Help! My rear end is glued to the seat!

[RolliePollie]

I think I'm ready to ask for some advice on a little problem I'm having. Sorry, this is kinda long...

About a month ago, I made it my goal to get my rear end off the saddle not only to stand up and pedal, but also to stop correctly. I can stand up while I'm riding as long as I'm just coasting. But I absolutely cannot get myself to stand up and pedal. It's like my butt is glued to the seat. I could stand up and pedal as a kid, but that was on my banana seat Schwinn. It feels a lot different on a road bike!

Same goes for stopping. My current disaster-area method for stopping is to unclip both feet, basically come to a stop, and then wait for the bike to lean far enough that a foot can touch the ground. I know I should be unclipping only one foot and then standing up on the clipped-in pedal to dismount. But once again, my butt is glued to the seat! This is driving me crazy because my seat is STILL too low and I really, really want to raise it, but I'm scared to do it until I can get off the bike correctly. It's not so low that I can touch the ground, but it's too low nonetheless.

I think all of this stems from my fear of falling. I just don't feel like I have good enough balance. When I stand up while coasting, I don't feel like I'm in control of the bike. And when I'm coming to a stop, I am scared to death to leave a foot clipped (already fell twice trying that). At the same time, I'm scared to death to unclip both feet and then try to stand on one pedal because my foot could slip off.

Anyone have advice for me? I'm getting really frustrated. I've tried practicing on the grass, but once I get back on pavement, the old habits come right back. I've been riding for 4 months now...I can ride fast, do some hills, and handle a fair amount of mileage...so it seems completely ridiculous that I still can't get up off the saddle! Please help me!!!!

[Zen]

Haw about standing when you're going up a hill? That seems like it might be easier as it's kind of intuitive anyway.

It may just be the only thing that's going to cure you is actually falling. It's not that bad, really.

[RolliePollie]

Haw about standing when you're going up a hill? That seems like it might be easier as it's kind of intuitive anyway.


That's what I want to be able to do...when I'm struggling up a hill, I really WANT to stand up...but my butt won't get off the seat! Of course, I think my brain is to blame for this...

Silly brain, why does it have to make things so difficult?

[meridian]

I agree, just fall and get it over with already! It truly is worse on the ego than it is on the body.

But to get your butt off the seat and get a feel for it, have you thought about going to the park or an empty lot with your regular shoes (or one regular shoe and one cycling shoe) on to just play around and see if getting that butt out of the seat is easier? That way, you take clipping in/out out of the equation and maybe your worry off falling will lessen also since you wouldn't be completely attached to your bike.

I say, just make yourself do it once, and if you fall, the worst is over and you'll be able to tackle each attempt easier after that.

[JLZimrmn]

Whenever I come to a stop I just unclip my left foot and wat until I stop to unclip the right foot. Then I throw my right foot over the bike. It really is not good for your bike to unclip and put all of you weight on the pedal to get off of the bike.

As far as standing up. That took me quite a while of practice. I practiced a lot on my MTB before I got my road bike. I rarely standup on my bike but if I have to gain speed I can.

[Starfish]

Sara, something that has increased my confidence and strength for standing up on climbs is going to indoor spinning classes.

Now, in many ways, standing up on a spin bike and on a real bike outdoors bear no resemblance. However, doing some really hard spinning workouts with LOTS of out of the saddle time has increased an aspect of my leg strength that is different than seated hard work has.

I am noticing that although outdoor standing climbing is still something I need to work on, especially for coordination, changing gears while standing, etc, I am much more able to handle the wobbles and errors in gearing because my legs and upper body are much more used to it.

Good luck!

[Geonz]

took the words out of my mouth... get on a trainer where it *doesn't matter*... and practice that motor skill of getting off the seat. You want to do an end run around the ol' brain :-)

[DarcyInOregon]

Another way to look at it is there is not really a "right" way and a "wrong" way for you to pedal your bike. Do what works best for you. Remember that lots of the ladies on TE are racers or long-distance fitness cyclists, and the way they pedal is to enhance their abilities to achieve their goals.

When I bike with Suzie and Ellen, the three of us don't bike in the same way at all. Suzie goes at a fast cadence in a lower gear. I go at a medium cadence in a higher gear. Ellen pedals in the highest gear she can. Suzie stands going up the hills. Ellen power strokes up the hills. I hold back on the hills so I don't burn out my blood sugar and everybody and their grandma passes me, then I catch them on the downhill (hopefully.)

