So P.O.'d I could scream

[shewhobikes]

Beautiful 75-degree, windless, blue-sky day and the first day of DST. I pick this weekend to change to clipless pedals. Tried toodling around the parking lot which went sort of OK. Trickiest part is I just can't FEEL the dadgum place to clip in. Seems to take FOREVER. But time to go do motherly chores...

Later in the day I think, hey, it's just too pretty to not try again. Same thing. Can't clip in. Finally coast down to the main street below our house. Get one foot (my left, the weaker) in, (bad idea, I know, but I was getting frustrated), start rolling forward, not enough power to find the right pedal, wobble and fall over to the left, backwards, and smack the back of my head on the road. Horrified car stops asking if I'm OK. I yank my damn left foot out, smile and say, yes, thanks I'm really fine, new pedals, yada, yada. Thank God I bought a really good, new road helmet with these pedals. I'd like to yank them off and throw them in the dumpster about now.

I know someone will ask what kind they are, and frankly I can't remember. I did have to get some that look more like BMX type with a bit of a platform because of my lousy feet from arthritis. They are two-sided.

Maybe I should check back with LBS tomorrow and see if the cleats are loose as they can safely be?

Pshaw, after the wreck I was done for. Came back in and poured a glass of wine. Think I'll head for the tub to wash off the chain grease and come back later. Thanks for letting me rant.

[Tar-Cat]

I switched to clipless about a week ago and I've been having a lot of trouble clipping in also. I actually have just been using my boyfriend's SPD pedals with my own shoes and cleats (from his secondary bike), and I have also found that I can't feel where my foot should be. I haven't gotten the hang of it enough that I'm willing to ride on the busier roads in the area.

One thing I have found is that if I get my right foot in first, I don't have as much trouble getting my left foot in once I've started rolling. I'm not sure why that is, but it does seem to help.

[doc]

All newbies to clipless pedals:
Remember, you WILL conquer this too. Just like thousands of other problems you've conquered. I think a glass of wine is a perfect reward for alot of intense effort on shewhobikes' part.
Maybe you could borrow a trainer and practice on it? Or even just have a strong friend hold up your bike while you clip in and out and in and out. If your pedals are the same as the local gym spin bikes, maybe you could practice there. Don't give up! But let us know when you're so good you forgot what you were even talking about today.
Definitely get over to the LBS to make sure everything is set right. Good luck but you don't need it. You just need time, patience and practice.

[shewhobikes]

I know deep down that patience and practice would be the real answer. Guess I had a fantasy that it would come easily. So much for that. I will try again with a better 'tude. And maybe after my favorite LBS guy, who is soooo patient with me, takes a look again at the set up. Happy spring!

[JanT]

How well I remember those early clipless days! I have scars on my elbows, just in case I forget. What I did when I first got them was cleaned the bike up and took it into the livingroom. I held onto furniture and just clipped in and out, over and over, take a break for a couple hours, then go again. It helped me find the feel before I hit the trail. However, I still had trouble with them when I was on the trail and went into a panic mode. It just takes time and practice. Hang in there! Once you get used to them you'll wonder how you lived without them.

[Barb]

If you don't have a trainer, try balancing in a doorway. hold yourself up and clip, unclip...hang in there. I started last week. No falls yet but I have a platform on one side, so if I don't get in right away, it works out ok. I am getting better and faster.