Karen,

I love your new mantra too. Wish I had read it BEFORE I went out riding today. After fall #1 of 3, I keep saying "You are clipped in, you are clipped in, you are clipped in).

Today was my first day on my bike in a long time. And today was my first time ever riding clipped in. I have my training wheels/pedals (that's what I told the guy at the bike shop when I went in for a bike checkup and to get shoes). My training pedals have the clips on one side and are flat on the other (like the spinning/cycling bikes at the gym; just without that toe cage).

The first time I had to stop, I unclipped with no problem. The next time, I remembered that I should unclip as I was falling over and laughing uncontrollably at myself. After the 3rd fall, I kept 1 foot clipped in and used the other training pedal (yes, I chickened out).

I think next time I'll try another trail/path. This one had too many sharp curves and very narrow. Too much stopping or slowing down until you almost stopped (that was fall #3).

Well, tomorrow's a new day. I look forward to going on another practice ride after my run.