the ultimate folly - clipless Lesson

[snapdragen]

mimi - here's what I did when learning to ride clipless. I kept one foot unclipped all the time, in my case the right foot. Once I was comfortable I started clipping both feet. When I knew a stop was coming, I'd unclip long before the stop. After awhile, it became second nature.

You can do this! Make sure your pedals are adjusted to the loosest setting.

[lizbids]

My experience n clipless pedals has been good, but so far only went 100 miles or so

One thing I find that is difficult is balancing on the cycling shoe. Because the shoe is so stiff, I find that when I unclip and stop a light or something, I feel like I have to stretch my foot like crazy just to get it to touch the pavement...then it doesn't feel like much traction b/c you're not on the balls of your feet as if you were wearing sneakers. Occasionally I've slipped and pulled muscles in my calves--bad, too! One time the bottom of my jacket became caught on the nose of my saddle when I tried to hop off to stable myself. I was a mess! Any suggestions??? (and ps--my saddle is at a great height, wouldn't want to futz with it).

[salsabike]

Lizbids, you have to step off ONTO the foot/pedal you plan to leave clipped in--that means you unclip the foot you want to put on the ground, step off the saddle and put your weight onto the other pedal where you plan to stay clipped in (while NOT leaning). Then you step forward onto the unclipped foot, and bring the clipped foot back up to about the 2 o'clock position, ready to go again.

[Eden]

My experience n clipless pedals has been good, but so far only went 100 miles or so

One thing I find that is difficult is balancing on the cycling shoe. Because the shoe is so stiff, I find that when I unclip and stop a light or something, I feel like I have to stretch my foot like crazy just to get it to touch the pavement...then it doesn't feel like much traction b/c you're not on the balls of your feet as if you were wearing sneakers. Occasionally I've slipped and pulled muscles in my calves--bad, too! One time the bottom of my jacket became caught on the nose of my saddle when I tried to hop off to stable myself. I was a mess! Any suggestions??? (and ps--my saddle is at a great height, wouldn't want to futz with it).

Are you staying on the saddle when you are stopped? Maybe I am reading this wrong, but that is what it sounds like. Unless you are riding an Electra if you can put your foot on the ground and remain on the saddle that indicates that the saddle is too low. You should have to dismount when you stop...

[mimitabby]

Hi guys, I'm home, and exhausted!

It went really well. THe first thing she made me do was ride but NOT clip in.
So right there and then I discovered that I could do that! (ride without clipping in)

Then we got to the soccer field and rode around on the grass. I clipped in and
we were off (this is a good workout btw!) We rode around for almost an hour, clipping in and out and in and out, but only with the right foot. The left foot stayed clipped in almost always. One time I couldnt unclip right foot and magically left foot sprung out of clip in time so i did not fall.
SUCCESS.

[ace]

I am so happy it went well. It will only get better from here, too!

[chickwhorips]

way to go mimi!!! good job.

feel more confident now?

[SouthernBelle]

Excellent. You trying on the road tomorrow?