Regaining confidence?

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After decades of riding and a lot of it riding like an idiot I’m so lucky to have never had a serious injury.
The awareness of how easily a potentially debilitating crash can happen has had me riding pretty mellow the past several years.
Can’t ever be without a bike though if for nothing else but coffee shop runs.

 

[dtridess]

Honestly, just start super small - empty parking lot, short rides… confidence kinda sneaks back once your body remembers what to do.

 

[stratslingr77]

I don't really care that the bike drops, it's just the fact that I need help getting it back up. I've cobbed together a self rescue lifting jack, it's crude but light and it works. I actually found that riding with this little thing helps with the mind f**kedness .

If I may...consider looking at this from a risk management perspective. Acknowledge and come to terms with the fact you need help getting your bike up off the ground and apply mitigation factors to higher risk activities. In plain English, that means bring a riding buddy when you go off-road and communicate with your buddy beforehand that you'll need help getting the bike picked up in the event of a drop. No big deal. Limit your solo rides to the pavement.

 

[ThumperX]

Good advice, but I live part time off 1/2 mile steep greasy dirt road.
As soon as the county removes the access the road will be graded and gated but in the meantime I have got to get my mind right. FWIW the drops all happened at 0mph. @N4teTheGreat picked that bike up both times frankly I'd be surprised if he'd even want to ride with me.
One issue that contributes is the 5 gallon fuel tank. Keeping it at 1/2 has helped a lot with slow speed drills.

 

[Cabrito]

Seems like the Unicorn just might too big for you at this time. Also, this 'issue' is living rent free inside your head. Maybe it's time to talk to someone? If you're having PTSD about riding you might try some EMDR to try and get over it. EMDR worked for my PTSD after my big Baja crash.

I'm kind of going through some of this with my 1090 being just too big for me so I'm selling it to my nephew. My next bike might be just as heavy but a little different.

 

[ThumperX]

The Unicorn is tiny. Riding the bicycle has helped a lot. The 40lbs of fuel is a bit much for the geometry of the bike. Keeping it to 3 gallons has helped a lot.

Just was updating the thread. The issue is 100% in my head. I have implemented a lot of what Enchanter, Holeshot and TZRider suggested.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Good advice, but I live part time off 1/2 mile steep greasy dirt road.
As soon as the county removes the access the road will be graded and gated but in the meantime I have got to get my mind right. FWIW the drops all happened at 0mph. @N4teTheGreat picked that bike up both times frankly I'd be surprised if he'd even want to ride with me.
One issue that contributes is the 5 gallon fuel tank. Keeping it at 1/2 has helped a lot with slow speed drills.

I never mind picking up people's bikes, it's good practice for when I eventually drop one of mine

 

[Cornfish]

I live in the mountains, and typically have at least a few months each year where snow and ice prevent me from riding. Because of the weather, each spring is kind of like starting over. My approach is to take it easy, but focus on all the inputs. I make sure I am not ignoring the rear brake, work on clutching and rev matching, and panic braking to a stop. Riding dirt bikes really got me in tune with my rear brake, which is obviously key in panic braking situations. I also put a lot of thought into line selection, turn in points, and being smooth with the throttle.

It sounds like some of your physical issues are contributing, good for you on coming up with a device to help lift your bike! I'd imagine having your body not cooperating is a big factor in your confidence. Candidly, it sounds like you are doing all of the right things. While I agree saddle time is important, I would suggest not feeling like you have to put in massive time. They say it is better to practive everyday for 15 minutes than spend two hours once a week when learning to play a musical instrument. I have found the same to be true with riding, whether it is cycling, dirt or street. Maybe come up with a 20-30 minute route from your house that incorporates equal parts fun, and moderate challenge? It doesn't need to be crazy, but if you make time everyday to ride, the familiarity will come back.

Good luck getting it all dialed back in!

 

[Eric B]

I always help folks pick up their bike. It can wear a person out and that contributes to more mistakes potentially.

 

[CDONA]

Last one I picked up was a 900 Guzzi,
We were out on a test ride, one of the ride managers lost it,
to the point of breaking his leg, from a stop sign.
He crawled off the road, resting on the sidewalk, downtown Laughlin, in front of the Pot shop.
The tour stopped, Police on the scene.
It wasn't a collision, just a drop, bike all unloved laying there, I can still pick up a 900.
We made it all of a block from our start.

That Unicorn isn't a small bike, for the displacement, I found it too big to carry in my rig,
and almost as heavy as my Triumph.

 

[Holeshot]

I'm bumping this thread. The reason is to comment that the bicycle is really helping with confidence, especially in some semi gnarly off-road situations. I'm still struggling with tight right hand turns and I can 100% say this is a mind not a physical issue.

Additionally , concentrating on balance at home through Yoga and various other PT exercises really clarifies the right leg seems to dominate my entire being

Are you left handed? You could have a cross dominance going on where your left upper body is stronger than the right. I'd guess the right hand turning issue is related to what's going on with your inner elbow; usually a stiffening of the elbow as support from (perceived) "falling over". One trick you already know is slow, pursed lip breathing. Maybe that's what's going on?

Balance: I had some leg inequalities too. I went to single leg Romanian deadlifts (with Kettlebell) and it's cleared most of it up, quickly. Surprised at how large the imbalance was. Worth I shot, IMO.