learn to ride a bike with clipless pedals

My boyfriend is an avid cyclist and I am a runner. He recently got me interested in cycling and loaned me a bike to “practice” on. After the first two falls, I have now developed a terrible fear of being clipped to the bike. I really want to do this, but feel like a complete moron, not to mention I am now terrified after injuring my right wrist pretty badly. I am wondering if I should just give up at this point.

I bought myself a really nice road bike last May but have hardly used it as I’m too scared to ride clipped in. I really want to get into multi sport so I totally have to learn to do this. I mean, what’s the worse thing that can happen?

After learning to do this, I finally fell over (in my driveway!) and hit my head hard enough to crack my helmet. Glad I had the helmet. Glad I got the falling over out of the way.

I ride mountain bike with clipless pedals… Sure it was scary the first time I rode a trail, but the fear goes away quickly.

The best advice I have is to practice clipping out of the pedals… Take 10 minutes or so to do nothing but ride in a safe area and just practice clipping your feet out. Once this becomes second nature to you, it’s as if they aren’t even there when you need to dismount the bike or put your feet down…

I’ve had mine for about 2 weeks, and though I did fall (just once so far, fingers crossed), it’s been great nevertheless. They take some getting used to, but are well worth it. For me, they also make my knees feel better. Just a good system all around. Mine are Frogs from Speedplay (technically a mtn. bike pedal, but I’m using them on my road bike), and I highly recommend them.

So, it’s been about two months since I first got on a road bike and tried out clipless pedals. Since then, I rode in the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 150 bike ride. I rode a total of 112 miles – 56 miles on Saturday from Cypress Gardens to Sea World and 56 miles on Sunday from Sea World back to Cypress Gardens. What a challenge! Since the first day of being clipped in, I have not fallen again. Hope I’m not jinxing myself. Ha-ha. I wanted to give the update to say, “If I can do it, you can do it too!” It’s amazing how much faster you go and longer you last. This is something to definitely try out and keep doing.

My close friend convinced me to stop being such a running snob and try out cycling this summer. I got a neighbor’s aluminum bike all fixed up with new pedals, chain ring, etc. Today I got out for the first time, never having been on a road bike. My ten-year-old brother circled me saying my sister can’t ride a two-wheeler! I could hardly get on the bike! Anyway, after about an hour of practice I was getting pretty confident. I tried to stop on a steep gravelly downhill and crashed right onto my right hip. Luckily I’m not too scratched up. I have to say it hurt, but ten minutes later I went out again. I just couldn’t finish off the afternoon on a bad note. I think my problem was I was making things more complicated than they needed to be. If the weather is nice I’ll be out again tomorrow! Good luck, and be foolishly fearless!

I think it’s worth it but I’m just getting used to the bike and trying to get used to these pedals at the same time. Today was the first time I actually rode around clipped in and it was great…but I was a little nervous. After practicing several times just clipping in and out while standing still, I felt more confident that I could do it. As I rode around, I practiced unclipping one foot and coming to a stop. I had a friend next to me the whole time, running along side me! Ha-ha. It reminded me of being a little kid and learning to ride for the first time because I was overly cautious about everything. Ha-ha-ha. When I decided I had enough, I unclipped my left foot early and coasted to the curb where I had started. I braked, rose off my seat and instead of leaning to the left and putting my left foot down, I leaned to the right and took my first fall right onto the concrete curb. Again I was reminded of being a kid when I realized the fall hadn’t hurt as bad as it had in my mind the many times I pictured myself falling beforehand. Ha-ha. It’s definitely worth it and I’m going to work on it more this weekend. I’m glad to know there are others learning with me…

Once you experience the power gains with clipless pedals (especially on hills) you’ll wish you’d done it a long time ago.

As some others have said, practice is the key. Ride around a nice, grassy park and practice clipping in and out until it’s second nature. If you’re stuck inside due to snow (like me) practice in a doorway.

Keep in mind that no matter how much you practice, you will fall. And there will be people around to see you fall. But in the end, the benefits of clipless riding outweigh all the spills you’ll take. Just make sure you’re wearing a helmet and gloves!

Why didn’t I do this sooner?

I can accelerate more quickly, have a higher top speed and seem to be able to choose to go faster whenever I feel like just by pulling up on the pedals as well as pushing down.

Clipping out isn’t a problem. Clipping in can be awkward, but that’s not as critical so I don’t mind.

Riding out of the saddle is much easier too. There’s no fear of slipping off the pedals.

This is well worth doing.