3 milestones today!

First, went commando and it worked. wore my best shorts and there was not a problem at all.
secound- tried Gu for the first time. Liked it helped a lot in the energy dept. I got out just before lunch, couldn't eat, felt a little lacking energy wise gulped a Gu seemed to help!
third- now don't laugh (not that I think anyone would on this site) But I have been riding my bike with regular shoes for two years. Didn't want to admit to that. I was worried I would hurt myself. Well I have had a great pair of shoes just begging to be worn so I finally had my husband change out my peddles and guess what? I am a natural. Didn't have any problems adjusting. And I do not toot my own horn at all but I am proud of myself.Except for the fact that it took me two years to do it and all along I would have been fine. What a dork I am! I only almost fell once and that was cause it is so fricken windy here today!

Great job Brandi! It sounds like you are rockin' and rollin'! Supposedly, everyone falls at least 3 times when the get clipless pedals... which means I'm due for one more!! ;)

Glad to hear you are finding ways to ride more comfortably!!

Tracy;)

any suggestions on how to fall properly?

Only 3?! I've fallen 4--that I can think of.

Did you hurt yourself? I hate falling! I broke my wrist and my arm (compound fracture,very painful) when I was growing up so I am a bit paranoid of breaking someting
:eek:

As a congrats gift there is a saddle in the mail to you..:D
I sent it priority mail today so you should have it Sat or monday at the latest.
Hope it works for you, if not just keep passing it along. :p
I was the same as you w/ pedals. I think I listened to too many people about how hard it was going to be . I was petrified but as it turned out I was fine?! Go figure!
Good job!!

Oh thank youuuuuuuuu! You are wonderful I bow down and kiss the ground you walk on!! Did I tell you you rock! My butt thanks you!

Nah--just my pride! Just had a few bruises and felt pretty dumb.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brandi

any suggestions on how to fall properly?

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Just avoid sticking out your hands and/or knees, and always, always, tuck your chin on your torso when falling (no matter what/how/where the fall occurs).

I fell off my bike riding in a parking lot about two weeks ago, trying to make 8 figures in a single parking space (bike skills training), riding at about 2 km/hour. I fell, for the third time, hard enough on my left knee to remove a layer of skin (leg warmers are intact though). Again, the bruise is right in front of my knee. If I would have tucked my knee to the inside, I would have a bad bruise on my tight, but probably no hole. Our "falling" instructor (I did have a course in learning-to-fall... that was cool) said to us that we want to maximize body surface when we fall. Hence a whole tight is better than just a knee. Side of the arm is better than palm of hand. You get the idea. Obviously, I don't get it, I need to practice falling more.

And congrats! on your milestones!!

So cool you're trying new things and they're working for you! You go, girl!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grog

Just avoid sticking out your hands and/or knees, and always, always, tuck your chin on your torso when falling (no matter what/how/where the fall occurs).

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Tuck & roll :p ! This was ingrained in me growing up alpine skiing. It's when you stick your hands out to break your fall that you wind up with a broken wrist or arm, or a shoulder injury. But there are those times I and friends of mine have had mtb'ing when you have to catch yourself with your hands to avoid striking your face on a rock. I'm always amazed in those instances how time seems to slow down and I am able to consciously sort through my options in a split second :eek: !

You aced the clipless thing right away :) ! How cool is that?! A word of caution though, make sure you try them off-road to ensure the tension isn't so loose you'll bounce out of them on rough terrain.

Congratulations again and Rubber Side Down ;) !

Go Brandi!
I fell the required 3 times my first day with clipless. Don't worry about serious injury because you only fall when at a complete stop. So it's way more embarassing than anything else. I've only fallen once since. I still have the scars from that first day 18 months ago though...

thanks for all the advise. Now I am going to wrap myself in pillows and go for a ride