I have a confession...starting the bike

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Originally Posted by Owlie

Before I got clipless pedals, though, I'd do BOTH with my right foot. It took a little time for me to break that habit...:rolleyes:

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I still do both with my right foot even though I clip in now :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Catrin

My new "intermediate" starting method doesn't have me gliding more than a nanosecond - left foot on the ground, right foot clipped to the pedal at between 12-1:00 - I push down and somehow my saddle slides under my butt and my left foot winds up on the pedal and off I go - this all happens really fast once I force myself to move.

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I think if I tried to do that I would crash immediately! :eek:

My bottom pedal is the one my foot is on, not the top pedal.
So: left foot on the pedal, pedal at 6:00 or just slightly up. Right foot on ground. Push with right foot (a la a scooter) as as I glide I use the left pedal (still at 6:00) as a step and lift my butt onto the saddle. Once my butt is on the saddle I start pedaling with both feet.

Catrin,
not sure it would solve your starting problem - but have you ever tried a cowboy mount instead of first straddling the bike and then starting? It changes the 'two-step-start' into a 'one-single-motion' start, so it may feel more natural...

Catrin, how has this been going for you? I'm having to learn this skill on my new road bike - I've always kept the seat low enough (too low) so my butt could sit on the saddle and my feet would touch the ground. I'm trying to learn this skill on my new bike now. (and the sheldon brown video/page is super helpful, thanks to the poster!). For me, it is far from second-nature and easy, but with a little (okay, a lot) of practice, it is possible. Just wondered how you were doing with it.

Not going very well, but my saddle is getting up there closer to where it should be. I seem to still be able to figure out how to start with my butt in the saddle - but the important thing is that my seat height is getting up to where it should be :)

Of course, until my leg heals, I am not doing much riding :( The weather does help with that though, so it isn't as hard on me as when it was so nice!

I hope you heal soon!

I hope all is well Catrin. I took it slow too and raised my seat slowly each time. It will come - just believe. Don't worry about it or over think it.

I hope you heal soon.

MRE

http:\\bikesinmotion.blogspot.com