off to try my new clip in shoes!!

[txred9876]

As I sit here I am excited to try them out but afraid of a possible fall. I got the mtb shoes with spd clip pedals. The local bike shop that was recommended by my spin class instructor, were great in helping picke out everything (on a budget).

I think one thing surviving the most deadly,rare and aggressive form of breast cancer has taught me is to try new things......

I am begining to like riding but am still a very big newby.....

tina

[ny biker]

Everybody falls. Just laugh and get back on the bike.

Good luck!

[sundial]

I think one thing surviving the most deadly,rare and aggressive form of breast cancer has taught me is to try new things......


Show no fear and go for it!

[Zen]

How long have you been riding?
What kind of riding are you doing?
I ask because I'm wondering if you really need these yet.

[malkin]

Nevermind what you need!
You've got 'em, you'll try 'em, probably you'll fall (a few times), and if you love 'em, keep 'em, and if not, try something else.

You're a survivor!!! Hooray for you!!!


When I joined 'Club Tombay' I ended up with a big purple Nike swoosh on my bum.

[txred9876]

How long have you been riding?
What kind of riding are you doing?
I ask because I'm wondering if you really need these yet.

I am training for a sprint tri as well as working to lose TONS of weight. I currently take 2-3 spin classes a week and riding 2-3 times a week. I have built up to riding about 12-14 miles per time. I would like to build up to longer rides so I would feel comfortable riding in a group around austin. In any sport I have ever done in my life I have found that specialized equipment, most of the time, improves ones outcome.

I have been using the shoes in spin class already. I just got the pedals for the bike yesterday.

[Zen]

Let me rephrase the question.

I'm wondering if you feel confident/in control enough on the bike yet.
Master one thing at a time.
Clipping in during spin class is not the same as road riding.

[txred9876]

Well everything started out ok. I practiced getting in and out and then decided to try a little ride.

I was going to try a new path as the 6 mile loops I had been doing were kind of getting old (but at least I knew where the DOGS WERE!)

I made a wrong turn so went down a HUGE hill and back up. THen I started down the next road (I thought the right road.... next time I will make sure in the CAR!)
My friend had her cell phone and my car to come get me "just in case" so I was not worried at all......then....

well... the second turn took me past a great pyrenees dog.... I had been past this dog before but today ... omg it was kind of aggressive... I had the sprint of my life....shoes worked great....but i was in the highest gear and going like a bat out of hell.... for a good 1/4 mile....but it seem longer. I finally yelled a couple of times and the dog backed off.....whew.... water...wheres the water.....

Then I go around the corner and there are two back to back hills....pretty good ones that I had not been able to make it up before. Well I felt really good with myself that I had made it! I was cruising along about 10mph trying to catch my breath a little....when lo and behold....omg more dogs! This time it was at least 4-5 and no fence. I figured I would just stop and face them because sometimes you can scare them off. I am not afraid of dogs but I was a little gun shy after the first dog encounter of the day.....dang it...did't get my left foot unclipped good enough. Down I went....stunned... I just sit there in the street (not much traffic and a dead end). The kid of the house runs out making sure I am ok as my left leg below the knee is road rashed up and bleeding like a stuck hog....I had to calm HIM down!!! He asks me if I need anything and i said I am ok...Just need to catch my breath a little. Well he went to the house got me something to clean my leg up with.... by this time his mother had come out all appologetic and I told her... it wasn't her dogs really.... I was just a little gun shy and could not get unclipped!

Remember my backup friend... well she is in the DOG HOUSE! She had her phone on vibrate so didn't get my 10 or so calls....

well I made it home and it was probably a good thing I had to ride the 2 or so miles home anyway....


I like them when I am riding especially for those big hills.... just leave the dogs out of the picture and I will be ok!

damage report... bike is ok... tina has road rash just at the knee down the shin.... left elbow (gotta be careful with that one... don't want my lymphadema to flare) and a nice big ol bruise on the bum!

Hope you get a good laugh at this wonderful bike ride! I did after I got home and put some ice on the leg....

Tina

[txred9876]

Let me rephrase the question.

I'm wondering if you feel confident/in control enough on the bike yet.
Master one thing at a time.
Clipping in during spin class is not the same as road riding.

riding the bike without clips I feel very comfortable. In my younger days I used to ride everywhere all the time so it didn't take long to feel ok on a bike again.

[malkin]

Clipping in during spin class is not the same as road riding.


Some of the time it's the same, isn't it?!

[tctrek]

Wow... you had a heck of a first clipless ride!! I am totally phobic about loose dogs and some of the routes we go around here are farm country where all the dogs run free... and do they ever love to chase bikes!! I can't imagine having a pack of dogs chasing me! I would have pee'd my pants.

But now you absolutely know you can do it and you know that you can fall and get back up and finish your ride. Way to go!!!

[ny biker]

That was quite an adventure. I fell on my first ride with clipless pedals, and there were no dogs anywhere - just me being uncoordinated.

