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Scared of gravel roads, mud, sand etc... what to do ? Scared of gravel roads, mud, sand etc... what to do ?
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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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  #1  
Old 16 Aug 2017
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I got back into motorcycle after about 30 year break at first I wasn't sure if I had a death wish or not. For me it got much much better with time. I read as much as I could about good safe ridding technique and I would practice slow speed ridding figure 8's and how slowly I could ride in a straight line. I think practice is the key even visualisation helps. I am also know learning to ride dirtbikes which has gone from fear to love.
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Old 16 Aug 2017
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Over the years, a couple of times I've had a scare on a bike, and thought, 'Do I really want to keep doing this?'

I find the best fix is to get up early on a weekend or holiday morning, get out on the road when there's not much traffic, start off on a long ride, and after the first few minutes I always find the answer is 'yes'.
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Old 16 Aug 2017
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it will come to you, give it some time. You are now scared of things which are the most fun in motorcycle riding. You need to ride regularly, I had also bigger brake in riding some time ago and when I resume riding, before each session I had to go to bathroom it's stress, normal thing, same happens before battle during war. You body prepares to fight.
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Old 17 Aug 2017
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As the guys say, practice is key to gaining confidence. If you can, find a place to ride the XT on the dirt unloaded with no pressure for speed and time. A useful technique is to STAND UP. Although this seems counter-intuitive it achieves several things: your legs can act as shock absorbers over big bumps to cushion your spine; by allowing the bike to move under you it's easier to control any slides or movements without throwing you off balance; and you can move your body weight forward or backward if you want to get more grip on the front or rear. In very soft sand or mud you want the front light so it doesn't dig in and the back heavy so it'll drive. On loose gravel you want the front heavy so it grips and the back light so if anything slides it's that one, which is easier to control than a front wheel slide.

Most of the time you won't need any special techniques though, especially on a fully loaded bike, and just riding at a pace you're comfortable with and picking your way across rough ground how it feels right will be fine.
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Old 17 Aug 2017
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Does anyone near you do MX bike and track hire or off road events? I did the BMW off road event many years ago. While an insane cost, having someone giving advice and riding a bike you can just hand back to keys to if you break it is a better way to learn that trying to teach yourself. When the instructor says it can be done and three other pupils just followed him, you know you are right to do it they way you were told and follow.

Andy
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Old 17 Aug 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Does anyone near you do MX bike and track hire or off road events? I did the BMW off road event many years ago. While an insane cost, having someone giving advice and riding a bike you can just hand back to keys to if you break it is a better way to learn that trying to teach yourself. When the instructor says it can be done and three other pupils just followed him, you know you are right to do it they way you were told and follow.

Andy
Pity no Andy... Some bikers who like to show their bikes and riding suits.
Others just street bikes.And very few enduro and nearly zero cross or off-roaders... (((

As all others say I need to train myself with no stress...

During daily ride I have no stress at all. In mentioned riding situation I feel disturbed and alarmed and feel fear ...
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Old 17 Aug 2017
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Originally Posted by Des Senior View Post
As the guys say, practice is key to gaining confidence. If you can, find a place to ride the XT on the dirt unloaded with no pressure for speed and time. A useful technique is to STAND UP. Although this seems counter-intuitive it achieves several things: your legs can act as shock absorbers over big bumps to cushion your spine; by allowing the bike to move under you it's easier to control any slides or movements without throwing you off balance; and you can move your body weight forward or backward if you want to get more grip on the front or rear. In very soft sand or mud you want the front light so it doesn't dig in and the back heavy so it'll drive. On loose gravel you want the front heavy so it grips and the back light so if anything slides it's that one, which is easier to control than a front wheel slide.

Most of the time you won't need any special techniques though, especially on a fully loaded bike, and just riding at a pace you're comfortable with and picking your way across rough ground how it feels right will be fine.
All very good advice! Standing is key! You can even steer the bike with your feet while standing.

Another very important element riding off road is VISION. SO important to look out WAY AHEAD, not down at your front wheel. Look at least 30 meters out ahead ... stand up ... and take deep breaths. It works.

Some how looking out ahead works magic. Everything becomes easier.

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Old 17 Aug 2017
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Really depends on what you're doing. If you are tackling a river crossing often you need to be looking at your front wheell, the opposite bank and everything in between. If you're doing a tricky climb with obstacles you need to be looking at the route around the obstacles but also keeping one eye on the top. If you are just riding a rutted track you must avoid looking at the front wheel and look 20 to 40 metres ahead (depending on speed) and you'll find it's much easier and you won't generally fall into the rut.

But Samy, don't stress too much about the technicalities, just get your confidence back and enjoy ridng again.
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