First time out with clip shoes

[Hillhugger]

Yesterday it was finally warm enough (10 degrees Celsius plus) that I went out for the first ride of the season. It was also the first time with clip shoes outside. Well, biking through the neigbourhood on nice quiet roads in the sunshine was fun.

But then there was this stop sign... a car creeping up to the stop sign and I wasn't sure if he was going to stop or not. So I slowed down, clipped my shoe out and must have put the foot back on the pedal - and guess what, the shoe clipped back in. Of course the car did not stop, so I braked and promptly fell! That idiot car driver only laughed and drove off!

The really annoying part was, I had to carry my bike home, because the front tire was bent (biking would have ruined the tire completely and was not exactly safe).

Well, I guess I learned my lesson - clipp out and leave the foot off the pedal!! :eek:

[kpc]

bummer, but funny mental picture. I have never used anything but those strappy things on my pedals. Just because I'm afraid I'd fall too. But I do love the little clicky sounds all of the clip people make at each light. Hope your wheel is fixed, cars can suck.

[snapdragen]

It is the law - when you are learning to ride clipless, you must fall, preferably in front of lots of people! :D

Don't be horribly embarrased, it's happend to all of us, keep practicing, and soon clipping in and out will be second nature.

[GrandPrix]

Don't feel too bad....I got my first clipless pedals at the end of last season and thought I was doing fine with them....So now I decided that I want to become a better rider - so I went on my first group ride this past Saturday - gorgeous morning - 24 mile ride - and I fell about FOUR times!! ; ) My knee is a little banged up - as is my rear ; ) Funny thing is that I actually clip out fine - I clip out with my left - but the problem seems to be that I never learned "proper" starting and stopping skills - so I've always done these things while sitting in the saddle - but problem with clipless is that when I lose my balance at a stop (when i'm on the seat and can JUST touch the ground) - i end up falling over to the right side (where I am still clipped in) and over I go....rather embarrasing I must say.... ; ) Everyone was giving me pointers - but the truth is that I feel rather unbalanced when off the saddle - I need to work on these skills....perhaps I'll practice early in the morning at the local track - that way when i fall right there will be grass to catch me ; ) any suggestions?!!? i guess practice makes perfect...but will probably take a few more falls i fear...

[Veronica]

How can your feet touch the ground when you are sitting on the saddle? Even when I'm riding in my tennies and not clipped in (which I do every day to go to work), my toes barely touch the ground. That doesn't seem like it would be a very stable way to stop.

Maybe you should practice coasting to a stop while standing with your foot of choice unclipped. As you stop, put that foot down, all the way on the ground. Lean your bike, every so slightly towards the foot you're going to put down.


Good luck,

Veronica

[sno4rent]

After several "TIMBER" 's, I will unclip BOTH feet and put the middle to heel of my shoe on the pedal. That way, depending on which way I lean to stop, I have a free foot to put down. I have unclipped just one foot before, but then fell to the "other" side...:o

~ Wendi

[Dogmama]

I'm envisioning unclipping both feet & I'm thinking that you might slip off of one pedal while you're putting the other foot down. In other words, you need a stable base (the clipped in foot) so you can put the unclipped foot down. Does that make sense?

[cyclingnewbie]

I started clipping in last summer and have managed to not fall yet. Everyone warned me that it WILL happen, so I'm not going to be surprised when it does. As for that touching the ground from the saddle thing, I was doing the same thing. I have been really struggling to get my bike to fit. I always just put my toe down when I stopped and just tumbled to the fact that I shouldn't be able to reach the ground this spring. Getting farther away from my pedals made the fit feel better, but what a surprise the first time I stopped and had to get off the saddle, fast! Rather than slightly tilting the bike to the side I'm unclipped on, it works much better for me to just slide forward and off the saddle completely and stand on the unclipped foot. I keep the other foot clipped and at the top of the stroke so when I'm ready to move I just stand up on the clipped side and I'm off!

Now that I said out loud (kind of) that I haven't fallen, it will probably be the first thing I do the next time out! :-)

[Hillhugger]

Thanks so much for all your advice!

When my coach saw my banged up knee yesterday, he only said "welcome to the club" and grinned.

I had my front tire fixed and tried again. This time all went well! I find it works when I unclipp the foot I stop on and leave the other one clipped in. The only thing is to get used to not put the unclipped foot back on the pedal.

Well, Thursday afternoon I'll go with our club to sunny Florida for a one-week training camp with a whole bunch of coaches. So I hope that by the time I get back, I know how to bike with clip shoes...

