Getting over "the yips"

[redxblack]

I took a corner too fast on cold tires and the rear slid on me. I recovered, but now I've got the yips. I'm overly cautious on turning and feel myself lacking confidence to turn onto roads at any speed at all. I'm paranoid.

I know a track day would help tons, but the next one is the end of September (around me anyway). Any advice on recovering from the yips after recovering from a close call?

[Twizted]

I used to death grip the bars and go through the corners and go through to slow after my off on a turn. Best thing I found to do was to go back to my rider training. Before each corner I would flap my arms like a chicken ( I know you may feel a little dumb but it actually works) to make sure I was loose before I went through the corner and instead of death gripping the bars I would death grip the tank with my legs so I felt planted to the bike. After a few bends you will start to gain confidence. It really helped me and I still use this technique whenever I fell a little tense. Hope it all goes well for you 

[Cloner]

This one's easy.

RIDE MORE

Ride with people who have more experience than you, and ask them for advice if you feel you're doing something wrong.  Ride to work.  Ride to the movies.  Ride to the toilet if you have to.  There's no substitute for saddle time, and comfort comes with experience!

[redxblack]

 

I've only been riding three years (@ about 2500 - 3500 mi per season). This was my first flub and it really threw me more mentally than anything I've yet encountered. I think I'll find a stretch of twisties and run them regularly so that I know the roads in my sleep, then the comfort will return. What is it they say about people who stop trying to improve their skills?

It could just be perception, too. I rode with my wife recently as a pillon. She hadn't ridden with me in quite a while. She was surprised by how far we were leaning the bike, so maybe I'm misjudging the whole situation.

I really need to find people to ride with.

[Artful]

I find that smacking myself on the forehead on the side of the ride repeating "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid" gets my head back in the game.

Oh, and riding more.

[Cloner]

I really need to find people to ride with.

Where are you located?  I'm sure we can find you a buddy. 

[redxblack]

Akron, OH. There are 2 new members in my general area. I just started my seasonal layoff today (high school teacher), so I've got time for riding.

[Spidey]

It's the simplest advice and it's already been given, but ride more.  Also, a good pre-ride check (including tire pressure and condition and chain tension), a pre-ride coffee and some stretching will do wonders for your confidence.  As will trying to go into the turn slow and come out fast.  While those are generally good practices anyway, I go out of my way to follow them when my brain isn't functioning correctly b/c of a crash or a near-death experience or long lay-off or whatever.

Oh, and don't forget to breathe. Slowly, evenly and deeply. Seriously.

[The Bearded Duc]

I've been down twice myself, on the same stretch of one particular road (2 different sections). I know exactly how you feel, believe me.

I've realized that riding more helps with understanding how the bike acts and reacts but I have also realized that going back to the scene of the crime helps a lot too. Each time I ride past the spots where I went down I gain a little more confidence. Each pass I try to be just a bit more aggressive, now I blow past them like it never happened.

It helped me to overcome the idea that the curve is cursed and it will happen again, YMMV.

[redxblack]

all good stuff here. Thanks everyone. I must admit, I slack quite a bit on tclocs checks. I really should work from the basics up and practice good practice. I'm starting to get my mojo back already, and now that my layoff is beginning, I'll have plenty of time to ride. I noticed today how gentle and comfortable my grip was on the bars. I was in the zone and it felt great.

[akmnstr]

I once worked for a colorful southern red-neck who called this "catching a booger."  I've caught a few.  Sometimes it came while on a long multi-day trip.  In that case I just had to continue riding.  I'd go slower, which wasn't necessarily the safest thing to do.  Usually it had to do with a particular condition (wind or rain or both hav caused me to catch a booger).  When the conditions changed I was better.  As everyone has said more riding time for sure and you can also put yourself in a comfortable situation. A ride on your favorite road, with little traffic, and plenty of sunshine might work wonders.   

[bikepilot]

Go do cornerspin or some off road or sumo stuff, sliding about is nothing to fear