Maiden Voyage

[rachelroo]

Well I gat my cleats on Monday and have been practicing clipping in and out in front of the TV for a couple of days. This morning I went for my first ride on my new bike and I didn't fall!!! I was so afraid I was going to. I did have some foot pain in my outer foot around the ball of my foot. Any suggetions? I only rode for a half an hour. Took a little longer to convince myself to get out of bed this morning then usual. It seems like I'm really only able to clip into one side of my left peddle. Anywho- I love it can't wait to go again tomorow. (If I can get out of bed)

[SouthernBelle]

You may need to move your cleat back a little on the sole of your shoe. So it's not right on the balls of your feet. You can keep adjusting until it feels right.

[RoadRaven]

Well done RachelRoo!!!
Woohoo...

Regrading the pain, the first thing I would check is the position of feet/angle of shoes to pedals (I am assuming the shoes are the right size for you and comfrotable...)

[rachelroo]

yep the shoes are comfortable. I'll try moving them back a little. Raven -do you mean are my feet parallel to the ground while I'm pedaling or toes pointed etc. or do you mean are my feet turned in or out when pedaling?

If it's the first scenario I don't know I'll check that out tomorrow, if it's the second scenario they seem pretty parallel to the bike which is could be weird because I usually live with my toes pointed out-wards (Dance Will do that to ya).

[boy in a kilt]

Here are a couple of things to try.

First off, check the fore/aft orientation of your cleats. A good starting point is just under the ball of your foot. If the pain stays or gets work, move them back (to under the arch) a little bit at a time.

Secondly, check the centering on them. If your cleats are positioned to make your toes point inward and your toes naturally want to point outward, it may be causing undue pressure on the area in question.

Finally, check your arches and insteps. I have wicked high arches and the instep to match. After cycling for 25 years with my toes frequently going numb, I switched to a set of Sidi Megas. Problem solved. A bit of arch support might help.

[wiseowl]

Yay! I also clipped in and out a bunch on the trainer at first, but I didn't think the move to clipless was all that bad. I have toppled over twice because I didn't get out in time, but consider this- you will never crash at a high rate of speed due to clipless...you will only topple over from a stop or near stop. Still sucks, but not as bad as a crash at speed! I am still working on getting out in time while on an uphill, but other than that they are cake now.

[rachelroo]

oooh I haven't tried clipping out going uphill yet. Still a little bit of pain, still working on it. Thanks for the new responses. I do have really high arches (DH has flat feet I wonder how the children will turn out)

[boy in a kilt]

My wife has flat feet too. One kid has high arches, one kid has flat feet.

[Kristi]

i was really afraid of strapping myself to my bike. but i decided to go for it after much discussion with the bf. i haven't fell yet, but i'm well aware of the fact that i will. i'm definitely not looking forward to it. i haven't tried on a hill yet, but this was the best piece of advice i was given. and even though it seems obvious, it helps me to remember this...

give yourself plenty of time. you can unclip way before you have to stop and just rest your foot on the pedal. then you're ready when that stop light/sign is there. and don't get in a hurry to get back in. ride a bit and get going, then get your foot back in. seems obvious, i know. but reminding myself not to panic and not to hurry has helped a lot. i just relax and take my time and give myself plenty of time to get in and out.

[RolliePollie]

Here are a couple of things to try.

First off, check the fore/aft orientation of your cleats. A good starting point is just under the ball of your foot. If the pain stays or gets work, move them back (to under the arch) a little bit at a time.

Secondly, check the centering on them. If your cleats are positioned to make your toes point inward and your toes naturally want to point outward, it may be causing undue pressure on the area in question.

Finally, check your arches and insteps. I have wicked high arches and the instep to match. After cycling for 25 years with my toes frequently going numb, I switched to a set of Sidi Megas. Problem solved. A bit of arch support might help.

Excellent advice! I got new Sidi Zetas about a week ago and I have adjusted the cleat placement after each ride...I am still trying to get it perfected! It's amazing how just the tiniest little adjustment can make a huge difference...and you can always adjust things back to how they were before if necessary.

Congrats on going clipless! Once you get everything situated just right, you're going to love it!

[rachelroo]

I have sidi zeta's too. I've been doing some adjusting, but I still have some pain. I still haven't gotten any arch supporters (is that how to say it). Not as much pain as on the first ride... I guess I must adjust some more.