape the pegs on my pegasso in the pishing rain on trail tyres. weird? i deffo need to chill more when i am out on the bikes and just enjoy being out the house rather than being disappointed and stressed that i cant ride like i used to.
Grow old graciously. Accept it and set your goals accordingly. I feel quite liberated having passed 60, I no longer need to worry about many of the things that I used to worry about. "You know you're over the hill when your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill" means that if you make the right promises there is never any need to be "over the hill".
I have been riding bikes since I was 14....(48 years ago) and I have had small and large capacity models.......I stopped road riding in 1991 and concentrated on racing. I went back to road riding when I bought the SS in 2009. The most noticeable thing was not necessarily the volume of traffic, but the sheer number of numbskulls who are allowed to drive. So, unlike years ago when I just got on a bike and rode it whenever and in any weather conditions; these days I don't get on it unless I feel OK about it. I admit that I am sometimes nervous and short of breath when togging up ready to go, but once I am on my way, I calm down and find that I am more relaxed and alert on the bike than I am in the car. I can feel my heart rate drop significantly and no longer short of breath. However I avoid riding when the road conditions are slippery or in bad weather. I simply cannot afford to come off as I am now as near as dammit a haemophiliac. It doesn't stop me having 'mad moments' though, when I wind it on and chuck it around when there is no traffic. If my health wasn't damaged, I probably wouldn't give things a second thought and be back on the track.
