Worse Day of the Year Ride

**DarcyInOregon** · 02-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Hi Everyone,

Suzie and I rode in the Worse Day of the Year Ride in Portland, Oregon, today. Did anyone else from TE participate in this ride?

We rode the 18-mile urban course. I had an amazing amount of fun. This is the first time for me riding an urban course with clipless pedals. I had a lot of years when I was younger, when I lived in San Francisco and Austin, where I biked on a Schwinn 10-speed. My old urban biking skills came back.

Suzie and I finished in the first 100 riders.

Here is a photo of Suzie and myself at the start of the ride, with more than 1000 cyclists lined up behind us.

**Bikingmomof3** · 02-11-2007, 02:54 PM

Thank you Darcy for sharing the photo and telling us about the ride.

Congrats to you and Suzie.

**Blueberry** · 02-11-2007, 03:26 PM

Congrats! Sounds like a fun ride!

I LOVE the pink bike

**ace** · 02-11-2007, 03:38 PM

That looks like lots of fun! Why do the call it the Worse day of the year ride?

**DarcyInOregon** · 02-11-2007, 03:41 PM

I love the pink bike too. Several dozen cyclists complimented me on my bicycle, which really made my day.

And I burned 1124 calories, which really made me happy.

When Suzie comes online, I think she wants to ask how to pedal up hills, seeing stop signs on the hill ahead of you, while clipped in or not clipped in. I chose to pedal not clipped in on those hills, rather than clip then unclip on a steep grade with so many stop signs. I think Suzie's question is how to pedal while not being clipped in. I do most of my riding in the Oregon farmlands, and I will pedal while unclipped when I need to, but it is just something I do, and I don't know how to describe how to do it. My pedals clip on both sides; one side is not flat.

Darcy

**DarcyInOregon** · 02-11-2007, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by ace

That looks like lots of fun! Why do the call it the Worse day of the year ride?

Because it is winter, February, and the weather is lousy. It isn't really the worse day. The worse day is snow, or ice, or high winds. However the ride is for charity, and nobody would register for the ride if it took place during a high gale ice storm.

Darcy

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 02-11-2007, 04:11 PM

You two girls totally ROOL. How I wish I could have been there riding it with you!!!!

I love the blue/pink combo next to the yellow/black combo.

**KSH** · 02-11-2007, 04:29 PM

Awesome! Great picture! Looks like fun.

Please tell me Suzie didn't fall over. Poor gal... she needs a break.

**luv'nAustin** · 02-11-2007, 04:32 PM

You two look great and I love your bikes! Glad you had a good time.

**suzieqtwa** · 02-11-2007, 06:33 PM

I have never been so scared as I was today at the 18 mile ride.

There were about 1,500 riders ,and we were in the city with tons of stops. My shoulders hurt so bad from being so scared. Yesterday I was having a great 28 mile ride ,and I got into a left turning lane on a hill thinking I could make the green light....well it turned red ,and I had to stop quick ,or get hit by a car ,of course I tipped over. Today I fell once on the road ,but I'm kinda getting used to the humiliation.

No harm done ,and I didn't hit my head. I just feel beat up.

I don't think Ill do another charity ride in the city. Darcy seemed to do Ok................I thought for sure she would fall ,because she rides only on country roads ,and at the State park. Someday Ill get this figured out. My problem seems to be when I'm on a hill. I cant un clip early because I cant pedal without getting clipped back in.

**Blueberry** · 02-11-2007, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by suzieqtwa

Someday Ill get this figured out. My problem seems to be when I'm on a hill. I cant un clip early because I cant pedal without getting clipped back in.

I've been known to just go up the hill not clipped in. I ride SPD's with Sidi mountain shoes. I know where the cleat is, so I know where I can ride without engaging (back of shoe, either side of the cleat, just behind the cleat). I've also got mine set pretty loose. I think it really is a matter of comfort and having pedals that are easy for *you* to get out of (I like SPD's - did not like Looks - haven't tried speedplays or crank bros - too many bikes to upgrade to change now

)

Good luck and congrats again on the ride!!

**SouthernBelle** · 02-12-2007, 05:07 AM

When I need to pedal unclipped, I usually use the arch of my foot.

Glad ya'll had fun.

HTH,

**cosc** · 02-12-2007, 06:15 AM

Suzie and Denise, congrats, on finishing the front of the pack. Thanks for sharing your pics with us. I have trouble with slipping feet on my spd's when I'm not clipped in. I need to practice because sometimes you don't have time to clip in, or for a quick dismount up a hill. The trainer would be a good place to learn unclipped pedaling.

**mimitabby** · 02-12-2007, 06:33 AM

Suzie
I am breathlessly watching your progress with clipless. I do not have as many falls in me as you have in you (translation; if i fall too many more times, I'm just going to bag it)
How come you can't pedal without getting re-clipped in?
my husband bought some of those pedals that have clips on one side and are normal on the other. He doesn't like them though, because the clips weren't as good.

Your ride looks fun but i really understand the stress of being fearful (not to mention all the times you've fallen, maybe stuff hurts because of that too?)

I haven't gone back out and ridden since my short clipless excursion in the school yard because i have been sick. I'll keep you posted.

**suzieqtwa** · 02-12-2007, 07:34 AM

Mimi,
Believe me ,all this falling has taken its tole on me. I cant explain the sick feeling I get when I know its about to happen. I just feel helpless. I know I'm going to fall ,but I cant get do anything about it. I haven't cried yet ,but I feel like it, just looking at my bruised knees ,and elbows,and hands I know I took on a lot too fast ,and actually Saturday I was having a great time ,and felt super comfortable,the gears are coming naturally ,but then the hill ,and quick stop. It took all the fun out of that ride real quick. I don't have a trainer ,but I'm going to practice peddling un clipped. I think I have SPDs ,and Mtb bike shoes. The pedals are on both sides. I can get un clipped for a normal stop ...its just any slight hill . The feeling of just laying in the road with your bike on top of you on a road is sooooooo embarrassing.
Yesterday ,riding slow with all those bikers around me was awful I didn't have too much fun. I think I would have done better if I choose the 45 of hills,and less stops. Well next week Ill be in Santa Fe ,so I have to take a week off from the bike...give my poor body time to heal. Oh, I also slide when trying to pedal un clipped. If I can get that down I should be OK.

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