Teva vs Five Tens

[Catrin]

I know you can do it, I'd just encourage you to practice, practice, practice as it should ideally become instinctive, i.e., not something you "forget" to do. I'm certainly no expert, but from my own experience as a new mtber, it was the biggest thing I took from the clinic last year. Putting it into practice post-clinic was like having a huge light bulb go off in terms of bike handling and safety. Technical sections and descents became so much easier.

And I'm not saying that this solves your pedal/shoe problem. I'm frustrated myself with my platform pedal/hiking shoe combination and have been thinking about my next step. I'm not sure I'm ready for clipless, and I'm not even certain I want to go that route.

Yes, Kathi told me afterwards (several times) that I would be much more comfortable if I were simply to get more in the aft/ready position when descending. Part of it is I am afraid that it would be too much pressure on my knee, but that shouldn't happen if my pedals are truly level.

My plan is when I return to hit my "favorite trail" (not) and work with this very thing. I may not care overly much for Pine Loop, but there are no rocks or other obstacles on that trail to distract me. I think I would have had an easier time on the gnarlier sections of NT Loop yesterday if I had been out of the saddle more.

It doesn't solve my shoe/pedal situation, but it will help. I generally like my hiking shoes but I do need a better solution since I've no intention on clipping in on the trails for at least another year or two - if ever. I think my ZuZu pedals are fine, grippier shoes will be the rest of the equation, at least for me.