| Same type of accident happened to me at the beginning of Dec. One of those crisp winter mornings; bit of frost; beautiful blue sky. By 11am the frost had gone but it was still v. cold. Car? Bike? Bug*er it. Bike wins. Nice trip 5 miles down the road to have coffee with my dad and a friend. Got back on the bike to go home and the back came round and overtook the front. Tried to ride through it but it spat me over the bars and down the road. Very elegant. Only explanation I can think of is there was salt on the road; the road was cold; cold tyres and I asked too much of it for the conditions.
Been out a couple of times since and it's exactly as you say. Because you don't truely know how it happened, what's to stop it happening again?
Anyway, had the day off work today. Popped down to Brighton in the car to chill out for a couple of hours. Got back home. Sun's out. Road dry. Can't see much salt around (I know it's dry salt, but in my mind IT'S STILL OUT TO GET ME!!). Got the bike out and went for a poodle. Yep, my ears are listening for thing wrong; my senses are telling me it might not feel right; my reactions aren't sharp coz I've lost the feel for it all through lack of 'practice'; whereas before I would sling it about, I'm thinking twice about it. But, my confidence is improving each time I go out and today was a big jump forward.
I believe that when you start to think about what you are doing, whether it be driving a car or riding a push bike, that subconscious feel for things goes out the window and you start to wobble.
I KNOW there is nothing wrong with my bike. It's all in my head. I just need to get out more (it's not the first time I've heard that).
I think it just takes time, and not to put yourself in a position where you feel you have to live up to other peoples (and your own) expectations of how you were before the off for a while.
Doesn't mean I wasn't a bit scared. But I think that's the bit of people that keeps them sharp and alive.
Take it slowly.
Annette x
[Edited on 18-3-2005 by annette harris]  |