I'm Clipless!!!

[newbiechick]

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted anything here, although I've tried to keep up by checking in to read others' postings every few days ... life has been crazy busy ... didn't even have a chance to ride for close to two weeks! AArgh!

BUT ... two weeks ago I went and bought real cycling shoes, my fiance put his extra SPD pedals on my bike, and I was ready to take the plunge! He set me up on his trainer, and I practiced just a bit ... but I quickly realized that that was going to be of marginal help 'cause I didn't have any idea how/when I really stop in real conditions. So yesterday morning I took the bike out into the neighborhood, rode around for 5-10 minutes, stopping every little bit ... with only one close call when the bike started to tip toward my clipped in foot (I recovered without falling). Then I decided it was time to take to the roads.

What a ride!! It was awesome!! Not only was it may first day clipless, it was also my longest ride so far (a whopping 16 miles ), AND I conquered a hill that had beat me twice before (both other times I had to get off and walk part way up). It was fabulous!! And no problems adjusting to the clipless pedals. There were a couple instances where I had to stop rather suddenly--once when an overly friendly dog ran over to say hello--and both times I managed to unclip quickly and without panic.

So for other newbies out there who are considering going clipless, I say go for it! I will add a couple other bits of info which might be pertinent ... I did decide to buy mountain biking shoes. I have very wide feet, and I'd heard from a few sources that mtn shoes might better suit my feet. I wound up with Nikes, which I realize isn't exactly a cycling name (although I believe Lance wears Nikes? ) ... but they fit great, and the other shoes that fit (Sidi's--can't recall which ones) cost about three times as much. I have SPD pedals (my fiances old pair), and I find these VERY easy to clip out of. My fiance set them very "loose" but my feet never once slipped out when I was riding.

Bottom line ... WOW! ... What a great experience! And I credit everyone on this fabulous TE forum with helping move me along in my cycling "career." The advice and suggestions I've read here have been huge in helping me make my choices and decisions along the way, and the encouragement and support is wonderful! So thanks, everyone!

Shelley
aka Newbiechick

[drplasma64]

Hey Shelley, that's great! I'm totally scared of going clipless, and I also have very wide feet, so your post is really helpful. I think I'll still wait awhile before trying it, but I know it would help me get up my hill nemesis also.

I have clip pedals, but actually replaced with with platforms b/c I felt so wobbly on the bike after not riding in about 15 years. Oh, I also read your post of the hybrid thread...glad you like your 7200, I'm waiting on a 7200 FX - right now I'm riding my old road bike, which rides really nice but contributes to my feeling of instability (skinny tires, downtube shifters).

[latelatebloomer]

Shelly - that is so great!! Thanks for the encouragement to the rest of us newbies - I'm saving my pennies to go clipless myself. I'm so glad to hear that you did so well. It does make it a little less intimidating...even for a klutz like me

Zoom on!

[snowtulip]

Way to go Shelly! Congrats on taking the plunge. I also have nike shoes and the wide toe box really feels good compared to many other cycling shoes I've had.

[newbiechick]

Hey, Latebloomer ... thanks for your well wishes!

One thought for you ... I'd always thought of myself as a klutz as well, or at least as not very coordinated. But one of the wonderful things that's happened as I've become more and more active in the past few years (first with running and now cycling) is that I'm rejecting a lot of the old "labels" I had put on myself ... realizing that I'd let them limit me ... making me afraid to try new things, or worry that I wouldn't be good at them.

So as you prepare to go clipless, try letting go of the idea that you're a "klutz" (and I realize we all often use these kinds of terms in fun and jest, not necessarily seriously) ... instead, tell yourself that you have great coordination ... you'll probably find that it's true!

Happy riding! I look forward to hearing how it goes ... and to sharing more of my stories as well.

Shelley
aka newbiechick

[mom2twins]

Congratulations Shelley! I had lots of false starts with clipless and at one point decided it was way too much trouble and went back to toeclips for a while. I'm so impressed with how well you took to it right from the begining

Thanks for the info about the nike shoes. I tend to think of Nike shoes as running narrow but that's running shoes. I've never tired them as cycling shoes. I also have wide feet and cycling shoes just don't seem to accomidate for that. Right now I use some cheap Shimano mountain bike shoes with my Speadplay frogs, love the pedals hate the shoes. Do you know what model your Nike's are?

Oh and congratulations on the long ride too!

[newbiechick]

Hi mom2twins,

I feel very fortunate that my first clipless experience was so positive. I certainly know that's not the case for everyone.

If you have a wide foot I'd highly recommend these Nike shoes ... they're Nike Kato III Lace (they are women specific); I think I paid $79 for mine. I have such a hard time buying any kind of shoe that I dreaded shopping for cycling shoes. I was so surprised when I found two different styles that fit right off the bat. The Sidi Dominators also fit well, but they were over $200, and as a beginning rider, I just didn't feel like I could justify that. The Nikes were VERY comfortable when I rode yesterday. After reading lots of postings about the problems people have had with various shoes, I feel so lucky to have found some that seem to work right away. I wish you luck in finding some you like as well.

[latelatebloomer]

Shelley, thanks for your wise and encouraging words about "old labels."
It's causing me to have a "big think" about a lot of things. A lot!