The Next Level: Clipless Pedals

The more I ride and the more I educate myself on the world of cycling one of the things that keeps coming up is clipless pedals/ Yes, you actually clip in to them but they're called clipless (there's an explanation on how the misnomer came about and you can google it, if you care). After talking with more experienced riders about the upgrade and if I should take the leap I went and checked out what I would need and how much it would cost a few different cycling shops.

This past Saturday, I ventured down to Cynergy Cycles and with a lot of helpful assistance I purchased both the shoes and the pedals. I appreciated that they didn't try to convince me i had to buy the most expensive of everything, which had happened at on of the shops I visited earlier in the week. Because it was such a trek I didn't bring my bike with e to Cynergy. Once i got home I headed over to Metropolis (where I bought my bike) to have them swap the pedals and give me a helping hand getting in and out of them.

Every time I talked with people about the pedals they assured me I would fall, it's just what happen when you get in to them for the first few time. Seemed illogical to me, why not just practice clipping in and out while standing still to get used to the motion. I figured with adequate practice, I'd be fine.

After the fabulous staff at Metropolis put on my new pedals and helped me out getting the hang of clipping in and out, I was off on my first clipped in ride! I should also mention, that while at Cynergy I found a few pieces of apparel on sale. One of which was a pair of capri-like, knee length spandex. I have a pair of spandex shorts already, but they've been sitting on a chair in my bedroom with the tags still on for 9 months now. I just haven't been able to bring myself to ride out with them on. The longer length made me more comfortable - think about it, with spandex shorts things bulge over at the waist, at the hem, I just have too many body issues to go out in public like that. the knee length spandex, on the other hand, keeps everything squeezed in where it should be! So it was not only my first ride clipped in, but my first ride in spandex!

I went on a 30 mile ride, relatively flat on the Chandler path. And i did not fall! i did however have a few "almost" falling moments. I clipped out my right foot when I stopped, but often found myself leaning left to hit the pedestrian crosswalk button. This was when I'd start to tilt and having my left foot still attached to the pedal, I couldn't put my foot down to balance myself. Each time this happened I'd end up popping my foot out just in time. I'm sure I looked very graceful during the flailing and stumbling, but hey - that's how you learn, right?

I have to say, the pedals really do make you more efficient. I find myself increasing my speed quicker than I used to. I need to shift to a higher gear often when I first get going after a stop, to avoid pedaling air and have some resistance. I'm still learning how to be a better cyclist and how to pedal faster versus stronger, getting cardio versus strength, but these pedals really do make a difference. At the same time they do make me feel vulnerable, being attached to the bike, like if I need to get off quick, it's not going to happen.

I thought I finished my ride unscathed, but later, when getting in the shower I found a nice huge purple welt on the inside of my right calf, I'm guessing I fell in to the pedal on my near misses to the left! Ouch.