I teach a group of teens how to commute more confidently using the streets in our city. One of my biggest pushes is that the most dangerous area is right by your home. It's familiar and most people's defenses are down. That's when you're likely to be in a crash.
To DanMartin, et.al.: Mark is right because of statistics. No matter your ride, you ALWAYS come home. Therefore, relative to the other parts of all your different rides, the roads near your house is where you ride most often. Probability says where you ride most often, is where you CRASH most often. It's that simple.
One thing that fears me the most is being side swiped by those reckless drivers who don't give enough passing space on my left side and those drivers pulling wide trailers.
I got T-boned on my way to work this time last year. About a month later I back on the bike (SLOWLY). First time riding in traffic I was certainly a lot more wary. Now I’m actually thank for that happened. I used to lane split and take in necessary risks. Now I don’t. Certainly a much more laid back rider in traffic now.
This just happened to me yesterday and the car bumped my arms but I did not fall. I was passing some pedestrians then boom I was hit on my left shoulders, stayed riding, then the driver just went on his ride. It was still scary though thinking about how it can get worse.
In all my years of riding, there was really only one period where I experienced fear, or rather psychological fear. After months of not being able to ride (work got in the way) I gained a significant amount of kilos. When I tried to ride up our local climb (400m elevation, 4-6% ave) I cracked, hard, in just about one KM in to the climb. I didn't bonk; i just couldn't make it up because of weight and lack of fitness. Because of that one incident, I almost completely lost my passion to ride. And whenever I did, I avoided climbs like the plague. It took 6 years before I could finally gather momentum and ride consistently each week to build my fitness back up and lose a LOT of weight, and though i'm not as lean or fit or as fast I used to be, I was finally able to ride back up that climb recently. As I sat on the ridge at the summit alone, it felt cathartic and I cried a bit. I was reminded of why I loved cycling to begin with.
I road a bike for the first time in 10 years today and my heart was in my throat the entire time. I can't wait until I feel more confident. The idea of riding in the rain or with more than one other person is enough to make me not ride (at this point).
I've been riding for 50 years, no fear whatsoever, except... I was hit by a car three months ago, recovery has been long and painful. But I'm now back on my bike, legs are still doing great but the problem is mental... I now fear (I think so) cars, and spend my ride looking everywhere to prevent another issue. My rides are now mentally exhausting. Hope time will hep.
Same here. Just only 8 days ago I was wiped out by a Ford Ranger on a roundabout. Wrecked bike and sustained road rash and a badly sprained wrist. Still recovering now but you're right the mental side can take longer to recover
@@SimonBauer7 , I was going to suggest Gravel. Both probably work well. Gravel is a little closer to road biking. I myself have switched to riding mostly Gravel, no idiot drivers and suddenly being stuck on a freeway... You have to adjust to some pain in your wrist through vibrations though :)
Descending was a tricky one for me. On my first "fast" descent, my riding companion got so far ahead of me that I actually turned around to look for where they might have crashed. I found a great training descent that started off with a long, straight descent building into some sweeping turns, then into slightly more dramatic turns, and it really helped get my head in the game. Now if I only had the confidence in my ability to fix breakdowns and flats, I'd be golden. :)
Got it last year for the first time. Binned it at 50mph. Now I drag the brakes down the slightest of descents, to the point of it being ridiculous now. Even I know it was a fluke incident. Need to just relax and not tense up. The thought of it is making it a possibility. Light hands, on the drops, slightly out of the saddle.
Thanks for the video. I‘m still a little bit scared of descending on (partly) wet roads. On my MTB I would not even think about it but on the road bike with short wheelbase, steep angles, small brakes and no suspension it feels like there is very little margin of error.
Same for me, in fact 4 weeks ago I had a nasty crash on a wet corner during a descent. The corner was wide so I guess I overestimated the grip I was going to get, the front wheel washed out and in the blink of an eye I hit the road hard. With my MTB this wouldn’t have happened for sure, my 2,35” wide soft compound enduro front tyre can get grip just anywhere. The skinny 28 mm road tyre not so much…
My two biggest fears are getting hit by a car from behind, and having my rim brake cables snap or be too loose. For cars, Garmin Varia Radar brake light helps by alerting me of cars about to overpass on my head unit. But whenever I brake on a steep descent, I always imagine running out of stopping power - changing the brake cables regularly and having a bailout plan helps a bit.
I came off last year at 50mph on a descent. Speed wobble hit. Never had it before so had no idea what to do. All happened in a couple of seconds. Broke my pelvis, sacrum, ribs, hand and a collapsed lung. A week in a major trauma unit and now my confidence is shot to pieces on hills. I’ve had speed wobble twice since and I’ve realised it me causing it. I tense up and that induces the wobble. It’s going to take time but I’ll get back to what I was
You know what really helped me with decsending? An official race with closed roads on my local climbs. Usually I get scared at anything over 45km/h downhill, but on a race, I was trying to catch up, sure that no cars will run me over, I reached 85km/h and didn't even notice. I used the entire width of the road though, no way I could descend like that on open roads.
That gives me hope! My confidence normally begins to dwindle around 50 km/h and far less on unknown roads. But looking forward to driving on the Nurburgring next year and there you pretty much 'have to' go fast or lose lots of speed for the nasty climbs. Can't imagine going 80+ or around 100km/h like some madmen on that track.
What's scary is that we have laws here in Los Angeles, California that car drivers are to stay 3 ft away from cyclists...and they often don't. AND, if there is not a dedicated (official) bike lane, cyclists can have the first lane (near curb) and cars are to take the 2nd and 3rd lanes. Yet, I am constantly getting honked at because, even after 4 years on the books, car drivers still don't know this law, or, are wiseasses, who don't care to follow the it. This is still frightening to those of us out here riding our bikes!! I've had some even try to use their cars to run me off the road! You never know what to expect.
Super video! Great topic! Greatest fear = distracted/texting drivers and aggressive drivers because we have very dodgy cycling infrastructure in Canada.
Great video Conor and Manon. Biggest fear for me right now is riding in the traffic around the city. We have very aggressive and impatient drivers. I tend to stay on trails and roads with dedicated bike lanes. Too many times we get reports of cyclists being injured or killed. One fear that comes back to haunt me was my first big decent I did years ago. Thought nothing of it a the time but now and again I think about it and wonder what could have happened. Now I am more cautious. Great topic!!!
