I finally got some clipless pedals (Frogs) and shoes. Got them for my road bike, but I wanted to learn in my mountain bike because I knew I would probably fall, and I wouldn't want to scratch up my road bike.
I decided to take a leisurely test ride this morning. I rode all around the MUT but about 3 miles out my saddle just came loose and slipped backwards. I guess I had been messing with it at some point and didn't tighten it down, since I hadn't been riding the bike a lot. So I headed home with the saddle pointed up in the front, even though I'd push it down every once in a while. (I have moved my seat bag and everything to the road bike, so I only had ID/money/cell in my jersey--no wrench.) Every time I hit a bump, it tilted up again. Talk about uncomfortable!
So I was feeling all cocky on the clipless pedals, and as I approached my house, there were two women taking a walk right in front of my yard. I had to slide in behind them to get to the gate, which is at the top of a little 4' berm. I cheerily said good morning to the ladies as I rode by in the grass on their right. On a normal day, I let momentum carry me up the hill and slam my brakes on at the top. Then I put my feet down and open the gate and sidle the bike through (keeping the dog in).
Well, of course! Unclipped the right, slammed on the brakes, grabbed for the gate, and forgot to unclip the left! My car was parked right there in front of the gate at the foot of the berm. By this time I was parallel to the berm and just went down. And down and down in front of the car, in slow motion. Kicked the bike off me and got up really quick! The ladies were walking behind my car and didn't see me fall, but they saw me getting up! It was pretty funny. Neighbors sitting on the porch across the street laughing their butts off. (Why must my neighbors come out and smoke at 6:30 in the morning?)
Went in, grabbed the wrench, readjusted the seat, and went and did another 8 or 10 miles (no computer) without incident. I'm going to switch the pedals to my road bike after my group ride tomorrow. Still not feeling comfortable either with group riding or clipless enough to do it in public!
Karen



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