It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned pro or just getting used to your clipless pedals, you’ve no doubt experienced some misfiring of your clip-in.  You pedal off from a red light, go to jam your shoe into the pedal, and either totally slip off or continue trying to stab it into place.  Yeah, it happens and at that moment you feel like everyone around you is watching your every move.

I may not be a coach, but I do have a few tips on how you can make sure that the misfire doesn’t happen very often…or not at all.  I’ve also put together a little video with a first hand look at how you can put these into plan when starting off from a flat, downhill, or uphill position.

For those of you who don’t currently use clipless pedals or know what they are, be sure to have a listen to the podcast link posted at the bottom of this article and Victor will explain it all to you.  For the rest of you who are using clipless pedals and looking for some pointers on how to consistently clip-in….here we go.

Tips for Clipping in Effectively

Proper Pedals – Not all clipless pedals are created equally.  For example, lightweight cyclists (under 140 pounds) like me can often have a hard time with regular clipless pedals making it tough to clip-in and out.  Upon the suggestion of my cycling guru pal, Victor, I switched from what I was previously using to the Look (Keo Easy) pedals and did it ever make a difference in my ease of getting in and out of the pedal.  There are several companies making pedals specifically for lightweights so be sure and get some if you fall into this category.

Confidence – Like many things, if you’re confident in your ability to clip in you are going to succeed.  Stay calm and relaxed.  When you kick off from the starting position, don’t worry about other riders or people looking at you and just focus on what you’re doing and get clipped in.

Starting Position – To get your initial roll going before you clip in, start with your weaker (more uncoordinated) side already clipped in and placed around the 10 o’clock position of your crank.  Upon taking off, kick with a strong pedal-stroke of that foot that was already clipped in so that you have forward momentum and can lock in your other foot before slowing down and starting to wobble.

Strong Posture – As you start off, bring your hips forward and put your body in a nice strong posture.  This will enable you to look down and spot your pedal more easily and put you in a position to lock your shoe into place. (More on this in the video)

Practice – Go outside and practice clipping in until you feel natural at it.  Practice on flat terrain as well as uphill and downhill starts.  If you’re shy and don’t want people seeing you, then use an indoor trainer if you want.

More Information on Clipless Pedals

For more on clipless pedals including transitioning into them, replacing cleats, alternatives, and more….have a listen to our Cycling 360 Podcast about everything you wanted to know about them.

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.

- Charles Darwin (proabably!)

Whether you have just bought your first bike or have been racing for years, there is a podcast out there so full of intelligence, knowledge and heart that it transcends listener experience. The Cycling360 podcast is FOR YOU and if you haven’t heard it yet, I hope after reading this your next step be strapping on your ear goggles.

Before we get into this I just want to clear up any preconceptions you may have with my reasons for writing this and my legitimacy as a reviewer. Some may say that promoting something your boss has helped create may seem pretty sycophantic… but luckily for me Darryl isn’t my boss… he’s a friend. And he hasn’t asked me to write this article, so you can rest assured this is an independent review by a listener and a fan. As for my legitimacy as a reviewer, I’m not quite sure… we’ll find out!

The Review Show

Darryl 'The Boss' Kotyk

The Cycling360 Media team is made up of Darryl ‘The Boss’ Kotyk, ‘Coach’ Rob Grissom and Victor ‘The Bike Guru’ Jimenez and each of these experienced gents are aiming to use their podcast, “to make you a better cyclist”. With such a sweeping proposal it would be easy for the casual listener to write it off as hyperbole, but this podcast really can hold its head above the parapet. I regularly listen to cycling podcasts, I have quite a few favourites but most of these are produced in the UK. I think the main reason for preferring the smaller number of UK produced podcasts is the relevance it has to me as a rider this side of ‘the pond’. As cyclists we go through very similar experiences wherever we are riding and these should easily transcend the medium of podcast but unfortunately I’ve been left feeling unaffected and bored by most American podcasts I’ve listened to.

Victor 'The Bike Guru' Jimenez

Then I listened to the Cycling360 Media podcast. Yes I’ll admit I did initially listen to it because Darryl and Victor were involved and I knew from personal experience that they were two of the most generous and knowledgeable people I’d met on Twitter but it didn’t take long for me to see the appeal in this new podcast. With a mix of quirky ‘coffee shop’ style banter and an informative drop-in clinic, the issues and topics are discussed in a way that is accessible to many different people but never makes you feel like you are being look down upon the all powerful and intelligent hosts… they would be the first 3 to scrap that myth I’m sure! With a range of subjects such as; how to prepare for a ‘century’ ride, how best to travel with your bike and giving tips and experienced insights in ways to overcome fears about being out on the open road there is something for everyone. And that is the productions indisputably greatest feature… the ability to make you feel new again. I love learning and trying to become the best I can… I think it’s a good trait to have but it can be a double edged sword as I often feel like I’ve lost that beautiful spark that I felt when I first got into cycling – that feeling of trying to learn everything I can, as fast as I can, from the people best qualified to give me that information. I have spent the last 4 years immersed in all things cycling, which has made it harder to get that ‘hit’.  That feeling of being a kid and turning your first pedal stroke without training wheels… that’s what I missed… and this has given it back to me. Essentially… I thought I knew it all and each and everyone of these podcasts has taught me something new and enthused me to get out and on my bike. Whether that makes me a better cyclist or not I can’t be sure, but it does make me more of a cyclist, which I really like!

3 is the magic number

The Cycling360 team is an eclectic mix of experiences neatly tied together using the power of Skype! Here’s what the team have to say about themselves:

'Coach' Rob Grissom

Darryl is definitely the least technical guy in the Cycling 360 peleton, but there is no denying his love and passion for the bike.  He adds a nice balance to the mix by bringing his unbridled enthusiasm and fun loving attitude to each of the podcasts, and really enjoys the interaction he has with his co-hosts.

Rob is the tech guy on team Cycling360 and a USA Cycling Coach. Rob brings his lifelong love of cycling and his insights into training to help Cycling 360 listeners with training and fitness concerns. Rob is having a blast working with his co-hosts in getting Cycling 360 up and running.

Victor is our resident professional bicycle fitter and overall cycling and bicycle industry expert. Victor, has been fitting bicycles to people and helping them hone their technique for over twenty five years. Has teaches clinics and workshops for USAT coaches and athletes on bicycle fit, efficiency and technique. He also works closely with coaches and medical professionals to educate them on bicycle fit and how the body interacts with a bicycle. After years as a triathlete, then bike racer; American College of Sports Medicine trainer, and fitness testing specialist he began to apply his knowledge and experience to bicycle fit. Victor studied bike fitting in the mid eighties, and continues to study and consult with some of the most respected bicycle fitters and builders in the industry.

Contact

You’ve heard what I think, now it’s time to make a decision. Do you want to be that kid who sits inside and stares out of the window, watching everyone else ride their bikes around the block or are you going to get out there, strip those training wheels off and scrape some knees!? You’re decision… I suggest you choose Cycling360

You can access the podcast from iTunes the Cycling360 Media website and contact the guys on Twitter at @Cycling36o, on Facebook and you can email them at questions@cycling360media.com. All of the previous podcast editions are available to download and listen to see get over there and enjoy!

Stevie

Lead, follow or get out of the way…