Spent a full year bike commuting for work in downtown Seattle. Dark, cold, constant rain, short steep ascents and descents, difficult road conditions (potholes, suddenly slick in spots), impatient unpredictable drivers: it was a tough learning curve on how to not get killed going to work. Been cycling since I was a child, so my bike handling is very good, and I got through the fear with experience, but it remains one of the most dangerous places for commuting cyclists. Also, I never got comfortable being clipped in -- tipped over more than a few times -- so I hung up the clipless pedals for good. Guess I never addressed that fear.
hi eimichselz, when i got my clipless pedals i put them on my bike and i took my bike to the kitchen. my kitchen is quite small so i had plenty of things to hold on to. i clipped in and out many many many times. ok ive got this not a problem. so i went for a test ride. the ride was 7.7 miles which was my distance to where i parked my bike at school. i took off got to my first stop and forgot everything i had been practicing. came to a stop and it was arty johnson on laughin falling off his tricycle. as i hit the ground both feet poped out of the clips. i was at an intersection with three lanes going straight two turning left and one turning right. all the lanes were full of cars. it was like i fell i slow motion. i felt like such an idiot but i was laughing. i got back on to continue my ride i road through that intersection and moved into the neighborhood streets. the next light i came to the same thing happened at least this time there were only a couple cars. i was crossing another pretty good size size road, again like three lanes going in both direction. i think there were only a couple cars at the intersection. again i fell and both feet popped out of the pedals at the same time. once again i got up off the road laughing. i got back on to continue my ride. i had a few intersections and a foot bridge to cross over the interstate. the next light was just ahead and it was another large intersection no bike lane. i got to it and i fell a third time. once again the intersection was just jammed with cars to watch me fall for a third time. when i got up this time i was laughing but not as hard as the first or second time. after that i road the rest of the way on my heals. the pedals remain on my bikes but ive never had my clippless shoes on again. i did try to make the clips as lose as i could but i just don't really feel very comfortable as i should. so theyre just a flat pedal to me. i still laugh about it from time to time when i think about arty johnson falling over on his trycycle. thanks for sharing. hope i made you laugh.
I’ve never been able to ride with no hands. Not as a child, and not now. When it’s time to take in some nutrition, I just stop by the side of the road. Of course, I’ve already gotten over my greatest fear, and that is riding itself! You see, I had a really bad crash as a child and had a complex fracture of both my tibia and fibula. It took me a while after that to get back riding.
Try yo use a easy gear in a nice and flat road, keep pedalling softly and you'll be able to ride with no hands. Then, you'll also be able to ride with no hands in mainly every terrain and without pedalling.
What gets me is the feel of safety in the descent like if it's too much speed that I go slow. And also when racing or competing the nervousness really gets my legs that makes them weak
Having happened upon a 120 kilo black bear that just waddled into the road on a descent near dusk, I've since decided that 40kph is more than adequate speed on any downhill. Brake pads are cheap; a new bike is not.
Scariest times on a bike for me have been... -riding through urban areas in the rain on my road bike. Slippery/oily roads, water-filled potholes you can't see, wet-painted road lines, limited visibility to drivers, less traction, water getting in your drivetrain...(I almost always wore a helmet before, but now I definitely wear one after I slipped and fell once and my head/helmet hit the ground...don't chance it, WEAR A HELMET). -getting caught in a hailstorm -riding through urban/suburb areas when the sidewalk/trail ends and you have to get on a road too small with the same amount of traffic as bigger roads -huge group/event rides around a bunch of inexperienced riders (they get to close and touch wheels and people start falling) -clipping in and out of the pedals (I avoid it and just wear flat shoes with no clips). -mountain biking up and down large hills with rocks/roots (I don't go mtb much, again wear a helmet to protect yourself from falling off the bike and low hanging limbs) -long descents on urban hills or long bridges with lots of seams and cracks in the pavement (super fast, >40mph and not much reaction time) -loose and aggressive dogs (I've been rundown by a pack of loose dogs and they latched onto me while I was still pedaling) -getting my bike stolen (I carry a heavy chain lock) -getting a flat tire (has happened several times to me and I have been able to fix them) -crossing rails when they aren't perpendicular to the road -around schools/colleges where there are either young drivers not paying attention or parents distracted with kids in the back, or kids walking into the street/path without looking -big trucks (lorries) passing on backcountry roads -new one for me is parts falling off my bike. I got a new 'gravel' bike a couple of years ago and it seemed every other ride, something would fall off the bike or the mess up. After having a MTB and road bike for 10 years with no issues, it was scary and discouraging to go riding for awhile. -lastly, riding with my wife. She's not a bad rider, but I worry about her with my other fears. Other than that, BiKiNg Is FuN!😂
I just recently subscribed today to your guys channel and I have a really nice Fuji Road Bike and I absolutely love my bike! I’m still working on being confident in myself while riding on the streets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States 🇺🇸! This TH-cam channel is definitely gonna help be more consistent, confident and make feel good about myself! And it will help me to become a better runner too! I’m glad I found this TH-cam channel
4:44 Manon: "It's also important to understand your skill level." this cannot be stressed enough. novice riders need to stay on the outside or back of the group on large (25+ people) group rides until they build confidence to ride in the pack. all are welcome but all need to pay attention and respect their fellow rider's safety and well-being.
Roundabouts. I got hit by a car on a roundabout in my early 20s. I was okay but the bike I was borrowing from my landlady wasn’t. And a couple of years back when I slammed the front brake (as other hand was signaling) and went over the handlebars when I thought a car that was bombing into the roundabout wasn’t going to stop. Luckily it did stop and I was able to get back up quickly. Pretty cautious on them now. I’ve never really done serious descents like the ones in this video, so those pointers are good to know. Thanks!
