I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle Milham on June 13, 2014 at 12:19pm

Today, I didn't want to come inside. Looking forward to the ride home. And it's Friday which is the best to begin with.

I went clipless a couple days ago and it's not nearly as much of a disaster to learn as I imagined it being. So far Ive lost balance while standing once but recovered (like an idiot, I leaned the wrong way and almost couldnt counterbalance to get back.) OTherwise... I've been remembering that my foot is stuck to the pedal, and that I need to unstick it before stopping. Can't say it'll last forever, but for now I'm pretty highly aware of the situation and what I need to do. My speed hasn't gone up, but I do think I feel more efficient? So far the thing that's made the most difference to my ride is getting it fit/set up for me properly. I went up by like 2 mph on average over night.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 13, 2014 at 2:45pm

I read in an article a long time ago by Greg LeMond who suggested starting by pulling your bottom foot back on each stroke, as if you were wiping it on a welcome mat to clean the soles of your shoes. After that you can work on lifting up. The goal eventually is to have a stroke that is even all the way around.

Michelle Milham said:

My speed hasn't gone up, but I do think I feel more efficient? So far the thing that's made the most difference to my ride is getting it fit/set up for me properly. I went up by like 2 mph on average over night.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 13, 2014 at 10:42pm

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 14, 2014 at 6:16pm

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 16, 2014 at 9:36am

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on June 16, 2014 at 9:53am

Just some thing that helped me when I too went clipless, is that... drum roll...

it makes a huge difference how tight or loose you have the spring set (how hard or easy it is to unclip), and that if you add a little oil or triflow or even file off some of the ruff edges of the cleat (spd's anyway), it can make the whole clipping in and out much more fluid.

Michelle Milham said:

I went clipless a couple days ago and it's not...

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Permalink Reply by Lowrunna on June 16, 2014 at 9:59am

Rode my bike to work today for the first time in a long time! I mapped my route with http://www.ridethecity.com/chicago and it took me down Monroe & Madison. No bike lanes, so I had to share the lane with traffic. I did ok but was a little scared since cars would get pissed and try to zoom around me.

Any tips - either better/different bike route planners, or riding in traffic, etc?

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on June 16, 2014 at 10:08am

First grab a Chicago Bike Map. They should be available at the bike to work week pit stops this week. That'll show you what streets have marked bike lanes as well as sharrows. Google maps can also show you good biking streets if you select bicycling under the traffic section.

People on this forum can give you lots of specific route tips if you provide start and destination. Good biking streets as well as those to avoid. You can always start a discussion thread for some assistance.

Lauren boltz said:

Rode my bike to work today for the first time in a long time! I mapped my route with http://www.ridethecity.com/chicago and it took me down Monroe & Madison. No bike lanes, so I had to share the lane with traffic. I did ok but was a little scared since cars would get pissed and try to zoom around me.

Any tips - either better/different bike route planners, or riding in traffic, etc?

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Robert Underwood on June 16, 2014 at 10:24am

Actually, today I just got in the mail some new sdp-sl pedals and cleats. Im putting them on my road bike that I'm building up. heard they're better than spd's in that you can adjust them more and they're wider base for spreading the pressure out more. but I wont use em on my touring rig for sure since walking around a lot or setting up camp would probably be ridiculous with those things sticking out so far.

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Permalink Reply by Lowrunna on June 16, 2014 at 10:45am

Thanks, Rich S.!

Rich S said:

First grab a Chicago Bike Map. They should be available at the bike to work week pit stops this week. That'll show you what streets have marked bike lanes as well as sharrows. Google maps can also show you good biking streets if you select bicycling under the traffic section.

People on this forum can give you lots of specific route tips if you provide start and destination. Good biking streets as well as those to avoid. You can always start a discussion thread for some assistance.

Lauren boltz said:

Rode my bike to work today for the first time in a long time! I mapped my route with http://www.ridethecity.com/chicago and it took me down Monroe & Madison. No bike lanes, so I had to share the lane with traffic. I did ok but was a little scared since cars would get pissed and try to zoom around me.

Any tips - either better/different bike route planners, or riding in traffic, etc?

Thanks!