Bike and other questions

[Biciclista]

glad you got a bike you liked! Take it slow with the pedals. You could even just have one foot clipping in and out for a while.

[islandgirl2]

I should probably start a new post about this, but the clipless are creating such anxiety for me. I purchased the Speedplay Frogs because I wanted the comfort of walking in a mtb shoe and I heard the Frogs were easy to get in/out of because of no tension. My husband loved them (he was using spd- and raved about how easy they were.) I finally put them on my bike today to try them out. I went around the neighborhood and there were several times I just couldn't get out of the pedals so I had to keep doing rounds. My problem is that I am use to pulling my right foot out of my toe clip when it is on the up stroke. It is obviously harder to rotate my foot outward at that angle... but when I put it down I feel pressured. I know it doesn't make sense????

I thought maybe I will just try to use my left foot to unclip instead, which I did, and at a stop, I unclipped, I fell over to the right because I guess my body is so used to leaning that way instead. Ugh I was so annoyed- scratched up my new bike- but oh well i guess everyone falls. I gave up (for an hour) then hubbie loosened the cleat screws and everything and I went out again with the though that I would ONLY unclip the right since that is what I am used to. I felt like I really had to yank it out and still it felt sticky to me most of the time. I don't know if this makes sense but when I am coasting to a stop, I always have my left foot down, but my right is the one I pull out, so it is a new thought process for me now, to not coast that way into a stop and try to bring my right foot down so I can unclip. The second time I went out around the block I didn't fall but I was SO scared. I almost toppled over when I leaned to far again. Luckily I pulled it together. I stopped while I was ahead, but felt like I was about to go into tears from frustration. I really want to get it, I know I will, but the anxiety is killing me and leaving me so scared to even get on my bike now. I kept practicing with my husband holding the bike in the garage for a while and it is fine, but as soon as I start moving on the roads- everything changes.

I have read through many posts and I know about tips, but I still feel frustrated. I should also mention that I shattered my elbow a few years ago in another sports related injury so I am freaked out about falling too. I fell a week ago and landed on my elbow but luckily didn't break anything again- but bruised it up pretty badly and had to take a break for a week. I think the fear of falling and breaking something, plus the fear of the clipless is causing more anxiety.

I put the toe clips back on tonight just so I can have a stress free ride early tomorrow morning before work, I feel like I just want a good ride with no worries....

[tiva]

I unclip when my foot is up, rather than down, because that's what I was used to doing with toe clips. It works fine with my spds, even though it takes a tiny bit more effort. If you're more comfortable doing it that way, I don't see that there's any problem.

Can you borrow a trainer and practice a lot with your bike secure? Are your pedals at their very loosest?

Keep trying--it's so worth it, once it becomes second nature.

[Owlie]

I unclip (SPDs) when my right foot is at 12 o'clock--more stable and keeps chain grease off your socks. I stood in my garage for a few hours and practiced getting each foot into and out of the pedals.

The other thing you might consider doing is, depending on your pedals, try a ride in one regular shoe and one bike shoe. The foot your bike shoe should be on is the one that you plan to put down. That way, you get used to clipping in and out, but you have the other foot if you need it, with no danger of clipping in.

Yes, it takes some practice. I was really nervous about my first few clipless rides. It will eventually become second nature.