[trekchic]

I have a question about this topic, too. I have new clipless pedals (Shimano PD600, I think is the number) with the new "walkable cleats" (they're black and yellow, if you've never seen them). Well, it doesn't help you to be able to walk on them if you CAN'T clip in and out easily, huh? I can get in, but it takes a little effort, getting out......almost impossible. I have adjusted the pedals as loose as they'll go and it's still hard to "pop" the ankle and get the cleats out.

I am taking the bike back to the LBS and having my guy clip in and out and see what he thinks. I had borrowed a set of pedals for a couple of months to see if I was ready for clipless; they were definitely easier to get in and out of; these are harder. Is it because they're new? Do I need to lube the cleats or anything? No one tells you anything, they just assume you know.......well, I am NEW and I don't know! haha!

I am so scared of being stuck in the pedals, that I haven't taken the bike outside with them yet! I ride in the trainer. I don't know what to do!

Kim in TN

[jobob]

Now that I said out loud (kind of) that I haven't fallen, it will probably be the first thing I do the next time out! Oh now you've done it. You're best best is to go find some nice soft grassy area and get it over with :D

[gretchen]

Oh my gosh...i never should have read the previous postings! I think i might be jinxed! (just kidding...i hope!).
I was TERRIFIED to get outside on my first-ever-slickster- speedster-road bike with the scarry "lock-your-foot-into" peddals! Well, i've got about 160 miles under my belt so far this spring with no falls. Oh great...now that for sure jinxed me!
I have to say, i'm REALLY conciencious of approaching any situation that i might need to stop, and ride with my right foot unclipped but still at the 'ready' possition to clip back in if needed or just twist and wa-la, freedom. And that's a fine line!!! The only mishap i've had with the scarry "lock-your-foot-into" (technical term, feel free to throw that around to impress others!) is slammed my shin against the peddle slipping off of it, trying to go from a stop at a stop light, up hill! If you don't make that first attempt to clip in...you're a gonner!!!! Inside i'm thinking "oh sh*!, oh sh*#!!!" and then you hear the little "click" and think..."thank you God!".
Nothing better then the sound of that little "click" if you ask me!
happy clipping!
gretchen

[SadieKate]

Veronica is right that you should be putting your weight on the unclipped foot and standing on that pedal. This helps transfer your center of balance down low and means you can get your free foot down to the ground.

Also, a good habit to make is to unclip your LEFT foot. Ever notice that the crown of the road leans to the right? Putting your right foot down means you have to lean downhill -- down the slippery slidy, oily slope!

Road shoes don't have much traction because they aren't built for walking. If you use recessed cleats, this isn't quite so critical but if you use Look pedals (or something similar) you are just asking for trouble!

Last year, I took a beginner friend out to a quiet flat country road and make her take each foot in and out at least 30 times without looking before we rode anywhere near traffic. Seems to have done the trick.

[GrandPrix]

ok - starting up seems easy enough - i just need to practice near some grass 'cause i'm not used to doing that off the saddle and it's sort of like learning to ride all over again (and i don't think my poor knee or rear can take another beating ; )

but i am a little confused on the stopping part - i've been told to unclip and at the same time slide off the saddle and then come to a stop - putting unclipped foot on the ground while standing over top tube - well here's the thing - i unclip left but with my look pedals can really only unclip when my foot is at the bottom of the stroke so that i can get maximum leverage - is there some order to this all?? ie. unclip with left foot at 6 o'clock, slide off saddle, let right foot fall down to 6 o'clock and then coast to stop??? assuming that with practice this will feel like natural motion....

rain should be ending here tomorrow - gonna go practice around a local track ...

[cyclingnewbie]

I have to say, despite the dire predictions of falling on my head, I really like clipping in. It really pays off when you're trying to get moving in traffic and can pull UP, hard. Now that I have my seat higher I have been concentrating on getting my foot out (at the six o'clock position and then rotate the other foot down to six o'clock), sliding off the saddle, coasting to a stop, putting the free foot on the ground, getting the clipped foot ready to go. And, when I start again, if I'm trying to cross traffic or something, I don't even try to clip in in the middle of the street; I put the arch of my foot on the pedal until I am where I need to be and then slide my foot back into the clip. And, I must confess, that THE best part of any ride for me is that first push off on my bike and CLIPPING IN! What a rush!!

[GrandPrix]

THANKS "cyclingnewbie" ; )

that was helpful!!

and i ABSOLUTELY agree - the sound of clipping in is definitely the best!!!!

