Clipped In

We’ve been training for the Tour de Cure. We are going to be riding 55 miles in May to raise money to help fight diabetes. I’ve been riding an older Mountain bike. It is slow and heavy. Don rides a road bike. He works half as hard. He has cool shoes that clip to his pedals so when he rides he pulls up on the pedal as well as push down…twice the power.

It won’t be that way anymore though. I put a road bike on lay-a-way last week and bought shoes, cleats and pedals. Now when I ride I pull and push on the pedals…more power…more speed.

Today was my first day using my new stuff. I didn’t just throw my shoes on and jump on the bike. Last week, Don put my new pedals on my bike and put my bike on a trainer.  I practiced clipping in and out over and over again. Today I rode circles in the front yard, clipping and unclipping, because it hurts less to fall on the lawn then the street.

I fell on the grass. It didn’t hurt, but it was funny. I was on the ground still clipped into the pedals.  I could not get up. I was grateful when Patty came out and found me. She unclipped my foot for me. I have to say, I was a bit scared that I wasn’t going to be able to use my new stuff. I am not a highly coordinated person, so riding a bike is risky for me, much less being clipped in.

I kept trying though and managed to figure out of to unclip quickly. I forgot a couple of times that I was clipped in and was very surprised when my feet wouldn’t come off my pedals. Once we got riding, I only fell once more. I was following Patty up a hill rather slowly when her chain came off. Being a mom, I felt the need to stop and help her. I forgot I was clipped in. Patty tried to save me, but I went down anyway. Oh my goodness gracious, it was funny!

I made it home in one piece. There were some very scary moments, but I had fun and it was exciting to experience the increase in power and speed. I am looking forward to getting my new road bike. I am pretty sure I will be able to ride faster and farther than Don! Ha!

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