Awesome video, cheers :) I have a few fears when it comes to descending our local hills.. Namely cars & speed wobbles.. One of the main local descents is about 350m, windy with sweeping turns, & in the weekends can get quite busy with traffic going up & over into the harbour.. I don't want to be that cyclist that holds traffic up so i try to keep as left as possible, & lately that means cycling over snow grit which means im on the brakes more to keep my speed lower.. As for speed wobbles, on a different bike 8 months ago, i was descending the steeper side of the hill, a gradient of about -12% in some sections, & i got terrifying speed wobbles at 60kmh coming up to a corner, where my bike literally felt like it was made of jelly. I stayed calm & managed to regain control before i ran out of straight road, & then i just pulled over, had a deep breather, & a wee scream lol. But they were so terrifying that even though id injured my PCL in a mtb accident a few mths previous, when i got thrown over onto rocks. To this day im still far more scared of descending beyond 50-60kmh on a road bike than i am making a steep technical decent on a mountain bike.. I find now i ride with the top tube between my knees to dampen the frame, which seems to keep things stable, but i spend more time consciously avoiding speed wobbles than i do just enjoying the decent, something that i never had to think about with my aluminum frame..
Just being out on main roads is scary these days even with the new law changes in the UK. Seems to have got worse since the lockdowns. Other than that I’m fairly confident on a bike. Another great GCN video 😄
I think one of the greatest fear of many road cyclists is traffic, realizing how fragile you are on your bike when a 40 tons truck pass you very close.
The other day I tried to conquer a hill I found on accident with brand new smooth asphalt because it’s a new development in the area. Conquered the hill but then realized I had to go back down it. That was the first time I’ve ever hit 31 mph descending (according to Strava via my phone) but I couldn’t panic because I passed an attractive mom out for a walk and couldn’t show any weakness, then also remembered I still had peanut m&ms back at home. Worth it
I'm terrified of going fast downhill, even though I need the speed to get up the next hill. I'm on a three-wheeled bike because I'm disabled, do you have any tips for me?
Two comments: Did Manon say at one point in the beginning: 'afraid of big boobs'? I rewinded and i still heard it. Sure it was something else. 2. Every gcn movie needs to start with Manon's " start my engine" - actually... i would like to see that as a ringtone
I think it would be a nice touch if GCN noted where the video is recorded, whether in the UK or Europe. For instance, the fleeting clues in this video (the directional signs only visible for a second or two) suggest that this one was made in Southern Portugal.
I have a very hard time cornering . I’ve been working on keeping my eyes on where I want to be in the corner. It helps but I still slow down a lot . It’s something I have to keep working on.
Being hit by a car from behind. Having someone open a car door on me when I'm in the bike lane. Cars passing to close. These are my biggest fears, because like so many here I ride and train in the streets a lot.
It's funny because I'm not afraid of high speeds, riding close to other people or even doing some stupid tricks on the bike like wheelies or the superman pose. But I am afraid to ride without holding the steering wheel though. It's the sensation of letting go of the control over your bike which absolutely frightens me. I know you can still control your bike without your hands, but still it quite scares me... 😅
I've never been comfortable when I'm flying down a hill, in a group, when there are "tar snakes" on the road. Tar snakes are used to repair cracks in the road, in the same direction of the road. On hot days, the tar begins to soften, and your wheels get all squirrely, at high speeds. It's almost as bad as top tube shimmy.
I recently pedaled on my 1984 Bianchi superbike after 20 years of mountain bike and fat tire bike riding. The speed was INSANE for effectively little effort. It is still scary.
Hitting 52.1mph on a fast descent was probably the scariest moment on the road bike for me. I don't think I will ever try to hit that speed or try to top it ever. Just....not worth it haha Good for those who can do it all the time and go even faster like SAFA Brian :)
Where I reside there's little to no cycling lanes at all and so riding especially on highways is horrific due to reckless drivers who don't respect cyclists and pedestrians who keep hogging the road and crisscrossing every now and then.
Statistics say you are most in danger of a bike crash near your home. No matter your ride, you ALWAYS come home. Therefore, relative to the other parts of all your different rides, the roads near your house is where you ride most often. Probability says where you ride most often, is where you CRASH most often. It's that simple.
Talking about 50/60/70 km/h haha. I live in the flattest country on earth with open roads. We don't worry about speeds like that, because of our friend... the wind! All jokes aside, great tips, some are quite obvious if you think about it, but that's the thing, you need to be prepared.
I fear riding with riders that I don't know (even some of those I know). They do wacky things, like suddenly slow down without warning, overlap wheels of the rider in front of them, don't keep a steady pace, and don't respect traffic laws. I know my local guys, and who to give more space to, but one of my friends had a horrible crash when they were in a fast paceline. The rider in front suddenly backed off the gas. Tires rubbed and he went down. He had a concussion and the worst shoulder fracture the ortho had ever seen. Took a complicated surgery and over a year before he could return to work.
My biggest fear is a mate who does follow the wheel rather than the road. Nearly shunted me twice when something ahead gave me time to react, but not shout a warning.
cycling over high bridges with low railings scare the hell out of me especially if there are a lot of cars. i have even been known to hitch hiked over a few bridges. any advice on how to overcome this fear would be greatly appreciated.
Firstly I think there are 2 variables to consider. Fear of heights and fear of cars. I think the second one has to be solved first (and this one has nothing to do with the first variable.) Fear of cars will be present even if it's on low ground. More practice and better road skills/senses can lead to better outcomes. For the fear of heights, DIY 'exposure therapy' might help. I was able to do this to somewhat get better in this regard.
I am struggling with basic driving fear at the moment because I fell badly with my bike in January and fractured my pelvis and dislocated a shoulder. I couldn't walk for 4 weeks and had to use a wheelchair. Now I am back on my bike for 2 weeks - a new bike actually - and am feeling anxious before and while driving. Any idea of getting that traumatic fear in check? It really sucks because I have to prepare for a 300km race in 10 week, which I'm not even sure to become ready for in time.
I understand your situation. You now have to make your brain link bike riding to joyful moments all over again so it overcomes your recent trauma. I'd start by watching bicycle related movies, planning new routes to ride and maybe mixing pleasurable things along the way like eating a good meal or visiting somewhere special.. I hope it does help! 🙏👍
I've hit around 88km/hr or 54.6 MPH on a steep decent (Saphale Ghat, if you wanna Google it). My biggest fear was brakes wandering off, and me getting very less area to stop. Sometimes I feel my Triban RC 100 will snap into pieces when put under so much tremendous pressure 😬
When i started cycling as a youngster i had no fears what so ever, 38 years later i deciced to start cycling again. i feared standing on the pedals or riding with loose hands. one year on i lost the fear of standing on the pedals, loose hands not willing to do that, simply b/c i don't see the need for it. i just stop to eat. I am very aware that i am not 12 anymore. Now i'm just responsible
Part of cycling is just learning what you are and are not comfortable with - it's all about finding a balance. The important thing is that you're on your bike!
