Q: I had a really bad fall recently, and I’ve lost my confidence. Do I just need to get back on and forget about it even though I’m really nervous? Or what must I do?

A: The first thing to note is that you are not alone in feeling this way! Many of us feel very nervous after a fall, particularly if we were hurt.

Our best advice is to see what you can learn from the fall. Was there anything you could have done differently? Would anything have made the situation better? If you are able to learn something from it, then just use the experience to stop the same thing happening again. Thinking of it this way, as a learning exercise, can be really helpful in moving forwards after a fall.

If, on the other hand, it was one of those accidents that couldn’t have been prevented then it’s important to focus on what you can control, such as your safety equipment and fitness. By setting goals to improve fitness and equipment you can focus on something positive rather than the fall itself.

Then finally, focus on what you want to happen when you ride next time, rather than worrying about what you want to avoid. If possible, visualise your ride in your head before you get on. Think about your ideal ride, and then get on and enjoy yourself!