When we come towards a stop, Suzie unclips one foot and completely stops. Ellen peers quickly to the left and right and darts across the road. I slow down, shift down, then mostly teeter on the bike without unclipping, waiting for the traffic to clear to procede ahead without really stopping. If I have to stop, I unclip both feet and force myself to take the seconds to drink and whatnot with both feet planted on the pavement, then I clip my right foot back in and get ready to go again.

You got good advice. Let yourself fall sometime, and you fill find out it isn't a big deal.

Darcy

[RolliePollie]

You got good advice. Let yourself fall sometime, and you fill find out it isn't a big deal.



But I have fallen (several times now) :D :( :D :(

Thanks everyone, for the great advice. I need to force myself to be brave and try. I'm also glad to hear about other people's stopping styles. I guess when you need to stop, the ultimate goal is to stop and get off the bike, and at least I'm doing that. It just seems like everyone I've seen is able to stop and dismount gracefully, and then there's little old me looking like a big dork!

My nemesis hill would be a good place to practice both of these skills because if I can't stand up and pedal, then I can't get up the hill, which basically means I have to stop! Hmmm, tomorrow night then...I have a date with my nemesis hill. Good thing it's right by my house in case I need to bandage myself up afterwards.

I also think I'm letting myself get more worked up and freaked out about this than I should. If I succeed in un-gluing my butt, I'll let y'all know! :rolleyes:

And if I fall, I'll let you know that too :o

[Kano]

Sara,

I have a sticky butt too, but I have found that I CAN stand as I get started from a stop, if I just don't plant it on the saddle too quickly! I get a little extra power, which feels good to me as I take off at a light, for example, where I want to get out of the way of bigger, faster, heavier vehicles, and it's also good practice, eh?

On hills, DH told me one day "hey, those other riders get off their seats when they go up, maybe you could too?" I said, yeah, maybe some day...

So far, as a new roadie, I am happy to stand while coasting, and as I get started from stops. I'm looking forward to being strong enough to pick up my butt when climbing at some point, but for now, I'm happy with just getting up the hill any which way I can, y'know?

I started climbing hills by using the "biggest" gear I could til I couldn't anymore, and gearing down and down and down. I was NOT getting up the hills, but I was sure I had to start with the harder gears, cuz what was I going to do if I ran out? My heart rate got out of control, my breathing got out of control, and my legs would give out. So, the trick I've used to get up the hills so far that may help you with your nemesis: before even starting up the hill, I gear down to the granniest of grannies, keep my heels down, and don't look at the top. I found my "recipe" by accident one day when I was struggling and riding in the granny gears just cuz my muscles were tight, it surprised the bejeezus out of me and worked that day, it's still working for me, and maybe some day I'll be pretty good at it and be able to try a bit harder gear! (I probably need one of those to stand at all, at least that's how the pedaling feels to me)

Karen in Boise

[Zen]

Maybe try it just a little bit at a time.

I don't mean stand all the way up for brief periods but next time you're going up Nemesis Hill get down in the drops, move your weight forward a bit, lift your butt just an inch or two off the seat,and pull up on the grips.

I'm the worst when it comes to handling skills. If I can do it so can you.

[DarcyInOregon]

I am one who can't pedal while standing up. I won't even try. My left foot is lame, totally, from shattering the joint in an accident back in 1985. I know if I put that much pressure on the foot I would rip out tendons and be in the hospital. It never even occurred to me that pedaling while standing up was something that was necessary. Many Category A cyclists don't pedal up hills standing up on the theory they save more energy by not doing so, which makes sense if they cycle with lower blood sugar levels than other cyclists.

And as for swinging the leg over the bike, gosh, I can't do that either. I did when I was younger. I could do all sorts of things when I was younger. But now I have arthritis in my spine and two ruptured disks and I am not going to make any movements to make my back go out. I can't see that anyone pays any attention to how I get on or off my bike.

Unless you are racing in competitions, when you bike you do what is best for you. You can look at other cyclists and learn from them, but it doesn't matter if you pedal standing up or dismount quickly with one foot on the pedal while swinging the other leg over the frame. Everybody is different. How you get up the hill doesn't matter so long as you get up the hill.

