How do improve confidence?

[hellenbackagen]

I bought a road bike to commute to and from work . And the gear. I look the part alright!

But I'm such a shit cyclist! I feel so unbalanced I can't signal so I have
To stop to cross roads. I can't look behind me. I can't take one hand off the bars or I feel unsafe.
I'm probably dispraxic anyway and my balance is shite. The road bike position feels so unbalanced!

My commute is 7 miles . All uphill one way and down the way back. It's on windy little backroads where people come way too close and I get quite scared. I'm wobbly and not fast.

I want to persevere so much and I've been doing a 9 mile circuit down unused roads . But I may as well just commute and get my exercise that way. I'm just so scared! I get so nervous before I ride.

I feel like the road bike was the wrong choice but it cost a lot and it's all I have.
How do I get better at this?

[SarahBeeney]

My local council do one to one cycling lessons,for free! Might be worth looking to see if there are any schemes in your area?

[Beargrin]

It's going to sound obvious but just keep going! I was exactly the same and now I'm fine
I know you e said you're stuck with the bike but could you maybe borrow a hybrid off of someone to build your confidence first?

[hellenbackagen]

Sadly seems nothing in my areas . My dp is a very experienced cyclist but too impatient to help. He just overtakes me and is gone.

I'm about to start my commute again and I'm terrified.

[hellenbackagen]

No other person I know commutes by bike so no borrower options!

[hellenbackagen]

Thank you tho for replies!

[lljkk]

I feel very tsk tsk @ your unsupportive partner. You're not hopeless, you just need more experience. A local cycling club with an 'easy riders' section for Sunday club runs would help you a lot. Can you share what your nearest big city is?

[Neighneigh]

If it's basic skills, these do come with practice but you could find an empty car park on a Sunday afternoon and ride around there a little. On the roads though, take a good defensive stance and don't ride in the gutter. I usually ride to the right of a double yellow line, that's about a good distance from the kerb. When you look behind you, keep your chin down. But have fun, I miss commuting and was so fit from it. Keep practicing and it will come.

[hellenbackagen]

Well I'm going to try again when I'm slightly different shifts as they are less busy traffic wise.

I'm back in gym the days I'm not commuti by bike. I do like riding my bike I'm just so wobbly and I'm scared of traffic, hills, right turns, left turns.....everything really!! But I'll persevere. !

Partner really couldn't cycle with me he is almost professional level and to go so slow would irritate and take him twice as long.

I wish I'd got a hybrid tho . I need wider handle bars to get where I can signal without falling off.

[Neighneigh]

Ha well tell your partner I've been lucky enough to ride with Sean Kelly, and if he can ride on the road with a load of non pros, anyone can. Perhaps he just needs to remember about riding a bike, not being a racer

[TheLongRider]

Seconding the recommendation to find cycling classes near you.

I find to maintain your balance on the bike, you need a strong core. To be able to take one hand off the handlebars to signal takes practice. If you try stabilising yourself by bracing your stomach muscles you'll find it easier.

Practice taking one hand off the bars when you're on a straight road with good visibility, just freewheel and gently take one hand off, you don't have to wave it around just off the bars. Get used to the feeling. Practice looking around you in the same situation. It's actually quite difficult to crash a bike!

Straight handlebars on a hybrid won't make a difference. If you're really wobbly get a bike fit. If the bike is too big you may feel unstable.

BTW your DH is an arse! I've ridden against pros and that doesn't count for shit when it comes to bike skills. If he gives you some time and encouragement now you'll get better quicker.