I wasn’t scared of anything on the bike until the first time I got a speed wobble. Now 60k/h is my top speed. No point going faster. No sense in trying.
Came off 8 weeks ago and still occasionally getting the jitters when out riding. Definitely not going as quick downhill. Came off on a roundabout and lost a lot of skin and bashed my hip so coming off at a higher speed is daunting. Suppose it just takes time.
Ah Simon, that does not sound fun! We hope you recover fully as soon as possible! We actually have a video coming out soon based on rebuilding confidence on the bike, keep an eye out for it!
Descended a 10% at 36mph yesterday but "Relive" recorded 211mph as it lost the GPS among the trees...... we were on the tandem, now I know why my wife was screaming at me!
My fear is falling 👀 I finally switched to a road bike and I went over a muddy puddle on a corner and went down in front of a bunch of people and have been hesitant since 😑
My biggest fear was to turn right at a junction, after I was knocked off my bicycle by a car cutting a corner at around 30 kph it took me a few weeks to get my confidence back and lose the fear of turning right at a junction.
I still have a fear on riding out of saddle when I need to pedal hard on uphill or building up speed.. I still cant perfect this skill cause if I attempt to do it, I almost lose my balance.
Cars! Cars - or more precisely - car drivers are by far my biggest fear when I'm on my bike. I usually get at least one or two scary close passes everytime I ride. I'd reckon that 90% of drivers are fine; 9% are careless/inattentive and 1% are genuine psychopaths who want to bully threaten and cause harm to cyclists. None of this stops me riding though!
Are there routes for the rides on the video? I am specifically looking for Manons Street/Corner at 4:13 :D (The algrave is kinda my Hometurf for Holiday rides)
Mine is going down one particular road fast. Used to go fast down it until I flew off my bike. Managed to pull myself back on and not crash but I'm not doing it again. On the other hand I'll go past 70 on another downslope. So it's probably really just that one hill.
My only fears will always be incompetent and inconsiderate drivers and especially where I'm from(SE Asia), motorcyclists as well... My first major fall and near misses where caused by drivers...
I nearly got hit by a car yesterday when I was riding home from work on a narrow country lane. The car pulled out of a driveway in front of me without looking and signalling. I just managed to swerve around it in time 😮💨
Well, if tree suddenly jumps infront of you when you're doing 60 km/h you're dead. By the way energy grows exponentialy with speed and also it's possible to calculate fall height with equivalent energy when hitting the ground. You don't want to do those calculations if your goal is to overcome fear... I on other hand like to be alive and in one piece.
I teach a group of teens how to commute more confidently using the streets in our city. One of my biggest pushes is that the most dangerous area is right by your home. It's familiar and most people's defenses are down. That's when you're likely to be in a crash.
Hi, mate. Did you know that your last name means "during" in Spanish? Have a good day and keep spreading your knowledge.
Where's the evidence to suggest this?
To DanMartin, et.al.: Mark is right because of statistics. No matter your ride, you ALWAYS come home. Therefore, relative to the other parts of all your different rides, the roads near your house is where you ride most often. Probability says where you ride most often, is where you CRASH most often. It's that simple.
Your so right ! Because once I get in real traffic , I am so careful and cautious.
One thing that fears me the most is being side swiped by those reckless drivers who don't give enough passing space on my left side and those drivers pulling wide trailers.
I got T-boned on my way to work this time last year. About a month later I back on the bike (SLOWLY). First time riding in traffic I was certainly a lot more wary.
Now I’m actually thank for that happened. I used to lane split and take in necessary risks. Now I don’t. Certainly a much more laid back rider in traffic now.
This just happened to me yesterday and the car bumped my arms but I did not fall. I was passing some pedestrians then boom I was hit on my left shoulders, stayed riding, then the driver just went on his ride. It was still scary though thinking about how it can get worse.
In all my years of riding, there was really only one period where I experienced fear, or rather psychological fear. After months of not being able to ride (work got in the way) I gained a significant amount of kilos. When I tried to ride up our local climb (400m elevation, 4-6% ave) I cracked, hard, in just about one KM in to the climb. I didn't bonk; i just couldn't make it up because of weight and lack of fitness. Because of that one incident, I almost completely lost my passion to ride. And whenever I did, I avoided climbs like the plague. It took 6 years before I could finally gather momentum and ride consistently each week to build my fitness back up and lose a LOT of weight, and though i'm not as lean or fit or as fast I used to be, I was finally able to ride back up that climb recently. As I sat on the ridge at the summit alone, it felt cathartic and I cried a bit. I was reminded of why I loved cycling to begin with.
Thanks for sharing this!
I road a bike for the first time in 10 years today and my heart was in my throat the entire time. I can't wait until I feel more confident. The idea of riding in the rain or with more than one other person is enough to make me not ride (at this point).
I've been riding for 50 years, no fear whatsoever, except... I was hit by a car three months ago, recovery has been long and painful. But I'm now back on my bike, legs are still doing great but the problem is mental... I now fear (I think so) cars, and spend my ride looking everywhere to prevent another issue. My rides are now mentally exhausting. Hope time will hep.
Same here. Just only 8 days ago I was wiped out by a Ford Ranger on a roundabout. Wrecked bike and sustained road rash and a badly sprained wrist. Still recovering now but you're right the mental side can take longer to recover
@@LUCYDIAMONDBOXER1 I wish you the best, but yeah takes time. Hang in there !
you were riding for 50 years and only had 1 accident with a car?
what about going mtb? no cars, wider tires, better brakes and suspension. just you and nature
@@SimonBauer7 , I was going to suggest Gravel. Both probably work well. Gravel is a little closer to road biking. I myself have switched to riding mostly Gravel, no idiot drivers and suddenly being stuck on a freeway... You have to adjust to some pain in your wrist through vibrations though :)
Descending was a tricky one for me. On my first "fast" descent, my riding companion got so far ahead of me that I actually turned around to look for where they might have crashed. I found a great training descent that started off with a long, straight descent building into some sweeping turns, then into slightly more dramatic turns, and it really helped get my head in the game.
