Building up the confidence tips?

[carriusmaximu...]

So I'm a 30 yr old woman...who's always been a put it off till later kinda gal. I don't drive as I was just dreadful when learning and gave it up pretty quick. I have always always wanted to ride never wanted to drive.

But i always put it off. It was a pipedream. Fast forward to now.
Took my CBT on a 125 scoot....need the road experience and all before I start on the gears.
Been on it for 6 months and I am so proud of my confidence now. I would say I'm at 70% confident careful rider 30% still a bit of fear.

I have rode in every weather you can imagine and on all types of roads my L plates will let me.

I am also going for geared lessons and test.

But I am still utterly afraid of going for a ride on any journey or route I do not know. And I hate to admit it but i'm billy no mate's. I do not know a soul who rides. when I past a group of bikers or scooterists off on a ride together it takes a lot to not tag on the end and hope they don't notice

Does any one have any advice to overcome this?

[Meatybeaty]

Join your local area group on BCF, and join them on rides ,when you've got a few more around you it gives you confidence

[davebike]

There are riding groups on Meetup.com don't know you area but in London we have two big groups running events every weekend riding with others will help to build confidence
Some training schools also arrange social rides but I guess this is rather rare
There are numerous biker meet type places like cafe's ride to a planed location and home write you route out and tape to the tank

All the best confidence comes with riding
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[andyscooter]

according to your location you are right by me

I will go out riding with you I will even take my 125 so you wont get left behind

I know the area quite well and ride all over

I also used to run a club that had a load of l plated riders we managed to take them all the way up to derby and back
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Teflon-Mike]

If I read it right, you have two confidence issues; 1/ Riding Confidence on 'unfamiliar' roads; 2/ 'Social' confdence / Anxiety - ie meeting people.

Let look at that one first; Bikes are a mode of transport.. significantly 'personal' transport, that usually only carries the rider, and at most, one passenger. Riding bikes is not inherently a social activity!

You want to meet people, go to a club.. you want to meet other bikers? Well, if you are mad enough to want to, you'll probably fit right in... we tend to be a bit eccentric!

But, split it out of the equation; you dont have to socialise with other bikers to ride bikes! And if you are shy about talking to us? Well, we are obviously utterly mad, or we wouldn't be riding bikes to begin with; and dressed to ride, we obliviously are a bit 'strange', aren't we? I wouldn't want to walk up and start talking to me!

But? We're only 'folk' and daft buggers in the main, who at the least,share a common interest... so if you are deranged enough to want to socialise, go to a meet or three! Cant tell where abouts exactly you are from your profile; dot's somewhere around Evesham? The weekly Warf meet might be local enough to you; chck the face-book group; (I've pm'd you link to the Warks & west-Mids rider's group that do the Warf, as starting place.)

Turn up, have a drink; look at the bikes, and don't be shy! Talk to people! If you are looking at a bike that looks nice, and you don't know what it is, ask who-ever is stood nearby! That sort of thing. Most will be only to pleased some-one has talked to THEM!

It's a well kept secret, but most folk at meets are all billy-no-mates, in the same boat!

We have all bored our family, friends, work-mates and any-one else we know, to tears talking 'bikes', and been kicked out into the world to go bore other bikers instead, and stand around looking at the bikes, wondering what to do, too scared to talk to any-one, hoping desperately some-one will talk to US!

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/10610746_840106979347554_1982267892771077332_n.jpg?oh=3055be7deecedf01a04b2dc18374fbc4&oe=57766FDA

That's the Basset's Pole Tuesday meet, which is one of the largest gatherings in the country, and look at 'em all! Hundreds of billy-no-mates all desperate for some bike-chat!

They're just like you.. MAD! And plenty turn up on scooters, monkey-bikes, C90's! Even, (shhh) cruisers!

Go say hello, if you feel you have to socialise with other nutters now you have helmet hair!

So, onto the riding confidence.. don't sound like a problem to me!

Unfamiliar roads are unfamiliar roads! You SHOULDN'T be too 'confident' on them!

Turn the notion on it's head; what is giving you the confidence on familiar roads? THAT for too many rider's is usually 'the problem'; familiarity breeds contempt; and thinking they know what to expect, they ride into trouble that they DON'T expect...

My advice, is go get lost.... go find some unfamiliar roads.. ride'em, don't be scared, just recognise that the lack of confidence is 'caution' and paying attention to hazards.. learn to apply the same 'caution' on the roads you ARE familiar and comfortable with!'cos THEM is the ones that will more likely catch you out!
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[M.C]

You're best riding with one other experienced rider (assuming they're not a serial killer), riding in a big group isn't confidence inspiring.

If you commute on the same roads you can become overly familiar with the hazards (which can be a bad thing), so it's always worth slightly changing your journey, or going somewhere new for a ride.

Sunday mornings and bank holidays are best, as most muggles stay home as they can't go shopping so have nothing else to do.

[Rogerborg]

[Teflon-Mike]

Group-Rides? Riding 'buddies'? As a learning / confidence building exercise? NO! Just no.

