Teach me how to.. pedal?

Delving into the unknown.  That's what I've done when I signed up for this crazy trip.  I had never even ridden a road bike before, let alone know anything about gears, pedals, equipment, etc.  But it's all slowly coming together, with the help of owners manuals, product manuals, and well intended advice from everyone (which is actually very appreciated, so when people say "I'm sure you've heard this before, but..", I actually probably haven't, so fill my mind with knowledge, pleeeease!!).  I assembled my bike after receiving the large box in the mail.  I must say, I was very nervous to take it out for quite a while, and I found every excuse in the book to not actually have to get on the bike.  I finally had to get on it on a warm mid-March day to get a photo for my thank you post cards.  Pleasant words weren't the only words out of my mouth.  But, I survived and got some start up advice from people walking by, admiring the bike.  I still found reasons to not ride, but I'm finally officially out of excuses and officially geeked up about riding. I noticed this pivot point when my bike was getting looked over in the bike shop for a few days, and I missed it.  It was a sign.  So here I am, all my gear finally here. Now time to learn how to put it all together. Aka- let the laughter & pain begin.

The latest addition to my ride are my little clipless pedals.  There are little clips on the bottom of my sweet velcro shoes which lock into the pedals.  Yes, lock into the pedals.  Meaning my feet aren't free to catch me immediately when I fall.  I've heard many a tale of people learning how to use their clipless pedals, and learning the timing of when to clip out of them (with a "simple" twist of the foot) before having to stop.  Luckily, I have a bike trainer (a little stand to set my bike in while it's in my room, ideally used for actual training during cold weather, but better used as a kickstand since I don't have one).  So, yesterday, I was able to learn the very basics of the clip process in the comforts of my own room, on a stationary bike.  Then it was time for the parking lot.  I had my helmet, padded gloves, and old sweatpants on, in case I fell.  Everyone said you will fall while learning them; so fall early, learn early.  But I'm cruising around the lot, thinking, "Psshht, I got this, no falling here".  Until... I stopped to talk to a friend about my pedals. I clipped my right foot out, thinking I'd just lean to the right.  Well, no, didn't work.  I finally understood the helpless feeling of falling in the clipless pedals people described.  Slowly, I tipped over to the left, with no free foot to catch me.  Don't worry, bike's ok. Only some dirt on the handle bars.  

Walk it off, walk it off. Time for the big leagues.  Spice offered to go on a bike ride around town.  Little did she know... About 10 minutes into the ride, stop at a stop sign, clip out of the right only, and whooosh, topple over helplessly to the left, onto Spice & her bike.  Again, no damage, but lessons learned.  Lesson 1:  clip out of both pedals for every stop; at least during these beginning stages. Lesson 2:  check your clips on the shoes after falling, they probably are loose.  Then you'll really get stuck.  Crisis avoided thanks to early detection.

Horse bucks you off, you gotta get back on.  Today, I went out for an hour ride along Ashland's lovely bike paths.  No crashes.  Just smooth riding, with smooth shifts and eased clip ins & outs. Of course, room for improvement, but doing good.  Plus, I got to try out my new bike shorts.  I can see how they will be beneficial, but for now, they feel like a giant Maxi-pad (sorry guys).  Yay for padded spandex! I'm startin' to look like a biker!

Now, you may be wondering why in the world you would want to be attached to your bike with no quick exit plan available.  I've already discovered the wonders of the clipless pedal and I'll never ride again without them.  With your foot locked in place, you can pull up with one foot while the other is pushing down.  It helps balance out the work done by different legs muscles, as well as making hills a hell of a lot easier. 

"The first day of spring is one thing, the first spring day is another" -Henry Van Dyke.  Well, ff this is what the first 2 spring days have to offer, I can't wait for the rest!