Now if I only had the confidence in my ability to fix breakdowns and flats, I'd be golden. :)
Speed wobble, shimmy...the beast has many names. Once you meet it you'll never forget it
Got it last year for the first time. Binned it at 50mph. Now I drag the brakes down the slightest of descents, to the point of it being ridiculous now. Even I know it was a fluke incident. Need to just relax and not tense up. The thought of it is making it a possibility. Light hands, on the drops, slightly out of the saddle.
Had it once at 70 kmph. Completely changed my perspective about my Pinarelleo Dogma F12. Second life.
Thanks for the video. I‘m still a little bit scared of descending on (partly) wet roads. On my MTB I would not even think about it but on the road bike with short wheelbase, steep angles, small brakes and no suspension it feels like there is very little margin of error.
It's all about building confidence, Christian! We have a video coming up in a couple of weeks all about this topic, so keep your eyes on our channel!
Same for me, in fact 4 weeks ago I had a nasty crash on a wet corner during a descent. The corner was wide so I guess I overestimated the grip I was going to get, the front wheel washed out and in the blink of an eye I hit the road hard. With my MTB this wouldn’t have happened for sure, my 2,35” wide soft compound enduro front tyre can get grip just anywhere. The skinny 28 mm road tyre not so much…
@@iggalan I also find that the MTB is much more forgiving towards breaking too much. Maybe due to the suspension.
@@gcn That‘s great. In the dry, I‘m starting to feel at home on the road bike but in the wet it still feels a bit like on a razorblade.
The NHS is free, but teeth are not. No leaning on corners, and no warp speeds in the wet.
My two biggest fears are getting hit by a car from behind, and having my rim brake cables snap or be too loose. For cars, Garmin Varia Radar brake light helps by alerting me of cars about to overpass on my head unit. But whenever I brake on a steep descent, I always imagine running out of stopping power - changing the brake cables regularly and having a bailout plan helps a bit.
If you brakes are adjusted properly, your more likely to throw a disc pad.. But I'm no down hill demon..
Wife finding out how much your bikes really cost.
Just stay single or divorce
@@jeremyemilio9378 true. I think the bike industry has got more expensive than divorce in the last two years 😄
just hope the wife doesnt know how to google
Partner sells your bike for how much you told them it was worth.
Great video. Mine is fear of cars! I’m working on this through finding safer routes and times to ride and learning tips on safety.
I came off last year at 50mph on a descent. Speed wobble hit. Never had it before so had no idea what to do. All happened in a couple of seconds. Broke my pelvis, sacrum, ribs, hand and a collapsed lung. A week in a major trauma unit and now my confidence is shot to pieces on hills. I’ve had speed wobble twice since and I’ve realised it me causing it. I tense up and that induces the wobble. It’s going to take time but I’ll get back to what I was
😔I'm so sorry about that. That's a major psychological trauma. Its going to take time to heal.
I had it once ,while decending a long decend at 70kmph. Narrow escape . Death wobble. Scariest thing in cycling. What is wrong with your bike ?
You know what really helped me with decsending? An official race with closed roads on my local climbs. Usually I get scared at anything over 45km/h downhill, but on a race, I was trying to catch up, sure that no cars will run me over, I reached 85km/h and didn't even notice. I used the entire width of the road though, no way I could descend like that on open roads.
Closed roads with no cars do tend to make you feel safer
That gives me hope! My confidence normally begins to dwindle around 50 km/h and far less on unknown roads. But looking forward to driving on the Nurburgring next year and there you pretty much 'have to' go fast or lose lots of speed for the nasty climbs. Can't imagine going 80+ or around 100km/h like some madmen on that track.
Thanks Conor and Manon...stood in the rain !! Potholes and punctures are in my head ...
I really like the fact that you treat these fears as perfectly normal. Which they are. Big thumbs up for the attitude, GCN!
What's scary is that we have laws here in Los Angeles, California that car drivers are to stay 3 ft away from cyclists...and they often don't. AND, if there is not a dedicated (official) bike lane, cyclists can have the first lane (near curb) and cars are to take the 2nd and 3rd lanes. Yet, I am constantly getting honked at because, even after 4 years on the books, car drivers still don't know this law, or, are wiseasses, who don't care to follow the it. This is still frightening to those of us out here riding our bikes!! I've had some even try to use their cars to run me off the road! You never know what to expect.
Thank you GCN crew for all the knowledge you have passed on to all of us. Cheers and Happy St Pats day!!!
Cheers, you too!
Super video! Great topic! Greatest fear = distracted/texting drivers and aggressive drivers because we have very dodgy cycling infrastructure in Canada.
Great video Conor and Manon. Biggest fear for me right now is riding in the traffic around the city. We have very aggressive and impatient drivers. I tend to stay on trails and roads with dedicated bike lanes. Too many times we get reports of cyclists being injured or killed. One fear that comes back to haunt me was my first big decent I did years ago. Thought nothing of it a the time but now and again I think about it and wonder what could have happened. Now I am more cautious. Great topic!!!
As a 68 year old with arthritis, it is impossible to do the peek over the shoulder. Rear view mirrors are essential.
Spent a full year bike commuting for work in downtown Seattle. Dark, cold, constant rain, short steep ascents and descents, difficult road conditions (potholes, suddenly slick in spots), impatient unpredictable drivers: it was a tough learning curve on how to not get killed going to work. Been cycling since I was a child, so my bike handling is very good, and I got through the fear with experience, but it remains one of the most dangerous places for commuting cyclists.
