How to Conquer Your Fear of Riding Fast and Kick Up Your Confidence on the Road

When I set out for my first outdoor ride of the season back in May, I had little to no expectations. For all I cared, I could’ve toppled over right then and there and I would’ve gone back home to my comfort zone: riding my bike on the indoor trainer. But I didn’t fall over after the first pedal stroke, or the next one, or the next. Instead, I was cruising down the bike path enjoying the light breeze. I previously shied away from riding outdoors because I was never formally taught how to ride a bike as a young girl, although many people tried to teach me... and failed. I was eventually labeled unteachable, and it wasn’t until I decided to take matters into my own hands that I learned how to ride. Since then, though, I’ve been self conscious about cycling beyond the four walls of my house—especially gaining speed on the roads. So even though I enjoyed that May ride, soon after, my intrusive thoughts started to settle in, telling me I was going too fast and losing control. I thought to myself: There’s no way I could actually reach the speeds I hit on my indoor trainer while riding outdoors. I realized I had a fear of riding fast and I needed to conquer it to build my confidence on the bike. [View in Browser]( [Bicycling]( [SHOP]( [EXCLUSIVE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [How to Conquer Your Fear of Riding Fast and Kick Up Your Confidence on the Road]( [How to Conquer Your Fear of Riding Fast and Kick Up Your Confidence on the Road]( [How to Conquer Your Fear of Riding Fast and Kick Up Your Confidence on the Road]( When I set out for my first outdoor ride of the season back in May, I had little to no expectations. For all I cared, I could’ve toppled over right then and there and I would’ve gone back home to my comfort zone: riding my bike on the indoor trainer. But I didn’t fall over after the first pedal stroke, or the next one, or the next. Instead, I was cruising down the bike path enjoying the light breeze. I previously shied away from riding outdoors because I was never formally taught how to ride a bike as a young girl, although many people tried to teach me... and failed. I was eventually labeled unteachable, and it wasn’t until I decided to take matters into my own hands that I learned how to ride. Since then, though, I’ve been self conscious about cycling beyond the four walls of my house—especially gaining speed on the roads. So even though I enjoyed that May ride, soon after, my intrusive thoughts started to settle in, telling me I was going too fast and losing control. I thought to myself: There’s no way I could actually reach the speeds I hit on my indoor trainer while riding outdoors. I realized I had a fear of riding fast and I needed to conquer it to build my confidence on the bike. When I set out for my first outdoor ride of the season back in May, I had little to no expectations. For all I cared, I could’ve toppled over right then and there and I would’ve gone back home to my comfort zone: riding my bike on the indoor trainer. But I didn’t fall over after the first pedal stroke, or the next one, or the next. Instead, I was cruising down the bike path enjoying the light breeze. I previously shied away from riding outdoors because I was never formally taught how to ride a bike as a young girl, although many people tried to teach me... and failed. I was eventually labeled unteachable, and it wasn’t until I decided to take matters into my own hands that I learned how to ride. Since then, though, I’ve been self conscious about cycling beyond the four walls of my house—especially gaining speed on the roads. So even though I enjoyed that May ride, soon after, my intrusive thoughts started to settle in, telling me I was going too fast and losing control. 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