And as time goes by, the way you pedal will change and what you do on the bike while in motion will change. The changes will come naturally and won't be forced and it is the result of increased fitness level and increased miles.

The main focus should be on increasing the fitness level and reaching the goals, whatever goals they might be. If pedaling differently helps you achieve your goals, for example you really desire to become a Category A cyclist, then learn how to pedal differently. If not, don't worry about it. The other focus should be to bike without getting physical problems, like low blood sugar, electrolyte depletion, crotch pain, muscle cramps, pain in the back or neck and so on. If you can do a long ride without having physical problems or minimal problems, then you are probably pedaling just fine for your current level.

The more you are out on the bike and see other cyclists, the more you will see that everyone has different riding styles. I will tell you the funniest riding style I've seen. It was in April when Suzie and I did a metric century event. There were a lot of cyclists, around 1000. The metric was over a lot of rural roads I bike almost every day, so I knew coming up in another half mile was a really steep hill. After this steep hill there were still a lot of miles to go. Passing by me before reaching the hill was a young female with a real high cadence, like 120, and the cadence was so high she was bouncing up and down on her saddle like it was a trampoline. I followed, and Suzie was behind me, and maybe our speed was 1/2 mile less than the high cadence lady. We came to the hill and I geared down and went up it. The high cadence lady totally came to a stop, dismounted and walked, and Suzie and I passed her, reached the top and went down the other side. Another mile or so, here comes the high cadence lady again, bouncing up and down on her bike. She finished the metric before us, but did that mean I wanted to emulate her riding style? The answer is NO!

Darcy

[trekin']

I can stand up while I'm riding as long as I'm just coasting. But I absolutely cannot get myself to stand up and pedal... I know I should be unclipping only one foot and then standing up on the clipped-in pedal to dismount....


Would you ladies clarify why 1) someone would want to stand while coasting and 2) why one would want to dismount while clipped in to one pedal?

Just wondering...like Darcy, my butt is permanently glued to the seat...and when I dismount, having my feet firmly planted on the ground is no guarantee of an athletic-looking dismount...heck, taking one hand off the handle bars to signal a turn is risky enough for me!!

[Torrilin]

You don't *need* to stand. Really. It's possible to get up even very steep hills without standing to pedal. (I can remember doing it, just don't have the muscles now...)

The way I learned to stand and pedal was *first* I got comfy enough on the bike that I could handle turns with my hips. Then I learned to hold a line with my hips. Then I learned to ride with no hands. After I got those balance skills down, I was a lot more likely to stand and pedal. Every bike I've had, I've needed to relearn the balance skills some. Each bike handles a bit differently. The right movements on the Huffy kids bike I had in the 80s are not the same as the right movements on my modern mountain bike :). Heck, I'm still not comfy riding with no hands on my current bike.

It sounds like you're uncomfortable with a whole slew of balance skills. So give yourself a break on the standing, and work on something that feels easier. Don't beat yourself up, just work on little things. Balance skills all work together, and the more little ones you have that you do right automatically, the more the big things will come together.

[Trek420]

My current disaster-area method for stopping is to unclip both feet, basically come to a stop, and then wait for the bike to lean far enough that a foot can touch the ground. I know I should be unclipping only one foot and then standing up on the clipped-in pedal to dismount.

Is anyone else thinking bike fit? I think I stop on either bike unclipping one foot and I can just point the toe down. Usualy I will weight the clipped in foot but I don't have to lean the bike much. There's waiting for the bike to lean far enough that you can go completely flat foot or even bend and flex the supporting knee.

But if you're waiting for the bike to lean far enough that a foot can even touch .... I suggest get thee to a LBS and check the fit. :D

[indysteel]

I second (or third) the suggestion that you try some spinning classes. When we climb out of the saddle in class, we're encourage to keep our butt over the saddle with the weight of our body mostly in our legs. You might trying the same thing when you're on the road. I also agree that you might want to check the fit of your bike. Once you get into the habit of unclipping, it really shouldn't be that hard to stop and/or dismount. Is the tension on your pedals too high? As long as you get off safely, it doesn't have to be the most graceful thing in the world......

