Hello all! So here it is, I am 26 and finally learning to ride a bicycle (I know I know, have I been living under a rock?). All of my life I had fears and dreams of riding with everyone else but unfortunately my fears always overruled. After a few months now, I have been able to actually move a distance and turn around. It has been a trying experience, but I am no where near done. I have a lot of areas to work on and my fears keep getting in the way. So I have a few question for all of you expert riders out there.. for starters, how do I get over some of these fears? I am always afraid of falling - although I know the saying if you fall get back on again - that saying is easier heard than adhered to. When I am done riding, my hands are in so much pain and difficult to move as I have spent my entire ride with a death grip on the handle bars. Although consciously I am aware that there is no need for this, and that it may actually hurt me in the event I do fall, I cannot seem to stop doing this. Any tips on squashing the fears and just enjoying the ride?