"Scootering" my bike

[Catrin]

Actually scootering will help me on the trails, like when I am going around a really tight hairpin curve - helps me from having to get all the way off the bike to walk it, or when I start to stall out

I think part of my problem with starting in a more traditional fashion is that I LIKE starting with my butt on the saddle. It doesn't help that I've full leg extension on my Gunnar even though I can do this...but I really need to learn to do this for my mountain biking, so I will!

[Catrin]

I did it, well, sort of However I DID it! Not the scootering thing, but the stair-step mounting method. Not fully, but I got most of the way there. The Gunnar is so well fitted to me and works so well for starting from the saddle that I wasn't successful with that bike. Basically because when I am standing there with my right foot on the pedal at 10:00 and left foot on the ground, the nose of my saddle is already under my butt. I am still amazed that I get proper knee angle/extension/KOPS on that bike byt I do. I did manage to "scooter" it once.

The saddle on the mountain bike is a bit higher, though not high enough. I took someone's suggestion and, while keeping my brakes firmly engaged, I put my right foot on the pedal at 10:00 or so and just jumped up - brakes still engaged so I wouldn't go anywhere. I did this a few times - which must have looked odd to anyone watching (what IS that crazy old woman doing?)

Ok, that worked so it was time to let go of the brakes...and found that the hardest thing I've ever done on my mountain bike Here I am beating the fear of the edge and rolling over rocky patches on the trail and I can't let go of the brakes to start the bike - that is just plain silly and I got mad at myself.

It took a few false starts, but was basically successful I also tried the same position but leaning the bike a bit so that my inner thigh was touching the saddle but not at a crazy angle - that worked better.

Thanks for your encouragement and I think I am on my way to beating this Practice, practice, practice!

[Velocivixen]

See? We knew you had it in you! Seriously though, new skills just take practice. Don't be hard on yourself. This is a new thing for you and with continued practice this motor skill will become habit and you won't even have to think about it. Nice job.

[Crankin]

I watched that video, and yes, that is how I start on my bike. I've never had an issue starting, but I absolutely cannot start on even a small incline. After ten years, I have given up and pray for green lights! I end up scootering across quite a few intersections, looking like a dweeb. I know I have the strength, but I fail almost every time, on an incline. I know lots of alternate routes. Some of it is in my head; on Saturday I was stopped at a light on an incline in an unfamiliar place with bad drivers. I had to scoot across a rather large intersection, which slowed me so much, my 2 slower riding friends were far ahead! I was able to pass them and catch up to DH once I got throughout he intersection, but the next day when I had to go through the same place and the light was red, I actually stopped way back, where the ground was still level.

[Catrin]

Crankin, when you scoot across, I assume your pedals are down?

[jessmarimba]

Do most of you start on a mountain bike facing downhill like that? I hate when I can't get that second foot clipped in but need to stand up on the pedals. Scares the bejeebus out of me. How do you start on downhills, Catrin?

[redrhodie]

Yay Catrin! Good going!

I wonder if you just hold one brake if it would be easier to let go?

[Catrin]

Do most of you start on a mountain bike facing downhill like that? I hate when I can't get that second foot clipped in but need to stand up on the pedals. Scares the bejeebus out of me. How do you start on downhills, Catrin?

Until now I've started with my right foot on the pedal and butt on saddle. My brakes are engaged until I get my body situated, then I let off the brakes while pushing forward with my left foot - as the bike gets going I get the left foot on the pedal and go...

If there is a little flat spot at the top of the hill, I actually prefer to start there but of course that isn't always an option. I CAN start uphill this way if it isn't too steep, but if I can walk it a few feet to get to a flat or downhill bit then I will do that.

Red - I tried that and it was even harder to let go - I just need to practice, and practice and...

I also need to figure out the difference in how it feels between an almost-stall that I can power out of and a real stall so I can get my foot on the ground a split second before falling over This is body awareness I think, my trainer is adding things to help me with this...after all, it isn't like I am clipped in or anything!