Otherwise, just keep riding. The motor skills used for handling a road bike in any number of positions and situations comes with practice. As you keep riding, most of it will just start to feel intuitive. When I started riding last year, I remember feeling so frustrated that something that seemed so easy as a kid took so much effort and concentration as an adult. I remember going on a ride with my then boyfriend. I was staying well behind his wheel and he finally asked if I knew what drafting was. I did but explained that my mind was focused on way too much as it was to ride that closely to his wheel. For his safety and mine, I had bigger fish to fry at that point.

As the months wore on though, I started to feel much more comfortable on my bike and now it almost feels like an extension of my body. So while I understand that you feel like you need certain skills now, I would encourage you to be patient with yourself. Remember, too, that muscle strength and aerobic capacity are part of the equation in all of this. Standing to climb, especially if the hill virtually requires you to get out of the saddle, takes a fair amount of power and it can be harder on your legs and lungs (at least it is for me) than seated climbing. While I've working on my form for standing climbs this year, I've worked even harder on powering over tough climbs from my seat. I only get up if I really, really have to. Again, it all just takes some practice.....

Good luck,

Kate

[mimitabby]

Yeah, Trek, I was.
I have noticed that on some bikes it is much harder to stand than others, and that has to do with fit.
A case in point, when I first got my bianchi, since i was so stretched out there was NO WAY i was going to stand, it was too scary. After it was fitted to me
(handlebars up and in, essentially) suddenly I could stand a little.
Now here's the important part: standing requires you to be VERY strong.
As I get stronger, I can stand more. it's as simple as that.
If you Sara, are remembering being a kid and standing, you weighed 60 pounds and ran all day when you weren't on your bike. Today, you weigh more than that and your muscles are probably a lot softer.

So Standing is something for you to work towards, a goal.. And let us know how that goes.
And in the meantime, maybe get your bike fitted to you a little better?

[SouthernBelle]

I'll just chip in my experience here. When I first started riding I spent too much time out of the saddle and would get tired. Then I learned about spinning and started spinning my way up hills. Then I became glued to the saddle too.

Over the winter, using my trainer and spinervals I began to reach a balance. Thus I agree with those who suggest spinning classes or riding on a trainer. I would add in that the spinerval, "Uphill Grind" was the one that helped me in this instance.

I think there are several reasons to come up out of the saddle. You may need an additional bit of power to finish a hill or start out at an uphill bit of intersection (esp if you are in the wrong gear for that last). It gives you a different position to rest your seat, back, neck, whatever. If you end up in a dangerous spot on the road, it gives the additional power to pedal out of it quickly no matter what gear you are in. Oh, & it's fun.

Your stops and starts will be easier too.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Another mile or so, here comes the high cadence lady again, bouncing up and down on her bike. She finished the metric before us, but did that mean I wanted to emulate her riding style? The answer is NO!
Darcy

I hope she had a good chamois! :eek: :eek:

When I stop my bike, i do not first stop the bike and then get off my saddle. Nor do I stop the bike and then put my foot down.
What I do is this, and it works well:
First I unloose one foot from my pedal strap- the foot I am going to put on the ground (you others would unclip the one foot), and at the SAME TIME I start braking, I stand on my other pedal that is in the low position and I move forward OFF my saddle and then plant down my free foot. It's one smooth motion all at once, -I'm not stopping before I get off my saddle. I am not putting all my weight on the one pedal either, because i am moving forward and part of my weight is on my hands. The action of my braking helps me move forward off the saddle too. The time spent standing on one pedal without my other foot down is very brief as I am moving forward off the saddle. I have found this method virtually eliminates the possibility of my falling over to the wrong side after stopping. Because "after stopping" means I've already got my foot on the ground and am standing over the top tube. I hope this description is fathomable.

[Kano]

Same goes for stopping. My current disaster-area method for stopping is to unclip both feet, basically come to a stop, and then wait for the bike to lean far enough that a foot can touch the ground.

Trek quoted this part, and it got me thinking -- DH does something kind of like this -- both feet unclipped, and he puts 'em out in space somewhere as he slows. It looks a little silly, but he's fallen cuz he's still clipped in, and this is his way to avoid that. I guess a clipped in fall looks sillier? Dunno, but I do know it's gotta be more painful!

