Second ride, first fall

[latelatebloomer]

Can you find a very quiet stretch of road or parking lot where you can practice? My forum mates here taught me to do that. I call it "bike rodeo" time and head to the quiet park. I am a very slow study when it comes to cycling, and this is my first sport (take up in my mid 40's) so my body's just learning balance & coordination now. Take things at your own speed, you're on nobody's timeline but your own. This is supposed to be fun, and I think if you listen to your inner voice it will say, "hey, it's a good day to try this or start doing that." You'll know you're right by the smile on your face.

When my LBS man found out I was shaky on the clipless thing, he adjusted my cleats so they come out super-easy with the slightest twist. (I use SPD so I can use the same shoes in spin class.) It was more a psychological aid than any thing else - but I felt more secure, so I WAS more secure and smooth in my movements.

Regarding descents, you'll feel like you're cheating less if you keep pedaling. My trainer's pretty insistent on keeping the legs moving on downhills so they stay warm and fluid. I'm just pushing air - no resistance, but I find that I am then more ready for the next hill, which in my neck of the woods, is just a breath or two away.

Relax and enjoy, relax and enjoy, and let your skills build in a natural, organic way. You're doing great!

[OakLeaf]

Yes, I think until you are very comfortable with the bike and the pedals, you should come to a complete stop whenever it's required by law. As you gain more confidence riding very slowly while you're looking someplace other than where you're going (i.e., very far down both sides of the intersecting road), then you'll want to roll through the stops. But for now, don't even think about it and don't worry about what the other people in your group are doing.

Indecision will get you every time. That's how I fell in the middle of a busy intersection last month "Are we going?" "Are we stopping?" Too much attention to what the rest of my group was doing (especially the one guy who will just ride through any freakin' thing), and not enough commitment to my original decision to stop, and in the process neglecting to downshift, and a steeply crowned road, and next thing I'm lying on my side with cars hauling it down from 45-50 mph including a cop from whom I got a well deserved lecture and luckily not a ticket

[alpinerabbit]

For now, I would recommend to err on the side of caution when deciding whether or not to unclip, as you get more confident, you can coast slowly until the light turns, or even come to a stop and only unclip after a second, and finally, master the track stand (never tried but have seen it done).

The compact double will get you up anything up to and beyond 20% incline (that's 20 meters elevation gain on 100 - maybe the US does it differently). It's a matter of strength, which will come.

It also depends on what cassette you have in back. I have an 11-27 Shimano now, [used to have a 12-29 - Campy - which is the one that got me up 20%] and will get a 12-28 SRAM if it works with Shimano, which it is said to [Shimano ends at 27].

[Ana]

Last weekend I just went on my first ride outside this year and was being reintroduced to all the wonderful things (being outside, feeling fast unlike on the trainer,etc) and all of the not-so-wonderful things (i.e. the HUGE pot holes, stupid drivers) and the clipless came right back to me! So no worries--once you learn it once and you'll be fine Those injuries are an investment for future prevention

Anyway, I always unclip my left foot because I find it awkward to begin my pedaling with my left foot. I prefer my right foot to get going on my bike I did ride with a guy, however, who always unclipped his right foot but he wasn't left-handed so I guess it's just a matter of preference with what you feel most comfortable.

My left foot happens to be my less coordinated foot....between the two, it's the last one to clip in....always.

I started out on SPD and now I have LOOK pedals. I loooooove LOOKS I have kind of a wider foot and so they help distribute the hot spots They have a counter weight so they never are the wrong side up.

Surprisingly, I have never had a clip-related fall. I attribute it to being coached by a more experienced rider I've had close calls but my only really bad fall was a consequence of being a newbie and riding with someone else. I tapped her back wheel and fell. I can't even remember the fall I just remember freaking out because I knew I was going to hit her and then I was on the road....

Anyway, good luck with your clipless pedals! My favorite practice exercise is to go around the block and stopping at each corner. That way, you know when to expect to stop (UNLIKE traffic lights! ).

Happy clipping (and unclipping)!

[Fujichants]

Wow...OakLeaf...that seems so scary!

I've had a couple of close calls where i've unclipped my left foot but for some reason wanted to step down with my right. Thank god there was a little wall and my boyfriend to grab on to, otherwise I would have gone down! Also, i've had times when I had to stop suddenly and I manage to unclip fine, but then my cleats slide over the concrete and I end up looking like a wobbly mess.