Who uses Rollers?

[freshsushi]

Hey ladies... I did a quick search on rollers and stumbled on this thread.

A question I was hoping to have answered was... how do you get started in the first place?

I have a set of rollers and I put one foot on the peddle and fell off. Any suggestions?

- Should I have it an easy gear? Or the hardest, to get more leverage onto the seat?
- Do it with regular shoes first because it's easier to hop off, or with cleats because otherwise you can't get started? Or with one cleat on and one without cleat?

Any other pointers please?

[spokewench]

My suggestion is that you do not start off on rollers like I was introduced to them.

My old coach in California did this to me! The team was at the bike shop we were sponsored by. They were having some sort of gala event so they asked us racers (developmental team) to come by for the event so we did. We were in our regular team gear (bike shoes, etc) and there was a set of rollers out in the middle of the bike shop. So a bunch of the girls were asking my coach, how do you ride rollers - so he decided to use me as a guinea pig (guess cause he thought I had good balance skills being a mountain biker as well as roadie). So, he says to me, Jan - grab your bike and come over here. So I wander over with my bike and he puts my bike on the rollers, holds onto the bike while I get on, and then tells me to pedal smoothly and to look straight ahead of me at a point on the wall. I do this and then he lets go and walks away! I'm out in the middle of this room with nothing to hold onto if I want to stop so I just have to keep pedaling - I can't get off - nothing to hold onto and the coach leaves me out there for about 20 minutes until he decides Ive had enough and comes to my rescue so that I can get off the dang things!

Here's a better way to start. I like a washing machine to hold onto - it is the right height, but put yourself next to something you can grab onto like a washing machine. Put the bike on the rollers. Get on the bike (it is kind of hard, cause it is higher than you are used to. Put your hand out and balance on the washing machine. Leave one hand on the bars and one hand on the washing machine. start spinning - try to be real smooth - that is what rollers teaches you - look straight ahead of you at a point on the wall, do not look away, you will ride off the rollers - take your hand off the washing machine. To stop, put your hand back on the washing machine and let the pedals slowly come to stop.

That's all there is to it.

[7rider]

Thanks, Spokewrench for the great tips.
My DH rides rollers a lot in the off season. It has really improved his pedalling technique and form on the bike. He looks like a pro on the bike and is a joy to watch (but maybe I'm biased! ).
This past winter, I got a pair of "cheater" (parabolic) rollers from Performance. They are tapered up at the end of the rollers, so you can't easily ride off them - my biggest fear.
DH gave me these pointers to get me started:
1. Put the rollers next to somethng solid (like a washing machine - inside a door frame is often suggested, too) to give you something to hold onto during those "Oh, crap!" moments.
2. Start out and ride in a fairly high gear. Riding faster is easier to balance than riding slower (his threshold is about 13 mph, I think).
3. Look at a spot about 5-10 feet in front of the bike. Don't look down at the handlebars or wheel!
I managed to ride them for 30 minutes, then my butt started to hurt too much because I couldn't change position much. I also had to stop to drink and wipe my brow (DH can remove his shirt while riding rollers...yikes!). I think like anything, you get better and smoother with practice.
P.s. Oh, and tho' I have Speedplays on the bike, I work sneakers on my feet because I was nervous about clipping in/out. DH rides with his regular bike shoes and clips in. Maybe I will when I'm better, but for now, I'm content to use sneakers on my Speedplays. Not the most efficient, but when I'm in the basement, who cares!