:)

[gretchen]

As for Right or Left to unclip first?...i get the whole theory of where the road is higher, etc...but, like anything else you will ever do...do what feels best and most natural! I was "taught" as a little girl to start up on slalom water skies with my right leg in the grip, drag the left...no way! That had to change and for the past 36 years, i ski with my left forward.

Do what feels best to you...that always! works!!!
: )
Just one more thought...i seem to be able to 'hover' at a near stand still without getting off my bike...not sure how, it just happens. but , that's a great thing to practice...you can unclip, hover for a minute to see what the situation is and then either get off the saddle adn wait or take off again.
ps...practice near grass!

[cyclingnewbie]

I try to do the hover thing if I can to avoid getting off the saddle too. The key thing to remember though is to still get one foot unclipped in case you do need to stop altogether. And I agree with the right/left question being up to the rider. I cannot unclip on the right and put that foot down. It just doesn't work. It may be because I'm left-handed; I don't know. But do what feels the best, not what someone says you should or should not be doing. After all, it's your hide you're trying to keep off the pavement!

[fultzie]

i think i'm the only one in my group that unclips left at a light! i look around and everyone else is leaning to the right, and here i am, the oddball, leaning left. :D and i'm right-handed too! it's definitely whatever feels most comfortable... but also whichever way your bike might be leaning as you're coming to a stop... i've made the mistake of unclipping left and then falling right into a sign on the right hand side (thankfully the sign was there to break my fall) :p

also- the "hovering" might be kindof like a trackstand? like what track racers do at the start line, so they can start all clipped in? i know they use that in mtn biking too... i really want to learn, but my balance isn't too great yet.... have to practice on a nice, grassy field!

[grannydea]

Next time I am out I will have to think about this. But I have to say that I have not fallen (should not say it out loud) in over 3000+ miles of riding cliped in. I cant say right now which foot I clip out first to stop but it all has been second nature to me from the start. I dont think about it I just turn my foot clip out and stop. I know that if somthing ahead of me looks iffy I will unclip a foot and keep it uncliped incase I need to stop. Ok ladys now that I have jinxes myself good pray that I wont brake anything when I hit the ground please.
dea

[SadieKate]

'hover' at a near stand still

This near track stand can be learned by "slow racing" up to every traffic light or in parking lots anytime a friend yells "Slow race!". Last person to the finish wins! (courtesy of Nedly Overend - an over-40 hero).

[gretchen]

Sadie...that is such a great idea ...the "slow race"!!!
That would be a riot to watch...and participate in!
: )
gretchen

[GrandPrix]

It was COLD this morning - i stayed at the track until my fingers started burning from the cold (guess my pearl izumi cyclone gloves are only good for 40 degrees+) ....... but I DID IT!! I practice standing over the top tube for starting and stopping - and it worked!!!! YEAH!!! I only fell once at the start - and that was because i was nervous and DIDN"T stand over the top tube - but standing over top tube like instructed worked - just took some confidence to just push off and do it rather than sitting seated! WOOHOO!! so silly i know - but i'm psyched that i got that down right now! just will take practice for it to become second nature now - good timing - 'cause i've got a local bike club introductory ride tomorrow morning!

yeah me! : ):D

[Cdalekat]

GrandPrix, you've inspired me to try learning to trackstand. (congrats, btw!)
I bike commute in a major city and I'm getting tired of unclipping at all the lights!

Any tricks I should know? Stand? Sit? Where are the feet? Where is the body weight?

[Irulan]

learn to trackstand (http://www.180magazine.com/)

[Cdalekat]

thanks, Irulan.

Lunchtime reading for me!

Though in scanning it quickly, I think I need to learn the balance of my bike better first - it's a "Lefty" (look at Cannondale's website for that explanation) and turns very easily, so I haven't been able to ride without hands yet.
There are plently of discussions on the Cannondale Lefty - some people claim it throws off the balance, some say it doesn't.

[SadieKate]

That's why slow racing is so good. Go do it in the park on grass and your balance will develop very quickly. Get a friend to do it with you because slow racing is much more fun with a friend who's getting a fit of the giggles at the same time.

And, a mtb is great to learn with because the steering is slower than a road bike.

[SadieKate]

By the way, I can barely ride without hands. But, I can track stand on a single and a tandem, pop wheelies, bunny hop, etc.

2 excellent videos for mtb basics are: Ned Overend's "Performance Mountain Biking" and Hans Rey's "Monkey See, Monkey Do"

Rubberside down!

[Irulan]

http://www.wildflowermtb.com/

another good video

[Cdalekat]

I really like the slow racing concept. It will be good for when I go biking with my brother and his friends!