In my experience, bum bruises heal very quickly.

Make sure you give the road rash a thorough but gentle cleaning with soap and water. It will heal best if you keep it moist with anti-bacterial ointment (or Aquafor if you're allergic to the anti-bac stuff, like I am) and also keep it covered with a bandage. See a doctor if you notice any signs of infection.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/DS00450/DSECTION=symptoms

[subengine]

What a crazy clipless adventure! Sounds like adrenaline pushed you up the big hill though. I'm yet to try clipless but I think I will have to wear tights to help with any grazes. Good luck on your next ride! :)

[Zen]

I'm glad you're ok and it did show some responsibility on the dog owners part that they came out to help but I sure wouldn't have let them go without some admonishment.

That's a lot of dogs in that story.
Maybe you should get some Halt

[txred9876]

That was quite an adventure. I fell on my first ride with clipless pedals, and there were no dogs anywhere - just me being uncoordinated.

In my experience, bum bruises heal very quickly.

Make sure you give the road rash a thorough but gentle cleaning with soap and water. It will heal best if you keep it moist with anti-bacterial ointment (or Aquafor if you're allergic to the anti-bac stuff, like I am) and also keep it covered with a bandage. See a doctor if you notice any signs of infection.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/DS00450/DSECTION=symptoms


Thanks for the info.... its been YEARS....make that a few decades since I have had road rash. I am just glad it didnt break the skin on my lymphadema arm.... that could be bad.

Tomorrow I am planning on riding in the city (austin, tx) and hopefully there will not be to many issues.

tina

[Tri Girl]

Ouch! What an adventure on your first clipless ride. :eek: Sorry about the fall, but now that you have that out of the way- you can ride fall free from now on . ;)
Keep reporting on your rides and we'll keep reading!

[zeWoo]

I don't think you ever had much to worry about... falling?...ahhhh, big deal -- there are very few things left in life, that will hurt more than having to endure cancer treatment...;)

[grey]

Ugh. Loose dogs. Lots of those around here. :rolleyes:

I've found in most, calmly saying "hi doggie" or "no" stops them. They suddenly see that I'm a person and not prey to chase. In definite chasers, a loud "NO!" often works. It's pretty rare I need to pull out the spray, or kick a dog (though I have!). And some? Oh heck yes, I pedal as fast and as hard as I can, because there are some dogs that really are dangerous. Those I report to animal control, which really does nothing around here. :rolleyes:

And some chasers? It's SO FUN to turn around and chase THEM. :D

It's all in reading the body language and the meaning behind the bark.

[txred9876]

Ugh. Loose dogs. Lots of those around here. :rolleyes:

I've found in most, calmly saying "hi doggie" or "no" stops them. They suddenly see that I'm a person and not prey to chase. In definite chasers, a loud "NO!" often works. It's pretty rare I need to pull out the spray, or kick a dog (though I have!). And some? Oh heck yes, I pedal as fast and as hard as I can, because there are some dogs that really are dangerous. Those I report to animal control, which really does nothing around here. :rolleyes:

And some chasers? It's SO FUN to turn around and chase THEM. :D

It's all in reading the body language and the meaning behind the bark.

I knew the first one was BAD news..... and was just a little to spooked still for the second group!

I am a dog lover..... I have a chihuahua, corgie, minichure pincher mix (about 45 lbs), and a st bernard. I have had a great bull mastiff also. Normally I can read dogs pretty good and know a stern voice will make them back off....

My nerves were just a little shot....
Tina

[txred9876]

MUCH better. I went to a place that has only bikes and roller bladers (mostly bikes)

It is 3.17 miles around and it has some pretty good challenges. I was able to make it the farthest I have ever made it....about 16 miles!

All without any falls. I am a little sore today but... oh well... I will get over it!
Tina

[ShubieGA]

Good for you! I have to admit, I have not been on my bike in a few months since moving (guess what's in front of the bikes - boxes), but you just reminded me that it wasn't so bad if I fell, and to get back out there! Need to burn LOT's of calories!!!! Thanks TXRed!:D

[txred9876]

Good for you! I have to admit, I have not been on my bike in a few months since moving (guess what's in front of the bikes - boxes), but you just reminded me that it wasn't so bad if I fell, and to get back out there! Need to burn LOT's of calories!!!! Thanks TXRed!:D

Time to move those boxes!!!

Tina

[tribogota]

I have been riding clipless for about 1000 miles and I still FALL over, I live in some of the worst traffic and people make sudden stops and I just can't get out of the clips fast enough. Yesterday a car stopped opened the passenger door, the motorcycle that was ahead of me, slammed on his breaks, and I needed to stop to not hit him, and voila, fell over. I also cannot clip in going up hill, fell over last week doing that. Getting kind of used to falling over though and usually not very hurt. This is not to be discouraging. I am the only one I know that is THIS uncoordinated:cool: