Hi guys. My wife is getting back into riding again, but she seems to have less confidence than she did on her first day mtb-ing when we used to ride years ago. She has platform pedals, so she can jump off whenever she wants, but she won't even try things the least bit technical or steep. I'm talking about pretty minor technical obstacles here too...like a rock drop shorter than a curb on a 2% downgrade, or loose terrein on any downhill steep enough to require brakes to keep your speed under 8 mph. Same goes for sandpits (there is a LOT of sand around here), and even on buff singletrack I know she is only putting out about 1/3 of the effort she could. I know this because she can grind up some pretty damn steep, long hills. In fact, on some hills, she'll ride straight up them, but get off and walk the same hill going back down! She even says "I have a lot more strength than confidence". She totally psyches herself out, and whenever she falls she is pretty much finished for AT LEAST the rest of the day (same goes for when we ski) if not for several rides, even if it is a pretty minor fall. She is afraid of clipless pedals too, although her first ride on those she was kicking ass until she fell. After that I found she wouldn't even clip in, and was pedaling on her arch and heels to avoid the cleat, so I just put platforms back on. Since she usually wouldn't clip in, on the occasion she did she would forget and then tip over when she needed to get out, psyching herself out again.
She has the strength & balance (from yoga), and the bike can just about handle these obstacles on its own, but she'll never know without trying them out. How do I get her to loosen up, try these things out, and build some confidence without being pushy?
Oh yeah- I know that part of the problem is she keeps staring at her front wheel, so obstacles sneak up on her. She keeps getting mad if I suggest she look further down the trail though.
PLEASE HELP!! I want her to enjoy riding as much as I do, and I want us to enjoy it together.
She has the strength & balance (from yoga), and the bike can just about handle these obstacles on its own, but she'll never know without trying them out. How do I get her to loosen up, try these things out, and build some confidence without being pushy?
Oh yeah- I know that part of the problem is she keeps staring at her front wheel, so obstacles sneak up on her. She keeps getting mad if I suggest she look further down the trail though.
PLEASE HELP!! I want her to enjoy riding as much as I do, and I want us to enjoy it together.