[gretchen]

I have always been able to ride no handed with my hybrid forever...just crusing along, steering and the whole bit. Then....I got a "speedy-big-girl-bike" and the first time out over in the park district parking lot i had to talk my new road bike into taking me for a ride with no hands. WOW, what a difference those little skinnies make! Not a whole lot to balance on! And so, i continue to look like a nut case talking to my bike trying to go more then 10 feet! :D :D :D

[Veronica]

In addition to the skinny tires, the geometry of your road bike is probably different than the hybrid.

V.

[GrandPrix]

So I've "mastered" starting and stopping with my clipless....now working on steering with one hand removed....any tricks here other than practice? i'm a righty and for some reason it's easier to remove my right hand.... i need to work on this 'cause it's tough to signal cars when i'm turning left - often i don't and just wait for an opening and try to make eye contact....better than signaling and falling over ; ) thought i'd ask in this post since the discussion seems to have shifted that way.... OH - and would love to be able to reach down and drink water while on bike....

: )

[gretchen]

So happy to hear someone else is a little uneasy with the one handed thing!
I can reach for my water bottle but i don't know if i've even tried to go one handed for a longer period of time (should i?).
Ok another question...about hand signals... I'm one of those who, because i grew up without a helmet, didn't wear one until i got my speedy bike! And hand signals?...they were for the dorks at school.
Now that i'm in the "serious" club (the ones that ride on bikes from stores other then Target or Sportmart) I have agreed to wear a helmet, sunglasses (because the helmet looks totally horrible without them! Vanity) and i even use signals. BUT..I'm not sure if i'm doing them right. I watched some other bikers to see what they were doing and they don't do the left arm bent at a 45 degree angle thing to signal right. They did a "cool" right arm casually out to the right side thing as to say "Hey, dude, I'm about to turn right so back off". And the left turn was the same only out to the left...only, mind you, ever so casually out from the side. Not the dorky left arm sticking straight out like a sign post. (God forbid!). So, anyone know the "proper" signal routine?
Hey, we're into signals now, aren't we?:D

[Veronica]

I do the right/left arm straight out thing too. I don't know if it looks cool. But it's convenient.

V.

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by gretchen
they don't do the left arm bent at a 45 degree angle thing to signal right. They did a "cool" right arm casually out to the right side thing as to say "Hey, dude, I'm about to turn right so back off".

I think the reason turn signals have "evolved" to this is that mose car drives have NO FREAKIN' clue what the "old" hand signals mean. Pointing exactly where you intend to go, while making direct eye contact seems to work best with your average clueless motorist. :p

[fultzie]

When i was little, we learned hand signals as part of "safety day" at school. The hand signals we learned were (and these are in the Illinois Rules of the Road driver's ed book too :p):
left fist/palm out and up for turning right
left fist/palm out and down for stoping
left fist/palm out for turning left

now i do the pointing thing too, and put my open hand on my back when i intend to stop (kinda like brake lights). pedalfaster's right, i think it's easier for cars to understand.

it's easier to ride one-handed if you move the hand staying on your bars closer to the stem, i've found. i almost never reach down for water until i'm reaaaally thirsty (the whole lack of coordination thing!), at least, which is bad (already dehydrated at that point). so i carry a camelbak, even road riding. makes it easier to stay balanced, too!

[annie]

I agree with all the pointers. I put my arm out, point with one finger is the directions I'm going, and STILL be very careful and TRUST NO CAR ! Once crashed, twice shy!

fultzie has it exactly right when she says to hold close to the stem when you are going to ride with one hand on the handlebars. Put that hand right next to the stem and you will have more control. And practice, practice, practice. Do it when there's no traffic. You really should be able to grab either bottle without looking down and put them back the same way. It takes quite awhile to get the hang of it. Helps greatly if your bike is the correct fit. But it can absolutely be done, at least while road riding. MTBing is another story altogether! Camelbak all the way there. :)

It's really not a bad idea to get comfortable riding with no hands, too. Watch the bike racers sometimes. They take off jackets, eat lunch, peel off arm and leg warmers. It's amazing. I've managed to take off arm warmers, and even a jacket a couple of times but I am not comfortable with it. I wouldn't want anyone close to me when I attempt it! Usually, I just stop, and WISH I was better at the no-handed riding.

[Cdalekat]

Gretchen, speaking of vanity, my friend snickered at me the first time she saw me with my helmet on because of the visor on it. So I took the visor off, and she stopped snickering.... I look *terrible* without the visor.... so I leave it on... besides, it's nice for the sun. :)

[Dogmama]

I, too, use the arm-straight-out method. I buy really bright gloves too - as suggested in an Effective Cycling Class - so that it might catch -Joe-coffee-drinking-cell-phone-talking motorist's eye. I signal very aggressively & don't much care what I look like because I don't want to look like I'm underneath a car.

