Well this morning I decided was a good time to try out the new pedals and shoes. So I practiced clipping in and unclipping a couple times in the doorway and then outside for a reality check.
Mistake 1-Not trying to clip in while in the house not holding something as if I was actuallt about to go.
Mistake 2-Attempting this for the first time at the start of a hill.
Mistake 3-Making sure no one was around for my first try.
Yup, one foot in and before the other one could clip in to go, I need to be pedaling hard up the hill especially at the angle I had started on. I started leaning to the clipped in side and I was down before I started. Thunk!
Let me just brush off this dirt, hopefully no one saw this...crap, there's the neighbor and he probably already thinks I look silly with this helmet on.
Try 2-Let's reposition and start with no incline. And I was off. It was a short ride this morning about 11 miles up the buggy lane. It was crazy windy and I just could not seem to get comfortable down in the aerobar position with all the wind.
The road had a lot of cracks in it, it seemed. I was a bit concerned that they may be potentially bad for the bike. Any thoughts of how to know???? Clearly I tried to avoid them, but they were more like cracks in the road from water every 20 yards or so for a couple mile stretch--really annoying!
All in all, and OK ride. It was not quite the gorgeous run I had with the sunrise yesterday!
Anyway I must fly...Cincinnati bound!!!!!!
Saturday, April 01, 2006
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4 comments:
Ahhh yes, the oh-crap-I'm-stuck-in-my-fricken-pedals-fall. Been there on that one: once at a crowded intersection at rush hour (DOH!) and once in my DRIVEWAY after a 50 mile ride. I fell in my freaking DRIVEWAY. :) Luckily the only thing that was hurt both times was just my pride! Hope the bike and you are OK! Have fun in the 'Nati!
If you or anyone else can find a biker that does not tip over once in awhile let me know. Over time you'll get use to the feel and have quicker response for clipping in and out of the pedals. The cracks shouldn't be much of a problem but over time the wheels may need to be trued. Make sure you take your bike to B.A. 2x a year for check ups.
Lou is right, it happens to everyone once in a while. I try to do that 'cool' balancing trick at stoplights and have ended up on my side several times.
If you want to acclimate to clipping in and out more quickly, just do it several times while your moving fast enough not to worry about tipping over. You'll loosen up the new cleats a little bit and get used to the feeling to develop the reflex when you really need it.
I totally bit it the first time I was using new pedals. You'll get the hang of it in no time.
I hope your first dual goes well. Good Luck!
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