Also, I never got comfortable being clipped in -- tipped over more than a few times -- so I hung up the clipless pedals for good. Guess I never addressed that fear.
hi eimichselz,
when i got my clipless pedals i put them on my bike and i took my bike to the kitchen. my kitchen is quite small so i had plenty of things to hold on to. i clipped in and out many many many times. ok ive got this not a problem. so i went for a test ride. the ride was 7.7 miles which was my distance to where i parked my bike at school. i took off got to my first stop and forgot everything i had been practicing. came to a stop and it was arty johnson on laughin falling off his tricycle. as i hit the ground both feet poped out of the clips. i was at an intersection with three lanes going straight two turning left and one turning right. all the lanes were full of cars. it was like i fell i slow motion. i felt like such an idiot but i was laughing. i got back on to continue my ride i road through that intersection and moved into the neighborhood streets. the next light i came to the same thing happened at least this time there were only a couple cars. i was crossing another pretty good size size road, again like three lanes going in both direction. i think there were only a couple cars at the intersection. again i fell and both feet popped out of the pedals at the same time. once again i got up off the road laughing. i got back on to continue my ride. i had a few intersections and a foot bridge to cross over the interstate. the next light was just ahead and it was another large intersection no bike lane. i got to it and i fell a third time. once again the intersection was just jammed with cars to watch me fall for a third time. when i got up this time i was laughing but not as hard as the first or second time. after that i road the rest of the way on my heals. the pedals remain on my bikes but ive never had my clippless shoes on again. i did try to make the clips as lose as i could but i just don't really feel very comfortable as i should. so theyre just a flat pedal to me. i still laugh about it from time to time when i think about arty johnson falling over on his trycycle.
thanks for sharing. hope i made you laugh.
A lot of these issue come downs to not looking down/close but as far ahead as possible. Gives you space to assess and avoid panic
Barranco do Velho/Querença - Algarve - Portugal. Thank you for your videos in my "backyard". Come back whenever you can. The doors are always open.
I’ve never been able to ride with no hands. Not as a child, and not now. When it’s time to take in some nutrition, I just stop by the side of the road. Of course, I’ve already gotten over my greatest fear, and that is riding itself! You see, I had a really bad crash as a child and had a complex fracture of both my tibia and fibula. It took me a while after that to get back riding.
Try yo use a easy gear in a nice and flat road, keep pedalling softly and you'll be able to ride with no hands. Then, you'll also be able to ride with no hands in mainly every terrain and without pedalling.
What gets me is the feel of safety in the descent like if it's too much speed that I go slow. And also when racing or competing the nervousness really gets my legs that makes them weak
Having happened upon a 120 kilo black bear that just waddled into the road on a descent near dusk, I've since decided that 40kph is more than adequate speed on any downhill. Brake pads are cheap; a new bike is not.
Scariest times on a bike for me have been...
-riding through urban areas in the rain on my road bike. Slippery/oily roads, water-filled potholes you can't see, wet-painted road lines, limited visibility to drivers, less traction, water getting in your drivetrain...(I almost always wore a helmet before, but now I definitely wear one after I slipped and fell once and my head/helmet hit the ground...don't chance it, WEAR A HELMET).
-getting caught in a hailstorm
-riding through urban/suburb areas when the sidewalk/trail ends and you have to get on a road too small with the same amount of traffic as bigger roads
-huge group/event rides around a bunch of inexperienced riders (they get to close and touch wheels and people start falling)
-clipping in and out of the pedals (I avoid it and just wear flat shoes with no clips).
-mountain biking up and down large hills with rocks/roots (I don't go mtb much, again wear a helmet to protect yourself from falling off the bike and low hanging limbs)
-long descents on urban hills or long bridges with lots of seams and cracks in the pavement (super fast, >40mph and not much reaction time)
-loose and aggressive dogs (I've been rundown by a pack of loose dogs and they latched onto me while I was still pedaling)
-getting my bike stolen (I carry a heavy chain lock)
-getting a flat tire (has happened several times to me and I have been able to fix them)
-crossing rails when they aren't perpendicular to the road
-around schools/colleges where there are either young drivers not paying attention or parents distracted with kids in the back, or kids walking into the street/path without looking
-big trucks (lorries) passing on backcountry roads
-new one for me is parts falling off my bike. I got a new 'gravel' bike a couple of years ago and it seemed every other ride, something would fall off the bike or the mess up. After having a MTB and road bike for 10 years with no issues, it was scary and discouraging to go riding for awhile.
-lastly, riding with my wife. She's not a bad rider, but I worry about her with my other fears.
Other than that, BiKiNg Is FuN!😂
100%
I just recently subscribed today to your guys channel and I have a really nice Fuji Road Bike and I absolutely love my bike! I’m still working on being confident in myself while riding on the streets of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States 🇺🇸! This TH-cam channel is definitely gonna help be more consistent, confident and make feel good about myself! And it will help me to become a better runner too! I’m glad I found this TH-cam channel
4:44 Manon: "It's also important to understand your skill level."
this cannot be stressed enough. novice riders need to stay on the outside or back of the group on large (25+ people) group rides until they build confidence to ride in the pack. all are welcome but all need to pay attention and respect their fellow rider's safety and well-being.
Good topic, well done video as always. Manon is great.
Roundabouts. I got hit by a car on a roundabout in my early 20s. I was okay but the bike I was borrowing from my landlady wasn’t. And a couple of years back when I slammed the front brake (as other hand was signaling) and went over the handlebars when I thought a car that was bombing into the roundabout wasn’t going to stop. Luckily it did stop and I was able to get back up quickly. Pretty cautious on them now. I’ve never really done serious descents like the ones in this video, so those pointers are good to know. Thanks!
Filmed In Portugal. Nice. More stuff like this.
Quick question, how to overcome the fear of over exerting yourself while in zone 5 HR?
Outstanding, you covered my exact fears!!!!
We hope you tackle them!
Awesome video, cheers :) I have a few fears when it comes to descending our local hills.. Namely cars & speed wobbles.. One of the main local descents is about 350m, windy with sweeping turns, & in the weekends can get quite busy with traffic going up & over into the harbour.. I don't want to be that cyclist that holds traffic up so i try to keep as left as possible, & lately that means cycling over snow grit which means im on the brakes more to keep my speed lower.. As for speed wobbles, on a different bike 8 months ago, i was descending the steeper side of the hill, a gradient of about -12% in some sections, & i got terrifying speed wobbles at 60kmh coming up to a corner, where my bike literally felt like it was made of jelly. I stayed calm & managed to regain control before i ran out of straight road, & then i just pulled over, had a deep breather, & a wee scream lol. But they were so terrifying that even though id injured my PCL in a mtb accident a few mths previous, when i got thrown over onto rocks. To this day im still far more scared of descending beyond 50-60kmh on a road bike than i am making a steep technical decent on a mountain bike.. I find now i ride with the top tube between my knees to dampen the frame, which seems to keep things stable, but i spend more time consciously avoiding speed wobbles than i do just enjoying the decent, something that i never had to think about with my aluminum frame..
