Wipe Out!

Put me in a roller coaster – one that goes every which way, as fast as possible – any day or time – and I will love it.

Or let me ride as a passenger on a motorcycle or plane while someone else navigates its dips and turns – and I’ll think it is cool.

Place me on a bike with clipless pedals - and I’ll start envisioning being splayed out at a traffic light in front of a truck.

My fear of clipless pedals started about five or six years ago when I first purchased a used pair for Vinho Verde. I expected to fall a few times. The problem was I kept falling. When trying to stop, I’d push my foot down, twist and end up mangled on the curb. When climbing a hill, I’d reach a point where I couldn’t turn the pedals fast enough to keep moving forward and would perform an oh so graceful little dance of slowing to a crawl on the incline with my handlebars veering right, then left, before plummeting to the ground. Note the amazing aero form and pedal power from my early triathlon days. (Thank goodness for all the bike class training which will hopefully help with making it up those hills - or at least with taking a better photo.)

After about six months of embarrassing spills and countless bruises, I gave up, and put the pedal cages back on Vinho. As a matter of fact, probably a few months after that, I put Vinho in the garage for a few years for all but an occasional outing.

Until a little over two years ago, when Vinho and I started to hit the road again after joining TRIgirls. At first, I didn’t even notice who was riding what. And then, when I did, it was just the hard core folks with the upscale bikes who would be clipping in and out. But after more and more members of the group were dressing up their bikes with the clipless pedals, I started to feel the pressure and decided to give them another try.

This time, I purchased a new set - and a well known brand – after hearing that my problems may have been exacerbated by using a defective or worn out used pair. And I haven’t fallen – yet. Then again, I have only taken my bike on very safe and protected roads – places where I could clip out yards (and I mean yards) before needing to turn or stop.

But I want to feel comfortable using them. Like Mundy, who recently took a tour, not only through the hills of Brooklyn, but also across the Verrazano Bridge. Like my seventish aunt and uncle who ride together nearly every morning for 20 or 30 mile trips, with a regular donut stop along the way.

So, I’ve practiced clipping in and out – at various stages of a pedal stroke – during bike class the last few months.

Yesterday, we had a particularly tough class with Coach B. Lots of speed and intensity intervals. All of a sudden, the person next to me had a problem - her bike fell off the trainer - and was heading my way. It was one of those split seconds where a bunch of thoughts start flying through your head.

Oh my gosh, is she going to be OK?
Aack – she is falling onto me.
That can only make her fall worse.
Can I break her fall?
Can I stop myself from falling?
Are we both going to break our legs?

Next thing I knew, my training buddy (who I hope will please forgive me for posting this on my blog) was sitting on the ground – my bulk may have possibly slowed down her fall a little. Her elbow had a nasty cut and her back was a little sore, but overall, she was OK.

After the excitement died down and class was about to resume, I realized that I never did fall. I had made it through - still standing with my left foot out of the pedal. I didn’t remember consciously thinking about pulling my foot out. And I don't know if this whole clipping thing has become instinctive yet, but who knows, maybe it will after a few more scares on my trainer...