Watch Out-Jennifer Is Clipless!

[Lise]

Hey, Jennifer, you're going to love clipless once you get the hang of it. Much more pedalling strength when you can pull as well as push the pedals. I've been riding clipless for three years and have not fallen once. I've had moments, but I always got my feet out in time. As others have said, have the LBS adjust the tension so you can get out easily (but not too easily--I hate the inadvertent clip-out!)

Another advantage of CamelBaks that I remembered on my 35 miler in 100 heat (I-am-dumb) the other day is this: A CamelBak filled 1st with ice, then water, stays cool for at least three hours. Put that on my back, and it's a cooling station on wheels (sort of). It helped a lot. The water bottles I had in cages were warm within 1/2 hr, even though I started out with ice in both (Gatorade in one, water in the other).

[DirtDiva]

CamelBaks are great on snow! They make for a nice cushion on the chair too.

[Bikingmomof3]

Hey, Jennifer, you're going to love clipless once you get the hang of it. Much more pedalling strength when you can pull as well as push the pedals. I've been riding clipless for three years and have not fallen once. I've had moments, but I always got my feet out in time. As others have said, have the LBS adjust the tension so you can get out easily (but not too easily--I hate the inadvertent clip-out!)

Another advantage of CamelBaks that I remembered on my 35 miler in 100 heat (I-am-dumb) the other day is this: A CamelBak filled 1st with ice, then water, stays cool for at least three hours. Put that on my back, and it's a cooling station on wheels (sort of). It helped a lot. The water bottles I had in cages were warm within 1/2 hr, even though I started out with ice in both (Gatorade in one, water in the other).

I am so excited! I can clip in and out now. Yay me!

Thank you for the CamelBak filling tip-I would not have thought of that.

[redhot3368]

yeah! Very Cool!!!
I LOVE my camelbak! I too used to have to stop and drink water.
My DH told me I would look like a total dork and it wasn't "cool" to have a camelbak. But every time I had to stop to get my water bottle, I felt like a dork. Finally I got tired of that and bought a camelbak, I didn't care about being a dork. Now Hubby is thinking about getting a camelbak now too...Humm, after he said it wasn't "Cool" Go fiqure!!!

[Bikingmomof3]

I am going out in this heat today and taking my camelBak-I would rather look dorky then become dehydrated.

[Lise]

I am going out in this heat today and taking my camelBak-I would rather look dorky then become dehydrated.

Have a great time. Remember to pack it with ice before you pour in the water. Take something with electrolytes, too, some salt, like one of the many gatorade/cliff shot/sport bean things out there. Let us know how it goes!

[Bikingmomof3]

Lise,
Love my CamelBak and thank you for the ice suggestion. I was able to tolerate the heat because I had so much ice water handy.

[Kano]

Lise,
Love my CamelBak and thank you for the ice suggestion. I was able to tolerate the heat because I had so much ice water handy.

Yes, but how did you do with your new pedals??????

Have you been out and about with them yet, or have you still been keeping cool indoors? Do you love them????

Here in the high desert, the sweat doesn't catch up with us until we get home. When you "wetlanders" are out riding in the humidity, is sweat a bigger problem than for me????

Thirst still happens on a grand scale -- DH says he doesn't start sweating til we get home, one just doesn't notice it, since the air is so dry, it just sucks the sweat right off you!

Karen in Boise

[Bikingmomof3]

Karen,

I lived in Wyoming for 6 years. I really miss dry heat. Here sweat begins by just being. You do not need to even exert yourself. The humidity and dewpoint have been beastly high. In Wyoming my hair would be dry within 5 minutes of me hopping out of the shower, here it will stay wet for hours. I know many like the humidity, to me it is very oppressive. You know how a wickedly cold day (say -20-gosh I miss those temps) suck the air from your lungs? Well, high humidity does the same thing only in a not as nice way. Or at least it does to me.

Yes, I can indeed clip in and out of my pedals while riding. I am not comfortable yet, but i am getting there. Part of me knows I will be fine, the other part of me fears losing half my skin on the road. I begin riding with my right foot and always clip the left foot first when stopping. That little system appears to work for me.

I will go out again this evening.

[Kano]

Karen,

I lived in Wyoming for 6 years. I really miss dry heat. Here sweat begins by just being. You do not need to even exert yourself. The humidity and dewpoint have been beastly high. In Wyoming my hair would be dry within 5 minutes of me hopping out of the shower, here it will stay wet for hours. I know many like the humidity, to me it is very oppressive. You know how a wickedly cold day (say -20-gosh I miss those temps) suck the air from your lungs? Well, high humidity does the same thing only in a not as nice way. Or at least it does to me.

I remember! Grew up in Minnesota, and it's not that your hair stays wet for hours, it's the sweat keeps rewetting it! Skin too! At least that's my theory! First time we went back to Minnesota, I recall getting off the plane and feeling like we'd stepped into a steam room with duck tape on our mouths and our noses pinched as we tried to breathe!

Yes, I can indeed clip in and out of my pedals while riding. I am not comfortable yet, but i am getting there. Part of me knows I will be fine, the other part of me fears losing half my skin on the road. I begin riding with my right foot and always clip the left foot first when stopping. That little system appears to work for me.

I will go out again this evening.

Same thing's working for me, Jennifer, and I am planning to go out too: they vacuumed up the chips that have been all over the neighborhood, so the new chipseal stuff isn't quite as dangerous tonight, and once I eat something, I'll have plenty of energy for a nice ride! (think I can get DH out of his chair????)

Karen