Returning to road cycling after 19 years...Yikes!

[Orions.Star]

Welcome aboard, Orions.Star!

I just wanted to say something about toeclips. I started out riding with toeclips maybe 15-16 years ago, and I rode with them happily until about 2 months ago. The only reason I finally went clipless is that I started riding with a club, and having to reach down to tighten/loosen the toestraps just doesn't feel safe in a group. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm very happy with my clipless pedals, and they are easier and IMO safer. Just my 2 cents.

Well, I think that I will eventually go clipless. I rode yesterday and when I was messing with the toestraps I was thinking about the guy at the bikestore that showed me his clipless shoes. It seems that it would be much easier and safer. My only thought is how comfortable are the shoes? Any specific brand recommendations? I wear a size 9 running shoe. not wide or narrow.

Thanks to everyone that is supportive of vintage bikes!!!!

I looked at the Shimano PD-M324 online, do you use RB or MB shoes with these? And then you can ride with regular shoes as well?

I am so happy about this discussion forum! Everyone here is wonderful!

Can someone please suggest a website to log miles and progress that is private or public? Iam sure that it is somewhere in the threads, but maybe you can add it here again?

I am going to do a metric duathlon in february. 5k run/ 18k bike. Seems fairly easy. Short distances. I ran cross country and track in school. Thank goodness. I can still hit the track and run three point one miles and not feel like I'm dying. Yesterday, I rode my bike 4.78 miles uphill with roughly a 1,000 foot elevation change. I was huffing and puffing, but managed to average 8.5 mph. The duathlon will be over a 1500' elevation change, so I better get used to it! I am at 3500-3800' altitude.

Any training suggestions? I mapped out a 11 mile route yesterday, what is an average training ride?

[Trekhawk]

Can someone please suggest a website to log miles and progress that is private or public? Iam sure that it is somewhere in the threads, but maybe you can add it here again?

www.bikejournal.com

Try this one its a great site.

[Cyclo Kitty]

My only thought is how comfortable are the shoes? Any specific brand recommendations? I wear a size 9 running shoe. not wide or narrow.

I'm wearing my bike shoes even though I didn't ride today (the school bus was was really late so I had to drive the kid but didn't have time to change). They are Nike women's cycling specific shoes, and I have forgetten the exact name but they're MTB shoes that I wear even on my cross bike, with three velcro straps across the padded tongue. I really like the way they feel!

They are not good for walking more than 3 blocks in (and I hate to do that to the cleats) but I have managed it on some of the crazier days I've had...

One thing I noticed is that bike shoes made by shoe manufacturers are more comfortable than bike shoes made by bike component people. My Nike bike shoes fit a lot like Nike soccer cleats would. My husband's Shimano shoes don't feel right at all to me (same size feet).

Try on a lot of shoes, and the bike shop should let you try them on a trainer, so you'll know how they feel on the bike. Makes a big difference.

[Orions.Star]

Thanks for the link, I really like bike journal! I already posted miles from yesterday and today, I can be anywhere and use it! Cool!

[Orions.Star]

I will remember this advice and all of the advice from others about trying the shoes on and trying them on a trainer and that

"bike shoes made by shoe manufacturers are more comfortable than bike shoes made by bike component people."

Anymore suggestion from anyone? Cause today I got my shoelaces from my Columbia hiking boots caught in the chain a couple of times and then I was riding in 30 mph headwinds which made my 'non bike' workout pants flap and they to got caught several times. I was able to hike them up to my knees and tuck my shoelaces in, but I kept thinking, "I should have ordered those cycling pants from REI last weekend, the ones that were on sale...and I would've already have gotten them in the mail." GOOD~APPROPRIATE GEAR IS ESSENTIAL! Safety is a concern of mine at this point! I will ride in shorts and duct tape my shoe laces until I make it to town or order something online!

I did ride 16 miles today! YAY!

[Fredwina]

I will remember this advice and all of the advice from others about trying the shoes on and trying them on a trainer and that

"bike shoes made by shoe manufacturers are more comfortable than bike shoes made by bike component people."

Well this goes contarty to that advice, but I like my Specialized Body Goemetery shoes. I understand that it is a love them or hate them kind of thing....

[Orions.Star]

Well this goes contarty to that advice, but I like my Specialized Body Goemetery shoes. I understand that it is a love them or hate them kind of thing....

I have not seen this shoe yet, I will look for it. Why do you like that brand over the others? I am assuming comfort/fit would be at the top of the list... but anything special?