[gretchen]

It wasn't until this Spring, since I'm off the safty of the bike trails with my old bike and on the road with "Slick", sharing it with cars ( ! YIKES :( ) that i realized what the whole safty thing was all about. I have only had one really scarry moment so far when a stupid van thoguth i looked like i might need some encouragement to hug the curb! I swear that van almost touched me. It was really moving too!

It sure makes you a different kind of driver now, doesn't it, when you're around other bikers.... GIVE THEM LOTS OF ROOM! and smile a lot, oh, and admire their bikes...cuz you know how proud they are of them. : ))))))

[doctorfrau]

Gretchen ,

One-handed?? Don't feel bad. I can sort-of, but only long enough to say-- take off my sunglasses. Eating or finding my water bottle would definitely be inviting disaster!!!!:rolleyes: At my level, it is much safer for everyone within 50 yards, for me to just STOP before I reach for anything!!:D

I too am nervous about leaving the safety of the rail-trails and becoming potential road-kill. Not wanting to blow a zillion bucks, I found a blaze-orange mesh hunting vest at Wal-Mart today, that I can just velcro over my shirt. It was 5 bucks and it weighs almost nothing, but will hopefully make me a bit more visible. I also slapped some reflective tape on it, to up the ante a bit.:)

[Hillhugger]

I just came back from a triathlon-training-camp in Florida and quickly wanted to share one event that happened during one of the rides in regards to single-handed-cycling:

A couple of our guys were riding in a single file on the side of the road. The first rider took one hand off the handle bar to point out sand in the path for the others. Unfortunately he didn't see the little pebble and lost control - he crashed. Thank God he fell to the right side, away from the traffic. A truck came up behind him and literally tore the bike to pieces. Our guy was very lucky and ended up with only a couple of minor scrapes and bruises - his bike on the other hand was a complete write-off...

So, whatever you do, be very careful out there.

Later I learned from our coach that it is against the law in Florida to bike with only one hand or without hands at the handle bar.

Be safe and have fun!!!

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by Hillhugger


A couple of our guys were riding in a single file on the side of the road. The first rider took one hand off the handle bar to point out sand in the path for the others. Unfortunately he didn't see the little pebble and lost control - he crashed. Thank God he fell to the right side, away from the traffic. A truck came up behind him and literally tore the bike to pieces. Our guy was very lucky and ended up with only a couple of minor scrapes and bruises - his bike on the other hand was a complete write-off...

So, whatever you do, be very careful out there.

Later I learned from our coach that it is against the law in Florida to bike with only one hand or without hands at the handle bar.


Sorry to hear about the crash. Thank goodness the rider was ok; bummer about the bike!

This *would* have been a good opportunity for the coach to discuss bike handling technique, rather than lecture the riders about (often useless :p ) laws regarding bicycles.

The reality is that if a cyclist rides more than "casually" there will be situations where she has to take one (or both) hands off of the bars. How is one supposed to signal intentions to automobile drivers for instance?

Ok rant off...

I've watched plenty of riders navigate gravel, rocks, sticks, potholes, roadkill etc etc with one or no hands. Yes, it takes practice and skill.

For riding one-handed (and actually for riding with both hands too) it's very important to keep that "circle" (thumb touching one of your fingers) around the bar, with the elbows loose. The elbows absorb the shock and keep the bike from bouncing all over the place should you hit something. Knees should be loose and relaxed as well; this becomes even more important when riding hands-free. Think of your elbows and your knees as your suspension.

And since you mention that it was a tri-camp, a word about aero bars. Aero bars are great for time-trialling and triathlon (of course) but they really don't belong in group rides or pacelines, unless the rider is uber-experienced and smooth on the bike. I mention this because the extra weight often makes the steering on the front end all wonky. I've convinced most of the tri-women I train to remove their aero bars for general riding, and just put them back on a few weeks before their events to reacquaint themselves with that position. So if you are new to riding and want to master one-handed riding...ditch the aerobars :)

[Hillhugger]

Hi Pedalfaster,

our coach actually took the time to discuss handling and technique during a seminar we had the same evening of the event.

Our unfortunate guy is one of the elite bikers and knows how to handle his bike very well. I guess it was just a freak accident and trust me - he learned his lesson.

I agree with you, there are a lot of "useless" laws out there. In my opinion one should rather use common sense when it comes to hands on handle bars.

I personally haven't tried those aero bars yet so I can't comment on those.