ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH YOUR IMPORTANT TOOLS
I am a firm believer of the clipless pedals. More power, efficient pedal stroke, you look cool and they feel so much better than a big bulky gym shoe. I wouldn't ride any other way. I have SPD's on my spinning and mountain bikes and speedplays on my road bike.
Yes, when I started using clipless pedal about 15 years ago I sucked hard. I fell all the time, could never get out of or into the pedals and I was very insecure about the whole process. But in time, I fell in love and got really good at it.
Whenever I travel without my bike I always bring my shoes and pedals. Last week while in Sedona I went to put my pedals on their bike and the hotel staff did not have any tools. I did not bring our wrench because we only have one and I thought that Loveman the Tech might need it. As a result I sucked it up and rode with plain old crappy pedals and my cycling shoes. What a challenge that was!
Every time I would start climbing really hard my foot would slip off the pedal and the sharp silver prongs on the pedals would jab directly into my calves. It was terribly painful. Sometimes I would just plain forget that I wasn't clipped it and wham I would get stabbed again in the calf. It clearly added a whole new element to my ride.
What did I learn? Always bring your own tools! No matter what!
Comments
After looking at the wounds on your calf,...the nurse in me wants to know,...when was your last tetnus shot?
Posted by: Dawn | May 17, 2008 10:47:53 PM
That photo looks so familiar! I did that to myself a few times when I was first learning to mountain bike.
My husband decided to give me extra grippy pedals so my feet wouldn't slip off.
They were flats with really sharp teeth. Didn't help a bit; I just bled more profusely.
I went clipless pretty quickly, which I'm sure saved me a bunch of skin.
Posted by: stephanie | May 23, 2008 3:04:02 PM
Susan,
I'm just checking in. I bumped into you at Annie's Playground after meeting you at the She Got Bike event at Oregon Ridge. Would love to ride some time. I'm at the mercy of available baby sitters during the week days (which will be a lot easier when the teenagers are out of school) and have a lot of flexibility on the weekends when I'm in town.
I've been enjoying catching up on your blog.
Best,
Cathy
Posted by: Cathy Buccheri | Jun 2, 2008 10:13:07 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Ouch!!!! Bring Your Tools!
Posted by: Sue | May 13, 2008 2:11:28 PM