How To Deal With Fear On The Dirtbike
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2021
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Fear is a natural emotion that we all experience at some point in our lives, however, we all have different emotional responses to it. Some of us are thrill seekers and find fear in certain situations to be fun and exciting. Others will avoid fear inducing situations at all costs because no matter the situation, it’s unpleasant for them.
Dirt biking is an extreme sport with some level of risk, no matter what your level. The reality is that everyone will experience some level of fear in the process of progressing on the bike. The question is, how do we deal with that fear and move to the next level? There’s no simple answer to this, but I can tell you how I personally deal with it.
Fear is there to protect us. The key is to learn to differentiate between a valid fear and something worth brushing off and powering through.
The first thing I do is analyze the situation. What about this scenario scares me? Am I afraid because it’s something new to me that I don’t understand? Am I afraid of failure or being perceived as a bad rider by others around me? Or am I afraid because I genuinely can’t visualize a positive outcome?
Don’t let fear keep you from trying something unless it’s the last reason I mentioned. If the situation is new and unknown to you, stop and scope it out! If you’ve never ridden over a log before and one day you see one on the trail, watch your riding buddies hit it and give it a try. Or get off your bike and take a closer look I do it all the time when I’m not sure about something. There’s a first time for everything. Don’t let the little fears hold you back!
If you come across an obstacle or section and you truly can’t picture a positive outcome no matter how you look at it, that’s when you should take a step back. This isn’t giving up. It just means you’ll come back to it when you’ve got more skills and experience, or simply when you’re feeling more confident.
So I’ve developed a system. I like to think the system helps keep me safe. First step is what we talked about above. Analyze and decide if the fear is rational or not. Can I do this with a relatively low chance of injury? Can I visualize a positive outcome from this? If yes, move on to step 2.
Step 2: Don’t over think it. If you’ve made to decision to move to step 2, you’re going for it. Start a 5 second count down in your head. Once you’ve started the count down, there’s no going back. Giving yourself these 5 seconds and committing to it is a great way to practice facing your fears. It’s important that you don’t back down once you get to the count down. Keep the system intact. If you always stick with it, you’ll learn to know and trust it. If you commit to this in your mind, you’ll learn to accept fear as a challenge (under the right circumstances), and move forwards with your riding.
Meg is the quintessential dirt biker. Always friendly and willing to share her knowledge. Her ability to communicate in a meaningful and articulate quality is unsurpassed by even the best content creators. Her videos are informative and entertaining. Frankly, it would be really an experience to ride with her.
Dave! You’re too kind! Thank you 😊 🙏.
What a bright, beautiful, articulate, mature, great teacher and person, thx Megs !!!
Tim Adams Thank you Tim! That means a lot!
Just started riding at 55 years old , still acting like I'm 25, Your channel is the best I have found , keep up the good work !!
Oh my gosh, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you, Megan! 50 year old gal here, just started last summer and I'm HOOKED. As an older beginner (and a former horse rider and risk taker), I seriously value you and the other professionals out there that offer these videos. I appreciate your professional approach and that you show your struggles as well as successes. This one was simple yet profound... thank you.
Thanks a million Julie! Your kind words and support are very much appreciated! I’m always happy to help :).
As someone who only recently within the last month got into riding dirtbikes, at age 30, I've gotta say your videos have been game changing for my riding ability. Every ride I go out I can see a positive change just from implementing all the tips and instructions I've learned from watching your videos. I just wanted to say thank you for all that you do to help people become better riders! Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels.
Very unexplored topic. Thank you, I think it will genuinely help me.
Taras P You’re very welcome!
Great advice Megsta, I'm 63 And been riding All My Life And I'm still learning All the Time, that's The good thing about dirtbikes, Braaaap from Australia
🤟
Thanks Brandon! Keep on ripping!
Hey bro I rode for 25 years then lost my legs in a bloody work accident and had to learn to ride again on prosthetic legs. I was scared of jumping after the accident then one day I came over a rise at about 110 n she lifted n landed so popped over to a shirt track of small ass jumps kept popping it over the jumps went Upto the bigger jumps n so on. I’m building a wr450f and today I received my entry and number for the finke desert race.
If you think you can,
Or think you can’t,
Your right.
Im not scared of dying,
Im scared of not living.
I woke up four years ago in icu at rah. I looked down n both legs were gone. They said I’d walk again I said yeah to my bike…
I hit a high voltage powerline when my boss raised the platform of a scissor lift into it. I took 19,000 volts 3 times over 11 seconds.I bled out a few times in surgery of which I had about 25… this June I race the finke. My bike does 180klmh and I’m in a good running to beat Toby price. The organisers didn’t have a choice but to let me in. It’s not about me. It’s about everyone seeing my disabled body beat Australia’s best. It’s about the message the fans will get. It’s about the racing….
