Clipping in question

[Catrin]

How do you come to a stop out of curiosity? Are you unclipping just one foot or both?

I would suggest going to a parking lot and practicing over and over again until it starts to feel more second nature. If you're not already, just unclip one foot to stop. If you're using two, I just think that overcomplicates the process, especially in emergency situations.

I have to admit that this isn't an issue I've had much trouble with. I do unclip a bit before a stop just so I'm ready to put a foot down. That's not to say that what you're going through is highly unusual, but I'd encourage to work on it, rather than avoid it, because you're otherwise just going to develop even more anticipatory anxiety over it.

I did practice a bit yesterday, and had a little fall where I got caught up in my saddle - bruised girly bits not so bad that I couldn't ride for 20 miles though

I unclip with my right foot before I stop and rest my right heel on the pedal so I don't re-clip in. As I apply my brakes and come to a stop I lean the bike a bit to the right as my foot comes down to the ground. I think that is how I do it, it is a pretty quick process. My left foot remains clipped in until I am at a complete stop.

I do have a bit of anticipatory anxiety over it, but it will come with practice. Of course the key is to DO it more often rather than seeking ways to not have to stop until the end of my ride... Generally it has not been a real problem, I just think my body is a bit confused. After all, I have close to 2,000 miles on BMX pedals and only a few hundred on clipless. I will practice more...

[indysteel]

Your process sounds fine; you just gotta do it more. When I first got my Keos (I already had been using SPDs), I spent a weekend in a parking lot doing nothing but clipping out, stopping, and clipping back in.

You also need to relax. You tend to overthink things--by your own admission--so while you're practicing, try to keep your body loose and breathe deeply.

[Catrin]

Your process sounds fine; you just gotta do it more. When I first got my Keos (I already had been using SPDs), I spent a weekend in a parking lot doing nothing but clipping out, stopping, and clipping back in.

You also need to relax. You tend to overthink things--by your own admission--so while you're practicing, try to keep your body loose and breathe deeply.

Yes, this Relaxing makes such a difference - freezing up makes us more awkward automatically. Glad to hear the process sounds right - this can be the interesting part when you ride solo most of the time as it is so easy to learn bad habits that are hard to break later. Muscle memory is important, and I think that is all that is going on - just adding an additional step to the mix.

Depending on my schedule I will take a riding session this week or, most likely, after the Clinic next weekend and go to a nice empty parking lot and do this. I've done it a little, but not very often. Just practiced a couple of times and took off on the road. Have done this twice but that wasn't apparently quite enough.

[indysteel]

I tend to clip out well in adance of an anticipated stop. You might try that--if you're not already--as it will be one less thing to think about as you actually bring the.bike to a stop. Remembering to clip out in the first place is the most important thing. If you've got that down, then the rest is pretty easy.

Also, force yourself to stop at stop signs. Your first post made me wonder if you are. It'll help you work on restarting the bike, too. Plus, it's the law.

Good luck.

[Catrin]

I tend to clip out well in advance of an anticipated stop. You might try that--if you're not already--as it will be one less thing to think about as you actually bring the.bike to a stop. Remembering to clip out in the first place is the most important thing. If you've got that down, then the rest is pretty easy.

Also, force yourself to stop at stop signs. Your first post made me wonder if you are. It'll help you work on restarting the bike, too. Plus, it's the law.

Good luck.

hmmmm, stop signs in the corn fields with nothing coming for miles around???? Would I break the law in such a fashion? Yeah, I need to get better at this - and while I am clipping out in advance of stopping, it is probably too close to the actual stop...

[Reesha]

You know, I never really thought about how to clip in or out and come to a stop very much until I had to teach it to some teenagers who were utter spring chickens with the clipless pedals.

We did just what was recommended and went to a parking lot. I tend to clip out, start slowing and then sort of stand up and out over the top tube to put my foot down without wobbling over. Best practiced at low speeds One girl totally psyched herself out and rammed me in the backside while I was stopped in front of her. Nothing like the nose of a saddle stabbing your fanny!

[Catrin]

I tend to clip out, start slowing and then sort of stand up and out over the top tube to put my foot down without wobbling over. Best practiced at low speeds One girl totally psyched herself out and rammed me in the backside while I was stopped in front of her. Nothing like the nose of a saddle stabbing your fanny!

Eeek!

Bingo!

I think last year I had figured out how to stand up and out over the TT to put my foot down while stopping, but forgot how to do that when I had to return to BMX pedals due to my injuries last fall. I need to remind my body how to do that... Currently I think I am too close to a seated position when I start to stop.

I suspect that the mountain bike clinic this weekend will be quite helpful in this department. For us newest of the new we will start with how to start and stop the bike - both in panic and non-panic situations. It will be good for me, even though I will be using BMX pedals and shin guards.