Bike Forums - View Single Post - Afraid of outside riding

02-11-20 | 10:24 AM

#14

Clyde1820

Early-onset OldFartitis

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 2,152

Likes: 748

From: USA

Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11

Quote:

Originally Posted by laychris

I'm looking for ways I could do my riding skills better without riding outside...

Hm. Well, there are so many aspects to going on a ride (balance, situational awareness, changing angles/speeds of other people and objects) that simply cannot be simulated without going out there for a ride.

That said, I'm all for a "spin" bike or trainer (setup for your main bike) that will get you riding. Ideally, with your own bike such that you become more familiar with it.

But the balancing of it, the overall handling of it as you move through the landscape, and things like dealing with other people and objects out there ... well, that's hard to learn to cope with, without any experience coping with it. (As compared to, say, being a newbie driver of a car, but starting out driving on an empty parking lot, empty country roads, etc. Which does teach you about the balance, grip, handling, approach speeds, braking performance, and all the other things you need to gain competency with prior to getting "out there" on public roads.)

I'd suggest taking it slow. Go to spaces where you can ride your bike but cope with very little to no traffic, very little to no other pedestrians, dogs, other riders. Start out at slower speeds, practicing handling the bike through a range of maneuvers. Learn how to sidle up to a curb, and stop without tipping over. Learn how to safely and competently pass another pedestrian or rider. Learn how to brake rapidly and effectively. Learn all of your bike's controls, and how to operate them while still riding along and monitoring your surrounds. Lots of little things to learn. Much of which is best learned by actually doing it. I'd start by finding a safer, lower-traffic spot with far fewer distractions, so you can practice all the stuff you'll need to learn, without much of the risks.

JMO

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