Your only disability is your own mindset.
Good onya mate.
Great subject, Megs, and awesome of you to share the process of how you approach these situations! Ride hard, but ride safe!
Haven't even told my mom/cousin this but 2yrs ago when we were riding, I came out of a corner(done it 50 times before) and the bike grabbed traction and pulled up on me, it happened so fast that I ended up doing a superman and landing head first. It hurt me pretty bad(no neck brace) and I haven't riden since(dirt bike, I ride street all the time).
I'm scared plain and simple.. it was just a regular wreck but it put me back 5 yrs... I looked your channel up again to learn some new tips and try to bring myself to ride my KTM400 this summer.
Have fun, good to know you are still here... ty for listening, be safe
Been riding over 22 yrs now, and she just nailed it wen it comes to overcoming fear. Great job Megs! Greetings from Portugal!
I like this channel so much, thank you Megs!
You are an amazing person and good rider! 👏👏👏👏👏✊🏼✊🏼👍
Thank you!
Currently healing from destroying my ankle, first serious dirt bike injury for me
Maybe 2 months away from riding again the excitement is building but so is the fear of doing it again..multiple surgeries,stuck in hospital for 2 weeks, 3 months no weight bearring. I can't go through this again!
Won't quit my hobby though no matter how many people I know tell me to quit, I will ride again! albeit slow to start with
I'm really glad to hear that you're almost recovered from that! That's a nasty injury! That will certainly leave you with a bit of a mental block but I'm sure you'll push past it. Like you said, start slow!
The advice here is so applicable to all aspects of life, not just dirtbiking.
Thank you for this insights. Really enjoy you videos and stunned by the sheer force of you joy doing this sport.
You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave a comment! Every little bit helps :).
This is not a dirt bike lesson - this is a life lesson :)
I really like your thoughtful approach of processing your fear and visualizing a positive outcome. I’m gonna try it 👍✌️
Dirt Zen I hope it helps!
The world needs more of you.
This is great content. Have been riding on the road for three years and dirt bikes for this long occasionally. I learned from this video! Still young rider but I would have liked to watch even sooner! Thanks for posting.
thank you. I love your way of seeing it.
Tks for the content. Congrats!! I am following you from Brazil. Love motorcycling, off road or in road. Drove from Brazil, to Ushaia, to Alaska in one of my bikes. Your content is great!!!
Such a great view about being “comfortable” when a uncomfortable situation on the bike arises...
I was so intent on watching how you were going to stand the bike up, get back on it and going again @2:10 that I had to go back and rewatch your system for counting down from 5. It is definitely worth listening to!
Thanks for the tips, you're an awesome rider and youtoober!
I pretty much lost my mojo a few years back and I'm afraid of almost everything out on the trail it seems after being plowed into by a 4wheeler coming around a corner, broke my neck, bike and confidence! I'll be 60 this year so I'll probably just settle for putting around the mountains. Gotta say I just cringe thinking about people flying around blind corners like I see on TH-cam, sometimes I wish trails were one way!
Keep up the good work and be careful!
That's a very good lesson, thanks and you keep up
Just started riding dirt bike at 52 and short. Love your content. Thank You
This is a good topic
Nice video Megs! Just dealt with this the other day on some trails, I’ll try to put your advice into practice next time
Great video Megs! If you can't see it happening in your head, it probably won't go well in reality.
Great video Meg!❤
Well said, This applies to more then just dirt biking.
Very inspirational and totally accurate! Thank you!
You are awesome megs! ❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing some advice and thoughts about fear. I used to be a mountain biker but I had terrible anxiety. I was given meds the other day and much of my anxiety is under control. I'm ready to give adventure riding a try on my Africa Twin and I feel a bit more confident thanks to my medication.
Thanks for another great video Meg
It's my pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Great advice! I think similarly, but never tried the 5 second rule. I'm going to start using that. THANKS!
Awesome! I hope it helps. I originally started doing it when I was cliff jumping into lakes and creeks. Once the countdown starts, there’s no wussing out!
You're the best Megs!
LCARS ADV ☺️🙏 Thanks for the support!
great advice love the idea of 5 second countdown. thx going to try this.
Love your videoes!!
You seem the same size as me , seeing you kick ass make me think yeah, I might not be that good but maybe someday get closer.
I'm 52 and bought my first a week ago. I ride. As I can in the day and watch your videoss at night.
I have a lot to learn, but never been happier doing so!!
Love you for this ..
Nice video, you are attacking things that many other riders don't talk about. Enjoyed the video!
Awesome! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Great video!
Extremely informative
Wonderful content - your words matches with riding and living, too! Keep healthy and braaaap on! THX from Germany! 🤝😋
@MegsBraap... WELL DONE 🏁
Excellent !!!
