Worse Day of the Year Ride

[cosc]

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]

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]

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.

[Batbike]

Suzie, from the photo it looks like you have SPD pedals. I completely understand your fear of SPD because I have them on my mountain bike. It was difficult to clip/unclip until I learned you could adjust the tension on the SPD's so that it is easier to get in and out of ... in fact, after time it got too easy and I had to readjust to keep my foot clipped better! Have you tried loosing the tension to make it easier to unclip?!

Also, when I got my road bike, I changed the pedal system from SPD-R's (a once popular version of SPD's for road bikes) to Speedplay because I found it MUCH easier to get in and out of pedals. Speedplays are not for everyone, but makes me wonder if you changed your SPD system to something else if it would be easier and give you more confidence on quick stops and hills ... just a thought.

Good luck!

[East Hill]

I went down to Portland yesterday and had forgotten all about the Worst Day Ride.

I was at the Expo Center with my husband, and had brought down a blue Peugeot mixte to re-home with a gentleman who I know via BF (he came down on the Yellow Line and mentioned that he had seen a number of cyclists out and did not know what the ride was--hey, he's been busy, give the man a break!).

If I'd known...but on the other hand, I was not there to ride, but to get the Peugeot mixte to someone who would love her, and I also picked up my new bike commute trailer. I'm getting ready to test the waters with the trailer today.

East Hill

[KSH]

Also, when I got my road bike, I changed the pedal system from SPD-R's (a once popular version of SPD's for road bikes) to Speedplay because I found it MUCH easier to get in and out of pedals. Speedplays are not for everyone, but makes me wonder if you changed your SPD system to something else if it would be easier and give you more confidence on quick stops and hills ... just a thought.

You sound exactly like me.

Speedplays are so much easier to get in and out of. I love them.

Suzie, you might also try practicing quick stops. Imagine you have to stop quickly and practice getting out quickly.

Otherwise, it might be a good idea for you to stay out of situations that will put stress on you. Try to stay away from riding in groups, around dogs and kids, and cars. Try to ride in a controlled environment and get your confidence up on getting clipped out, before throwing in other "obstacles".

Good luck Suzie!

[texascyclist]

GREAT Picture! Seeing both of you makes me really anxious for my first ride of 2007, which will be Tour Dallas in April.

Suzie...Reading about your falls kinda makes me a little nervous. I'm in the process of getting my new bike and going clipless too. My DH has finally convinced me to give it a try. He is wanting to get the SPD's for my bike but after reading this post, now I'm wondering if Speedplay might not be the better choice for a first timer. If it is, which would y'all recommend? I notice on thier website their are different ones to choose from.

[Kitsune06]

How did I miss this ride?! Nooooo!!!!
I guess there's always next year.

[chickwhorips]

congrats you two!

love the picture. thanks for sharing!!

[bianchigirl]

Don't give up!!!! It will come...I have had many embarrassing falls. Soon, you will not even have to think about it.
If hills are your worst fear practice going up half way and stopping, over and over.
I swear, it will become easier...

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!