DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
I finally got the chance for a ride with my Christmas present yesterday, after having a struggle changing pedals (See Know How thread). The Shimano 105 pedals look good and the Specialized BG Comp road shoes a bit flashy in white and red. But then I've got some Gore neon overshoes to hide them and blind the locals. Hey, I'm in Dewsbury - we do bling 
.
Yesterday I practised in the living room clipping and unclipping, much to the amusement of SWMBO and the two boys. Cue "what other woman would let you do this inside the house". Well ... erm ... I kept quiet
.
Today I decide to go out to a first ride since I need to post a small parcel at the P.O. a mile away. Only SWMBO decides the youngest is coming with me ... since he's been wearing his yellow cycling gear I bought him since Christmas Day. (he's learning and yes, they go with my Gore neon overshoes)
We set off, me gingerly, him wobbly, on the road. I remembered to tell myself 'clip, clip, clip' at the junctions. Thanks to whoever's post had this useful tip in. All went well except for Timmy deciding to turn right at some traffic lights without indicating
. Cue a long discussion about signals and frightening Dad/death with a 7 y.o.. The Post Office was reached and we both were better coming back. It certainly felt different but also quite natural and I wonder why I've held out so long in going clipless.
Since there were no real incidents and no clipless moments I decided to go back out. It was also the first time I'd been on the Ridgeback bike since the forum ride in late October - the Ridgeback's like a child (after 2500 miles this year) whilst my Carrera is more of a tool and it was good to be back on it.
This time I went further, off on my straight run to Horbury, a total of 11 miles round trip at speed. Since the 'clip, clip, clip' reminders were working it was worth checking how effective the new pedals/shoes were - I noticed a definate speed increase of 3-4mph. Also, a few adjustments were done. The right one seems perfect but the left's not quite there yet. The use of 'upstroke' pedal movements means I get some push there but there's some new muscles to develop. Again, no clipless moments so there needs to be a much longer ride as a further getting used to and test.
Either a run to Windmill Cafe (my new longer route at 50 miles round trip), Horbury (Sid's Cafe 34 mile trip) or the Friday forum run if it happens seem possibles.
.Yesterday I practised in the living room clipping and unclipping, much to the amusement of SWMBO and the two boys. Cue "what other woman would let you do this inside the house". Well ... erm ... I kept quiet
.Today I decide to go out to a first ride since I need to post a small parcel at the P.O. a mile away. Only SWMBO decides the youngest is coming with me ... since he's been wearing his yellow cycling gear I bought him since Christmas Day. (he's learning and yes, they go with my Gore neon overshoes)
We set off, me gingerly, him wobbly, on the road. I remembered to tell myself 'clip, clip, clip' at the junctions. Thanks to whoever's post had this useful tip in. All went well except for Timmy deciding to turn right at some traffic lights without indicating
. Cue a long discussion about signals and frightening Dad/death with a 7 y.o.. The Post Office was reached and we both were better coming back. It certainly felt different but also quite natural and I wonder why I've held out so long in going clipless.Since there were no real incidents and no clipless moments I decided to go back out. It was also the first time I'd been on the Ridgeback bike since the forum ride in late October - the Ridgeback's like a child (after 2500 miles this year) whilst my Carrera is more of a tool and it was good to be back on it.
This time I went further, off on my straight run to Horbury, a total of 11 miles round trip at speed. Since the 'clip, clip, clip' reminders were working it was worth checking how effective the new pedals/shoes were - I noticed a definate speed increase of 3-4mph. Also, a few adjustments were done. The right one seems perfect but the left's not quite there yet. The use of 'upstroke' pedal movements means I get some push there but there's some new muscles to develop. Again, no clipless moments so there needs to be a much longer ride as a further getting used to and test.
Either a run to Windmill Cafe (my new longer route at 50 miles round trip), Horbury (Sid's Cafe 34 mile trip) or the Friday forum run if it happens seem possibles.
none for me now either in about 100 miles.
I'm sure you'll be fine DC