Thanks so much I mean it this work all the way just thank you
Thanks Meg, I got a Husqvana FE450 about a year ago. Unfortunately because of lockdown I’ve only been able to get out twice on it. But I did notice two things, firstly I’ll never be able to ride this bike to anywhere near it’s full potential and I’m comfortable with that. Secondly, fear is holding me back... I’m 58 tomorrow and I don’t bounce like I used to and it takes a lot longer to recover. It’s my head that is stopping me. I’m going to use your techniques from this vid (and many others you’ve kindly shared over the years) to get on top of my head. I like the countdown idea.
Kind regards from England 🇬🇧
Your video Skills have become Superb. Really enjoy them.
WFO Dave Thanks Dave! These ones take a long time to film but they’re my favourite to make for sure .
Big yes I agreed with that i love 💕 It
I needed this as a newby 💕💯👍
Happy to help!
I'm sure everyone has heard this before but when in doubt throttle out. As soon as you feel a slight loss of balance. Hit that throttle! Saved my ass quite a few times lol. Good video👍
Thank you so much this realy helped me to start going forward and actually riding for the first time☺️
I’m so happy to help! Good luck with your riding!
My first ever thing I cleared as a new Mx racer was a triple it was a steep face but pretty easy once u do it but I. Have a small track in my front yard with jumps and that given me confidence
Lucky for me in my younger riding days, really nasty situations happened so fast once in a while, I made it with out having time to get scared. One thing about dirt bike riding; It teaches you how to make really fast decisions when needed.
I wrecked by locking up my front wheel and high siding on a low speed maneuver. It was also 5 minutes into the ride. Pretty damn embarrassing but man I'm glad I went and kept riding. Still had a ton on fun
good advice
My problem is after breaking my wrist its much easier to visualize the negative outcome too. Because now it’s real the possibility of getting hurt again is more of a reality in my mind
Awesome words and mindset :-)
Thank you
Happy riding!!!!!🤠👍
Fear of ridicule was the first one as a female rider; back in 1990s riding with guys; since then I had to overcome many other fears; I'm now stuck to the one; downhill, gravel and or rocks, with nothing in between the road and yuppieeee, nothing else for about 200 m; I'm terrified; logically I know I can easily do it if I could just imagine that there isn't a drop
Good speech
great tips
The biggest problem is that You can think and analyse million times but sometimes fear just takes a control over your body and reflexes and You can not do what You are supposed to do in the critical situation. That is why You have to be 120% technically ready to perform, because while in fear You will loose those 20% )
Good words
👍😎 Sound advice
snow has pushed me into a different riding area .... lots of long steep climbs and knife edge ridges .... and they scare the crap outta me! but I'm trying a little more each day .... and I will definitely try the five second challange
Nice! I know what you mean when you say the snow has pushed you to a different riding area. The same thing happens to me every winter in Canada. I also end up spending more time in gravel pit areas with big sketchy hill climbs that scare me. It's so good for your riding though 👍🏻.
I tried to wheelie a small 8” lip onto a wooden bridge on a trail and ended up overdoing it and the front tire didn’t come down, then I lost traction and slid out and off the bridge backwards... that really phased me and I realized I had no idea how to ride on wood!! Now I understand that those pallet obstacles in hard enduro races are WAY harder than I thought! Especially when wet!
Anyways, point is... Your advice is well received here... more thinking and analyzing on my part needs to be done. It’s not that the obstacle is that hard but I scared myself out of trying again for a year out of fear when I should have just had a simple “pause and think” approach to new obstacles.
ill have to share this with my girl friend she is a very capable rider but will mess up on one thing that day and let fear eat her up the rest of the day
Kameron Leitzel For sure! A lot of people struggle with this. I feel like women are more prone to it because we tent to overthink things a little more than most men. I hope this helps her :).
I have no fear on my 400ex but Ive only ridden my bike (or any bike for that matter) once since acquiring and restoring it and the only thing that scared me was turning I had to take the widest turns because I felt like I was going to fall/tip over, more so scarred of trashing my newly restored than hurting myself, so I was dabbing at all times, once it gets warmer and I got a place to ride I definitely have to practice
Love this episode. Also what helmet camera mount do you use in this video. Looking for a chin clamp for my Mx helmet. Ps thanks for all your content 🥰
I’m glad you liked it! The helmet mount is made by SoPro Mounts. You can order them off their website.
Thats some dirtbiking philosophy right there
Perfect / been at a block !!!
☺️👊
I've had my first dirt bike (2023 Honda CRF250R) for about 2 weeks now. I think part of my issue is just making myself be okay with taking the time to get used to being on two wheels that I don't pedal. I've fallen off due to whiskey throttle twice, and still haven't even gone into second gear. I know the protective gear I have is good, helmet is ece rated, hopefully the elbow and kneepads I have ordered will help with my confidence levels as well. I probably just need more seat time in general. I also have the ECU on the "calm" setting for now.
