Ok - so let's talk about clipping out going up hill

[indysteel]

I more or less do what Gnat and Darcy have suggested. If you anticipate having to stop, even if just for a couple of pedal strokes, you can usually unclip and stop safely. I'd give on other piece of advice. If you are riding with other people, announce that you're going to stop and try not to stop in someone else's path.

@Catrin: I think I know the hill you're talking about. Get out there, girl! You're stronger, the Gunnar is lighter, and you have some super easy gears. There's no reason that you won't be able to make it to the top. Have some confidence!

[Artista]

I have the same problem unclipping while riding up very steep hills on my mountain bike. (I don't ride many steep hills on the roadie.) For those who haven't experienced this, here are some of the issues:

• Pushing so hard to maintain enough momentum to avoid tipping over that we don't have even a micro-second to slow the pedals enough to unclip
• It's tough to reestablish contact with the pedal in the micro-second after unclipping to maintain enough momentum to slow & stop the bike.
• Sometimes my legs are so tired that I've lost the coordination to unclip on the first attempt. Even one unsuccessful attempt is enough to slow the momentum enough to make me tip over.
• Riding a mountain bike uphill on single track doesn't allow for steering across the trail to unclip & stop.

This difficulty with unclipping on hills has prevented me from tackling a a very long, steep hill on my favorite trail. I've decided to attempt part of this hill on my next ride by lowering my saddle a bit & riding unclipped with the pedals centered under the arch of my foot / shoes. My plan is to continue riding parts of this hill until I develop enough strength to ride the whole thing. Once I'm stronger, I'll try riding it clipped in. This process could take me a year or more considering even my very strong husband sometimes can't make it all the way up this hill.

[Catrin]

@Catrin: I think I know the hill you're talking about. Get out there, girl! You're stronger, the Gunnar is lighter, and you have some super easy gears. There's no reason that you won't be able to make it to the top. Have some confidence!

The funny thing is I am absolutely fearless on BMX pedals, you would think it would be the other way around Don't get me wrong, I do like my Frogs and they are super easy to get in/out of - but if it wasn't so obvious that my knees need to be clipped in...

It is only in this area that clipless makes me nervous, and not for most hills. Just those hills (really only one hill) that I've so much experience walking in the past...I just need to ride out there and beat that hill. The problem is it beats me before I ever see it. I HAVE ridden it once without walking, but haven't attempted it since my injuries started manifesting last fall...