vandutch

I was riding a 50 mile charity ride feeling great, at or about mile 45 a guy cut me off ( not his fault a car was screaming down the road) bla bla I went down, got a ton of road rash but nothing broke I'm ok, finished the ride. I took the next few days off from riding letting things heal a bit, I went out today and for some reason I was kinda scared, the bike felt loose under me , was tense when cars passed, going slow on down hills not enjoyable..for those of you that have crashed for the fist time how long did it take you to get your confidence back?

bt

never

vandutch

You never crash or never get scared after a crash?

Bob Dopolina 

It depends on the person but it can take a while.

Even now I feel skiddish after a crash for a few rides. Then I get over it and it's game on again.

Just keep riding.

daihard 

I had my first crash at the beginning of February. I was riding in a protected bike lane. A car suddenly turned to get into a parking lot and got right in front of me (by blocking the bike lane). I was able to stop but ended up flying over the handlebar and landing on my left wrist. The result: a fractured wrist. Two months off the bike.

For some reason, I'm not scared after all that. I'm definitely more careful, but I don't dread riding in traffic, much less on separated paths. Maybe because I just began cycling last summer and the initial excitement is still outweighing the fear.

Dave Cutter

First.... bummer about the crash. Good job finishing. Glad your OK... or healing well.

Are you sure the bike is OK? If it feels "loose" maybe it really is. I am sure you gave it a quick once over before getting back on... but be sure to check it top to bottom. Make sure the stem is tight and properly aligned and the wheels true and spokes tight (and none broken). Re-seat the wheels... undoing the quick releases and retighten them fully seated.

Crashing is part of cycling.... PERIOD. It is a good thing you don't enjoy the ouchies. But you shouldn't fear them ether. If "getting your confidence back" means forgetting that bicycle accidents happen.... I don't know. I've learned to just accept that the crashing is all just a tiny little part of the joy I get from cycling.

I was almost hit by a car the other day near the very beginning of my normal 20 mile loop. I gave the driver a dirty look.... took a deep breath... and discarded any anger/fear as I exhaled. It was a beautiful day and I had a really great ride. I chose to enjoy cycling... discarding the fears... but accepting the dangers. Of course... I could stay right here in my recliner. Not many easy-chair crashes! But not much fun ether.... it's a trade-off.

But the fear.... the worrisome feeling... is completely optional.

vandutch

Your right... Thanks, I love riding but was surprised it affected me they way it did, I'll keep riding for sure!

Cyclosaurus

Nothing weird, you're just a coward.

Dave Cutter

Fear is a normal [and dominate] human emotion. In sports.... learning to handle these unexpected emotional events is a part of the experience. It's all good!

DXchulo

Broke my hip in February and I can relate. I know what you mean about the bike feeling "loose," and I've felt something similar on 2 other bikes that I didn't crash on. So while it may be the bike, it may be in your head, also. I think it comes from being too tense and having the dreaded "death grip" on the bars. Easier said than done, but if you relax you'll be more steady.

I was scared of cars for the first few rides (I was out 2 months). That went away pretty quickly. I was scared descending, and that kind of comes and goes for me. If it's windy I still tense up too much. I'm slowly getting better, though. My biggest fear is landing on my left hip again. I have some hardware in there now and who knows what would happen.

Just recognize that you're not the only one feeling weird after a crash. Take your time and the confidence will slowly come back.

coasting 

i was off the bike for 10 years. only got back when i was cleaning out the shed and found the bike tucked away in the back.

kelsodeez

confidence is like a brick wall. you build it up brick by brick and when it eventually falls over, you have to start building all over again.

cplager

Bob's right. Just keep riding and take it easy at first.

Your biggest mistake was asking on the 41.

10 Wheels

Not Weird at All.

Crash into a ditch after hitting a difficult to see crack in the road.
Helmeted head hit the dirt at 16 mph.

Bruised brain on both sides...

Take care.

Just out of brain surgery 8 weeks ago.

outfriday.jpg Photo by 10wheels | Photobucket

StanSeven

I was riding 4th back in a paceline and crashed on a pothole the lead rider didn't call out. We were all tired and hot. I was okay about riding after that but uncomfortable in a line. It took a little while to feel right again. Just get back at your own time and enjoy riding without pushing until you're ready

bruce19

I crashed last July and ended up having my C1 & C2 fused. In the hospital for 8 days and two operations. got back on the bike for a mile or two in early November and was nervous around cars. FWIW there was no car involved in my crash. I just put it aside (I don't know how to describe it) with a positive attitude and went back to riding. Now doing 70 mi. a week and increasing. Also riding better than I have in 15 yrs. Wish I had an easy answer but for me it was just a matter of deciding to go forward without regard for the past.

RIRview

Crashed hard in September 2012. Hit a bump (one of those deals where a tree root pushes up the asphalt). To this day, I have absolutely no recollection of hitting the bump--only a very disturbing, dreamlike sequence where I'm falling but can't understand why. I had a concussion, fractured right clavicle, broken ribs and a collapsed right lung. Had to have surgery to install a plate in my clavicle.

I was back on the bike right around Thanksgiving. I tell you...the first time on that bike was a strange, disconcerting experience. Death grip on the handlebars, laser-like vision for any imperfection in the road. But slowly, the more I rode, I was able to let go of the anxiety and regain my confidence.

As others have said, you need to go at your own pace. The is no formula for recovery after a crash.