Fifty Plus (50+) - Back on my bike!

Well, I got my arm out of the cast Tuesday, had a couple of physical therapy sessions this week (which I get to repeat for the next few weeks), and started riding my new bike. Technically, the doctor said "in a week" so I really shouldn't have started until tomorrow. But I adjusted the seat to the right height Saturday and couldn't resist a few short rides up and down the street where I live. Sunday afternoon I adjusted the angle on the bars to put less weight on my arms in the drops, and that made it much more comfortable for my injured elbow, so I rode a few more laps up and down my street.

This evening I decided to take a short tour of the neighborhood streets. Finally, for the first time in a couple of decades, I was really riding! Zipping downhill, downshifting at the bottom and pedaling up the next hill, making sweeping turns in the culs-de-sac and heading out again; it felt wonderful! Sure, I'm way out of condition and was huffing and puffing like a steam locomotive by the time I came home, and I had to stop and walk the bike up a couple of the steepest hills, but that's part of the reason I'm doing this. If anything will build up my endurance again, this will, and it's so much fun in the meantime. I'd forgotten how good being tired can feel when it comes at the end of an energetic ride. Plus, I think it's better therapy for my arm than any of the exercises I've been given to do. My elbow has much better range of motion after each ride than at any time since my accident.

Now, I'd appreciate a bit of advice. This bike came with toe clips exactly like the ones I had on my old bike. I expected to have no trouble with them, but sometimes I seem to have a lot of difficulty getting both feet into them. I always start off with my right foot in the clip and try to slip my left foot in after a pedal stroke or two. Years ago it was very easy to do, but now I find myself spinning the pedal around and around before finally catching it just right. Sometimes it takes me a block or more to do it, and on the way home tonight I gave up and rode the last few blocks home with the left clip dangling uselessly from the bottom of the pedal.

I think the problem is that the pedals are different from my old bike's pedals. The old pedals had saw-tooth edges that protruded significantly beyond the reflector strips and made it easy for my shoe sole to grip and control the pedal's movement when flipping it over. These pedals have only a single "tooth" and the much thicker reflectors stick out farther than the tooth. My shoes tend to slip off the edge of the reflector and either spin the pedal completely around or else end up on top of the clip rather than inside it.

Is there some different technique that's needed for using clips on pedals like these, or am I just that much out of practice? I don't remember having anywhere near this much trouble when I first started using toe clips. Yes, I know some of you will say, "Get clipless pedals" but I'd really rather not as I like clips so much (when I can get my feet in them, at least).

Must be 15 years since I rode with clip and straps and I never used to have a problem with them-But Clipless are better.

My OCR came with cheap pedals and Clips and straps and They were the first thing to change on the bike. They are back on the bike as it is a loaner for ocasional riders that want to try a bike- and several of them have the same problem as you. It takes a while for them to get the technique right and to position the pedal in the right place to be able to slip the foot into place. They all seem to get it in the end. So suggestion is to get out and ride and practice.

And glad to see no lasting problem after the fall- just don't do too many miles at a time initially to get your arm and the rest of you sorted.

Good for you to be riding again. I had toe clips on my mountain bike for a long time and liked them. I think you will get back to it with more practice but I will tell you how I did it. I would start off with one foot in the toe clip and then when the clip on the other pedal makes it start to turn upside down I would put that foot on the forward edge of the pedal and pull toward the back of the bike. As the pedal flipped back to where the toe clip was on top I just slid my foot forward. It is easier to do than it was to write this. Good luck and have fun.

I think it's a combination of things. Possibly the new pedals are harder to control when flipping over to insert your foot. You probably are out of practice but you'll get used to them. Another thing to consider is your shoes. You didn't mention what type of footwear you are riding in. Some shoes are harder to deal with in that situation than others. It'll all come together, have patience.

Great. :beer:

When I had my arm in the sling after shoulder surgery, I rode the trainer to keep my fitness up. The arm will get stronger as you do more p/t.

Toe clips??? :eek: I haven't ridden with those "death traps" since 1989. :eek:
Clipless is much safer. Give them a try. SPDs are 2 sided. Eggbeaters are 4 sided. :thumb:

I think it's a combination of things. Possibly the new pedals are harder to control when flipping over to insert your foot. You probably are out of practice but you'll get used to them. Another thing to consider is your shoes. You didn't mention what type of footwear you are riding in. Some shoes are harder to deal with in that situation than others. It'll all come together, have patience.

It did actually turn out to be the shoes. I went for another ride this morning at 6:00 am with different shoes and had no trouble at all with the clips.

I think I'm going to continue doing my riding early in the morning for awhile. It's much cooler, there's very little traffic in my neighborhood at that hour, and it's a great way to start the day!

And glad to see no lasting problem after the fall- just don't do too many miles at a time initially to get your arm and the rest of you sorted.

Don't worry, I'm taking it easy. At physical therapy today I told the therapist what I'm doing and she said it's OK as long as I don't overdo it and am careful not to fall again. She also was pleased with my progress in regaining range of motion so I must be doing something right. :)

Good for you to be riding again. I had toe clips on my mountain bike for a long time and liked them. I think you will get back to it with more practice but I will tell you how I did it. I would start off with one foot in the toe clip and then when the clip on the other pedal makes it start to turn upside down I would put that foot on the forward edge of the pedal and pull toward the back of the bike. As the pedal flipped back to where the toe clip was on top I just slid my foot forward. It is easier to do than it was to write this. Good luck and have fun.

What you described is exactly the way I've always done it. I tried a different pair of shoes this morning and my problem disappeared, so I'm good to go now.