Jarrett2

That just hit me. I was thinking about this on my daily morning ride today. I was on a new route and was thinking about asking someone to join me and I thought, "no, they're too scared at this point to do this particular route."

And it dawned on me, cycling is a slow progression through overcoming fears:

Walking into the bike shop
Talking to a salesperson about a bike
Throwing a leg over a bike in the shop
Taking a bike for a test ride in the parking lot
Riding your new bike in your drive way
Being seen by someone while on the bike
Riding your new bike on your street
Riding your new bike around your neighborhood when no one is out
Riding on a bike path for the first time
Riding on a quiet street away from your neighborhood
Riding on a busy street away from your neighborhood
Riding up that one hill
Riding up the next bigger hill
Changing from a hybrid to a road bike
Clipping in for the first time
Bouncing back after first clipped in fall
Going out in public in lycra
Riding in the country
Riding where there might be dogs
Doing your first group ride
Taking the lane
Riding on the shoulder of a road with highway speed traffic
Stepping up to a faster group ride
Doing a T-shirt/charity ride
Dealing with angry drivers
Riding 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100 miles for the first time
Riding through a busy city
Doing first multi day ride
Doing first tour

I'm sure there are tons I left out. I never really realized it before but, there is just one fear after another that has to be overcome to get deeper and deeper into cycling.

That sort of linear progression of overcoming fear typically has very positive effects on one psychologically. Which of course has positive benefits in most other areas of life. I assume the same is true for overcoming cycling fears. If so, that's another huge positive for taking up the hobby.

I wonder if these types of fears are what also stop some people from getting more into cycling or keep them out altogether.

What are your thoughts on it?

bassjones

Don't know that I'd attribute it to "fear" per se, but most of cycling' obstacles are mental. Once you start breaking through those mental obstacles, the world opens up a bit. I'm hoping to do my first Metric Century this Saturday. Did 44 on a training ride two weeks ago, which is my longest to date. The 20 mile mark was the big one for me. Once I got over that mental hurdle the rest has been fairly easy. I'm not worried about the Metric 100, but I am definitely still unsure about the Imperial Century mark.

jsigone

the deeper into the cycling, the more "normal" those things you listed above are on a almost daily routine.

Those outside of cycling still think I'm crazy. They still don't understand why I ride, what is the driving factor even after I was hit last yr. The passion of the sport/hobby/escape has been embedded since grade school on BMXers. I'm not going to change my lifestyle because one idiot nearly killed me.

Fear is mental, pain is only temporary (both physically and psychologically)

Some can get over it faster than others

brushog65

This is a great post. Your list is right on the money for me.

BigMo59

Yep, this is a great post and I'm only about half way down the list so far.

Dave Mayer

Fear is a useful evolutionary adaptation. Along with joy, disgust, anger, sadness/depression, it helps our behaviour strike the optimum balance of movitation and risk taking, and self-preservation.

I do about 700 bike rides per year. Cycling is inherently dangerous; I hope I never lose fear.

But my experience with hundreds of previous risk situations, suchs as missing manhole covers, the right-hand hook, sudden handlebar failures etc. has provided me with a level of confidence in dealing with a range of bad situations.

Haff

You missed an important one.

Fear of my ass hurt never going away if I keep riding.

baron von trail 

As we get older, doing new things becomes less attractive. Biking is no exception, IMO.

Yendor72

I agree that it is mental, 100% mental. In this forum we have the support we need to continue through those mental hurdles. It is something I tell my wife every day. We ride together and sometimes when we get to certain spots on our typical route she will say, this is where I die. I have to remind her that she is losing the mental game and to get past it because she is not breathing hard or working hard, its mental.

Why is it 100% mental? The decision to even think about ever hopping on a bike is mental, that decision happens before you even walk into the bike shop. That fear of the unknown keeps people from even considering walking into a bike shop. I consider myself extremely mentally strong, making the decision to change my life through cycling and dragging my wife along with me was very difficult, but I am so happy we are doing it.

FrenchFit 

If you are a fearful person, then yes. If not, then no.

LGHT

Great post. I would also use the word "obstacle" instead of fear though.

unabowler

Good post. I would add one about riding down big hills; that's still a fear for me.

mrfreezesdefy3

I am not In. Fear I live to ride ride to drink chocolate milk. ...
In reality I love life but I ride to get fit and lose weight ,so far 70lbs
But I have nothing to fear ,after I lost my son ,I. A motorcycle accident and having to go thru finding him , as far as I'm concerned there is no other pain that's worse , I have accepted christ as my son did ,if it's my time to go ,the way I see it I'll be reunited with him sooner ,
Tho I do face obstacles in my cycling life so far the way I see it is that
The measure of my trials the measure of God's confidence in me .
But I enjoy a lot of comradery since I've started my journey on this cycling adventure , I really think riding in the fall is going to be sweet!!!
But as for me I've always been a go getter ,so I push on thru the breakdowns, hills, weather, crazy drivers etc n enjoy life ,because we are never promised tomorrow so enjoy today

dr_lha

The latest fear I have to overcome: Should I do a 102 mile charity ride this Saturday when the forecast is 61F and heavy rain all day?

MRT2

I agree. I have almost no fear when it comes to cycling, or at least, the kind of cycling I do. There are, however, obstacles both mental and physical and plenty for me to overcome even after several decades of cycling as an adult.

When I think of overcoming fear, I think about things like whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, or skydiving. Just the thought of doing any of those things makes me anxious.

beakersbike

Fear of tornadoes (got pulled off an MS150 due to tornado warnings years ago in Nebraska).
Fear of hail. I move to Colorado to get away from that nonsense in Nebraska but this is the trade off.

Jarrett2

Fear or obstacle, either way. Everyone has fear. How we each handle it is the trick.

My next fear/obstacle is my first century tomorrow. I feel ready, but still anxious.

Wanderer

Bicycling has always been about FUN for me.... Just one exciting, fun, experience after another.

I still remember my first ride on two wheels from about 65 years ago. Along that white picket fence, until the fence ran out --- and I was FREEEEEEEE!