Newbie weekly achievement thread

[Roadtrip]

I might add that the Clipless pedals were a real PAIN yesterday. I have the dual sided type pedals with SPD/Platforms, but the new bike shoes (first pair were wrecked as they were too flexible.. soles cracked just behind clip) are most defiantly not friendly to platform side. Not sure why, but the pedals kept flipping over to the wrong (platform) side so I ended up slipping off the pedals several times as I tried to flip at least one over and clip in and still maintain forward momentum. Stopping was another story too. I'd try and leave my left foot clipped in and have right foot touch down when I had to stop. Three times I tipped left and nearly fell over but unclipped in time. At least I came back alive and I didn't wreck, tho did have to do an improvised dismount in order not to go down with the ship.

Enough to make me give up on clipless.. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, eh??

[Catrin]

What kind of soles are on your shoes? My Bontrager shoes have hard plastic soles, so of course they will not work on the platform side of my pedals - plastic and metal are not a good combination. All of that being said, I have not had much luck with the bear claw type of platform pedals as far as keeping my feet on them.

You are probably smarter than I was in August when I made the switch to clipless, but I will mention this anyway. Until you can tell what effect these may have on your hamstrings - especially if you are prone to tendinitis - limit your mileage clipped in for a bit just to make sure there won't be a problem. Clipping in does activate your hammies much more than platforms do. Then again, you probably haven't been over-doing things so I am sure it will work better for you.

I rode with BMX pedals for about 1,300 miles until I switched to clipless - and I found that to make the entire process much easier after my failed attempt to go clipless in early spring. I did manage to get close to 500 miles on my SPD/platform pedals before my over-use injuries took me off the bike - and I am back to BMX pedals until at least spring. Then, well, we will see. Pity no company has though to combine SPD and BMX-type dual pedals...talk about the best of both worlds!

[Roadtrip]

What kind of soles are on your shoes? My Bontrager shoes have hard plastic soles, so of course they will not work on the platform side of my pedals - plastic and metal are not a good combination.

Yes, they're hard plastic. The Bontrager shoes I had prior were rubber, but had the recessed place for the SPD cleat, so even when riding without clipping in, I could use the platform side and had the advantage of a shoe with a firmer sole. I don't know why the shoes failed just behind the cleat, but I opted for a stiffer shoe when I replaced them, so stiffer but hard plastic.

I don't get out nearly as much as I'd like (8-12 miles a week, longest ride 26 miles) to and now the good weather days can be counted on one hand, but I can feel a difference when I'm clipped in and not, so I'll be take your warning and be cautious!!

Shannon

[Catrin]

I don't get out nearly as much as I'd like (8-12 miles a week, longest ride 26 miles) to and now the good weather days can be counted on one hand, but I can feel a difference when I'm clipped in and not, so I'll be take your warning and be cautious!!

Shannon

I never dreamed that riding 60 miles for my second ride on clipless pedals might be too much

[jelee1311]

I had some great news last week,at my 3 month check up my DR said my achillies tendon looked great and I could go for harder,longer, rides I just can't ride clipless yet. So to celebrate I went on a hilly 25mile ride. I was really feeling out of shape chugging up the hills with a lot of difficulty. I felt sick enough the next day to go into the clinic,I have strep throat. Thank goodness I just thought I was sandbagging. I took a few days off then we had snow. I made an attempt but it was too slick so I tried my DH rollers inside in the hallway. Wow the rollers made me feel like a clutz, DH likes to show off and ride the no handed. No ride on Thanksgiving ,but I decided to work off pecan pie yesterday. I went for a 21/2 hr ride yesterday (my cateye isn't working ) so I don't know mileage but I'm thinking at least 30miles in our balmy 38 degree weather. Came home cold and happy

[Kerry1976]

Have logged just over 150 miles on my bike since I purchased on October 14!

Now using the trainer as the weather has gotten colder and the snow is starting to fly. Looking forward to getting on the roads regularly again in the spring.

Also thinking about getting my first road bike.

[jelee1311]

Good job Kerry 1976. Christmas is coming maybe Santa will bring you a road bike!