"Scootering" my bike

[Catrin]

As I've mentioned here before, I start riding with my butt on the saddle. That is how I've rolled from the beginning because it was the only way I could persuade my body to do it

I learned this weekend's mountain biking camping trip that I REALLY need to learn how to at least "scooter" my bike to start it, even if I can't start in a more traditional way. If I don't then I will start having significant problems getting started when I graduate to more advanced trails, and it is likely already giving me a problem.

It is a mental think, and I KNOW it. I understand the concept, but when it comes to doing it my body just freezes.

Am I the only one with this problem? I assume it is a fear of falling...which frankly I shouldn't have any more as often as I've fallen on the trails

So, one of my goals this week is to take one of my bikes, probably the mountain bike, out to some grass or parking lot and work on this. I've tried this before and failed...

[Velocivixen]

When you say "scootering" your bike do you mean one foot on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke and using the free foot pushing on the ground like you would on a scooter? I think that's what you mean. Sometimes if I'm in certain situations I do that. For example I was coming to a stop light and basically had almost stopped, but had to cross train tracks to get to the actual line where I had to finally stop, so I stopped & put my foot down and continued to roll scootering my bike over the tracks to it's final stop.
Have you tried starting from a stop in the "more traditional way"? It sounds like you have. Keep working....the body can learn and you can get over any fears. You will gain confidence just like with any new motor skill.

[Veronica]

I just can't fathom how this works for you.

Your saddle must be super low.

Have you seen this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SjH...eature=related

I watched it without sound, so I hope the advice is good.

Veronica

[jessmarimba]

I almost always start with my butt on the saddle, but that's b/c I like to rest sitting on it, rather than standing over the bike. I have long (err...big) feet so it's not too hard for me to touch one toe down and keep the other foot clipped in while still sitting.

[Catrin]

I almost always start with my butt on the saddle, but that's b/c I like to rest sitting on it, rather than standing over the bike. I have long (err...big) feet so it's not too hard for me to touch one toe down and keep the other foot clipped in while still sitting.

I have long feet, and I've proper leg extension on my road bike. I need to raise it a bit on my Mtb bike but have to learn a new way to start it. I've seen the videos, the problem is doing it...

[pll]

I just can't fathom how this works for you.

Your saddle must be super low.

Have you seen this video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SjH...eature=related

I watched it without sound, so I hope the advice is good.

Veronica

I find they way she stops is odd... the foot that goes on the ground does so from the top of the stroke. I usually unclip my left foot at the bottom of the stroke and that's the one that goes on the ground.

[jessmarimba]

I learned during a race on Saturday that I can just throw my foot over the top tube, land on the pedal, clip in, and GO! With the opposite foot clipped in first than usual, no less! But I have no idea if I can do it not under pressure

So I have no worthwhile advice. But it might help if people are chasing you

[Bike Writer]

I also cannot imagine starting from sitting in the saddle? I begin like the person in the video, however I'm not sure if I stop at the top or bottom of my pedal stroke, hmmm, I'll have to pay attention next ride.

I know there are many many ways to mount a bike. When I was a kid I would run next to it for a couple of steps and jump on. I have a friend who starts off the bike, gets it into motion with one foot/leg then throws her leg over it all in kind of one motion. I did this when I was a kid too but can't quite imagine doing it now. I remember watching the "cooler" big kids do it and when I learned how to I was thrilled.

I think you can learn other ways when you want to, just takes a lot of practice and determination.

[jessmarimba]

Oh, starting in the saddle is easy! I usually lean a little to the right with my weight on my right foot, left foot clipped in at the top of the stroke, and just push down on the left while I push off a little with the right. Boom, you're going.

[PamNY]

I had to practice starting a lot before I felt in traffic. Probably you just need practice.

Is your saddle very low? I'm not sure how you can start with your butt on the saddle if your saddle is where it needs to be.

[jessmarimba]

Is your saddle very low? I'm not sure how you can start with your butt on the saddle if your saddle is where it needs to be.

Not sure if that's me or Catrin, but both of mine are the right height. It helps if you have a size 10 foot. I can touch both tippytoes to the ground at once if I really want to, though it makes my foot cramp.

[Catrin]

I had to practice starting a lot before I felt in traffic. Probably you just need practice.

Is your saddle very low? I'm not sure how you can start with your butt on the saddle if your saddle is where it needs to be.

My saddle is perfect on my road bike - this is my custom bike that was designed for me and I've proper leg extension and knee angle on that bike. My foot is barely on the ground but it works - where there is a will there is a way It may have partially to do with my proportions, I don't know.

Of course my mountain bike has a much higher bottom bracket, so it it is a different story. I need to learn another way of doing it before it gets higher - or just break down and get a remote control seatpost (NOT)

I have no problem starting either bike, but my current method makes it impossible to start on an incline. This is more of an issue with the mountain bike... I actually want to learn how to scooter it as it will be helpful to me in several situations.

I did look at the video - as I said I do understand the concept, it is just getting past that block of doing it. I also unclip at the top of my pedal stroke - FOR ME this is more stable than unclipping at the bottom of my pedal stroke.

[Susan]

Maybe try this -
Engage both your brakes.
Stand over your bike, one foot on the pedal (usually the left foot). Pedal position for this pedal up, but not at 12 o clock, more at 10 or 9, if you'd look at it from the side.
Keep your brakes engaged.
Now push of your other foot and put weight on the foot on the pedal. You can do it just for a very short time and put your foot back on the ground. If you practice, you can stand on the pedal for quite a long time, balancing, so you are not in a hurry.

If you feel secure doing this, you can release your brakes, and all you have to do now is push down on the foot to get your bike going.

Imagine the pedal you are standing on is the first step of a ladder, it's the same movement.

[Reesha]

Hmm, I also start with my left foot on the ground and my butt on my seat. Post-proper bike fit and all. When I am stopped however, my toe just barely grazes the ground. Still, I have more power starting already on the seat. The only time I 'scooter' the bike is when a light catches me by surprised and I've had my left foot flat on the ground, butt off the seat.

[Catrin]

Maybe try this -
Engage both your brakes.
Stand over your bike, one foot on the pedal (usually the left foot). Pedal position for this pedal up, but not at 12 o clock, more at 10 or 9, if you'd look at it from the side.
Keep your brakes engaged.
Now push of your other foot and put weight on the foot on the pedal. You can do it just for a very short time and put your foot back on the ground. If you practice, you can stand on the pedal for quite a long time, balancing, so you are not in a hurry.

If you feel secure doing this, you can release your brakes, and all you have to do now is push down on the foot to get your bike going.

Imagine the pedal you are standing on is the first step of a ladder, it's the same movement.

I see what you are saying, practice first with my brakes engaged just to get a feel for it, I will give this a shot. I think when I've tried this in the past it felt so scary-unstable that my body or brain (or both) just decided "nope"

I think if I can figure out the scootering part, then the rest of it (getting in the saddle) will come naturally.

I rode with my personal trainer and his wife Saturday, they are both avid mountain bikers. She rode in front of me, he stayed behind and coached me. With his help, and some pushing, I was able to ride all of a trail that I've not been able to ride in the past - had a mental problem with the rocky portions and the bits with a drop-off at the side. I have been chipping away at that trail, but it took riding with someone who knows how to motivate me to get me over the scary bits. Now I know I can do it

It is his strong opinion that my current starting position is really going to limit me, which is a good incentive to finally deal with it.