Thanks everyone!

[IGGY]

Hi everyone! I just want to say thank you because I took my bike out tonight, wearing regular shoes, regular pedals, rode hard and fast, practiced my "feathering" and was not afraid of the hills.

I've learned so much by just reading, there's so much knowledge here!

I finally confronted myself and said, who are you trying to impress by clipless?

Absolutely no one. So, tennis shoes!!!!! And, I wasn't shaking, no tummy ache, no heart palpitations.

And the feeling of flying down little hills, was like being a kid again! wooooo

[Blueberry]

Yay!!!!!

CA

[Natural Beauty]

I'm so happy for you! Have Fun!

[Zen]

I think it's easy to get intimidated by reading about some of the accomplished women on this forum. But this is a very diverse group and we all ride for different reasons. Some race, some do extreme distances and some just ride because it makes us feel good. Some have expensive custom bikes and some of us have bargain bikes. The one thing we all have in common is we ride bikes.

If it doesn't make you feel good it's not enjoyable and you won't do it. You've found your ride for now. Good for you.

[Trek420]

I finally confronted myself and said, who are you trying to impress by clipless?

Absolutely no one. So, tennis shoes!!!!!

And it's soooo much more fun to dust racer dudes all kitted out in lycra when you're in tennies, maybe a skort ;) :rolleyes:

[jaydee]

Well done, I'm glad you decided to go tennis rather than clipless.

My LBS wants me to have clipless pedals on the new bike I plan to buy, but I keep telling the chap there that I am not confident enough at this stage.

So yay for tennis shoes - the new cycling fashion statement!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You GO, girl! Do just what you like and forget about what others are doing.
If you have any trouble with tennis shoes slipping off the pedals when wet, on steep hills, etc,....you might want to consider what I use- PowerGrip straps:
http://powergrips.mrpbike.com/product.php?section=product
They are much less confining than clipless, but still give a sense of non-slipping.
Plus, they are adjustable for different size shoes, so I get to wear my heavy insulated hiking boots in the winter and stay cozy warm with several pairs of wool socks! :)

[Iris616]

YAY!! I'm glad you listened to yourself, and found a way to have fun on your bike!!

[Pax]

Way to go!!!

I have a friend who just completed RAGBRAI for the third (or fourth?) time, and she doesn't do clipless...and she's over 50. She just refuses to be cowed by the people who think (and say) you have to wear X or do Y to be a "real" cyclist.

[indigoiis]

On my commuter I have these grippy sharp toothed pedals that "stick" to sneakers, even on a rainy day. I don't want clipless for commuting to the bus because I often have to deal with sudden stops and going in and out of the grocery store and whatnot. Anyhow, I love my grippy pedals. You could probably pick some up at a garage sale.

[elk]

I'm with indigoiis...I have these cool spider pedals that are super grippy because I don't want to go clipless or caged either....

mountain bike platforms... mine are tioga

There is always someone who knows more than you...but so what?!