FIt could be an issue as Trek mentioned, but I can't reach the ground while on the saddle either, and fit's okay then -- I think it's supposed to be that way, from what I've been reading, so that didn't even occur to me the first time I read this bit. What DID occur to me is how I come to a stop and not wait for my bike to tip one direction or another. I'm guessing you mean when you get to an intersection or something?

When I'm slowing, I unclip my left foot, and have my right foot/pedal in the down position. With practice, probably I am actually standing on that down pedal a bit now as I stop and "land," but I don't think of it that way -- it's more like I slip down off the saddle to plant my free foot on the ground. My leg does straighten a bit, There's no sort of hoisting myself UP, like I'd think standing on the pedals would do. You might want to try this -- and practice it a little. I think there's nothing scarier than waiting to tip over, even if it's just partway!

Karen in Boise

[SadieKate]

Bike fit can be part of it and just simple geometry of the bike. Do not judge bike fit over whether you can reach the ground with your toes while sitting on the saddle. Bottom bracket height along can put you farther from the ground - or small feet -- or -- or -- or.

Sara, have you been trying to stand on flat ground (in short supply in your neck o' the woods)? Where are you practicing? In a flat parking lot, can you stand to coast? In the same flat parking lot (or grassy park), try shifting to a much harder gear and try "walking" the bike forward at a slow cadence. Pedaling and standing takes the right blend of cadence and resistance. You may feel more comfortable learning this on flat ground first.

Once you are comfortable on flat land, find a nice gentle hill for the next step. You want to keep it easy so you can stay below your anaerobic level. Steep ones take a big commitment: you have to get all the way forward in one fast and smooth motion and they can shoot your heart rate up incredibly fast.

Yes, you do need to learn to stand for multiple reasons -- even if it is just to stretch on the bike on longer rides. To increase your speed on rolling terrain (like Pardee Party), being able to stand on those small rollers will maintain a lot of speed at minimal effort.

[VeloVT]

I second (or third) the suggestion that you try some spinning classes. When we climb out of the saddle in class, we're encourage to keep our butt over the saddle with the weight of our body mostly in our legs. You might trying the same thing when you're on the road. Kate

This is something I've encountered in spinning class as well and has never made sense to me (I feel like I'm just not getting something). When I stand on my bike, my butt is definitely well forward of the saddle, and generally my weight is also pretty far forward. If I'm standing and coasting, to go over something rough, my hips are probably over the bottom bracket, and for a standing climb, I think you want your weight ahead of/or at least on top of/coming down on your forward pedal. I've never seen video/pics of myself doing a standing climb, but I certainly FEEL like my mass is forward of the bottom bracket.

It seems to me (and I'd be interested in hearing other points of view) that if your butt is over your saddle when you stand to climb, you're really not taking advantage of the extra power you can get from standing and putting your weight over your pedals. Plus if you're climbing a steep hill, if anything you want to favor weighting the front wheel rather than the rear.

I'm sorry if this is a bit of a drift. But I wonder if this could have something to do with your difficulty too -- I think it's actually harder to stand and pedal if your weight is far back, and it becomes easier (in my opinion at least) and feels more balanced if you do shift forward.

And Sara -- when I first got my roadbike a year ago, it was the first time I'd been on a bike in like 15 years and I was petrified. I got clipless pedals way before I should have (like a week after I got the bike, when I was still stiff and nervous and couldn't let go of the handlebar even to swat a bug). So I can totally empathize with being afraid of falling :o ... A year later I'm totally comfortable commuting in traffic, can grab my water bottle, drink and replace it at 20mph, and love to blast down hills :eek: .

Oh one more thing -- I wonder if having your seat so low is making it harder for you to stand? Esp if you've pushed it way back to accomodate for how low it is? You have to push farther and shift your weight more to get up than you would with it higher, probably...

Good luck!!!

[SadieKate]

Oh one more thing -- I wonder if having your seat so low is making it harder for you to stand? Esp if you've pushed it way back to accomodate for how low it is? You have to push farther and shift your weight more to get up than you would with it higher, probably...

Good luck!!!Oh??? I just went back and read this. You're absolutely right! Sara, get that bike fitted right. You are holding yourself back with that and could really damage your knees on those hills you climb. Of course you can't get out of the saddle.

