Newbie question re: Frogs

[rivergrl]

I'm new to cycling too. I've bee riding a Giant Sedona for over a year but I got the cycling bug from watching everyone pass me and I'm going 17. I bought a Giant OCR1 last week. I have a trainer and I've taken the bike out once. I was fine clipping in, I stopped a couple of times and it was ok, then I stopped, clipped out with my right foot, and fell to the left scrapping up my leg. Now I'm kinda scared to venture back out.

My question is which foot do I unclip first? Do I put that foot down and THEN unclip the other foot with my one foot securely on the ground? I bought Sidi shoes and they are easy to clip in, but they seem kind hard to get out of.

Any advice that some of you could give me would be great! I've loved reading the boards.

[KnottedYet]

Here's what I do, whether it's with my Frogs or with toe cages.

Unclip my right foot before I need to stop.

Pedal with the arch of my right foot if I need a little more oomph to get to my stopping point.

Put my left foot/pedal at it's lowest point with my weight on it and dangle my right leg IN FRONT of the right pedal. Usually my butt is off the seat at this point.

When I stop the right foot hits the ground first, then I unclip the left and put it on the ground.

I think the only reason I put my right foot down first is because I'm left handed and prefer to control the bike with my left foot.

[rivergrl]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try practicing again soon. I'm a little nervous because when I do eventually brave the bike trail that I ride on, there are tons of walkers who are walking dogs and kids and often they will just wonder out into the middle of the trail. I'm a bit nervous about actually getting out on the trail.

[Duck on Wheels]

Had an almost-fall today. Was standing on one unclipped foot, about to start up, then changed my mind 'cuz I decided I should put my camera back in the back pack first. That left me off balance so I tipped towards my still-clipped side (gutter side. note to self: always unclip the downhill foot!), but ... unclipped in the nick of time, heart pounding. So, does that mean I'm still not a True Bicyclist?

[Trek420]

You're not a true cyclist till you break your collar bone but don't do that either.

[DirtDiva]

You're not a true cyclist till you break your collar bone but don't do that either.

I reckon anything that has you winding up in A&E counts; double points if they admit you, ten bonus points for every night you remain in hostpital.

[bcipam]

You're not a true cyclist till you break your collar bone but don't do that either.

...and then 2 years later have to have surgery to plate and pin it back in place...


Regarding the which foot to take out of the pedal - it's really an inidividual thing. I always unclip my right and leave the left in. After awhile I start to get hot spots on my left foot so I try unclipping it and keeping the right foot in but that always feels awkard. Most taining books recommend unclipping your left so to keep yourself from falling towards traffic... but again you need to do what feels comfotable and that you will remember.

[Duck on Wheels]

... Most training books recommend unclipping your left so to keep yourself from falling towards traffic... but again you need to do what feels comfotable and that you will remember.

Oh good. That's what's comfortable for me. Glad it's at least been keeping me from tipping over under a bus.

[salsabike]

You can clip out with either foot--just pick one to start with and practice that way. So, e.g.: clip out with your left foot, brake, and step down on the right pedal where you are still clipped in as the first half of your dismount move; step on the ground with your left foot and then you can clip out on the right. Do NOT lean towards your left, clipped out foot, but stay straight up/lean slightly to the right so you can step on that still-clipped in foot. If it's any comfort to you, the day I decided to learn how to do this, I fell three times. Now I do it all the time with no problem.

[Dogmama]

I only unclip one foot at lights. I unclip my left foot because my right leg is stronger and that is the leg that will need to begin the pedal stroke when I start again.

When you're almost stopped, point your front wheel in the same direction of your unclipped foot. You should now be leaning towards your unclipped foot.