clipless pedal woes

[Crankin]

Yes, define old....
I've had a few injuries, nothing major and it didn't take me a long time to heal. You just can't be afraid of getting hurt. I mean, I am a cautious rider, but i expect that as in any sport, there will be injuries. I have crashed pretty hard, once going down a 20% grade hill. Other than road rash and soreness (not to mention embarrassment), I was fine. I've learned to treat these things on my own. One of my first cycling injuries was when I was still riding the old Voodoo mtb on the road. I was going up a hill, when my son came down the hill on his cross bike, heading for the woods. He asked me to hand him my water bottle for a drink and I did. But when he went to give it back to me, I freaked and went down. About 5 days later I woke up with a huge lump on my knee. I did go to an ortho doc for that, but it turned out to be nothing but a hematoma. In other words, a huge bruise. I stretched, iced and took Advil and was riding again in 2 weeks.
I am going to be 55 in 2 weeks and while that might be old to some, it's not to me.

[SouthernBelle]

Yes, define old....
I am going to be 55 in 2 weeks and while that might be old to some, it's not to me.

I'm 53. We're just babies.

[DMB]

Well, okay - I'll be 57 in December. That's like ALMOST 60!!! Maybe I'm reading too many bike magazines? All those 20ish people. I just have to be smart about this. I have to admit that most of the people I see riding around are really not that young. I'm just afraid of an injury. I ride by myself and just act pretty foolish sometimes (go fast, jump over things, go faster than fast, wiggle from side to side on the painted lines (as if going through an obstacle course) on the bike path.....while going really fast) and I always say....stop that, you shouldn't be doing that, you're going to hurt yourself. I think I found my lost childhood or something. Anyway, All these stories of people falling down with clipless just has me worried. However, I WON'T GIVE UP....I'm sure if I felt confident and at ease with the motion I'll take on the challenge. Everyone has been so nice and helpful here - I wish I had found this site when my seriousness about biking began this spring. I probably would have saved myself a lot of grief. I have to tell you - I did fall down once. I mean right in the middle of a busy intersection after I crossed the street. There were people and cars everywhere. Somehow my tire got caught in a rut and there was nothing I could do but go down. Hit my head on the cement, just laid there - dazed. Do you know that no one, not one single person asked me if I was okay - and I laid there a good 5 minutes or so. That really scared me. So, all this talk about falling down while you learn to go clipless - well, kinda scary. Now that I know there are easier ones I'll give it a try for sure. I like those egg beater ones, they do look easy. I'll let you all know for sure.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

50's are the new 40's.

Women who are in their 50's and live a healthy lifestyle and exercise are like "regular/typical" women in their 40's.....I just made that up, but it sure seems that way to me!

I'm 54 and never felt better in my life- not by a longshot. I'm still waiting to peak.

[SouthernBelle]

Go ahead and do all of those goofy things. Where else ya gonna do em?!

[DMB]

Wasn't sure if because I started this thread here I was supposed to continue here? or start a new one? How does that work?
ANYWAY - I did go to REI yesterday and the people there are really GREAT about explaining things to you. I returned the Izumi road bike shoes with the 3 holes and got these Pearl Izumi Quest Mountain Bike Shoes ($90. AND they had my size again...37). I also got the Crank Bros Quattros pedals - only $20.!! and the brass clips. So - today I practice, practice, practice - and well, I guess we'll see. Thanks again for all the advice and help. OH, BTW - thought you all might like to know this about REI. I've been shopping for a new bike for a while now - they will let you buy a bike, take it home and ride it for a while and return it for a full refund if you don't like it. They then sell returned bikes in one of their 4x a year "garage sales" as a used bike. I talked to 3 or 4 people and they all said that REI's 100% Customer Satisfaction is no lie. They have WSD Cannondale Road bikes on sale right now, I'm thinking of doing this OR just waiting until January for their "after the holidays" garage sale.

[CyclChyk]

I, like Lisa, choose not to ride clipped in. Just too uncoordinated. BUT advise given me at the time I was "learning" which I found to be very good, is to start out with just one foot clipped in. That way you have one free for 'stability." (wear a regular shoe on the other foot.) Then, switch off feet. Then, both together. Kinda like "clipless training wheels" - It helped me feel more in control but ultimately, clipping in is not my thing. I value my life too much (the whole uncoordinated thing.)

[DMB]

Thanks for the tip Lisa - I agree though, if this at all feels too uncomfortable, or unsafe, I'm not going to do it. I know I sound like an REI rep here (I'm not) but they even told me that if I try the shoes and clips for a while and don't like them I can return everything. Certainly can't beat that.

[DMB]

sorry about that.

[DMB]

Well, you certainly can't say I didn't give it a try. I really did. Didn't even have any dumps or anything. I just don't like the way it feels. I don't feel in control, I feel too confined. Guess I have issues. I do, however, like my toe clips (no cages) though. They hold my foot in the perfect place and getting in and out is a breeze. I don't race or ride with groups so the clipless thing was an experiment just to satisfy my curiousity. I can certainly see where you get a little more power behind your pedal, but I've since learned about efficient pedaling via Joe Friel and that has helped immensely. Thanks again for all your help and advice, I just thought I'd let you all know how this played out.

[redrhodie]

Good for you! It's always best to do what feels right to you. Listen to your instincts, and you won't go wrong.

[slowlane]

Hi - I just joined, but was following the discussion. I am the same age and size as DMB (except have bigger feet ), and had the same pedal issues. I bought (about 1-1/2 yrs ago) a Giant WSD bike in a small frame size - 44 cm, and while I've FINALLY gotten used to it (I call it my clown bike - it's pink and silver) - and I've finally gotten used to the clipless pedals (after much crashing and burning) I am still a hesitant rider - I ride in NYC and usually over the George Washington Bridge which has a narrow winding walkway leading up to the Bridge with a lot of Lance clones zooming up and down, which leaves me having a major panic attack each and every time I ride. I leave one foot clipped out, but can't start on a hill and have to get off and walk. The point of this long-winded essay is . . . . ride whatever way makes you comfortable. I've long since learned to ignore the Lance clones riding up my back wheel and go as slowly as I need to.