Left foot forward
 

Of all of the years I have been riding something dawned on me during a mountain bike ride this morning, when standing and coasting on the trail, the pedals are at 3 and 9 o'clock position and my left foot is forward. I tried to ride with my right foot forward and couldnt do it.

Next time out try it.

Also when I pedal off, I almost always lead with my left leg.

It doesn't really matter except that if you prefer putting your right foot down when standing around, you run the risk of bumping your calf to the chainring. I always unclip left foot instead, and thus start pedaling right foot forward.

If your left foot is forward, your pedals are at 9 o'clock on both sides... Think about it :)
I've always favored that position too—coasting, starting off, and when I lift off the saddle for bumps. I'd imagine it's the same for most people who mount their bike from the port side... Balance and muscle memory.

9 and 9 then. Just try it while you are riding.

Right forward is my natural position. The last couple of rides though, I rode switch while coasting and standing on the pedals. It just felt...wrong, haha. :p

I do mine interchangably. I do, however, count cadence on my left foot, on the theory that, since most people are stronger on the right side (Me, definitely) the attention placed on the left leg will offset that some. Maybe not, but it seems to work for me.

It's known as the comfort foot position....aka: "chocolate foot." My left foot was also dominant/forward-facing, in skateboarding and MTB. It's the position I feel confident in handling anything that comes my way.

Right handers lead with left foot. If they lead with the right, they're "goofy footed".

Sheldon Brown claimed that left foot forward when putting pressure on both pedals was better on the bottom bracket, splined ones or square taper. because right forward produces more reverse torque. It may loosen the cranks if coasting "goofy-footed" instead.

Left foot forward stresses the crank in the usual pedaling direction, right foot stresses backwards from the usual direction.

He's right as far as that goes but I'm not sure that I buy it that it really makes much of a difference.

I can't get my head around that last one. One foot pushes down in the normal pedaling direction, and one pushes down in the opposite direction, no matter which foot is forward. I don't really think it matters. Just to complicate things, sometimes I coast one up/one down anyway.

I've just discovered I'm goofy footed
Is there a cream or course of pills I can get for this?

I've never given this any thought & have always driven off with the right foot. I tried the left, or sinister, foot & it felt completely wrong.

I'm ambifooteous...... :p

QT

What do you mean couldn't do it ?? It's just standing.

Here in the States the curb is on the right and when I stop for a light, I tend to rest with that right foot on the curb.

I had a hard time negotiating single track with my right foot forward. Like carring speed coasting on a trail like this,
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/...psxwbviay1.jpg

If I'm coasting around any kind of turn whatsoever, I position the pedals up or down depending on a right or left turn. Obviously, a right turn and the left pedal is down furthermost. As far as coasting in a straight line, I think it's always left foot forward for some reason.

Go ahead and ride with the right forward next time.

After thinking about it, I think the habit of left foot forward probably came about by needing the right foot on the ready to apply the brakes on my ol' lowrider, banana seat bike back in my childhood days.