Just being out on main roads is scary these days even with the new law changes in the UK. Seems to have got worse since the lockdowns. Other than that I’m fairly confident on a bike.
Another great GCN video 😄
I think one of the greatest fear of many road cyclists is traffic, realizing how fragile you are on your bike when a 40 tons truck pass you very close.
Nice Portuguese scenery! Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Don't be scared/conscious to wear gear to be seen on the road by drivers. Stealth look is stealthy to a driver's observations.
Cool he won't harass me then. Sometimes not being seen is better
The other day I tried to conquer a hill I found on accident with brand new smooth asphalt because it’s a new development in the area. Conquered the hill but then realized I had to go back down it. That was the first time I’ve ever hit 31 mph descending (according to Strava via my phone) but I couldn’t panic because I passed an attractive mom out for a walk and couldn’t show any weakness, then also remembered I still had peanut m&ms back at home. Worth it
Team Manon!!! Love her.❤
4:20 gradually speed up from 50, 60, 70
I don't fear the speed, but I'm struggling to even get a 40kph on a -1° road 😅 I'm slow af
Keep at it, you'll get there! It's all about dedicated training 💪
I swear to God I'm 10kmph slower in winter 😀
Biggest fear is simply suffering a mechanical miles from home as I live alone in east of Scotland and have no one I can call for help if I’m in a jam.
Agreed...
I’m scared on switching to cleats. Still a beginner rider. Haven’t even considered a group ride
Just go for it. It's one of the best feelings riding clipless.
I'm terrified of going fast downhill, even though I need the speed to get up the next hill. I'm on a three-wheeled bike because I'm disabled, do you have any tips for me?
Two comments:
Did Manon say at one point in the beginning: 'afraid of big boobs'? I rewinded and i still heard it. Sure it was something else.
2. Every gcn movie needs to start with Manon's " start my engine" - actually... i would like to see that as a ringtone
I think it would be a nice touch if GCN noted where the video is recorded, whether in the UK or Europe. For instance, the fleeting clues in this video (the directional signs only visible for a second or two) suggest that this one was made in Southern Portugal.
I have a very hard time cornering . I’ve been working on keeping my eyes on where I want to be in the corner. It helps but I still slow down a lot . It’s something I have to keep working on.
miss timing the run and being at out at school run time watching out for those 4x4s in a rush, now that is scary
Being hit by a car from behind. Having someone open a car door on me when I'm in the bike lane. Cars passing to close. These are my biggest fears, because like so many here I ride and train in the streets a lot.
Same here.
It's funny because I'm not afraid of high speeds, riding close to other people or even doing some stupid tricks on the bike like wheelies or the superman pose. But I am afraid to ride without holding the steering wheel though. It's the sensation of letting go of the control over your bike which absolutely frightens me. I know you can still control your bike without your hands, but still it quite scares me... 😅
Same
I've never been comfortable when I'm flying down a hill, in a group, when there are "tar snakes" on the road. Tar snakes are used to repair cracks in the road, in the same direction of the road. On hot days, the tar begins to soften, and your wheels get all squirrely, at high speeds. It's almost as bad as top tube shimmy.
Good one! the only thing I would've added, riding in rain and wet road conditions.
Great point!
Quite a few fears ,traffic riding in a group makes me nervous also taking my hands off the bars, I feel I’d lose all control of the bike
I recently pedaled on my 1984 Bianchi superbike after 20 years of mountain bike and fat tire bike riding. The speed was INSANE for effectively little effort. It is still scary.
It's that rolling resistance and aerodynamics! We hope you enjoyed it, none the less! Sounds like a very nice bike indeed!
Hitting 52.1mph on a fast descent was probably the scariest moment on the road bike for me. I don't think I will ever try to hit that speed or try to top it ever. Just....not worth it haha Good for those who can do it all the time and go even faster like SAFA Brian :)
U guys r such an inspiration 😊
I'm a bit scared in very stiff downhill, specifically - 18 gradient above, I usually push my bike
Where I reside there's little to no cycling lanes at all and so riding especially on highways is horrific due to reckless drivers who don't respect cyclists and pedestrians who keep hogging the road and crisscrossing every now and then.
Statistics say you are most in danger of a bike crash near your home. No matter your ride, you ALWAYS come home. Therefore, relative to the other parts of all your different rides, the roads near your house is where you ride most often. Probability says where you ride most often, is where you CRASH most often. It's that simple.
Talking about 50/60/70 km/h haha. I live in the flattest country on earth with open roads. We don't worry about speeds like that, because of our friend... the wind!
All jokes aside, great tips, some are quite obvious if you think about it, but that's the thing, you need to be prepared.
I fear riding with riders that I don't know (even some of those I know). They do wacky things, like suddenly slow down without warning, overlap wheels of the rider in front of them, don't keep a steady pace, and don't respect traffic laws. I know my local guys, and who to give more space to, but one of my friends had a horrible crash when they were in a fast paceline. The rider in front suddenly backed off the gas. Tires rubbed and he went down. He had a concussion and the worst shoulder fracture the ortho had ever seen. Took a complicated surgery and over a year before he could return to work.
Knowing how to ride in a cohesive group is a very important skill to have, for sure!
Slick ice was my fear. I got studded fat tires. Solved!
Wow, i've never go cycling on ice.
Does it feel cool though🤔
@@hackerhacker3667 HA! It's always cool to pedal on ice! Sometimes cold! 😁😁😁
My biggest fear is a mate who does follow the wheel rather than the road. Nearly shunted me twice when something ahead gave me time to react, but not shout a warning.
cycling over high bridges with low railings scare the hell out of me especially if there are a lot of cars. i have even been known to hitch hiked over a few bridges. any advice on how to overcome this fear would be greatly appreciated.
Firstly I think there are 2 variables to consider. Fear of heights and fear of cars. I think the second one has to be solved first (and this one has nothing to do with the first variable.) Fear of cars will be present even if it's on low ground. More practice and better road skills/senses can lead to better outcomes.
