Another post about cliplessness

So, this is my first actual post on the forum, I've made some little responses. AAAAND I'm long winded, so sorry if you get bored, I'll try to practice being concise. But i'm not going to be right now.

A couple days ago while in search of rim tape, I stumbled across consignment speedplay pedals with brand new cleats for $60!!!!! So, my boyfriend demanded that i buy them and i left excited and terrified that there is now no excuse for me not to go clipless (i had shoes that i had bought on sale a while ago).

Yesterday, I went on my first clipless ride. I had decided just to go on the bike path since the day before i had ridden 30 mi (a long ride for me). The bike path is just an flat out and back, but the timing was just right that at the point i would turn around, I was at the meeting place for an all women's ride. Which, by the way, is amazing! Having all women to ride with is fantastic and encouraging beyond belief.

My ride to the meeting place was fine, a little fumbling with my cleats but nothing to be worried about. I just kept trying to clip out super early so i wouldn't topple over at any stops. I just kept hearing my bf's voice in my head saying, "Now, I'm going to tell you this, there will be a time that for whatever reason, maybe you forgot to clip out, maybe you didn't twist your foot far enough, or maybe you lean the wrong way, but for whatever reason, you'll approach a stop and there's nothing you can do, and you're going to fall over. This WILL happen."

So encouraging, thanks, hun.

Sure enough... there was a stop sign that we were all pulling up to and i didn't twist my foot far enough and I toppled over. In front of all the women. It would have been really embarrassing, but the women were more concerned that I was okay. They all told me how they've fallen exactly the same way before. Also, they told me that that wouldn't be the last time I fell!! They also told me just to "go with it." Ha ha, don't fight the fall, just do it so you can get up faster and not hurt your hands or arms on the way down.

The rest of the ride went smoothly. No further toppling. And I now see why clipless are so amazing, going up hills is SO much easier.

So.... yay for clipless! I can't wait for my legs to stop hurting from my two in a row "big-ish" rides so i can go out again!

I am new to posting so forgive me if this does not work well . My first clipless ride ended with me crashing in my driveway after a crashless 20 mile ride. Luckily my husband kept a straight face and asked if I was okay before asking about my new bike.

Something tells me you'll do Just fine Funsize! You sound like a ball of energy! Congrats! Let me know after you have ridden a while with the speedplays what you think. I'm using the CandyC's right now, which I also use on my Mtb, but I'm wondering whether I should switch my pedals to a a more specific road bike cleat and pedal.

Well done you! I am still occasionally falling off even without clips :o I can see how it would make hills easier though.

When I bought my bike, the man who did my cleat fitting wouldn't let me leave until he saw me clip in and out at least ten time successfully... in the trainer... I drove home full of confidence about my clipless abilities. Needless to say, clipping in in the trainer isn't quite the same as clipping in in the driveway. I got home and my mother came by to admire my shiny new bike. I stood over it, clipped in right without stabilizing the bike, leaned right, and immediately toppled over. I smashed my elbow right into my poor mother's toe, which turned purple and swelled to twice its normal size. She limped around for two weeks after that. She claims she was saving me from a broken elbow--yet another sacrfice mothers make for their children, I guess! So anyway, sounds like you're already doing much better than I was... at least you haven't injured anyone else while learning!

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Originally Posted by m.eliza

When I bought my bike, the man who did my cleat fitting wouldn't let me leave until he saw me clip in and out at least ten time successfully... in the trainer... I drove home full of confidence about my clipless abilities. Needless to say, clipping in in the trainer isn't quite the same as clipping in in the driveway. I got home and my mother came by to admire my shiny new bike. I stood over it, clipped in right without stabilizing the bike, leaned right, and immediately toppled over. I smashed my elbow right into my poor mother's toe, which turned purple and swelled to twice its normal size. She limped around for two weeks after that. She claims she was saving me from a broken elbow--yet another sacrfice mothers make for their children, I guess! So anyway, sounds like you're already doing much better than I was... at least you haven't injured anyone else while learning!

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lol great story!!!

Just having switched to Speedplay I can tell you they are indeed about the easiest to get into once you get the hang of it - yay!

Hello to everyone,
New to the ladies forum and really enjoying the encouragement and tips. I have an old Schwinn Essence mountain bike I've tripped around for years on and recently decided it's time to get a road bike (Specialized Ruby Elite Apex...love it!) Decided to go clipless and to make sure I didn't fall, installed them on my living room spin bike and Essence for good measure. Lo and behold the first time I rode to work my thoughts drifted and coming to a stop..down I went. This is a very busy road and big trucks rule the roost in this town... managed away with a few fair bruises but realized how easy it could be to fall into traffic. I practice now by clicking in and out everytime I find myself forgetting my feet are the pedal while riding. Clipless has made a big difference in my hill climbing and overall muscle efficiancy but I'm still just a little nervous of a blunder which helps me to pay better attention.

I have to say my love of riding bikes was quite keen as a youngster and at 42 seems like I've re-discovered that old best friend.

I've never gone to clipless but I did use the toe straps for a while before I went to Power Grips and I STILL fell a couple of times. I'd forget to take my foot out or not get it out in time.

I never will forget the most embarrassing time. I was riding on the bike path which occasionally crosses a busy road/intersection. There was a group of guys coming in the opposite direction when I had to stop for a car but they whizzed on through. Right before they got to me, I fell directly in their path!!! :eek: Talk about embarrassed. :mad: Hubby just knew that I'd be ready to call it a day and go home after that but I climbed right back on my bike and kept going.

I've gotten better and haven't fallen in a while now (knock on wood!) I think when you are just starting out, especially with new clipless pedals, if you aren't falling, you aren't riding!