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The advice I got when I went clipless (surely, from here) was to practice clipping & unclipping while leaning against a wall--both sides, please. Then try it on some grass. Then I did a few laps around the neighborhood. Once, I did a whole organized ride with one foot clipped out, because there were so many unexperienced riders and children (St. Louis Midnight Ramble). However, I don't advise that--I ended up with blisters :-)
I was thinking this, too. Picture yourself riding along, enjoying yourself, smiling, everything going well. Imagine yourself successfully clipping out and putting your foot down with no problems. Focus on that.Quote:
Originally Posted by tulip
Hmmm... I don't think this is a whiney post at all. Naturally I'm rivited because I'm in the exact same space.
I read some old cycling forums on this topic and I can confidently report that fear of pedaling clipless is pretty universal. But there is some great advice : so far I've learned that 1) I don't have to use clipless if I want to, 2) I need to make sure the tension is easy; 3) anticipate problems and clip out early; 4) if I fall, I can get back up and start pedalling again: and here's the best bit of advice: if I'm riding up a steep hill and am losing power, I need to clip out and WALK.
That made me laugh. I forgot I had that option. How sensible. I get to ride my bike and keep myself safe.
I haven't read this anywhere, but is it possible that my ankles are weak in that area?
When I fell, my arms supported me pretty well because of strengthening from yoga and I didn't get hurt.
There doesn't seem to be any crossover exercise because the outward movement of the heel clipping out is so peculiar to this sport.
Maybe I need to crush out cigars or do the twist like Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction. Maybe I just need to get stronger ankles.
This is excellent advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by tulip
When I was learning - I rode around the block for a couple miles (it was only 1/4 mile for the loop) seemingly endlessly, coming to a full stop, unclipping, and putting my foot down even though it wasn't required at every corner. Going through that entire drill some 20-30 times in a single afternoon was boring but was all I needed to develop that muscle memory. The key is to practice, practice, untill you are comfortable. It does not take long.
No pole vaulter ever cleared 10' on the first try. And every attempt ends up in a fall. Yet they continue to practice until they get it right. As cyclists we don't have near that kind of challenge. Clipping in/out is so ingrained that most of us never give it a second thought.
It's not rocket science. It's learning a little coordination in order to become a skilled rider. If it were really as hard as some people make it out to be, nobody would be riding clipless.
Don't overthink it! Just practice and it will become second nature.
I do not like those steep climbs with a stop sign at the top, either.
Or how about the rides in the Hill Country with t he cattle guard half way up the steepest part of the steepest hills? Just when you realize that you are in your granny granny gear and can't get up enough speed to get over it safely. And it is such fun tip toeing over those things. One ride I did had nothing but hills, and most of them, or at least 14 had cattle guards on them. I walked a lot that day.
marni
This was my situation last week except on a steep hill in a reasonably busy suburb! I was with a group and they stopped at the top of the hill as there were cars parked on each side and we were going to make a right hand turn but needed to give way to traffic. I unclipped ready to stop and the girls moved forward. I pedalled over and my foot clicked back in (I use speedplays). I had already started to lean my weight to the left to stop but just couldn't get my foot out in time. I didn't help that I was totally unfamiliar with the route.Quote:
Originally Posted by DarcyInOregon
The worst part wasn't the fall - it was that on a 500m stretch of road I fell right next to a pallate of roof tiles on the verge. Which my head bounced off of. I was pefectly OK except for some dropped dignity and the need for a new helmet.
gabriellesca, I used to think that every other cyclist knew something I didn't. That they all had these superior skills and reaction times and I just didn't think too fast. In all honestly, this isn't the case. In a lot of situations they are likely to come a cropper as well. Some things are just harder to navigate than others. So keep practicing and take baby steps, you will get there.
I have had quite a few nerve blocks in my upper c-spine and so my balance is rubbish. It has taken many months of solid practice just to be able to take a water bottle. About four times a week I head to a quiet, big car park and just practice skills. Starting, stopping, riding one handed etc.
I am an over thinker as well and there is some truth to just doing it. At the same time you need to enjoy your cycling and being scared kinda sucks the fun out of it.
It really is a matter of practice and don't beat yourself up because it doesn't come as naturally to you as it may seem to come to others.
You guys are so right - I am overthinking this to death and I am letting myself picture non-stop the falls, how bad my falls have hurt, my friend's fall. I'm not picturing the positive side of going clipless - of enjoying the benefits of it (which I'm sure I will feel once I relax). I'm so caught up in the negative that I'm not seeing the positive. I trait that I battle in every aspect of my life but that I am working on.
Shoot - there are so many good suggestions and posts I want to respond to them all. AMP - I like that we're in similar places and both trying to get through it. Tulip - DEAD ON - you're so right that I'm focusing only on my fear and the negative. I know I need to change this. Sundial - I always forget to paperboy it (isn't that what it is called) - I can always do that if I need to and there are no cars. NY - TOTALLY need to just envision it going smoothly. Withm - I do keep thinking this - hello - everyone rides this way - I can too! And Faster - thanks for just reminding me that it may SEEM easier for others.
