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April 21, 2008
Clipless
Samson had First Reconciliation this past Saturday. For the non-Catholic among you, that would be his first confession.
He was just the smallest bit worried about it but after his mother and I explained it was sort of like testing the confessional waters — that is, he didn't have to be perfect — he chilled some. And really, he's 10. What type of sins can he have? I know that when he's with me he's pretty good and I doubt his mother is taking him to titty bars. (But I don't know, I've got to say the separation/divorce caught me off guard.)
It had been my hope to put something close to 80 miles on The Mighty Schwinn this weekend and was tickled to see the sun shining early Saturday morning. It shone throughout Samson's First Reconciliation and through the paying of the check for the celebratory late lunch. It started raining as I walked home from Otie's (and continued to rain until evening.)
I've recently considered getting a Pannier, which I think is pronounced pah-knee-ay though I've been assured it's pan-ear, and thought I'd shoot off to the bike shop to see what was available; it was raining after all. There are three bike shops around me that are likely to have panniers for sale. One of them has an attractive blond woman, who is old enough that I don't feel bad acknowledging the fact that she's attractive, working there and that's where I decided to go. (Simply because if a bike shop is going to go out of business because they've fallen $50.00 shy in sales I don't want it to be the one with the cute blond.)
Without going into all the details let me just say I never got Panniers. Instead I got clipless pedals, and shoes.
One of the reasons I've put off going clipless is that I wear a size 14 shoe and wasn't sure I'd be able to find a pair big enough for my feet. The largest shoe the bike shop had was a 48 which translates to a 13.5 and is just right. It seems that what cycling lacks in the way of consistency when it comes to jersey sizes — I once bought an Italian XL that would have been tight on my 10-year old — they make up for with their variety in shoe sizes; it's not often I see 1/2 sizes past 11.5.
Another reason I've not gone clipless is that I'm a grumpy old man who hates change. (And I have a biomechanical worry. But simply saying that would deny me the fun of the grumpy old man comment.)
Oh, by the way, I saw the attractive blond and we had a lively conversation that started, "May I help you," and ended with "If you have any other questions, let me know." (For the record, they do not have unpadded Lycra shorts nor do they have tall jerseys.)
So, $200 later and still without pah-knee-ays or pan-ears I headed home.
Fast forward to Sunday evening and I'd put the pedals on the bike, the cleats on the shoes, the shoes on my feet, and I was sitting on the bike balanced in a doorway and practicing snapping in and out of the pedals. After a few adjustments I was ready for the road where things went swimmingly until I came to the first right turn and noticed huge, dark gray storm clouds (that still, five hours later, have produced shit in the way of rain or lightening) and figured I should cut the ride short.
So the goal of 80 miles was reduced to an output of five.
The short mileage today didn't bother me. I'm pretty sure it's best to have some short outings to check for things like knee pain. As it is, I'm pretty sure the right cleat needs some adjustment so my toe can point out a bit.
And it was five miles in which I didn't find myself unable to unclip and falling over.
Posted by delmer at April 21, 2008 12:06 AM
Comments
I am an uncoordinated goof. Therefore, clipless pedals scare the crap out of me. Especially when I can fall over on my bike whilst standing still. Yep, one minute I was perched on my bike one foot on the ground for balance, the next minute the bike and I were both on our side in a gravel driveway.
Now that I think of it, that might make a good blog post.
Posted by: Emma at April 21, 2008 9:13 AM
Going clipless sounds like an effective way to increase mental focus...
Posted by: heather dugan at April 21, 2008 9:27 AM
How much?? For cycling shoes??
When I saw your Tweet about new shoes I got all excited - this...not so much ;o)
Posted by: Lady P at April 21, 2008 11:05 AM
Emma: I just came off my second ride with the new pedals. This one was 27 miles and I had to clip and unclip quite a few times. It was so much easier than I thought it would be.
Heather D: I think that may eventually be the case. Right now, though, I'm spending a lot of time focussed on my alignment.
Lady P: There were shoes, pedals and cleats ... the cost approached what you'd spend on a 1/2 day at a spa (not a >i>good spa, necessarily.)
Posted by: delmer at April 21, 2008 9:03 PM