lack of confidence

I've read all the posts and there's some good advice. It seems like your putting pressure on yourself, expectations from others when leading a group, trying to keep up with other riders. Try not to worry about others and concentrate on enjoying yourself and ride for you.

 

Hi Lucas. Firstly, sorry to hear about your ills etc and your lack of confidence.
I got back on two wheels a couple of years back after a 20 something year lay off when I took early retirement.
Boy was I shocked how hard to was get back in the groove I used to be in. I never was a knee scrapper but I was more than confident to make what could be called 'adequate progress' most of the time.
When I got my toy a mate of mine who was a Police Class 1 car and bike instructor helped me get most of my mojo back with patience, time and practice and it paid off. Now at an age where Mrs Al reckons I'm a total nut job (62 this year) I'm back to my old ways but these days tempered by age and sense.
I don't know about the Police courses over the border but our guys in Cumbria do them (Bike Safe) like quite a few other areas in England do, but as your an IAM Green Badge holder, (I only have a car badge), I'm quite sure someone at your local branch will help out for the price of a cuppa and bacon roll or two.
Hang in there chap, I'm sure you'll get there.

 

Hi Lucas. Due to illness (atrial fibrillation) in 2012, and the subsequent adverse effects of beta blockers, plus then suffering a TIA, aka mini stroke, I have only managed to cover some 1700 miles by bike since. Consequently I seem to have slowed down more than somewhat. Do I care? Do I f**k!
In your area you have some of the finest motorcycling roads known to man. I know this because SWMBO and I would borrow her sister's static caravan located in Dalbeattie and spend many happy hours enjoying the quiet roads and the scenery through which they passed. These roads are ideal for riding along quietly, getting your confidence back whilst no-one is looking, and pressure on you is nil! Steady away will see you right. Just beware of the kamikaze deer up there - two tried it on with me, but I was too good for 'em!! Just!! Yorkshire sheep can be just as bad, and there are more of them which helps sharpen up one's reactions.
Oh, and if it reassures you, I turned 65 last September, and so am officially 'old'.

Go out and play ... you know it makes sense.

Sadly, I can only seem to manage a couple of hours riding per day - after that I'm pretty well knackered. Beta blockers do seem to sap one's stamina. Or perhaps I should just try harder.

 

Steve, you are a proper star

 

Steve Thanks for that it has made me feel much better

 

Hi Lou, I hope somewhere in many replies you have found an answer or two and will so be well on the way to regaining your mojo.
It's just a random thought so please don't take offence but, could it be that you are psyching yourself because of ?????
If so the only way to beat it is to is to blank it out or better still get rid of whatever negative vibe is bugging you.
The next time you get the chance to go out on your beasty try going back to basics, (Road Craft), instead of psyching your self out by worrying about ?????. I found that riding to the IAM System even though I'm not a Green Badge rider, helps a lot, even doing a verbal commentary, (shh don't tell), helps me concentrate on my riding and so my riding improves and therefore so does my confidence.
Be lucky and stay upright.

 

I do aim to please.



Trouble is, I'm such a lousy shot!!!

 

When i feel low or i have pain i always look that there are people in this world far worse off than me so make the very best of it like you have well done Steve.

 

Thanks, Peter. A good sense of humour seems to help ... mostly!

 

And you have it in spades

 

Hi Lou,That sounds good, i could get down there for about 10ish,,forecast for wednesday morning is sunny

 

Such great camaraderie on here...it`s very humbling to see. We are unique in what we do & human kindness still exists out there, as this post shows......Top dog!!!!

 

Like my 68 year old father has always said; "You meet a better class of people on motorcycles". For the most part that is entirely true and is a point quickly reinforced by reading many of the car forums...

 

I Lou new boy Ted here.
I was really interested in reading your thread having just joined the forum because at 65 I am not that much younger than you so I think I have some understanding of how you are feeling. However unlike you I gave up on Sports bikes years ago so well done you for riding them for so long. Again probably unlike you I could wear the T shirt that states the older I get the faster I was. Amongst all the bikes I have owned over the years I have owned 5 Blackbirds but in the end I decided I wasn't using the power and I now ride 1200GS because it makes me feel that I am going fast when I am not really. These days I really do like to take in the beauty of where I am riding through rather than getting my knee down. That's not to say I am a Summer only rider because wrapped up I have some great Winter rides.
However I do think that it is important to ride as much as you can because it is so easy to lose your confidence. I know if I do have a period when I don't ride for a while I begin to question the wisdom of riding my bike again and what could happen if I do. Several of mates no longer ride bikes because of that. The biggest fear I have is when the day arrives when I cannot ride my bike and I dread that day ever arriving.
I,ve always been a big TT fan and even marshalled last year and every year I go I regret never having the bottle to do it but at least I am still riding a motorcycle so I am proud of that.
So in conclusion Lou keep getting out there doing it and even if you wished you were quicker at least you know that you were and your at least still doing it.

 

The older I get, the faster it feels, but the slower it is!

Ferkit!!! At least I can still get out there!! No doubt there will be a time .......

 

I've been riding bikes since I was 13, I'm 56 now & although I'm still in my mind fit & kinda healthy, I am NOT looking forward to the day I hang up my gloves.