As a newb, avoid group-rides. - All-Comer groups tend to be of mixed ability, and you tend to get a fair few clowns playing to the crowd; the group can put peer-pressure on you to keep up; and 'banter' can be demoralising / deflating f you are a bit 'coy'.Its not a great environment to get your confidence up.

Smaller groups / riding buddies can be a bit friendlier; but all down to the group and individual's levels; again, can be pressure on you to keep up or ride above your ability, but the larger concern is that you don't really know whether they are actually very good and doing stuff 'right'!

Even if they are apparently pretty experienced! There's plenty of very experienced numpties out there!

And you are as likely to pick up 'bad' habbits from them as good, or try 'cloning' their riding style, which may work and possibly even work pretty well for them, but you aren't them, and you aren't riding thier bike; what they do, may not be so great for you, on your bike on the same bit of road, let alone anywhere else, you might try it.

ALWAYS Ride your own road, like its the 1st time you have ridden it!

And if you need 'tips' go to a pro; go have a lesson. Chap ought to know their shit, and be able not just to ride 'properly', but 'teach' you how to ride properly, and explain why to do it like that, not just show you how they do it.

Riding with groups or mates can be great fun; BUT, if you want to build riding skill / confidence, go get lessons. Do the group & buddy rides 'just' for the fun, when you HAVE the confidence, not just in yourself, but in your riding mates too!
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Teflon-Mike]

[carriusmaximu...]

I am loving the idea of getting a map taped on my scoot. I have a 12 mile ride to work every morning and evening. Given the advice you have all suggested I just looked up some various routes. So this week I will randomly change it up a bit. on the way home from work though I reckon so I'm not rushed.

I can completely understand how familiarity can lead to being to being too comfortable to see hazards. And I really do not want to become the kind of person who only rides in an area they know.

I am on a 125 scoot at the moment and live in Redditch. Not too sure of what's around me riding wise.

I am however taking my first lesson on a geared bike next Sunday. This is in a different town so Hoping this will help a little.

[CKBear]

I would just book a day off work, and just ride. Pick a destination you kinda know and head there, taking the long way around. Group rides can be intimidating, so solo rides are good for confidence. We are all still learning. I will often pick a stupidity long way home after work, just to try out new things.

[notbike]

Buy a satnav, then get a blow-up doll and strap it to the passenger seat of your bike. Bingo, now you know where you're going and you're technically not alone!

Jk jk. Join a local riding group (quick google search) or go to one of BCF's meets in your local area.

[carriusmaximu...]

Alas couldn't find a blow up doll......but I did take a random route home today.

By stroke of fate a regular road I used was closed. So I just winged it. Turns out for a non driving human I know my way ok. And I loved it.
Even ended up on a particular island I know most people avoid.
Felt pretty happy when I got home. May try getting lost tomorrow too!!!

[Pigeon]

[M.C]

[rubyhorse2]

half the fun of going for a ride is finding new places, i dont get these people who ride out to the usual places every bloody ride.

Maybe i'm antisocial but the last thing i want to be doing is talking about bikes in a carpark with people i dont know. I tend to ride on my own, i do go to some places like rivington, but i usually just pop in for a coffee break rather than sit all day chatting with people.

just get out and ride, your confidence will build a lot, even find some roads you like and ride them for a while. dont worry about getting lost, you'll always get home..eventually.

Also, riding at less busy times helps when your starting out. Taking a day off work and going for a blast cant be beat.

[notbike]

A really good satnav app is "Waze" btw if anyone needs a smartphone gps app. It's bloody great when I don't have my TomTom on me. Surprisingly accurate in tracking compared to other apps. I've had issues where it doesn't quite tell you where to go quick enough and you end up going past your turn, but this one is bang on time.

[Andy_Pagin]

Good way to get experience of taking routes you don't know is to go shopping. Instead of going to the local Tesco, pick one in another nearby town and go there instead.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Ribenapigeon]

Nobody in my social circle rides motorcycles they all think its too dangerous. I quite like the fact you can just chat with someone you meet when you park up. Its just light social contact nothing expected of each other. I regularly chat with a dozen or so other riders but dont even know their names.

[M.C]

[Ribenapigeon]

[carriusmaximu...]

I'm liking the take a day off work suggestion.
Although I would have to convince myself to not play on my ps4 all day haha.

Well I just rode home ....in a hail storm!!!! Talk about learning experience.

And I also went home a different route. I was planning to go a new way today anyway So had a mooch last night. Glad I did as it took 10 mins off my journey. With the hail I was grateful.

So onto my next query. Gloves! My fingers are cold on a normal day but today was insane. Thing is I had kiddie sized hands. And tried on a pair in so many bike shops. But they are always too big no good for when I need to use my indicators.

Does anyone know anywhere that does kiddie sized stuff? Small just doesn't cut it.

Thanks for all your help so far. Really has helped me so much

[andyscooter]

I also have small hands I wear xs gloves

Most places don't keep them so find some you like then order off the net

This is what I have to do
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[andyscooter]

I also have small hands I wear xs gloves

Most places don't keep them so find some you like then order off the net

This is what I have to do
____________________
gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet