I met some newbies on the path today

[KSH]

KSH,
Good for you for taking the time to help those people out. Yeah, that whole putting both feet down thing is a lot more common that I ever thought. It was just never an issue for me. I've seen postings on the bentrideronline board about it. When I bought my partner a recumbent, she confessed that her inability to get both feet on the ground upon stopping was a major factor in her reluctance to ride a bike. She loves the bent and really enjoys riding now.

Honestly, the thought never crossed my mind to try to put my feet down while still sitting on my seat. So, I had a hard time understanding why she kept falling off her bike... which made her scared of it... even though she didn't have clipless pedals. Poor thing.

I wish I could see her again to give the riding lesson tips that Keno listed! What wonderful tips!

[Kano]

I wish I could see her again to give the riding lesson tips that Keno listed! What wonderful tips!

I did good? Which tips? Oh wait, let's don't call them TIPS -- newbies don't want those! tips hurt!

Karen in Boise

[laughlaugh18]

I guess that's one good thing about being short - when I learned to ride (at age 12 - a late bloomer), it never even occurred to me that it might be possible to put both feet on the ground at the same time, not even on the Stingray I was taught on!

[Kano]

I guess that's one good thing about being short - when I learned to ride (at age 12 - a late bloomer), it never even occurred to me that it might be possible to put both feet on the ground at the same time, not even on the Stingray I was taught on!

That's what it was! Being short! I remember my first bike: bluegreen, white trim, and chrome. And there was this headlight built into the front, with a huge battery compartment between the tubes. I was five, I think. It had 24" wheels, and there was NO way I could touch the ground from the seat. Heck, for the first while, it was mighty danged challenging to reach the pedals when I was on the seat! Yup, that would have been when I learned to hop off the seat when I wanted to stop -- and boy howdy, do I still remember one particularly sudden dismount where I had hit a bump in the road at the same time I was trying to get down from the seat....

Karen in Boise, who learned early about top-bar clearance!

[Evie]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

[oxysback]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

Yep....at least I always do...unless there's a handy curb. But usually I take the lane at a red light, depending on circumstances.

[mimitabby]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

I do what you do. every time.

[KSH]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

Well, I know for me... I do NOT feel secure balancing on my foot... while on the seat. Honestly, I don't even know if I could do that.

[bcipam]

Are you supposed to get off the saddle at lights, too? I usually balance on the ball of one foot and stay on my seat. Is that bad? I can never get across without the light turning yellow (and often red), because they change ridiculously fast.

If you can put a foot down and still sit on the saddle - the seat's too low. When on my saddle my feet reach my pedals but I cannot touch the ground, not even close. I have to slide off the saddle to put either foot down. Or I would have to be leaning way over to get my foot down. That would be dangerous.

I use clipless pedals so usually one foot is always keep intact - ie clipped in. As I approach a light to stop - this is a fluid motion - but I usually, brake, slow down, unclip on one foot (my right) and slide off the saddle and put my right foot down. I sometimes use the curb to balance but not always especially if there is a rght turn lane and I have to stop out away from the curb. My left foot is still clipped in and when the light changes, I push down on my left foot, slide up onto the saddle and clip in my right and go.

I thought of something... when I'm straddling my bike, my crotch is approximately an inch from the top tube. My seat post is raised approximately 8" (my guestimate I would have to go home and measure for sure) from the top tube so you can see I could not sit on the saddle and straddle the bike. Those of you who can, is your saddle right on or just at the seat tube? I have no idea how you can even sit and put feet down. I would have to ride a small bike and be 6' tall! But I would also need approximately 9" of clearance!

[mimitabby]

If you can put a foot down and still sit on the saddle - the seat's too low. When on my saddle my feet reach my pedals but I cannot touch the ground, not even close. I have to slide off the saddle to put either foot down. Or I would have to be leaning way over to get my foot down. That would be dangerous.
!

I am putting my foot on the curb when i do this usually. the other foot is still on the pedal.

I have paid professionals a lot of money to make sure my seat is in the right place