Yoda has a good idea. Venus too (Ipod- never leave home without it, that's my motto! ) As much as I love public transport, and as great as it is where I live, there are some trips I have no fear of, and others that daunt me. (Even when they "shouldn't"!) Part of it is just where one's head is at at the time and all that. I think you're right in saying to do it anyway. Start smaller and work your way up. A familiar route. Then that route with a transfer and so on.

I have the same fear. Of getting somewhere I don't mean to be and being completely disoriented. I meltdown and don't mean maybe. To counteract this fear, I tend to carry a map and alternate buses/routes that are available. That helps. Guessing that most (all?) buses in CO Springs just run around that town, right? So you are quite unlikely to actually end up in another city, right? Carry a map of CO Springs. Carry a map of buses that cover it. Even if it's basic, it'll give you numbers of the major lines that run in a given area. At the very least, that can give you something inbound to get on to get you onto more familiar turf. (And don't be afraid to ask the bus drivers, they are usually quite helpful!)