This is my first post here---and I belong to the 50+ club. I started back cycling in Oct 2005 to lose some weight and get off cholesterol medication. Weighed 308 when I started and am down to 260 now. I have been riding a bike that I bought around 1983 for triathlons (Univega Gran Premio). It still had toe clips and I am still using friction shifters. But I am having more fun on the bike than I ever had before. Riding longer and further and planning on a century maybe in 2007. I was going to reward myself when I hit 250 pounds by getting some new shoes and clipless pedals. Well today one of my straps and cages broke. I tried to ride on---but slipped off the pedal 6 times in 12 miles. OUCH!! Decided to reward myself early and headed for the LBS. I got all set up with new Shimano SPD pedals and went for an 8 mile hilly ride. So far I'm very impressed!! I'll have to monitor my knees I suppose---but I think I'm going to like this setup. 40 pounds to go!!!
rck
03-20-06, 07:52 PM
Welcome aboard! Keep up the good work and start planning your next reward.
GrannyGear
03-20-06, 08:15 PM
Do monitor your knees, Sour, but assuming you have "float" set for your pedals and your cleats are positioned well enough.....many people find clipless kinder to knees due to some lateral freedom. Twisting out will become second nature...good to tighten you quads as you twist out to stabilize your knee from the twisting motion. And.......Welcome to 50Plus-- keep posting your experiences, thoughts, questions, etc. And congrats on the almost 50 lbs. you've lost!!
cooker
03-20-06, 08:22 PM
I went clipless at about age 52. Fell twice the first day, once a week later when I was starting to get used to clipless and forgot to pay attention, and almost fell the first time out the next spring.
I also fell late last fall when I unexpectedly had to ride home on ice. When you fall over on dry pavement, it happens in slow motion, but when you fall on ice, the bike slides out from under you and you seem to go down much faster! Too fast to unclip.
Despite the bruises I much prefer clipless. I feel much more like I'm one with the bike.
Initially I had Shimano SH-55 cleats that release in any direction, but I trained myself to only release outward, and switched to the SH-51 cleats that only work that way, and have been fine with those.
Louis
03-20-06, 09:48 PM
Welcome and congratulations on your accomplishment.
NOS88
03-21-06, 06:38 AM
Good stuff! The nice thing about upgrades in equipment is it usually makes the riding easier / more fun.... and that often leads to more miles.... which typically means fewer pounds! So...I say, set smaller goals and treat yourself more often! (Nice job with a steady weight loss. It's tough to do, but after 6 months you're on the right path.)
p8rider
03-21-06, 07:00 AM
Welcome to 50+. I just changed out to clipless pedals this year and find them to be easy on my knees. Just watch out for that first fall.
capejohn
03-21-06, 09:20 AM
The best change you could do. Get some live advice on pedal techniques. It will add a whole new dimention to your rides.
HopedaleHills
03-21-06, 09:30 AM
Welcome to the 50+ers. I just went clipless two weeks ago, Crank Bros Candies, best thing since before sliced bread. You're going to love them.
Hey capejohn, nice to see another MA oldie here. Ever ride the East Bay Path, it's one of mine and wife's favorites on a nice Sunday afternoon. I'm planning on doing my birthday ride on the Cape Rail Trail this year. It's the perfect length.
Tim
jcm
03-21-06, 09:47 AM
Sour01
Fantastic job! Congratultions! I started in july at 270 and I'm down to 225 now. I know what you mean about having more fun now than before, too. I just bought a set of clipless for the first time also. I don't even know what they are, but they're off a mtb with removeable platforms on one side. I think I'll give 'em a shot. I just rode my first century on Sunday with the old platforms and lowtop hikers. Did fine but my buds say it's time to go clipless. Really interested in your continued experience and progress. Q: What is your final weight goal if you have one?
stapfam
03-21-06, 02:05 PM
This is my first post here---and I belong to the 50+ club. I started back cycling in Oct 2005 to lose some weight and get off cholesterol medication. Weighed 308 when I started and am down to 260 now. I have been riding a bike that I bought around 1983 for triathlons (Univega Gran Premio). It still had toe clips and I am still using friction shifters. But I am having more fun on the bike than I ever had before. Riding longer and further and planning on a century maybe in 2007. I was going to reward myself when I hit 250 pounds by getting some new shoes and clipless pedals. Well today one of my straps and cages broke. I tried to ride on---but slipped off the pedal 6 times in 12 miles. OUCH!! Decided to reward myself early and headed for the LBS. I got all set up with new Shimano SPD pedals and went for an 8 mile hilly ride. So far I'm very impressed!! I'll have to monitor my knees I suppose---but I think I'm going to like this setup. 40 pounds to go!!!
LOSER
Better explain before I get mugged---Any one that is losing weight is called a loser in the latest Ad's on the telly over here.
Well done on the weight loss, and on joining the forum. On the knee side- one of the problems of too much energy when younger means that many of us have knee problems but do find that cycling improves the knees. Then when you change to Clipless- If they are not set up properly- it comes back again. Many moons since I went to SPD's, so can't remember the problems- but set the shoes up so that your toes point inwards- and set the Pedal release pressure to slack- Won't be long before you will be tightening the Pedals up, and then the fun begins- Elbow pads will help or a big bag of band-aid
jppe
03-21-06, 05:00 PM
Wow!! I love to hear stories like yours. You are certainly going about it the right way. It's great to hear about those pounds being ripped away like that. Good luck with the clipless pedals and don't hesitate to tell us about your first "fall". 99% of us have fallen and all have lived to laugh about it........
NOS88
03-21-06, 07:04 PM
99% of us have fallen and all have lived to laugh about it........
I think it's more like 99.99999%! The other.00001% fell too, but just aren't laughing about it.