Awesome advice! Love the shot of you flying through the half pipe. Looked like you had a case of the zoomies! LOL
KsOutdoorSports Hahaha the zoomies. I like that 😂👍. Thanks for watching!
My fear is the slow wheelie. I can wheelie at speed to clear g-outs and ruts without evening thinking about it. However, the slow wheelie always has me thinking I'm going to loop out. Ugh.
That’s going to come down to building putting the front end down with the back brake into a habit and eventually an instinct . Once that’s instinctive, the slow, 12oclock wheelies are suddenly a lot less scary and intimidating.
@@megs_braap Thanks. Part of my problem is I don't even understand how to stay on the bike and cover the rear brake pedal. I keep trying to build the skill so I can eventually do a proper pivot turn but I'm no where close currently.
Great advice, I have just discovered your videos and I love them, I'm so jealous of that track lol - is it at your property Megan??
Hi Meg, my name is Cláudio, I'm from Brazil. Congratulations on your videos, I have learned many techniques from you. I have a question, don't you wear shoulder or elbow pads?
superb tip thanks
You're welcome!
Okay what do you have to say about fear and no health insurance? I need a true answer
I would like to say that I mostly agree with you but would like to emphasis two points. For most all but the top 5 percent or better of trail riders a recluse is likely to allow you to ride faster and more difficult terrain. Second as far as a recluse slowing someones progression with clutch control you could say the same thing about tubliss or soft compound tires keeping riders from learning traction control. Most any rider is going to put the effort in to learn what is important to that rider.
My fear on dirt bikes is running out of energy.
I've been on quite a few group rides, with riders well beyond my skill level and fitness.
I start to run out of energy, make a mistake and drop the bike, losing more energy.
I then have less energy and therefore make more and more mistakes until I'm absolutely exhausted.
Yet, I can't turn back home, as there are other riders waiting for me.
It then becomes embarrasing them waiting for me so much.
Hi love the video.wanted to know about tip.of fear after injury.long time after injury.when in dought i close the throtle.
Or sit down when its not mandatory
Which is problematic.
Been racing for 8 years and still pretty slow. I can never get over the fear. I've also never broke a bone racing
Can apply that to life outside of bikes too. Thanks
Definitely!
Nice video. Can you do a video on washing your bike and boots. Oh and a video on hand gards.
Always amazes me that people give "thumbs down" when someone is trying to help people out.
Not only that, but then offer nothing. Trolls.
I am scared because is going to fucking hurt & bikes are expensive to fix. I have found I crash & fail more when I become fearful. I love the buzz of being scared to it definitely gets the blood pumping
I took a bad crash about a year ago, haven't found the courage to get back on the saddle and I really want to get back into it...
Nice
Darnit, now I'm afraid of girls as well!😉👍
If you're actually sporty about all this fear never goes away. The possibility of being mangled beyond recognition is always in the cards. You should always push your speed so that your fear never quite goes away. This will make you a much better rider. Avoiding fear will make you a much worse rider. In that case, you're miles ahead with the video game.
I disagree that the possibility being mangled beyond recognition is always in the cards. This has to do with extreme risk taking, which no one should do if they value their lives. Both the reckless rider and I will get to the same destination, it's just that I will get there in one piece and I may even get there faster because I won't have to spend months recovering :-).
@@FlameHazeist You will never get there before me... And possibility and probability are two different things. It's always in the cards but rarely happens, so full throttle
@@johncamara1650 I think I'm on my way to getting past you 😉. I'll let the videos on my channel speak for me. I've never ridden a dirt bike prior and the hill where I succeeded on my second try was on my second day of ownership.
@@FlameHazeist I was top 10 in the ECEA district when the top 4 were factory riders. Our top guy, Mike Lafferty, won 8 national championships. I will drop the fastest guy you ever met in two turns. Dreaming is free, reality costs.
@@johncamara1650 Good luck with that. I have 5 years of sim racing experience. Once I'm past the engine break-in period I'll be flying before you know it.
I’m scared to go fast on the track and trails. I’ve only been riding for a couple months, but I feel like fear is the only thing holding me back. How can I counter that?
i think the best way is to just train your ability to controle your bike. once you trust yourself you can brake and controle your bike in any situation, you will feel more comfortable going faster
Hay man I brought a yz250f and I'm terrified should I sell it, wat ate some tips on riding safely
The superior with girls teaching is that they can talk about things like this that we all experience. Dudes are to afraid to admit that on a video. This is things I need to hear even that I'm a dude. And girls have a way of not taking them self to serious. Yes, I'm bias since I'm blessed with two daughters. :)
My way to get over fear before hitting a massive triple or something like that is just pin it and screw it It’s worked for about 7 years so ima stick with it
im a new rider thanks
I usually close my eyes and send it.
....and taking baby steps