File :-(, x, )
Overcoming Fear Anonymous
On a rainy day a couple of years ago, I took a roundabout far too quickly on my bicycle, slipped, and hit the pavement hard. I didn't break any bones or anything, but I slid about 25 feet and ended up with some major road rash-- big patches on my thighs and forearm, and my elbows and hip bones had nearly all the skin sheared right off. My shorts were shredded, and I had to ride home 10 miles in the rain, covered in blood and bruises, flicking chunks of gravel out of my skin, with my dick hanging out the whole time. It was a lot of fun.

Road rash takes a long time to heal, and simple things like wearing clothing, lying in bed, and moving are painful.

It took me over a year to condition myself to not freak out and slow way down every time I came to a roundabout, and a few months beyond that to not be afraid to do them fast in the rain. But even after a couple years of forcing myself to do it, I still have a moment of hesitation as I go into the curve. Desensitizing myself is apparently going to be a long process, but at least I have made some progress.

tl;dr What do you guys do about overcoming fear?
>> Anonymous
There is no point in overcoming fear. It's natures way of telling you you're about to do something incredibly fucking stupid.
>> Anonymous
>>82356
>> Anonymous
You were a dumbass in the first place, there's a reason you fell. That's not "overcoming fear", that's "not learning from your mistakes".
>> Anonymous
The only way to desensitize yourself fully is to take baby steps and make sure it's contextualized (Grow more and more towards your actual fear, overcoming a bit each time).

Eventually, take the same roundabout in the rain at the same speed.
>> Anonymous
>>82371
>>82361
>>82356
Gentlemen, risk-taking behavior is not necessarily incredibly fucking stupid. It is, in fact, an integral part of a lot of different sports, hence my post's relevance here in /fit/.

When injury results from accidents in these sports, a man has to be able to get back in the saddle and learn to not be afraid to keep pushing his limits.

Yeah, I was a dumbass for taking the roundabout with too much speed, but you can't say that riding slowly is the only way to learn from my mistake. Fear will not teach me to keep my poise and balance, choose a good line around the curve, and keep my eyes open for any dangers, all at an instant and at high speed.
>> Anonymous
>>82389
But fear will keep you alive. Risk taking and self-destructive behavior walk a very fine line. Do you do this as a profession? Then no, you don't need to get over this fear. You were obviously on the road, probably going WAY over the limit, and endangering others as well. Rationalize it all you want, you shouldn't be taking risks for the hell of it.
>> Anonymous
>>82389
Don't wear a roadiefag jersey and shorts. Wear something with a little durability so your clothes don't shred apart when you hit the ground. It'll help keep your skin intact too.

As for overcoming fear, get back on your bike and quit being a pussy.
>> Anonymous
>>82386
That's pretty much what I've been doing. There's just that last brief moment of hesitation that nags me.

>>82402
I agree that it's not necessary for me to take risks. Most of the activities discussed by the mis/fit/s couldn't be honestly described as necessary.

Riding at high speed, by the way, is often safer than riding slowly. If I can keep up with auto traffic, I avoid the dangerous situation of having a line of cars behind me filled with irritated drivers itching to get around. Obviously accidents at 30mph are more traumatic than those at 15mph, but the high speed makes accidents less likely.

At the time of my roundabout wreck, there was absolutely no one else near me on the road, so I didn't endanger anyone else. And I already admitted I was a dumbass for riding too fast for the conditions. But am I rationalizing a supposed 'need' to engage in this activity? Maybe. But you could probably say that about anyone else engaging in any other activity.
>> Anonymous
>>82422
I am back on the bike, faggot. Read the post.

