questions questions questions

[laura*]

I personally can't imagine riding so long without toe clips or clipless pedals (clipless are much safer IMO since you don't need your hands to get out of them) ... but lots of people do it.

Huh? Hands are required to get out of toe clips? Why?

For me, toe clips are a set once and never readjust sort of thing. I set the straps loose enough so my shoes fit nicely and yet tight enough to not have any extra space. At that the toe clips work just like slippers, clogs, Crocs, and etc.

Cinching down the straps is probably an old school (track) racing thing.

[OakLeaf]

Not track and not (exclusively) racing. Cinching the straps (and wearing cycling shoes) is the only way to keep your feet from pulling out, especially while climbing. It's why they're there...


But you know, now that you've got me thinking about it, I've finally understood the efficiency of being in your pedals rather than on them. It isn't so much "using other muscles to pull up and back" the way a lot of people say. It's more, the muscles you don't have to use to keep locating and staying on your pedals. It's like wearing flipflops, all the effort you have to keep exerting, messing up your natural stride, trying to keep them on your feet. It's the same sort of thing when you're not secure in your pedals.

You mentioned Crocs. Think about how you have to walk in them and all the wasted energy. Same thing.

[laura*]

Cinching the straps (and wearing cycling shoes) is the only way to keep your feet from pulling out, especially while climbing. It's why they're there...

I've never had a problem with my feet unintentionally pulling out of toe clips... Not even during vigorous pedaling of all sorts. I don't expend any effort to keep my feet in the clips, and yet when needed I can "slide" them right out.

[newbie]

Thanks everyone. I rode twice this week already and I'm doing a 30 miler on Monday. I'm pretty nervous about it. I think I've figured out the basics on gears. Still can't imagine riding in clipless shoes

And I'm not 100% certain I'm wanting to do the "big" ride anymore. I'm going to see how 30 goes. I've only done 14 so this is doubling what I have done so far and I"m not sure I"m ready.

But I like biking-for excerise, not for the "sport" of it. If that makes sense. I like running, but not marathons We shall see how this goes.

Thanks for all the tips

[ny biker]

Thanks everyone. I rode twice this week already and I'm doing a 30 miler on Monday. I'm pretty nervous about it. I think I've figured out the basics on gears. Still can't imagine riding in clipless shoes

And I'm not 100% certain I'm wanting to do the "big" ride anymore. I'm going to see how 30 goes. I've only done 14 so this is doubling what I have done so far and I"m not sure I"m ready.

But I like biking-for excerise, not for the "sport" of it. If that makes sense. I like running, but not marathons We shall see how this goes.

Thanks for all the tips

When I first got into cycling (back when I bought my mountain bike in 1998) I thought people who did centuries were kinda crazy. I actually rode mostly on paved trails, 10-25 miles at a time. After a couple of years a friend invited me to join him in a 65-mile ride on the C&O Canal towpath. I spent 6-8 weeks increasing my mileage and did the ride, and since then my concept of "long" vs "short" rides has changed. I did a few centuries, then decided I prefer not to go more than 60-70 miles per ride. But 25 miles still seems short to me.

In contrast, my sister just likes to get out on her bike for half an hour, and she's never been interested in long rides. And I have a friend who recently signed up for a 300 km ride -- all in one day. Different strokes...

Have fun on Monday!! If you're having hot weather, make sure you're prepared with plenty to drink (figure 1 bottle per hour) and some snacks that are easy to digest, preferably with some salt.