Watch Out-Jennifer Is Clipless!

**Dr. Liz** · 08-01-2006, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Kano

Never mind the bike tipping, Jennifer!

Get your butt off the seat, plant your unclipped foot firmly on the ground! Don't stay on the seat and try to be tippee toe and hope to stay upright -- safer on the ground! That's my theory, it's worked so far, and I'm sticking to it!

That and think ahead. Someday, perhaps there will be a "no time to think" moment, but hopefully, by then, those pedals will be so automatic....

Skiing -- yes, bindings is a good comparison, though it's easier to see what you're doing clipping into ski bindings....

Karen in Boise, a fellow clipless newbie!

Ditto! I agree with the above -especially with the don't stay on the seat thing!

I'm new to the whole cycling thing (hi everyone!), and my DH started me off immediately with clipless Shimano SPD pedals*. This was about 2.5 months ago. I had several hard crashes when I started, but that was mostly because a) I'm not the most coordinated person in the world, and b) I tend to panic. I did spend a fair amount of time practicing (and crashing!) in a parking lot before the DH felt I was ready to actually go out on the road. And since then, things have gotten much better.

As for the ski binding analogy, I wouldn't take it too literally: I generally don't want to come out of my ski bindings unless something Very Bad is happening, and it is all happening Very Fast. The clipless pedals, on the other hand, for me, at least, is all about patience. If I calm down, and think about the steps to coming to a stop (extend one leg, clip out of the other pedal, stand up on the extended leg, and put the unclipped foot down), things are good. I've never had the opportunity to think that rationally when coming out of my ski bindings!

(Unless I'm going in to the locker room at the end of the day. But that's different! )
Good luck!

And for perspective..., while I have mostly got the clipless pedal thing down I haven't mastered the whole water-bottle-while-riding thing, so I don't think the pedal thing is too difficult if you are patient and aren't inclined to panic (unlike me...).

*Yes, the SPD pedals are technically mountain bike pedals, but I can get into them and out of them, so they work for me on my road bike. Which is all that really matters, right?

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-01-2006, 07:22 PM

Welcome to the group and thank you for the tips. I too have Shimano pedals.

**Bicyclette** · 08-01-2006, 10:04 PM

Congratulations, Jennifer! I hope to read updates of your progress - I hope to go clipless in the not too distant future myself - I'm just a little intimidated by it right now

- Pat

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-02-2006, 06:44 AM

Pat, I too am intimidated, but I figure thousands of cyclists can do it, I too can learn.

**bikemad1** · 08-02-2006, 10:48 AM

Dr. Liz, I'm totally with you on your comments. I am just learning the whole clip out thing and trying not to panic. As for the water bottle thing...that's not even on the horizon yet!!!

**redhot3368** · 08-02-2006, 01:17 PM

Good luck Jennifer! You will LOVE being clipped in!
I also have the SPD pedals and my cleats are multi-directional, so I can get out of them at any angle...also I have the pedals set to the lowest tension, so thats it a lot easier to get out. Have you adjusted your tension?
Can't wait to hear about your adventures!
I am JUST learning the whole grab the water bottle without tipping over....dang ...that is not easy.

Have Fun!
Karen

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-02-2006, 01:44 PM

Thank you. I am still practicing, this heat wave is not helping. As for water bottles, I cannot drink and ride. I need to stop. I have not even tried to grab my water bottle and ride at the same time. So much to learn.

**redhot3368** · 08-02-2006, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bikingmomof3

Thank you. I am still practicing, this heat wave is not helping. As for water bottles, I cannot drink and ride. I need to stop. I have not even tried to grab my water bottle and ride at the same time. So much to learn.

Have you thought about using a Camelbak? I use one on my road bike....

**Kano** · 08-02-2006, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Bikingmomof3

Thank you. I am still practicing, this heat wave is not helping. As for water bottles, I cannot drink and ride. I need to stop. I have not even tried to grab my water bottle and ride at the same time. So much to learn.

Jennifer -- CAMELBACK!!!!!

You just grab the "straw" that you always keep in "drink" position, suck away, then spit the straw out til next time!

Much better than trying to reach the water bottle! Of course, there's the squirting water on your head thing....

But then, I haven't seen it, but neighbor lady claims that there's a model with a squirter now? She said she didn't buy it, cuz she thought it sounded silly, but then everyone she's told that she saw it said, wow, cool! so now she's thinking about buying it after all!

Karen in Boise

**Bikingmomof3** · 08-02-2006, 02:07 PM

Karen,
I recently purchased a CamelBak (Charm)-Nashbar, on sale and a free cleaning kit and free shipping, but have not used it yet. I get dehydrated really easily, so I thought it would be a good way to go. I have no clue why I have not used it...

**redhot3368** · 08-02-2006, 02:19 PM

The camelbak is GREAT! You will love it!!
I have two for my road bike.
I still use the waterbottle for Cytomax or extra water!

K

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The Camelbak is GREAT!

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