Cant ride in front of camera or audience.

[Sam Song]

While I enjoy meeting new people riding on the street, when there are too many people watching me ride or taking pictures of me, I simply can't do shit!

And it's not like I am afraid of camera all the time either, when my riding friends are holding the camera and watching me, I actually feel more comfortable on the bike.

I'm not a fan of natural riding, so I have to stay on the street, but I just hate how I suck so much in front of 'non-riders' watching me.

I will admit that I am quite awkward in front of people off the bike,

but I like trials since it gives me the opportunity to meet and chat with random people on the street.

So how did you overcome this issue?

Edited January 11, 2013 by Sam Song

[bikeperson45]

You simply have to do it. Don't think about anything or whatever, but really it's just do it more and you'll get better at blocking stuff out.

[swill]

as above.

i think its a confidence thing to be honest.

your comfortable in front of people you know but not Joe blogs, its something alot of people have to deal with.

a few of my mates were/ are still the same.

hang on in there and just keep going, imagine that they are all people from school or work that you know well and feel comfortable to do anything in front of.

[Jake.]

I used to be the same, there's a spot on Brighton seafront called the band stand. In the summer there would be at least 20 people watching all the time, as it's next to a cafe, a massive paddle pool that family's like to go to, the beach, and the upper bit of Brighton seafront where people cycle on...

The first few times I was genuinely shocked at how many people watched, and because my riding was nothing to be proud of and I was riding with people 10x better than me I just sat on the side and watched. One of the riders told me just to ignore everyone and just imagine it was us riding, he said it doesn't matter if they're watching because at the end of the day you're doing it for fun, why should it matter if people watch?

So yeah I feel fine riding with anyone watching now as long as it's an obstacle I know I won't repetitively bash, if I fail it a few times I'd just do something else then go back later when I feel ready again

Sorry for going on, just remembered this situation happened to me haha.

[Ash-Kennard]

be proud of what you do. give them a show.

infact there was a time several years ago when just outside the portsmouth shopping centre (gunwharf keys) we put a shirt with some coins on whilst we rode this wall for an hour and by the end we had enough for a burgerking. worth doing, people really do appreciate when you try. unless they are a halfords customer, in which case, they suck

Edited January 11, 2013 by Ash-Kennard

[SamKidney]

As above really.

I was the exact same. Grew in confidence and now have no problem. People approach me and ask if I can do it again, and I'll give it a go.
Just enjoy what your doing and take no notice

[Danny00135]

I just don't care if they're looking or not, There's a wall I often ride by 2 bus stops so I tend to have a few eyes on me, before when I couldn't get up the wall I'd spend hours trying to get up with people watching my multiple fails..

What gets uncomfortable is when people are staring at you repairing your bike... i've even had someone sat down on a rock watching me ride for 5 minutes then ask me If I "fancied a bum" big gay following style.. which you can imagine is a little uncomfortable...

EDIT: Being asked is a little uncomfortable although i'd imagine being bummed would be pretty uncomfortable also..

Edited January 11, 2013 by Danny00135

[VAMPIRE V12]

I have this problem quite a lot mate i do some of my best moves when no one else is there and its depressing :/ My best advice is to find some music that chills you out or you can ride to put some ear phones in and drowned everything else out and just thinking about the bike and what your wanting to do. I sometimes listen to a bit of classical like the ww2 requiem for a soldier song just chills me out haha

[aener]

I'm suffer the exact same problem, and it's the main reason solo-rides are so hard for me.

It's not so bad as it used to be, but it's still a major issue.

If I'm riding with friends then low-to-average traffic is not a problem. If I'm with friends in a high traffic area I'm quite uncomfortable, but having other riders with me seems to make it Ok. If I know those people are watching me it's crippling.

If I'm riding alone with zero people around, it's fine (though I lose motivation after a couple of hours), but as soon as there's any more than a handful of people in the area I just seize up. I just don't go to places where there might be people now.

Some people get over it, others seemingly don't. Just keep pushing yourself in to it for a while and it might let up - if it doesn't and you want to ride the places where there's normally lots of people about, go at night

Edit: So it's not exactly the same. I'm alright with cameras so long as it's being held by someone I know. Ridiculous, really.

Edited January 20, 2013 by aener