I guess one of the most embarrassing moments for my self also involved clipless pedals. I had just bought my first pair of SPDs, installed the cleats on to the shoes turned the tension WAY down and went out for a ride. It was near the beginning of spring (probably about this time of year) 2002; we were riding about 16 miles to a Frisbee Golf course of which we knew only by map. The ride was great, riding along the southwest LRT trail, old railway flat and fast. We get near our destination, and stop to ask this cute girl walking her dog for more precise directions. As we slow to a stop, I try and disengage my left cleat from the pedal, with no luck. I keep struggling, twisting and turning my foot quite furiously until finally I fall to the ground. As if this isn't bad enough, I still can't get my food out of the pedal which means I am stuck there, like a damn turtle on it's back. So I have to get helping hand from my friend, who by the way is the biggest **shole I know. So of course he is sitting there laughing at me, the girl is looking with bewilderment, and I am bleeding and pulling rocks out of my elbow.

It turns out that I didn't tighten the cleat tight enough when I installed it on the shoe, so it was sort of floating around inside of the pedal. I still wonder though, why I didn't just click my right foot out, it would have been easier.

As for racing people, coming home from school last Tuesday, I passed someone riding a full suspension Magna. I was going at a decent clip, probably 20ish, on my fixed gear. About 3 blocks later, I hear this creaking, dry chain, locked bearing sound of this guy who was not only keeping up with me, but was gaining on me. Of course my fragile pride and superior bicycle prevailed and he never did pass me. I just couldn't help but think that this guy riding a magna can keep up with me, how would he do on a real bike? It isn't like I am in bad shape or out of practice either; I rode 95% of the days this winter.

I swear as I have mentioned before, this bus strike (day 40) is creating a Minneapolis full of super bikers....