Clipping in and out on hills

[Trek420]

Lorri Lown, coach of the Velogirls team once showed me to start on a hill you pick a gear a notch or two up from what you'd ride the hill in, start with your "strong side" pedal up, clip in with that foot and just go-baby-go.

She said the key is to commit.

Haven't been able to pull it off yet.

Still doing things like find a driveway or intersecion where I can swing out and back in a loop or..more often...crosstrain till a flat or near flat section. yep, I'm a wimp. I do not do the ride downhill than back up thing due to you have to do 2 u-turns.

No problems unclipping on a hill, just can't get going again. Guess I better ride to the top then.

[bikerz]

(Trek - what a guru you are - this is the third post I've seen today where you have answered a question I hadn't even thought about asking yet...)

I ran into this exact issue yesterday riding in Marin - stopped in my granny gear on that big (to me!) hill that heads up then down into Olema, and couldn't get started again in that gear - I'd get the first pedal going around, and move about 2 inches forward! No time to get the other foot up and going, and I didn't think I could go down the hill then back up because it is a bit narrow and trafficky there. So after three tries, and feeling a bit dopey, finally got the brain cogs turning and realized I could just lift the back tire, gear up a bit, then start, and it worked great. The other couple of hills I stopped on I geared up just before gasping to a stop, and was able to start right up.

[julbee]

Thanks to all!

I learn so much by reading through the posts!

I was able to use these tips while out riding this weekend!

TE keeps me informed and motivated!!!

I'd started here ... not too long ago... just getting back on a hybrid after 20 years. I'm now on a road bike and riding "clipless" on road trips with my husband. We are having a blast! Hope to participate in organized rides in the near future (still building speed and stamina)!

With Appreciation,

Julie

[Trek420]

bikerz "(Trek - what a guru you are - this is the third post I've seen today where you have answered a question I hadn't even thought about asking yet...)"

Yep, I am a guru!

So I'm starting a cult, y'all quit your jobs and sign over your worldy goods and 47 cm bikes to me. Just kidding, really!

Besides it was Lorri's tip, I can't even pull it off. I just am a veritable font of worthless trivia.

[RoadRaven]

.
Besides it was Lorri's tip, I can't even pull it off. I just am a veritable font of worthless trivia.

LOL... trivia is NEVER NEVER worthless!!!!!

I forget how many times I have managed to weave into a conversation why giraffes make no sound, or what the name of the dot over the "i" is... never worthless... it can't be... that would be half my conversations gone

[DirtDiva]

What is the name of the dot over the i?

[RoadRaven]

It's a "TITTLE"

Go figure... but there it is!