[Kano]

Just thought of another stopping thing: make sure when you plant that foot on the ground that it's not too close to the bike! I feel steadier when I've got my foot placed so that there's a bit of a triangle going on between my foot and the wheels. Not a bit one, mostly flat, but a wee bit of a triangle, if you know what I mean!

And those hills -- gear down! Then gear down more! gear down til you can't gear down any more! BEFORE it gets hard to pedal! I love what realizing that has done for my hill climbing!

(I'm also doing anything I can to shift my weight forward, but my butt is still on the saddle)

(hmmm, I'm repeating myself about the hills, but I'm so excited by this "discovery" of mine that probably everyone else on the planet has known forever!)

Karen in Boise

[Trek420]

Oh??? I just went back and read this. You're absolutely right! Sara, get that bike fitted right. You are holding yourself back with that and could really damage your knees on those hills you climb. Of course you can't get out of the saddle.

Can a grrl get a thank you? :p ;) :rolleyes: :cool: :D :)

I don't "dance in the pedals" often, but you should be able to if you want or need to. If a good shop says your bike fits and what others here have suggested doesn't work including just plain go out and fall down and get it over with :) look to strengthening your core/upper body.

But I'm very visual, arts background, read it and pictured the fit. It's worth checking out.

[VeloVT]

And the stopping thing. I haven't seen too many people on roadbikes with clipless pedals doing the pretty flying mounts/dismounts, except maybe triathletes but they do it with their feet out of their shoes. Usually when I see this it's on flat pedals...

I think getting comfortable clipping out one foot and coming to a stop is just something you have to be patient about. Eventually you'll develop muscle memory and won't think about it at all. You'll automatically lean in the correct direction every time. When I first got my clipless pedals I'd spend 15 minutes at the beginning of every ride riding around a parking lot clipping in and clipping out and stopping and starting, and I think it helped, but ultimately I think it just takes time and repetition.

Also, I'm much more comfortable balancing at super slow speeds (almost stopped) than I was a year ago, and that makes everything easier too -- might be worth practicing if it's currently not comfortable for you.

About "waiting for the bike to lean" -- when I clip out and get ready to stop, once I'm going slow enough, I think I stick my unclipped foot out and shift my weight towards it -- this automatically MAKES the bike lean in the right direction.

What do you do while you're stopped at a stoplight? Do you have to clip both feet back in? I'm usually balanced on one toe, with the other foot clipped in and at about 10 or 11 o'clock; this makes it easy to get off to a quick start when the light changes.

[indysteel]

This is something I've encountered in spinning class as well and has never made sense to me (I feel like I'm just not getting something). When I stand on my bike, my butt is definitely well forward of the saddle, and generally my weight is also pretty far forward. If I'm standing and coasting, to go over something rough, my hips are probably over the bottom bracket, and for a standing climb, I think you want your weight ahead of/or at least on top of/coming down on your forward pedal. I've never seen video/pics of myself doing a standing climb, but I certainly FEEL like my mass is forward of the bottom bracket.

It seems to me (and I'd be interested in hearing other points of view) that if your butt is over your saddle when you stand to climb, you're really not taking advantage of the extra power you can get from standing and putting your weight over your pedals. Plus if you're climbing a steep hill, if anything you want to favor weighting the front wheel rather than the rear.

I'm sorry if this is a bit of a drift. But I wonder if this could have something to do with your difficulty too -- I think it's actually harder to stand and pedal if your weight is far back, and it becomes easier (in my opinion at least) and feels more balanced if you do shift forward.

Liza, you're absolutely right, and I should clarify. I think I suggested that spinning technique because it helped teach me to keep the center of my gravity in my legs for out of saddle climbing, rather than in my hands/upper body. In my spin classes, we're instructed to keep our butt over the saddle and the weight in our legs, rather than in our hands. That position, from what I understand, better utilizes the muscles you use when you climb outside on a real bike. You're right though that when you're outside, you don't keep your butt over the saddle like that. I just try to make sure that I'm keeping my weight in my legs (and finding the right balance to do that given the particular hill) so that I'm essentially using my own body weight to turn the crank.

