The bike came with most of the riding equipment that I would need, but I wanted to have clip in pedals. I had been going to spin class for almost a year at my local gym and had been using them in class. The pedals made me feel like I was using my legs more to pedal, which was giving me a great workout for my legs.
In class I used the Lateral Release clips that were easy to use and to clip in & out of. With my new bike I chose to get the Shimano Ultegra, which are similar to the Look pedals. I did not realize what a difference it would make.
Like I mentioned the Lateral Release were easy to use. The Shimano Ultegra was a whole new learning experience. Since they were new pedals, they were not quite as easy to clip in & out of. Though it does have a handy allen wrench so that you can adjust them to your fitting. The first day that I went on a ride, luckily I was with my boyfriend, I felt very awkward. I had to keep reminding myself that my feet were clipped into the pedals instead of just on the pedals.
We thought we would go on a ride through town, simple, easy and not too hard. Think again! We had come to a stop light and I was slowing down. I thought that if I go slow enough that I would be able to keep my feet clipped in, then the light would turn green and off I would go. The light stayed red, I came to a stop, by the time I realized it, it was too late to remember my feet. I fell over like a domino. There is nothing more embarrassing than to fall over in front of a few people on the street when you are trying to look good. All I could do was laugh. My boyfriend just looked at me like I was crazy.
That wasn't the only time I fell over. We had just started and had only gone down to the end of our street and came to a stop, again forgot my feet were clipped in. Luckily, this time I fell on grass. My boyfriend just looked at me and said, "I feel like I am riding with an 8 year old." I was laughing so hard I was in tears, because I did feel like an 8 year old.
I have had another incident with my pedals, but I am still learning. I don't feel that it will ever become a second nature skill for me. I will always have to remind myself that I have my feet clipped in. Though I have only been riding with them for almost a year, maybe after years of rides, then I will be more comfortable with them. As long as I am on my bike, pedaling...I look good!
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