Overcome the brake-squeeze reflex? How?

I'm relatively new to riding and although I'm gaining miles on both my mtn bike and road bike, I can seem to get over the brake-squeeze reflex.

I'll be riding along on the quiet residential loop and come to a stop sign. If there are no cars, I'll proceed. But if there is a car on it's way. I come to a screeching stop and both feet are off the pedals. There is no slow down and balance and wait. It is either go or stop as fast as I can.

This is (I think) my main hangup at this moment that is slowing my progress.

Any ideas? I know that this is fast becoming a bad habit that I need to break, I'm just not sure how.

Luann

Luann wrote "I'll be riding along on the quiet residential loop and come to a stop sign. If there are no cars, I'll proceed. But if there is a car on it's way. I come to a screeching stop and both feet are off the pedals."

Luann, I think it's a GOOD habit to stop at stop signs, car or no car. Nuthin' wrong with it. You get a better workout (accelerate out of the stop) fewer tickets, might live longer too ;-)

Just if you're on a group ride call out or signal that you are stopping or slowing.

Sounds like you just need a little more time riding. The more you ride, you will begin to anticipate when you will need to stop, and can begin slowing down. And TREK 420 is right: you should stop at stop signs. You should obey all traffic rules. You will be safer on your bike if you do. So keep riding, and you will not be so nervous.

.. those riders who blow through stop signs, let 'em go. You'll get so much stronger than them working on acceleration from the stop. Just say "on your left" when you blow past them on hills ;-)

Thanks for the input. Although it is important, I wan't trying to make the point of following rules of the road.

My issue is that I'm only comfortable on my bike at two times: when I'm moving along or when I'm at a dead stop with both feet on the ground. Slowing to a stop -- especially with only one foot unclipped -- It feels very unnatural and scary.

It is probably something that I need to practice. Is there any tips or techniques that might help?

Luann wrote: My issue is that I'm only comfortable on my bike at two times: when I'm moving along or when I'm at a dead stop with both feet on the ground. Slowing to a stop -- especially with only one foot unclipped -- It feels very unnatural and scary.

Hmmmmmm, any problems clipping back in? Do you unclip and then feel as if you'll get stuck when you stop? When you say scary what do you envision could happen as you unclip? What's up?

Tell the nice ladies at Teamestrogen. we can help ;-)

I unclip my left foot ONLY, never both till the ride is over. I was told it's better to unclip the right for various reasons including safety. But I just can't do it.

I mean I CAN unclip my right or I'd still be attached to my bike right now <g> but at a stop, just can't and I'm right handed. Odd, huh? But you'll find your own way.

Sometimes you just have to practice over and over and...at first I found a very quiet road and just unclip from every concievable combination; feet at 12 and 6, 3 and 9, left, right or put the bike in a trainer and do that.

Glad to read this thread. I too feel edgy when I'm slowing or stopping at an intersection (my most typical falling scenario!). *And* I have a strong preference to set down my left foot, not my right, even though I am a strong dominant righty. I've been trying to training myself to alternate, but it's slow going.

try using just one or two fingers on the levers instead of your whole hand.

Irulan

I wonder if the reason for the righties' strong preference for unclipping the left instead of the right comes from having more strength in the right leg to start (provided the right pedal is at 12 ish, the way I tend to prefer it) and then having the extra time and speed up to help balance while one clips in the left foot...

But...this rightie can only unclip on the right (and starts with left foot clipped in!) ;)

Emily

my answers are never one-size-fits-all. ... one size fits most, some don't fit at all, and some seem really awkward no matter who tries to fit it... =)

Mountain bike for a while. You'll learn to unclip on both sides, guaranteed!

interesting- I'm a lefty and find it much more comfortable to unclip on the right first. I have to make myself practice with the left foot.

bounceswoosh wrote "Mountain bike for a while. You'll learn to unclip on both sides, guaranteed!"

...or die trying ;-)

but back to luann's question I wonder if bike fit can be an issue? On my old bike, before it was fit for me it was hard to stop. Between not having WSD bars and brake levers, to the stem height, I had to throw my whole shoulder around to reach the brakes. I could not brake and downshift simultaneously made starting up a drag. The frame at least fit me or I would have had other issues getting off. So maybe it's not technique at all.

Luann? How's your ride fit?

I think that my fit is good. I have the same issue on both my mtn bike and my road bike. I've switched back to platform pedals untill I get more comfortable with this.

I think that this might be more of a mental block than anything else. I was practicing moving slowly with one foot uncliped a few weeks back and took a good slow motion fall. Although I was not seriously hurt, I ended up with a bit of road rash and a nasty, nasty, painful bruise on my butt cheek.

Since that happened, I've been real skiddish. I need to get over this hurdle. I think it is my main sticking point that is preventing me from having fun and progressing.

I guess I'm just frustrated that I can't make myself get past this.

Have you tried practicing on your mountain bike in grass? Both the braking thing and the clipping out thing. The penalty for failure there is pretty slim.

At least, that's what my husband keeps telling me to do.

That's a good idea. I've thought about it, but haven't tried yet.

I will this weekend. My husband has suggested the same thing. Thanks.

Now Luann, don't be skittish. I've said it before, it is the law, you must fall at least two times with clipless pedals. One of those times should be at a stoplight, with a whole bunch of cars. :D

Seriously, what I did when I first started riding was clip in one foot, and keep the other out. That way, when I stopped I knew I wasn't going to fall. Once you get used to the feeling of slowing/stopping, you can start clipping in both feet.

Practice, practice, practice!

I struggled for a long, long, *LONG* time getting more and more confused by everyone's suggestions.

For me it was just a matter TIME. I could practice in the grass and on a trainer all I wanted but it never made me feel more secure stopping at lights and at signs with cars, pedestrians, and/or packs of group-ride bikes all around me.

I had to just keep "calling out" when I was "stopping" or "slowing" and just do things cautiously (and my way) until TIME, TIME, TIME started working it's magic. I had a few painful falls in the beginning but I never gave up and now I am off the brakes because the feet and pedals have learned to get along.

It will be the same for you. BE PATIENT with yourself and you will be fine.

Enjoy the ride!

Thanks. That's the best advice yet. My work schedule keeps me traveling so much that my biking does not progress as quickly as I'd like it to. I just have to remember it is not just time that will make this more comfortable, its time on the bike. It sounds obvious, I know. But sometimes I need to be reminded of the obvious.

Thanks, Luann

Do you or have you ever driven a stick shift? I feel it's kinda the same thing... simultaneous rhythm.

What works best for me is to definetly try to predict the intersection. If absolutely no cars are near I slide through in a middle gear, ready to accelerate if needed or stop in a hurry. If I must stop or am not sure I also unclip my left foot (I'm a righty) while setting my gears for the acceleration to come.

I live in a somewhat rural area so it is not necessary to stop everytime. Besides I have penty of hills to work on my acceleration strength.

If you want to be like Lance and balance yourself while at a standstill... remember he has been riding for many, many years.