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Just Like Learning to Ride a Bike

Just Like Learning to Ride a Bike

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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11 Comments

  1. Amber from Girl with the Red Hair

    I’m glad to hear that clipping in and out is easier while you’re actually RIDING the bike! Maybe I will have to get over my fear and just buy some clipless pedals and shoes!!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Don’t wait. Give it a try. I do wish I’d done it last year. I think it would have made the Reach the Beach 55 mile ride easier.

    2. The Boyfriend

      I’ll do a post soon on the different types of pedals and cleats so you can make an informed purchasing decision.

      1. Lisa Eirene

        Thanks! You are much better informed than me. 🙂

  2. Cat

    I agree with you…much easier to clip in and out when you’re actually on the bike. I think I only did one or two practice runs at the store on a trainer and then went home from there, which was MUCH easier than everyone staring at me! And I also agree about the “forgetting” you’re clipped in. That’s always my number one concern, but I’m such a worry-wart that I’m constantly thinking about my next stop when I’m biking in the city and have a lot of stops to deal with. One other thing that I found is that I tend to have one side that I always clip out on when at an intersection. This, I think, makes it more of an instinctual habit. And! I also agree, you’ll notice the clips more when you’re on hills, but also even if you don’t notice it now, you’re still pedal-ing more efficiently and your legs will be able to last longer.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      That was one of Michael’s suggestions when he was giving me tips. He said to always clip in and out on the same side when coming to a stop so it becomes a habit. I found that when I tried to clip out on alternating sides last night I got confused! That’s not good!

  3. Lori

    My biggest issue with the clips was getting my first fall out of the way. Now that has happened and I am fine. I have had mine for a year now. I actually used them on the trainer during the winter, but it is very different than using them on the road.

    I find the clips actually do their job on the hills and the flats. For me – they make me more efficient. My feet don’t wander around on the pedals or pop off. They are always in purposeful motion. It makes for a more consistent stroke.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Do you suggest I fall on purpose to just get it out of the way? 🙂

  4. Rose

    Lisa you are braver than me! I clip in for spin class but I’m too chicken to do it on the roads yet. I can scarcely get on and off the bike at lights without being clipped in! 🙂

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I was TERRIFIED about clipping in. I’ve put it off for over a year because it scared me. So glad I did it. It is much easier than I thought.

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