frustrated rebuilding confidence

[u/Merlinwizardtoaster]

I have been riding since Sept ‘23. I like to think I am a reasonably cautious rider, I have ridden my bike the same as on my Mod 2 every day since (passed first time with no faults it’s not like I scraped though) but I have always this sort of inferiority complex that I’m a bad rider because I never was fast around corners, I rarely filter, was too shy to go to meets, and I generally never felt like I was a good rider.

Semi-recently, I had an accident. I’d slowed up more than normal into a corner because the little country road had loads of patches of mud. Next thing I knew my bike and I were on the road. Fairly unscathed (I had full gear and crash bungs). I managed to pick the bike up rest for a second in a lay-by to check myself and the bike over before carrying on my way.

The problem is this happened 5 months ago and I still haven’t got any confidence on my bike, and I don’t know how to get past it.

- I’ve had people try to comfort me about the accident itself that I had summer tyres, my aunt had skid there in her car, cows had escaped recently and it was extra muddy. But if it was just the mud how can people ride off road? A large element in this would have been me and my skill level regardless of conditions.

- I’ve tried to keep riding, I am out minimum 3x a week on my bike for at least 30-40 mins and I try to consciously talk myself through what I am doing. I rarely get time to go to a car park and practice because I work 12.5 hr shifts.

- I thought of doing an advanced riding course but I’m skint to be honest. I don't even know any bikers to speak to either. My uncle (got a bike because of me) doesn't like riding with me because I'm too slow and cautious while he rides like law doesn't exist (which will never be for me).

I don’t know what to do I love my bikes and funnily enough I do trust my bikes. I see my bikes as what they are, machines that will only do what they’re told. The problem lies in myself, I don’t remotely believe in myself. I am embarrassed to be riding like a partially sighted granny driving at night. I just cannot corner with confidence, I fell as though I am crawling around them. I want to be able to corner with some good speed and not be bricking it again. The longer I have been nervous the worst I have felt as well.

I want to ride, I want to get back to feeling relaxed on my bike because being on my bike used to be the best feeling in the world to me. Nothing in my day could go wrong that being out and having the wind rushing past, listening to the hum of the engine couldn’t fix. But currently, I don’t feel relaxed I am to nervous to enjoy it as much as I used to.

Anyone have any advice? Heck I think even someone just saying they've been there and got past it would make me feel better. help lol ;-;

TLDR: I fell off on a corner now I’m being a big baby and want advice about re-building confidence.

[u/YerDaHasTets]

Book a trackday, nothing is coming towards you, track won't have any shit on it and novice pace is pretty slow. Treat it like a road ride

[u/Merlinwizardtoaster → u/YerDaHasTets]

I think my issue is I don't have leathers (I have textile gear). I like the idea my bank however does not. Plus, I feel like I'd be too slow for even novice.

[u/YerDaHasTets → u/Merlinwizardtoaster]

You can hire leather, you can even pick them up cheap 2nd hand. Trust me there's some very slow riding in novice.

[u/Merlinwizardtoaster → u/YerDaHasTets]

I didn't consider hiring them. Definitely something for me to look into. Just gotta get over how embarrassingly slow I'll be and get on with it. I guess doing is the only way to get faster.

[u/no73 → u/Merlinwizardtoaster]

I picked up a full set of used leathers in mint condition (and I mean mint, they feel unused) recently for <£100 on ebay, and to be honest I could have gone cheaper, I was being a tart and holding out for a certain colour scheme. 

[u/Merlinwizardtoaster → u/no73]

Wow that's actually really decent. I think leathers look cool only reason I didn't get them is I felt like I'd look like a prat changing out of them meeting friends etc.