Nervous new beginner
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Nervous new beginner
Postby Lycra Lady » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:05 pm
I am feeling a bit nervous about using cleats when clicking into the pedals. I have bought mountain bike shoes as I feel I will be able to manage the process better with these.
I must be going through a mid life crisis as took up running a couple of years ago haha. Any advice is welcome!
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Mustang » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:15 pm
70 years young.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby CommuRider » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:16 pm
(nothing wrong with taking up running and cycling as part of a crisis!)
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Mulger bill » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:05 pm
As Mustang said, the trick to learning to use clipless pedals is to start with the binding tension backed right off and to do lots of laps of your local footy ground. Don't look at your feet either, you want the action to become automatic as soon as possible.
There's worse ways to have a mid life crisis
Cheers
Shaun
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Lycra Lady » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:38 pm
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Eleri » Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:49 pm
Unclipping is the bit to remember but you'll be nervous about that so you won't forget unless you get flustered. Just unclip ahead of when you think you need to, you'll be right!
More women our age should ride - I reckon there's something to be said for a bit of maturity on the bike.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby im_no_pro » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:58 pm
master6 wrote: Moderators are like Club Handicappers; I often think they are wrong, but I dont want the job.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby moosterbounce » Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:01 pm
I've never done the grass thing but I've heard it helps.
Welcome aboard
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby goneriding » Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:13 pm
2. if you are new to the roadie thing I'd suggest not using clip ins to start off with. Just ride in runners for a couple of weeks to get used to the bike.
3. when you do clip stack find somewhere soft to land and maybe spend a few weeks riding on safer bike paths before going out on the road.
4. mid life crisis. If you think that's bad wait until you discover upgraditis
Can't think of anything else other than welcome
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby wombatK » Wed Feb 02, 2011 5:35 pm
If you don't have a stationery trainer, get your bike in a standard doorway (where you can hold on to both sides). Practice clipping in and out by back-pedalling (i.e. freewheeling). When you think you've got it right, graduate to park paths etc.,. where grass is better to fall on. Once out in traffic, try to look ahead and clip-out well before you have to come to a stop.im_no_pro wrote:A stationary trainer can also help with getting used to clipping in and out, it's what I have done for my wife, if you dont have access to one, grass is your friend
Cheers
Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us -Jerry Garcia
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Fabby » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:57 am
Practice,Practice and more PracticeLycra Lady wrote:Thanks heaps for your supportive comments and advice!
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby tjw_69 » Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:59 am
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Robdog » Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:23 pm
Shimano Pedal Dynamics - They came up with a cool acronym and scrambled to find words to fit methinksEleri wrote:(SPDs - which means something presumably)
201x S-Works Shiv
2009 Avanti Cadent Team
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Osbos » Fri Feb 04, 2011 3:04 pm
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Lycra Lady » Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:00 pm
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby wombatK » Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:59 pm
will fade into distant memories.
However, one reservation I've got is that if you live in Sydney, the falls could well have been due to heat exhaustion.
Clipless pedals can't protect you from that !
Cheers
Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us -Jerry Garcia
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby casual_cyclist » Sun Feb 06, 2011 1:10 am
It's true. I have gone over a couple of times but stayed relaxed and kept my arms and legs tucked in. For me, it didn't hurt a bit!moosterbounce wrote:I held onto a table and practised clipping in and out for about 30 minutes. Not very interesting so I suggest you watch TV at the same time. After a while it will become second nature. Even with grass to fall on, I wouldn't have ridden straight away with cleats without having done this first. When you are comfortable to upgrade to grass, learn how to fall and don't panic while doing it. Sorry if that sounds negative, but if you hang out bits like arms and knees then they will get hurt.
I've never done the grass thing but I've heard it helps.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Eleri » Sun Feb 06, 2011 11:33 am
Lycra Lady wrote:Well I picked up my bike today and yes I did have a fall........ on on the driveway (when my husband was supposed to be holding the bike haha), and on the grass. Practiced heaps and am feeling way better now, went for a little ride on a bike path as was not feeling ready to hit the road and I had also been for a run prior so the legs were a bit tired. I am okay at unclipping now when I can plan ahead but panic and get flustered if i have to suddenly stop. Thanks for all your input I really appreciate it. Looking forward to improving and graduating to the road.
You will get better and it becomes second nature very quickly. Everyone has the panic at first, especially when something unexpected happens. I saw a young woman from my work last night in the park, she was on her first clipped ride and doing well until she recognised me and tried to stop and say hello - and fell off right in front of me. Happens to everyone - has certainly happened to me.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Apple » Sun Feb 06, 2011 4:29 pm
Speak your mind,Those that mind dont matter, Those that matter dont mind!!
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Mulger bill » Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:45 pm
SweetLycra Lady wrote:Well I picked up my bike today...
Pics, pics, pics, pics, pics, pics, pics, pics, pics. It aint real until the pics are up
Well somebdy had to say it
London Boy 29/12/2011
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby Lycra Lady » Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:24 pm
I would put pics up if I knew how to! I am not only a novice bike rider but apparently a novice computer user as well haha.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby marinmomma » Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:39 pm
Lycra Lady wrote:Can't believe that I completed my longest ride so far safe and sound and then fell off at the last set of traffic lights on my way to the coffee shop!!
I would put pics up if I knew how to! I am not only a novice bike rider but apparently a novice computer user as well haha.
Ha, that's often the way it is...complete a ride only to have a brain snap and the end and end up having a clip stack, I think that we've all been there and done that!
Keep going and it will become second nature.
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Re: Nervous new beginner
Postby wombatK » Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:40 pm
Any moderator should be only too happy to help you with loading the pics... pm Mulger Bill and he won't be able to help himselfLycra Lady wrote: I would put pics up if I knew how to! I am not only a novice bike rider but apparently a novice computer user as well haha.
Don't beat yourself up about the clip-stack. Everyone makes mistakes when they're tired.
Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us -Jerry Garcia
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