[SadieKate]

Can a grrl get a thank you? :p ;) :rolleyes: :cool: :D :)Um, for what? I was commenting on liza's very specific comment on the saddle being set too low. :confused:

[bikerz]

Just a couple of quick thoughts -

When I first started riding it took a while for me to get the strength and balance to try standing up (I'm a pretty heavy cyclist, so standing up is much more demanding), and when I finally did, I found that the bike felt squishy and unstable - it kind of freaked me out and I hated it. I'd sit right back down again!

But then two things changed - I got new wheels, which were much stiffer, and I had a professionally bike fit session, after which I felt more balanced and centered on the bike.

Also, I took a cycling skills clinic last fall and it was fantastic - I re-learned how to ride no-handed, among many other drills - like Torrelin mentions - all of which really helped me feel more comfortable and balanced on the bike. If you can find a take a cycling skills clinic anytime soon, I strongly recommend it.

So, while standing is still very tiring, I do feel more comfortable out of the saddle.

On the other hand, I hate standing on the trainer - I feel like I'm going to pitch over forward - I think I need to move the bike underneath me to be able to stand and pedal hard. I suspect it means I need to improve my form when standing. Luckily there is always something new to learn, so we never get bored! :)

[anakiwa]

I totally agree on this sounding like a fit issue. I'm guessing the reach to your handlebars may be too far (or they may be too low). If that's the case, you'll feel unbalanced and be nervous about letting go of any part of the bike.

As far as hills go- I never stand up and I'm perfectly happy that way. I often shift around and use different muscles, without actually standing.


Would you ladies clarify why 1) someone would want to stand while coasting and 2) why one would want to dismount while clipped in to one pedal?

1) When going over speedbumps, potholes, and unidentified obstacles. Or to stretch one's back.
2) I hadn't ever really thought about this- I think having one foot clipped in gives you a lot more control- when both feet are unclipped all you can do is stop. If you've got one foot in and there's suddenly something to dodge, you're better connected with the bike and in a position to pedal.

[emily_in_nc]

Just to add to all the great suggestions here...when you do try to stand, make sure you're not in too EASY a gear. If you are, your legs will just spin wildly and out of control. You need to be in a tough enough gear that you get some resistance in the pedals. Most people who do climb standing (part of the way), actually upshift 1-2 gears before standing to avoid this spinning out of control feeling. I learned to stand while coasting by shifting to a "harder" gear. Instant difference!

My favorite time to stand is to get a good burst of speed when leaving a stop sign or stoplight. It seems natural to stand then to get going.

Good luck!

Emily

[RolliePollie]

WOW! What an INCREDIBLE amount of EXCELLENT advice! Thank you all SO MUCH!!! :D :D :D

Not only do I feel better about my own butt-glued-to-seat and sketchy stopping techniques, but I also have some new and great ideas to try out! You guys are all just awesome!!!

It's interesting, when I read all the posts about bike fit, it sounds like folks are thinking my bike is too large or the reach is too long, etc. I actually think it may be just the opposite. I think the bike is a bit too small! I feel like the top tube might be too short, thereby not giving me quite enough room for my body if I do try to stand up. If I stand up while I'm coasting (by the way, I've only been doing that to try and get the feeling of standing...plus it does let you stretch a little bit), I almost feel like I'm going to go forward over the handlebars. Very interesting...I think a fitting is in order! However, I'm not having any specific issues with discomfort or pain, so the fit must not be too bad. I do think the knees would appreciate a little more seat height though. I'll just move it up a smidgen at a time I guess.

I have been able to make it up all the hills I've tried (except that nemesis hill) and I'm really good at gearing down. I think I'm pretty good at spinning and I like to anticipate hills by getting into those granny gears a little early. I've noticed that when I hit the granniest of the grannies and I still want more gears, I just have to relax a bit and go for it. Next thing I know, I'm at the top of a hill. I am doing quite a bit of climbing (I think about 1,400'-2,000' per 15-25 miles on my "normal" routes), so I'm definitely getting practice on gearing, controlling my breathing, etc.

So I think I'll make standing up a goal but maybe a goal for later in the future instead of a goal for tomorrow!!! I guess what it all boils down to for me is that I want to be a really good cyclist RIGHT NOW...I don't want to be a beginner! But how silly is that? I should embrace "beginner-hood" and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when I learn new things and conquer new skills!