For the fear of heights, DIY 'exposure therapy' might help. I was able to do this to somewhat get better in this regard.
I just started cyclingin London. I'm terrified making right turns across traffic.
I am struggling with basic driving fear at the moment because I fell badly with my bike in January and fractured my pelvis and dislocated a shoulder. I couldn't walk for 4 weeks and had to use a wheelchair. Now I am back on my bike for 2 weeks - a new bike actually - and am feeling anxious before and while driving. Any idea of getting that traumatic fear in check? It really sucks because I have to prepare for a 300km race in 10 week, which I'm not even sure to become ready for in time.
I understand your situation. You now have to make your brain link bike riding to joyful moments all over again so it overcomes your recent trauma. I'd start by watching bicycle related movies, planning new routes to ride and maybe mixing pleasurable things along the way like eating a good meal or visiting somewhere special.. I hope it does help! 🙏👍
I've hit around 88km/hr or 54.6 MPH on a steep decent (Saphale Ghat, if you wanna Google it). My biggest fear was brakes wandering off, and me getting very less area to stop. Sometimes I feel my Triban RC 100 will snap into pieces when put under so much tremendous pressure 😬
Saphale Ghat looks like a pretty fun descent!
I think one of Manon's fears could be. Having to do a shoot were she and Conor swap bikes again. But this time. Conon is riding El Alto.
night riding, at least here in australia, lots of wildlife im worried about, still have totally overcome it
At least the magpies are asleep at night
When riding on someone else's back wheel, you need to know and have a lot of trust in the rider in front before you even think about trying that.
Speed wobble! that is what you should make a video about next time
thanks manon.
When i started cycling as a youngster i had no fears what so ever, 38 years later i deciced to start cycling again. i feared standing on the pedals or riding with loose hands. one year on i lost the fear of standing on the pedals, loose hands not willing to do that, simply b/c i don't see the need for it. i just stop to eat. I am very aware that i am not 12 anymore. Now i'm just responsible
Part of cycling is just learning what you are and are not comfortable with - it's all about finding a balance. The important thing is that you're on your bike!
Since breaking both collarbones.. my confidence hasnt come back.. took me quite some time to function normally again in day to day life..
Amazing that you've recovered! We hope you get riding again soon! 💪
I wasn’t scared of anything on the bike until the first time I got a speed wobble. Now 60k/h is my top speed. No point going faster. No sense in trying.
It certainly can be quite scary feeling the speed wobble!
@@gcn Do one more video about speed wobble. I had it once in my F12 . Scariest moment of my life.
My biggest fear : kids on a bike trail doing all sorts of unpredictable things like sudden stops and u-turns.
Came off 8 weeks ago and still occasionally getting the jitters when out riding. Definitely not going as quick downhill. Came off on a roundabout and lost a lot of skin and bashed my hip so coming off at a higher speed is daunting. Suppose it just takes time.
Ah Simon, that does not sound fun! We hope you recover fully as soon as possible! We actually have a video coming out soon based on rebuilding confidence on the bike, keep an eye out for it!
What scares me most on a bike are clearly cars.
I'm scared about scratching my paintwork 😅
Dats how i feel bout my new bike
Descended a 10% at 36mph yesterday but "Relive" recorded 211mph as it lost the GPS among the trees...... we were on the tandem, now I know why my wife was screaming at me!
My fear is falling 👀 I finally switched to a road bike and I went over a muddy puddle on a corner and went down in front of a bunch of people and have been hesitant since 😑
My biggest fear was to turn right at a junction, after I was knocked off my bicycle by a car cutting a corner at around 30 kph it took me a few weeks to get my confidence back and lose the fear of turning right at a junction.
You read my mind.
I still have a fear on riding out of saddle when I need to pedal hard on uphill or building up speed.. I still cant perfect this skill cause if I attempt to do it, I almost lose my balance.
Cars! Cars - or more precisely - car drivers are by far my biggest fear when I'm on my bike. I usually get at least one or two scary close passes everytime I ride. I'd reckon that 90% of drivers are fine; 9% are careless/inattentive and 1% are genuine psychopaths who want to bully threaten and cause harm to cyclists. None of this stops me riding though!
Are there routes for the rides on the video? I am specifically looking for Manons Street/Corner at 4:13 :D (The algrave is kinda my Hometurf for Holiday rides)
Mine is going down one particular road fast.
Used to go fast down it until I flew off my bike. Managed to pull myself back on and not crash but I'm not doing it again.
On the other hand I'll go past 70 on another downslope. So it's probably really just that one hill.
Close calls like that can ruin your confidence on a particular stretch of road
My only fears will always be incompetent and inconsiderate drivers and especially where I'm from(SE Asia), motorcyclists as well... My first major fall and near misses where caused by drivers...
Decending fear #1: going faster than what a bicycle can actually handle. So how fast can a bicycle safely go with a 175 pound rider?
I’ve overcome clipping on and off my pedals in traffic and uphills
Nice work!
I was once a downhill devil. But I got traumatized because of a stupid motorcycle driver. I crashed and now I am so slow on downhill.
When following the wheel don't look at the wheel, if anything watch the seatpost.
I nearly got hit by a car yesterday when I was riding home from work on a narrow country lane. The car pulled out of a driveway in front of me without looking and signalling. I just managed to swerve around it in time 😮💨
Well, if tree suddenly jumps infront of you when you're doing 60 km/h you're dead. By the way energy grows exponentialy with speed and also it's possible to calculate fall height with equivalent energy when hitting the ground. You don't want to do those calculations if your goal is to overcome fear... I on other hand like to be alive and in one piece.
Just got a power meter. Scared to do a FTP test. I think the virtual FTP from my rollers might have been massaging my ego a bit
But it doesn't change your riding - just a number.
@@grahamaustin9085
....... These go to eleven
th-cam.com/video/4xgx4k83zzc/w-d-xo.html
Living in Brazil the main fears are: robbers and mad drivers. 😥
those two :) ♥
Ride to the level of your smile. 🚴♀️😃
I was scared before when i tried riding my bike in main roads with lots of cars now its like a walk in the park
Im really scared of going outside biking because i live in the city right outside our house is a crossroad hehe