mounting/dismounting your bikes

[rbs4fun]

Do you mount/dismount your bike in motion?

I finally got clipless pedals over Memorial Day weekend and have been getting used to them. Prior to that I wore my running shoes and mash away and I was comfortable mounting/dismounting while in motion with them. I find that it's really difficult to do that with clipless. Maybe I have to clip my shoes on the pedals and run barefoot along side and hop on? I haven't tried that yet. I did try unclipping my right foot to swing over to the left and fell both times. Oops. I'm fine unclipping the left foot but the right is... yikes!!

I have a mini tri coming up next Sunday and still undecided if I want to wear my bike shoes. It's only 8 miles of biking.

Maybe I just need more practice? Oh my bike shoes are not triathlon bike shoes.

[roadie gal]

I am a total spaz. So I put on my bike shoes, run to the bike start while holding the bike, stop and get on my bike. I'm in awe of people who can run barefoot and do the flying start while slipping into their clipped in shoes. No matter how many races I do I'll never be able to do that.

[alpinerabbit]

Same. Also when coming in. but it can be risky if the ground is asphalt or, as in our case on Sunday....: cobblestones!

Boy did I see some speedy running-across-bare-cobblestones-in-look-cleats on Sunday. Risky stuff.

Boyfriend made the following firsttimer error: undoing his straps, partially, but not getting out of the shoes at speed; instead opting to try and unclip. With undone straps, very risky. He just managed to unclip instead of taking a fall in front of the volunteers...

The same move occurred to me but I had enough oxygen left in my brain to stop myself.

[colby]

Whatever you do, it should be something you feel safe doing. Those few seconds are not as precious as your safety - unless you're trying to win, then maybe you're willing to take some more risks.

Practice the rest of your transitions, the little things there are more likely to make a difference AND be safe -- quick laces, the right clothes, carrying your fuel differently. Personally I think I'd spend as much time trying to mate my shoe to my foot if my shoe was already on my bike as I would trying to clip in in the first place. Or, I may end up crashing when I'm stopping and unstrapping shoes at the same time, which could cost me a lot more than a few seconds. I always come to a complete stop before getting off my bike, I just can't imagine clipping out and trying to get over my bike and and...

[rbs4fun]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will put my bike shoes on in transition then run with my bike to the mount/dismount line and hop on. I am too scared/chicken plus it's not enough time to practice the mounting/dismounting in motion when the tri is this Sunday.

This will be my 2nd tri, both minis (baby steps) Getting nervous now!

[Bron]

If you use cleat covers, don't forget to take them off your shoes when you set up your transition area. Otherwise you end up standing at the bike mount point for a couple of minute wondering why you can't click in... DH did this a couple of years ago.