[Starfish]

When I stop my bike, i do not first stop the bike and then get off my saddle. Nor do I stop the bike and then put my foot down. <snip> I hope this description is fathomable.

Lisa, this is an almost perfect description of what I do, too.

[RolliePollie]

Lisa and Starfish - I think what you do is exactly what I want to do!!!

Do you want to fly to California and teach me? :rolleyes:

[Starfish]

Lisa and Starfish - I think what you do is exactly what I want to do!!! Do you want to fly to California and teach me? :rolleyes:

You have NO idea how good a trip to CA sounds right now in my cold northwest world! Alas, you'll have to master it without me, but you can do it! ;)

[Kano]

You know, I just had a thought ---

I don't think I ever made a conscious decision about standing on my bike. One day, I just noticed myself up off the seat for a little bit, as I got going at an intersection, rather than just hopping up onto the seat.

I bet the hills will be that way too -- someday, I'll just find myself taking advantage of that extra little burst of power.

Maybe it's going to work that way for you too!

Karen in Boise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa, this is an almost perfect description of what I do, too.

Yes, and the braking action helps propel me forward off the saddle anyway while my foot is going down to the ground. It's a lovely system!

Did I hear someone is paying our way to CA for a stopping lesson?..... :p :cool:

[RolliePollie]

Did I hear someone is paying our way to CA for a stopping lesson?..... :p :cool:

Ummmmm....paying? Uhhhhh, ummmmm.....well, uhhhh, no, not paying, but you're more than welcome to stay at my house :p

[Zen]

I don't think I ever made a conscious decision about standing on my bike. One day, I just noticed myself up off the seat for a little bit, as I got going at an intersection, rather than just hopping up onto the seat.


Karen in Boise


I know that feeling.
I was gong downhill the other day when I realized I WAS REALLY GETTIN' IT!
No brakes, no fear, in fact there was quite a bit of joy and feeling of accomplishment!

I know the "want to do it now" feeling too.

We'll get it...eventually.

[East Hill]

Graceful? We have to be GRACEFUL :eek: ?

I guess I will have to get out there and get more practice.

:p

East Hill

[RoadRaven]

I have read through this entire thread and tried to do it justice - though I am tired so forgive me if this has been said, but I didn't see it written...

I too had great difficulty learning how to stand and hated the squirelly feeling when I tried, and my standing efforts would be just seconds.

Then I found if I kept the nose of the bike in contact between my thighs as I stood, I felt much more in control...

Now I don't need constant contact, but I still do use the nose of the bike occasionally to orientate my position on the bike in an uphill burst of speed (my uphill busts being moving from a snail to a tortoise pace :rolleyes: )

The only way to be able to do it for longer is to keep practising standing and slowly your body learns to expect and cope with it - you are making a greater effort to climb standing, than when you climb seated.

I find a slight uphill gives you more control when practising standing simply because your centre of gravity changes.

Good luck - and just keep having a go :)



Would you ladies clarify why someone would want to stand while coasting

I often stand while coasting downhill so I can stretch my legs , arms and back
I don't lose speed and can get a much needed stretch without stopping (I don't like to stop during training rides - and of course to stop in a race is self-defeating)

:p

[onimity]

As far as standing while coasting, I do that sometimes for visibility, I regularly ride a big hill with a hard-to-see intersection, standing a bit lets me have a clear view of any cars.

I had the same exact problem when I first got back on a bike. I found that the standing thing came naturally as I got more comfortable with the bike. At first I was really frustrated that I couldn't do it. I could do it in Jr. High, after all, on my parents old 10 speeds that fit me miserably. So I had my LBS look at the fit on my bike again, all good, I was just a turkey. But then one day I just stood and jammed up a little hill without even thinking about it. Once I was comfortable on the bike it was all good.

As far as clipping out at a stop, I usually ride in bike lanes and one thing that I love to do is to ride up next to a curb/ped x-ing sign etc. and use that as a rest for my right foot. That way I can stay in the saddle and keep my left foot ready to go when the light changes. I found that the thing that helped me get good at stopping and unclipping was learning to maintain my balance while riding very slow.

BTW, I usually ride a mountain bike. I just got a road bike and am a total klutz on it. I figure that sooner or later it I will feel as comfortable on it as I do on my MTB.

Good luck!

Anne