Road Cycling - First Clipless Ride

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kerk
08-10-04, 07:36 PM
I finally got my shoes and was able to ride clipless for the first time today. I have Shimano SPDs and SixSixOne shoes. Wow! what a difference! I only rode 5 miles, but I didn't fall once. Clipping out is no problem, but getting clipped in will take some getting used to. I have ridden with toe clips for 30 years so this was quite a change for me. I can get into a toe clip and take off with the best of them, but the clipless is tough taking off. Once I was clipped in, I felt great. I'm really glad I listened to all of the advice on this forum about clipless pedals! I know it is only a matter of time before I am clipping in quickly. The good news - I didn't fall!

Only 5 miles? My wife made me cut it short because today is our 20th wedding anniversary. Oh well, at least I got the new bike! Plenty of riding ahead of me!

LordOpie
08-10-04, 07:58 PM
congrats! Enjoy!

I assume you have one foot clipped in when you take off? If not, do so. Start out in an easy gear and do full spin with the clipped in foot to get ya going and then worry about clipping in. Just a thought.
JBehrmann
08-11-04, 12:27 AM
Welcome to a whole new way to ride :) You will never understand how you made it this far without clipless.

shadowfax
08-11-04, 07:33 AM
i went 28 miles yesterday, my first big ride since getting new clipless pedals and i loved it. i have had no falls yet because of them (knock on wood)
Paniolo
08-11-04, 03:26 PM
When I first rode the clipless I had several rides with no problems (falls) What finally took me down was at a standstill with one foot still clipped in and decided to make a 180 turn towards the side that was still clipped in. Just went a little past the balance point and when I had the natural instinct to try and pull up I just slowly toppled over like the old Laugh In routine. It was at an entrance gate to a park so the attendant got a good laugh! :D

Can't imagine riding non clipless now. Visited my parents for vacation a week or two ago and rode some with them but had to borow a bike with no clips and it felt really weird. Actually pushed my foot off the front of the pedal a few times which really hurt as the pedal would then hit into my acheilles tendon area ... ouch