Need Encouragement - Adjusting to new Road Bike (Long & Whiny)

[CindyVA]

I just bought my first road bike after riding a hybrid for a long time. I got a Felt Z65 and I love it (I think).

I went for the fitting on Wednesday, which seemed to go very well. The guy was very meticulus and it took almost 90 minutes but everything felt good when I left.

Here is my "issue". I rode a road bike years ago (no clipless pedals, shifters on the frame, extenders on the brakes, etc.) Recently, I've been riding a hybrid, which has been fun, but I wanted to go on longer rides and wanted a road bike.

Now that I have my bike (and I love it), I am struggling to feel "mentally comfortable" on it. I'm having trouble clipping in and out of the pedals. I have done the "slo-mo tip" once already (mostly because I panicked). All I have is a skinned knee and the bike is fine because it landed on me!

Aside from the pedals (which are a new experience), the road bike feels entirely different than my hybrid, which it should. I'm trying to learn how to shift, brake, ride in the hoods, etc. and it seems overwhelming.

I rode laps around my neighborhood yesterday, which is large and has hills, stop signs, etc. and was feeling a bit better, although I still have trouble clipping in the right foot. I can do it while I'm standing still but not on the bike.

I'm terrified to go out into traffic until riding the bike is a "non issue" because I have to worry about cars! I live in the DC Metro area and traffic is an issue and the major bike paths are problematic because of all the walkers, skaters, kids, etc.

Am I being a wimp or being sensible? I can tell that my DH thinks I should just be able to hop on and ride off (mind you, he doesn't cycle, has never used clipless pedals, etc.) but is trying to be supportive.

Can you give me any advice and insight? Sorry to be so whiny, but I'm trying NOT to be discouraged.

Thanks,

Cindy

[salsabike]

Totally understandable. What I would do is find a long flat, not very crowded trail, even if I had to go out of town to do it, and ride for some miles, practicing clipping/unclipping, etc. I would do it repeatedly till I got that automaticity you're talking about that would make you feel safer in traffic.

[Lifesgreat]

I was afraid of my road bike for a while. I had been riding a mountain bike for years and the thought of thinner tires and clipless pedals made me very nervous.

I just rode and rode and rode around quiet areas in my neighborhood. Don't take your kids (if you have them) as they are a distraction (sad experience leading to my crashing). Practice clipping and unclipping on grass. Sounds like you completed the obligatory tip over

Pretty soon it will be second nature. BTW, I now LOVE my Felt!

[kelownagirl]

+1 to what the others said. It just takes time and that varies from person to person. I loosened my clips so I could unclip REALLY easily and that helped a great deal mentally. And even now, if I'm getting into a potentially dicey situation, I'll unclip one foot for a few minutes and just ride without it for a few minutes so I can do a quick foot down if I have to.

[Triskeliongirl]

Just take your time. Find a park with roads and not a lot of traffic to start in. You could also consider putting normal pedals on while you get used to the bike, shifting, etc., and only when you are used to that put the clipless pedals back on.

[malkin]

You could try putting the new pedals on your old bike for a ride or two and click in and out like crazy until it feels normal, and then put them back on your new bike.

[mimitabby]

what Malkin said or loosen the clips (or whatever they are called) on your new bike. mine are VERY loose and i like them that way.

[CindyVA]

Here is an update.

I went out in my driveway and held onto the post of our basketball net, and practiced clipping in and out without looking. After that, I went into the street (flat and virtually no traffic) and practiced the following: clip in one foot, start to pedal, clip in the other foot, pedal a few strokes, unclip one foot, stop, repeat. I did that for an hour!

After my confidence was up (I only fell once and that was the first time!), I went for a 6 mile ride around the 'hood without incident. I had to stop at stop signs, etc.

After the first few miles and stops and starts, I was able to think about other things: riding form, pedal stroke, braking, shifting, etc.

My arms are tired and my neck is a little stiff (but I think that's tension). I have to get more upper body strength - that is clear. I'm pretty sure the bike is a good fit and it's my form that needs work.

I had NO idea it would be this big a difference between a road bike and a hybrid. I'm sure I'll be happy once the growing pains are over (and the scabs heal) LOL

Cindy

[sgtiger]

Awesome job! It sounds like you're getting the hang of it. And I wouldn't worry about the scabs, they heal, and I'm sure not a few of us have had our share too.

[Zen]

I have to get more upper body strength - that is clear.

Not so much upper body as core strength

It takes time, that's all.

[Lifesgreat]

Yay!

Glad your venture went well!

[Susan126]

Yeaaaahhhh Cindy! It sounds like you are getting the hang of it. Keep practicing and keep riding and in no time it will become like second nature! By summer, if not sooner, you will be biking like a pro!

[chicago]

let me tell you this. I have been on a bike my whole life. I played ice hockey, I can rollerblade like crazy, I can run marathons, but when I hit the clipless pedals on my new road bike last year, I was frozen yes me frozen... I was shocked as well

Soooooooooooooooooooo... what I did was... I practiced around and around and around in my condo parking lot, clipping in and out, in and out, for some time... not days, but definitely an hour or so. Then I went on a trail where I knew there wouldn't be alot of traffic and I made myself aware that I "NEEDED" to unclip sometimes an ENTIRE block before I got to a crossing where there was a street.

In early summer last year when I hit higher populated bike paths, I made it a point to "clip out" well before I got to an intersection.. heck, I'd ride with one foot for a few feet if I needed... I didn't care. Over the summer I got most comfortable on my bike where I started riding with a bike group on the roads late last summer.

Sooooo... don't be so hard on yourself. Clipless pedals are hard. We did not grow up on them. We are used to lifting our foot and being free... it's what we've learned as a kid... most parent's don't buy their kids bikes with clipless pedals.

Just hang in there and practice clipping in and out as much as you can. I kept my clips pretty loose in the beginning so I know I could clip out of them fast if I wanted... in fact I just tigtened them yesterday... and that's after riding all last year.

So you're doing good... one ride a time

[F8th637]

Cindy, I think we've all gone through this at some point in our cycling journey. Like you, it had been years since I rode a road bike and I had a lot of getting use to. Last year, I had my hybrid. As I rode, I realized that having a road bike might be kinda fun. So I bought a used, old one off a family here in Fairfax. It had regular platform pedals which allowed me to concentrate on other aspects of this new geometry. Even on my hybrid, I was still uneasy about clipless pedals. Who am I kidding? I'm STILL not 100% on them. On my new bike, I have the neck/upper back soreness you alluded to.

In time, all these things you are complaining about will be non-issues. Don't be discouraged. You made the right choice, you just need some time with your new bike and some good miles between you two. Handle each thing one at a time. Don't try to tackle clipless pedals, the new soreness and geometry, AND DC road riding all at once! Keep it simple! Keep riding and you'll feel more confident soon enough!

[OakLeaf]

Now that's what I call determination You're making a great start!