I fall...a lot...when standing still... (Page 2)

Everyone, thanks SO MUCH.  I had a great brick yesterday, 2 hours on the bike with a 30 minute run afterwards & no issues with clipping in or out....I seriously thought about all your posts before my ride & tried to keep calm, take my time.  But the BIGGEST piece that stuck with me was heading into a lower gear at stops so when I took off, I had more momentum (and TIME) to clip in...what a difference that made!!!  I never felt panicky b/c not only did I find I could pedal a few strokes w/out being clipped in..I depended less on my clipped in foot which I think helped me to keep my balance....I seriously had the best training ride ever...the combination of keeping calm & saying in my head, Kira, you can totally do this, just relax...and I did...thank you thank you everyone!

Just thought I would let you know that I unclipped left and leaned right yesterday...we all know where that leads.  My sweet sweet husband did ask if I was ok when he was finished laughing.  Feel the love

Yah, I fell again too on my last long ride ~ and for a stupid reason as usual....haven't been on since b/c we were up in WI for the IM...and my pedals were put on the race bike.  I'm taking her out this weekend & am actually looking forward to it...at least the last time I fell, I healed quickly and didn't really injure anything...with time, with time I'll get it right!!

Kira,

I know exactly how you feel. I tend to have problems not starting up and getting clipped in but unclipping. I get really rather nervous around traffic stops, which should lessen the more I ride (i just got my first road bike in July). At my first tri as I was dismounting at T2 I fell over right in front of all the transition people. Their response was, "don't worry you were already passed the camera guy".

However, because I know I seem to have balance issues when I stop and just unclipping fast enough in case of sudden hazards I always to try to practice clipping in and out for at least a section of my ride. Practice pedaling with only one foot clipped in for a while, stopping and actually touching ground and starting back up.

Don't worry, we'll get there and one day when we look like we know what we are doing finally we can lend a helping, understanding hand to the next line of new people falling over.

Thanks usna!  This last fall was dumb b/c I actually fell while I was clipped out. I had just climbed a hill with a massive grade and I was totally exhausted when I finally reached the top...when I went to clip out on my left side (right already out), I simply lost balance and faloomp, down I went.  I got a really cool chain scrape on my calf though...there was even blood..I felt so...cyclist-y.  Yes, I agree..one day we will look like we know what's going on!  I have a tri next weekend and I feel pretty confident that there won't be any transition blunders...I've gotten great advice here...the two best pieces being keep 'er in a low gear and pedal w/o being clipped in ...both of which I've put into practice and gained comfort through...

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Non Skid Tape...BRILLIANT!!!!

I'm going to get some for my shoes...I used to use duct tape on my MTB's for riding unclipped.

Could also help walking/running into/out of transitions.

Edited by KCD1974 2008-09-12 10:41 PM