Everyone here has been so helpful - sometimes I need a smack. And I need a smack! :)
This may be a bit much - but the one thing I've learned through cycling is how it is such a metaphore for life in general. I think of how when you approach a hill from the base it looks huge and you think you can never get over it - you can't imagine how you will have the power to get up it - and then slowly you make your way up - chugging along - and you get to the top and you're so proud! There was this hill on my training rides and it was so huge to me - we would take a route that took us down it for weeks. The first week we had to go up it I paniced. But I got up it and celebrated all day. :) So ........ you now have me excited to do this. To get past this fear. To picture myself reaping the rewards!
When I signed up for my Century in 2008 with Team in Training I NEVER thought could train and ride it. No one in my life thought I would do it. On the morning of the ride my brother-in-law told my sister he thought I wouldn't make it 5 miles. But I did 17 weeks of training - every training ride - I only sagged 2x - and I rode every mile of the 103.3. So if I can do that - I certainly can do this!
(How's that for a pep-talk?) THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!
I don't like your brother-in-law. Don't listen to him. Or any other doubters, for that matter. Listen to us instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by gabriellesca
He's actually an awesome guy and I adore him. I think he started driving the route and couldn't imagine I would finish. He also saw me starting out and I was a wreck and very slow at the start - getting used to all the riders etc. - He and my sister rode the ENTIRE 103.3 miles - they would go up ahead 10 miles and then park or find a little place to put lawn chairs out and then cheer me on. WHen I came in at the end of the day (10 hours later) he was bawling right along with me and my sister! So he's a good guy!
But I know what you mean - not good for people not to believe in you. I think they were just shocked that I did it. I was too!
Gabriellesca, alot of hill climbing is mental. Focus 10 feet in front of you and pedal away. You can do this! :) :)Quote:
Originally Posted by gabriellesca
Thanks Sun!!
Also, if you really don't feel ready to go to cleats - dont. Although there are lots of advantage they will also be lost if you get put of riding.
So perhaps do a few more rides, get a bit more confident in your handling skills and then look at cleats again?
Confidence is what is left after you take out the fears.
On my first century, I was considering bailing as we headed into hill AFTER hill at mile 80. I had trained in the area, so mentally I thought I was prepared. However, fatigue was setting in and I was seriously considering throwing my bike in a ditch. My Brother-in-law and I started a mantra,
"The ferry (that took us across the river and into the flats) is over this hill."
"OK. It must be this hill."
"Seriously, this HAS to be the last hill."
We crested a hill and there was a buff cycling dude with an expensive bike sprawled out in the grass on the side of the road, looking like a (as we'd say in skiing) yard sale! I yelled, "Are you OK?"
He said, "Yeah. Just resting."
I started laughing so hard, that I forgot how much I was hurting. (I think we made it to the ferry about 3 hills after that. We thought we were home free until a group of tri-bikers said, "Only one more 18% grade to go!" Now that's why I don't usually socialize with other cyclists--I didn't need to know that!)
It's all mental. Just like a marathon. I was never a good runner, just more determined/pig-headed.
Chuckle. I was just on one of those one big climb after another rides. I've done it before. I actually love it--do enough long slugs up gradients in the teens and the 8-10%-ers at home don't feel so bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrekTheKaty
Anyway, I was standing near two guys at the last rest stop. It is on a lovely bluff and you can see forever in all directions. One of them said, "It has to be all down hill from here". I turned to them and said, "uh, no....there is one more big hill waiting for you. Can't you hear it taunting me? The hill's voice is getting strong. It is saying, 'Save some for me. You know I'm steep. And I can last longer than you'."
They both looked at me like was this crazy old lady (which, of course, I am). Fine.
At the end of the ride, one of the guys came up to me and said, "Uh...we didn't believe you. You undersold that hill. It was a killer." :D
There is always another hill. Master one and a bigger one appears. Zen out. Relax. Smile. You'll be surprised what you can do.
I've only met one hill in the last couple of years I've had to bail on. I used the driveway method that Darcy suggested. Thankfully, there wasn't traffic.
<<snort>> good one!Quote:
Originally Posted by TrekTheKaty
I think that's one of the reasons I love cycling - it is teaching me to take things as they come - one day/one hill/one ride at at time. Not that you can tell from this post and all my fear - but I am making progress!
I like the 'looking like a yard sale' - funny!
Yep, it pays to be tenacious. Even if you're going 3 mph up a hill you're still going and besides, there's nothing more satisfying than passing a weight weenie roadie that's blowing up on the hill. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by TrekTheKaty
I would have bailed at mile 30. You're a tough cookie, Trek. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by TrekTheKaty