I don't wear the roadfag jersey, but usually I go for cycling shorts under normal, loose knickers or shorts. I had stripped down to just the cycling shorts and a jacket since it was raining and it sucks to ride with waterlogged cotton pants.
>> Anonymous
>>82433

You got lucky if all you got going 30 mph was some wicked road rash. Lots of people die at those speeds. I'd invest in some durable leathers and joint pads if you're going to go that fast.
>> Anonymous
>>82437
More like 25mph. It definitely could've been a lot worse. The size of the crack in my helmet was pretty epic.
>> Anonymous
>>82425
No, you are rationalizing your need for thrills based on your own philosophy of "seek thrills or else be unfulfilled in life." Many people live in quiet seclusion, honorably and happily, without the 'need' to take a risk. If you think this is a basic human need then you should go see a psychologist.
>> Anonymous
>>82460

Not OP, but you're either old or a woman. Testosterone does not need to see a therapist.
>> Anonymous
>>82471
Yes because being either is so awful. I don't expect to get through to you 14 year olds with eyes bigger than your dicks, shit, I don't even know why I try.

Sage for you being a troll.
>> Anonymous
>>82474

You're a fucking retard on top of being an old woman. You're probably a pathetic office drone that still lives with at home with your parents, afraid to go out on the weekends to meet new people. Congratulations, you'll going nowhere in life. People like me shit on weenies like you.
>> Anonymous
>>82460
At no point did I unfavorably compare a low-risk lifestyle to my own or suggest that I or anyone else needs to "seek thrills or else be unfulfilled in life."

I justified my usual high speed riding with the fact that slow cyclists riding in the city are often a greater hazard, since they don't move with traffic and force cars to go around them. I might be incorrect, but that's my observation and it doesn't mean I'm rationalizing my behavior. There is a difference between justifying or explaining behavior and rationalizing it.
>> Anonymous
I make sure to take as much preventive measures as I can to avoid silly mistakes. After that, I go out with the knowledge and attitude that I did everything I can to prevent it from happening, so I try not to worry.
>> Anonymous
Enjoy your death before you're eighteen, along with the males that comprise the vast majority of all accident related deaths before age eighteen. You're such an individual, thrill seeker.
>> Anonymous
>>82480
You have said absolutely nothing correct in any of your statements, on top of your abysmal grammar to boot.
>> Anonymous
>>82516
So you are rationalizing your breaking of the law with "if everyone is doing it I might as well do it too, just to be safe." Bullshit. If you're thinking that way, and everyone else is thinking that way, then no wonder traffic is a fucking nightmare.
>> Anonymous
>>82534

Whatever faggot. Just because someone on the internet doesn't agree with your estrogen-laced lifestyle doesn't mean they are mentally ill. Grow up.
>> Anonymous
>>82537
Wow, you're just getting worse and worse. First off, it is actually against the law for me to ride my bike on the sidewalk, so riding at the speed limit in the street with traffic is the best option, not to mention the fact that it's perfectly legal.

Secondly, traffic is a nightmare because of carfags such as yourself, and I find it hilarious that you'd suggest that the blame lies on cyclists. By choice I do not own a car, and therefore I ride my bike to commute and to generally get around. As such, I recognize and acknowledge the risk of doing so every single day. Most people (probably including yourself) get behind the wheel without a thought to the dangers involved.

Am I a thrill-seeker? I don't think so. Are you in denial about the hazards you expose yourself and others to every day by driving your car, not to mention the environmental, economic and geopolitical consequences of doing so? Probably.
>> Anonymous
>>82558
Wait, you're talking about a BICYCLE?!

I thought you were on a motorcycle.

I myself drive a motorcycle. But I obey the speed limit. And I live in Tampa.

As for me not giving a shit about motorists? I'm 26 years old. I used to drive like an uncaring asshole. But not now. I respect everyone on the road because that's just the way to do things.

As for your preaching about my choice to drive a car, trolling mission accomplished. Thanks for taking the bait.
>> Anonymous
>>82569
>On a rainy day a couple of years ago, I took a roundabout far too quickly on my bicycle

That's the first line of this thread.

>trolling mission accomplished

Lol, considering that you weren't trolling until you wrote that line. But I applaud you for a somewhat subtle attempt to salvage things. 3/10