Fear, fear, fear, plain old fear to clip and unclip. Advice please!

[Seajay]

It sounds like you need to be able to predict which direction the bike is going to lean when you stop. You can do this with countersteering. You already know it as part of riding. You just want to make it active not passive.
The physics of a bike makes it so if you "steer" the bar to the RIGHT...the bike will always LEAN TO THE LEFT. (or vice versa)
So if you want to unclip from the left pedal, in the last few inches of stopping and you have your left foot down....steer the front wheel to the right. This will assure you drop onto your left foot.

[Maye]

Ladies thanks a ton for all the great advices!! Yesterday I bought the Speedplay Light pedals and I'm practicing clipping in and out using the trainer. These pedals are definitively easier to clip out for sure!! Still learning the trick on how to clip in without "thinking" about it. But so far I like them very much.

[Jo-n-NY]

That is great Maye. Being comfortable and confident with your pedals will help. The trainer is a great way to practice. They say clip in and out about 20times to get the hang of it.

[Maye]

OMG look what I found for my new speed plays! the best of two worlds:
2012 Speedplay platformers!! LOL.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...6330.31.1.html

[Maye]

Update: today I went for my first ride with the new Speedplay Light pedals and I came to the conclusion that the problem is not the pedals, is the piece behind the saddle I caught myself again doing the same mistake: completely stopped, me standing over the top tube, right leg unclipped, on the floor and then again I moved the left leg like it was unclipped making me loose balance and control of the bike by shifting the bike to the left with my body weight. BUT, I moved the bike handlebars immediately to the right side which prevented the fall. At least that's good but after the incident I was nervous and lost my confidence completely. Needless to say (but I will say it) that after a few minutes, I walked back to my car with my "tail" between my legs like a doggie running away. Tomorrow I'll try it again

[murielalex]

You'll get it! Lord knows if I can, you can.

BTW, I'm getting a set of those Speedplay platforms so I can ride my bike to the gym, just two miles from home, and wear my regular sneakers. Thanks for the link.

[Maye]

You'll get it! Lord knows if I can, you can.

BTW, I'm getting a set of those Speedplay platforms so I can ride my bike to the gym, just two miles from home, and wear my regular sneakers. Thanks for the link.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

I'm getting the platforms via mail, hopefully tomorrow. They look cool and practical.

[ny biker]

Update: today I went for my first ride with the new Speedplay Light pedals and I came to the conclusion that the problem is not the pedals, is the piece behind the saddle I caught myself again doing the same mistake: completely stopped, me standing over the top tube, right leg unclipped, on the floor and then again I moved the left leg like it was unclipped making me loose balance and control of the bike by shifting the bike to the left with my body weight. BUT, I moved the bike handlebars immediately to the right side which prevented the fall. At least that's good but after the incident I was nervous and lost my confidence completely. Needless to say (but I will say it) that after a few minutes, I walked back to my car with my "tail" between my legs like a doggie running away. Tomorrow I'll try it again

There is muscle memory involved. The more you do it right, the more it will be an instinct to do it right. So, you really had a good experience -- you did it right and you didn't fall.

[Catrin]

It does take time to train/retrain our muscle memory. The main reason I clip in on the road is that my knees are far happier with me than when I do not...