Clipping in- It's definitely different than spin class.

[malaholic]

Hold the bars still and clip in one foot while the pedal is near the ground

...and when you do this, try *not* to do what I did the first time I tried clipless. I pushed down so hard to clip that first foot in, that I ended up tipping the whole bike over in that direction and me along with it! Man was I glad there was nobody there to see that one.

[GLC1968]

...and when you do this, try *not* to do what I did the first time I tried clipless. I pushed down so hard to clip that first foot in, that I ended up tipping the whole bike over in that direction and me along with it! Man was I glad there was nobody there to see that one.

Oooh, good point. Add to my description - "keeping your weight on your grounded foot" or "slightly lean the bike towards your grounded foot and away from the side you are clipping in".

[Catrin]

My problem wasn't starting...it was stopping I am taking great interest in threads like this until I am brave enough to try it again!

[tharley]

Awesome tips. Thanks like always ladies. DH & I are going out in a bit and we'll see how it goes, I am a klutz w/o clipless, but am oddly super-excited to ride w/ the new gear. We'll stay on the sidewalk for the most part, but there are lot of traffic lights, so I'm sure DH will be thrilled. He says he'll be "patient", but we'll see.

[JennK13]

Glad I'm not the only one!!!
I just started clipping in this year, and had some "Campus Pedals" on my commuter (flat on one side for riding in regular shoes, and SPD clip on the other side). I got used to those really fast. Now I ride motorcycles, and since the gear shifter is on the left peg of a motorcycle, I'm used to having my left foot up and on the floor board (or when cycling, on the left pedal), and my right foot on the ground when at a stop. Like the others have posted, I raise my already clipped in foot up about 45 degrees and push off to get going. But I clip in on the downward stroke with my "free" foot, so I can push DOWN and clip in.
When I first got my Fuji, they put road pedals on it. Even in the store when the guy was fitting me, I was practicing getting in and out, and could not for the life of me get out of those things! He told me he was a mountain biker, and hated these kinds of pedals, too, if I didn't like them, bring it back and he'd exchange them.
My DH had dropped me off at the bike shop to pick it up, and I planned to ride it home (only 4 miles). I road around the parking lot a few times to get a feel for her, and practice unclipping. Falling over in the parking lot should have been a sign to me to run back into the store. Embarrassed, I rode home.
We went riding with friends the next day, and I fell over another two times because the dang things would not come out! I took it back to the shop the very next day and had them switch me over to an SPD setup. Much better!!!
At any rate, I find that my routine makes it easier - having my left foot clipped in, stabilizing with my right, pushing off and then when I go to pedal down with my "free" right foot for the first time, I clip in as I push down on the pedal.

[tharley]

Glad I'm not the only one!!!
I just started clipping in this year, and had some "Campus Pedals" on my commuter (flat on one side for riding in regular shoes, and SPD clip on the other side).

Mine before were basic platforms and I admit I would slide my feet all around the peddles. My SPDs have made a drastic difference in not only the power, but my coordination & form. I am now more confident for Elephant Rock in June (25 mi).

[channlluv]

Thanks to GLC's very specific directions, I was just able to clip in and out without breaking my neck. Thank you, GLC, and everyone else who shared their insight and experience there.

I just finished my first outdoor 8-mile loop since October. It felt really good, back on my favorite path, dodging pedestrians. I only had to yell at one jogger guy who heard me coming and started moving into my lane. Go figure. And two people with dogs on really long leashes. They were able to reel them in before I got there, though. I don't know why walkers in groups insist on walking four abreast on what is essentially a two-lane road open to vehicular traffic (15mph limit) and there are many, many cyclists using this path, forcing anyone around them into unsafe passing situations, from either direction. And they're oblivious when you go by, too, so engrossed are they in their conversation.

It sure did feel good to be back outside on the bike, though. I did eat a lot of morning bugs. Can anyone recommend a balaclava - is that what it's called? I need to go check the TE store.

Thanks for the good advice!

Roxy

[Juliegoddess]

I was chuckling to myself, remembering when I used to ride down at Sterling State Park here in Michigan. I was SO paranoid of dumping and falling, with the peds and joggers and rollerbladers! I went out and got a silly little bell, so I could let people know I was approaching. That didn't work very well, so I began calling out "coming up on the left!!"...and what would they do? THEY would move over to the LEFT!! UGH! I swear it's a miracle that I never smashed into anyone. The trail there was only about 2.5 miles, and I got sick of going around...and around...and around!!

As for a balaclava, I know Terry has a super nice one. You'll be able to use it until there's snow and ice on the ground again this fall/winter!

[staceysue]

I just got clipless pedals today! Yay! I went out in the driveway in my street clothes to try them out. My feet didn't want to clip in so I just kept pedaling. Finally, one of them went in. I didn't have any problem getting it out and I didn't fall, thank goodness.

I'm getting ready to go for a ride and my plan is to just pedal. If I get clipped in right away, great. If not - surely some time on the 20 mile ride it will happen. I was grateful to realize they don't just automatically clip in and it wasn't too hard to get out. My fear was that every time my feet came near the pedals I'd be glued to the bike, unable to free myself.

Chanlluv, did you find that you rode a lot faster? I'm all excited about the promised improvements.

[Juliegoddess]

Hey Jenn! When I get my road bike next month, I'm having them put my SPD-on-one-side pedals on it. I don't think I want to mess with those little teeny-weeny clip pedals. i like my platform pedals with the clips!

Is that what you had them put back on? The "campus Pedals"?

[tharley]

Oh my goodness, that ride was wonderful and what a gorgeous day out!! DH was surprised at how fast I was riding (11- 16mph up large hills). It was only a 6.5 mile loop, but we did it in 38 minutes and only 1 small stop for a water break. Last wk we took the same loop (shortened to 4 miles) and it took 45 min and I had to walk my bike up a steep/long hill . With my new system, I took that same dang hill with little problems and in a high gear. What a difference clipless makes! I took the tips you ladies gave me and was rockin' on clipping in/out and starting/stopping wasn't too bad. I think I may have to straighten the clip in my shoe on my left foot a bit since that was the foot I was still having troubles clipping in. DH got on the ground after our water break and was trying to help guide that clip into the peddle, but we were still having problems getting it to click. Luckly, I push-off with my left foot & stop/stand on my right, which I could clip back in quickly. Once I got the left foot clicked in, I decided I wasn't going to unclip it unless necessary. I think that may have been my issue yesterday since I decided to clip in with my R foot and use my L as the "free" foot. Right now, I feel awesome and am ready to go again; I didn't fall, didn't get hit by a car & gave DH () a run for his money.