Worse Day of the Year Ride

[mimitabby]

Ah, the frogs. Frogs were counter-indicated to me because I toe out so much Erik Moen (the bike guy PT) said they would be very hard for me to get in and out of because of the way you have to twist your foot to get into them.

All of you that are giving Suzie advice, remember you're giving it to me and a lot of other people too. As for me, I already have the things adjusted as loose as possible. The problem is that the instinct to stop doesn't include getting out of the Spd's yet, and when you start stopping with your hands and then start tugging your feet out of pedals, suddenly you are tremendously off balance! and then all the stuff you already know about riding and balance goes out the window because you're in a state of PANIC!

[ace]

Two things for you, Mimi (and remember, I'm only slightly ahead of you on the curve, having ridden clipless with spds for only a couple months now):

1. Do you really have your pedals adjusted as loose as you need them? You say you "tug" them out, and I never feel like I'm exerting much effort unclipping- I just turn my foot and I'm out. If you can make 'em looser, try it. I never unclip unintentionally, and mine are set about as loose as they can go.

2. My learning curve was flat (and painful- fell three times because I tilted over to my clipped in side from a stopped position), then a big peak. In other words, I had to always think about the fact that I was clipped in for about the first 2 months, then all of a sudden, it became instinctive. I think your body just gets it at some point. Unless, of course, the pedals you have just aren't comfortable because of your particular body type.

It will get instinctive to unclip, I promise.

[mimitabby]

Two things for you, Mimi (and remember, I'm only slightly ahead of you on the curve, having ridden clipless with spds for only a couple months now):

1. Do you really have your pedals adjusted as loose as you need them? You say you "tug" them out, and I never feel like I'm exerting much effort unclipping- I just turn my foot and I'm out. If you can make 'em looser, try it. I never unclip unintentionally, and mine are set about as loose as they can go.

2. My learning curve was flat (and painful- fell three times because I tilted over to my clipped in side from a stopped position), then a big peak. In other words, I had to always think about the fact that I was clipped in for about the first 2 months, then all of a sudden, it became instinctive. I think your body just gets it at some point. Unless, of course, the pedals you have just aren't comfortable because of your particular body type.

It will get instinctive to unclip, I promise.

Thanks Ace. DH said they are as loose as they go. Since I toe out, it is hard for me to turn my toe in to unclip particularly on my weaker, more turned out right side.

I will hold you to that promise. I hope to do some riding in the tandem
clipping in and out a lot. That should help because DH is holding the bike up, not me.

[ace]

I do promise you that you will clip in and out instinctively.

Now you promise me that I will be able to learn how to use integrated shifting when I get my road bike without having a really bad accident.....

[mimitabby]

Integrated shifting? I'm not sure what that is. It has taken me about a year and I am just now getting more comfortable with having 3 chain rings in front and 9 (or 10?) gears in the back.
There are some I never use (they don't tell you that in the LBS)
the higher gears on the smallest front chain ring
the lowest gears on the big chain ring.
In the middle chain ring you can go anywhere in the gears.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

There are some I never use (they don't tell you that in the LBS)
the higher gears on the smallest front chain ring
the lowest gears on the big chain ring.
In the middle chain ring you can go anywhere in the gears.

Mimi,
It helps to think of it this way instead:
It's not that there are GEARS that you don't use. It's that there are gear COMBINATIONS that you don't use, because those combinations will make your chain too crooked between your front and rear gears (cross-chaining) and that bad chain angle will cause your chain to scrape against the derailleurs and/or jump off and other bad stuff.

[mimitabby]

Mimi,
It helps to think of it this way instead:
It's not that there are GEARS that you don't use. It's that there are gear COMBINATIONS that you don't use, because those combinations will make your chain too crooked between your front and rear gears (cross-chaining) and that bad chain angle will cause your chain to scrape against the derailleurs and/or jump off and other bad stuff.

yes, that sounds nicer.

[suzieqtwa]

Gears are the only thing I really picked up on quick. After about 3 times on the bike I was fine. I usually stay in the middle gear. Like what Lisa said ,you don't want your chain to fall off ,so it stay in the middle gear till you are comfortable. I can shift going up hills with no problem.
Mimi...you put it in exact words about the stopping with your hands ,and trying to kick your feet out ...the balance (or lack of) and PANIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think straight. I'm taking off about 4 days ,so my body can heal. Ill be back on the bike for some long rides this weekend. I'm done with falling ,and humiliating myself.
Someone mentioned about kicking out real hard. Well I did almost fall at a busy intersection on Saturday ,and right before I thought I was going to fall ,I kicked out real hard ,and didn't fall. Oh, I un clip on the right ,so its always away from traffic.

[mimitabby]

Someone mentioned about kicking out real hard. Well I did almost fall at a busy intersection on Saturday ,and right before I thought I was going to fall ,I kicked out real hard ,and didn't fall. Oh, I un clip on the right ,so its always away from traffic.

Do you mean so you always fall away from traffic by unclipping the right foot first?

[suzieqtwa]

yes, in less Im in a left hand turning lane. I did fall into the traffic lane when I wiped out on the railroad tracks ,but I guess there werent any cars coming (I dont remember). More than not ,I will fall to the right (away from traffic). Hopefully Im done with falling.

[DrBadger]

One more person piping in with a suggestion or two. I have been following the going clipless threads, and remember well what you are all going through. I went clipless just over a year ago.

Mimi and Suzie- you both talk about feeling off balance, or loosing balance when you "kick" your foot out while coming to a stop. I wonder if the balance problem is from the "kicking" motion. You shouldn't have to jerk or kick you heals to disengage the cleat from the clip (unless it is an emergency stop, and even then it will really just be a reflex). What I made sure to do, based on the suggestions from the board, was well before I got to the intersection I would just pivit my right foot out to disengage the clip. There was no kicking or real fast motion, but a nice smooth turning out of the heal as I was coasting and braking to a stop. Now when I got slow enough to stop my foot was already out and I was able to put my foot down without thinking about it.

Suzie- that you said you fall away from traffic when you are unclipping your fright oot makes me think that it is the jearking motion from kicking out your heal causing you to fall. Normally people fall towards the side that is still clipped in because they lean the bike that direction accedently and there is no foot to catch you (I did it 2 times, and had one amazing save). The way I no longer do this is as I am coming to a stop and putting my right foot down I turn my handle bars and wheel to the left (like I was going to make a slight left turn). This causes the bike to want to tip towards my unclipped foot. Some people do it the other way... a good way to figure out which way you want to turn your handle bars is to stand astride your bike, turn the handle bars a bit in each direction, let go, and see which way the bike wants to fall. Remember which way made the bike fall towards the side you unclip on generally and turn the handle bars that way as you stop.

I know this seems like a lot to think about all at once when you are learning, but trust me, before too long it will be second nature and you will wonder what you ever did without clipless pedals!

Good Luck!

[bianchigirl]

Don't give up!!!! It will come...I have had many embarrassing falls. Soon, you will not even have to think about it.
If hills are your worst fear practice going up half way and stopping, over and over.
I swear, it will become easier...

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!