22 replies to this topic

[twosheds]

Just wanted to share some progress. After discovering that I am particularly gumby on the bike I am working towards correcting this. This weekend- i learnt to do the thing where you leave your shoes on the bike and swing the leg over to mount and dismount. When they first showed me this- i didnt think I had a hope in hell of ever being able to do it ( I m really pathetic on the bike) but i practiced a million times and i can do it and its easy. Unfortunately I cant yet get the shoes on my feet once mounted - but Im getting there.
I did practice on my daughters commuter bike as mine is getting serviced. I hope its not too different on the road bike.
It is fun having some new skills to learn- very challenging- not quite sure how to handle the whole transition thing at Noosa- possibly just accept that i am not good at this point and go very slowly and keep working for Mooloolaba.
twosheds

[kona09]

nice work twosheds, one tip for the transitions at Noosa, aim for the side of the mounting zone after you run your bike out. it will give you some more space and reduce the chance bumping into someone (or someone bumping you).

the bike mounting zone gets a bit chaotic depending on where you come out of the swim. Good luck with the race

[miners]

The only real difference between bikes may be the saddle &/or top-bar height (depending on which way you're mounting the bike). If there's a few more inches there than what you've practiced on, you might give yourself a little surprise(!).

[Ewoksta]

if you are only new to tri's I would suggest putting your bike shoes on in transition and walking/running out to the bike mount area. that way you only have clip you feet in rather than trying to put your shoes on while trying to ride, pedal and balance.

Good luck with it.

Cheers
Andrew

[guinness]

Ewoksta, on Oct 26 2009, 04:19 PM, said:

\ I would suggest putting your bike shoes on in transition and walking/running out to the bike mount area. that way you only have clip you feet in rather than trying to put your shoes on while trying to ride, pedal and balance.

that's what i do.

to mount -- feet into shoes, run with bike to mount line, left foot clip in, stand on pedal with left foot to get going, swing right leg over, pedal with left leg to get some momentum, clip right foot in.

to dismount -- unclip right foot swing right leg over, coast along standing on left peddle, get to mount line, right foot to ground, unclip left foot, run with bike to rack, undo shoes.

i know all the top people leave shoes on the bike, but i'm quite sure that mount/dismount is NOT were they drop me

[twosheds]

miners, on Oct 26 2009, 01:51 PM, said:

The only real difference between bikes may be the saddle &/or top-bar height (depending on which way you're mounting the bike). If there's a few more inches there than what you've practiced on, you might give yourself a little surprise(!).

I think the handle bars are a bit wider making it just a bit more stable
ts

[twosheds]

guinness, on Oct 26 2009, 05:03 PM, said:

that's what i do.

to mount -- feet into shoes, run with bike to mount line, left foot clip in, stand on pedal with left foot to get going, swing right leg over, pedal with left leg to get some momentum, clip right foot in.

to dismount -- unclip right foot swing right leg over, coast along standing on left peddle, get to mount line, right foot to ground, unclip left foot, run with bike to rack, undo shoes.

i know all the top people leave shoes on the bike, but i'm quite sure that mount/dismount is NOT were they drop me

I like the idea of this- Im gonna have a practice when i get my bike back from the shop. Im a bit worried about what will happen to my skills under pressure. At Raby Bay I could hardly coordinate getting my shoes on after the swim. its amazing how uncoordinated I felt. will let you know.
Anyway it is my aim to have the whole shoe/bike thing happening by Mooloolaba. This week will be - well interesting

[Goughy]

guinness, on Oct 26 2009, 05:03 PM, said:

to dismount -- unclip right foot swing right leg over, coast along standing on left peddle, get to mount line, right foot to ground, unclip left foot, run with bike to rack, undo shoes.

The only thing I would be worried about here is once your right foot is unclipped and swung over, I'd hate to get the unclipping of the left foot wrong. Could end up in a real mess!!

I've practiced the shoes on and off while riding and can do that comfortably; I can swing my right leg over and cruise to the dismount line standing on my left and jump off running; and I recently learned how to run to the mount line grab onto the handle bars and jump onto the seat then start peddling without stopping - this made me feel like a real triathlete...... Even if I didn't overtake a single person during the first lap of the GCHIM

[TynoMite]

Similar to what Kona said, you don't have to get on right at the mount line.
The number of people you see in ANY tri attempting to stop and get on the bike right at the line is amazing, often with 2 marshalls trying their best to get people to move through.
The ground around the exit from transition at Noosa isn't too bad, if it's dry.
You could probably put shoes on feet and waddle out like that if you feel comfortable.
But if it's wet, I'm pretty sure you have to hit the road for a little bit, so you have to watch the cleats on the wet road.
Ditto Mooloolaba, especially if it's anything like this year.

[nite_time_runner]

Actually just checked to see you didnt learn to punch bus drivers whilst riding

And I am with you Quiness - i dont think the majority of participants like us are going to win or lose the race over how quick we get our shoes on. I hear the trick is making them go round and round in circles a lot faster then everyone else once on the bike

[Goughy]

TynoMite, on Oct 26 2009, 08:35 PM, said:

Similar to what Kona said, you don't have to get on right at the mount line.
The number of people you see in ANY tri attempting to stop and get on the bike right at the line is amazing, often with 2 marshalls trying their best to get people to move through.

Now that you say it that does make sense, and I happened to do it yesterday at my race without thinking of it. Got to the mount line and 2 were stopped there trying to get on their bikes. I just ran between and past them and mounted further down.

[twosheds]

Unfortunately i was right and the mount dismount is easier on the commuter bike. Ill get out and practice on my bike this arvy- its just much more wobbly- and i feel more nervous.
I managed to get the right foot both in and out of the shoe- left foot can get out ok - but I just cant get it in. Mooloolaba is definitely the goal for all this. i am determined to get on my bike nearly every day in some form- even if its 10mins of skills, short windtrainer session or a regular ride. I really dont like being som awkward and slow- I am just gonna keep practicing until it feels like part of my own body ( i see some people ride like that - it must be nice)
twosheds

[Colin]

guinness, on Oct 26 2009, 06:03 PM, said:

to mount -- feet into shoes, run with bike to mount line, left foot clip in, stand on pedal with left foot to get going, swing right leg over, pedal with left leg to get some momentum, clip right foot in.

to dismount -- unclip right foot swing right leg over, coast along standing on left peddle, get to mount line, right foot to ground, unclip left foot, run with bike to rack, undo shoes.

Goughy, on Oct 26 2009, 09:31 PM, said:

The only thing I would be worried about here is once your right foot is unclipped and swung over, I'd hate to get the unclipping of the left foot wrong. Could end up in a real mess!!

Yes..I am surprised that it hasn't yet...seems like looking for a face plant.

Swing your right leg over, clip in and start pedalling, flick the left pedal over with foot while riding and clip in ...try to do all this without looking.
To dismount or traffic lights etc, the reverse, get the left foot unclipped first and just leave it on top of pedal so that you can get going again if need to or get your left foot down quickly.

If you do it with left foot first in last out...at some point in time you will have one of those tumbles...saw one in a dangerous place last week, guy crossing Sunnyholt Rd lights at M7...very lucky lights weren't about to change or he wasn't chancing it against traffic. He was still in first lane (of 6) which was clear to any approaching car if lights just changed. Because he had the left foot still in, he went slowly, face over bars...tried to crawl up, but couldn't unclip..then phone and glasses went...just out of reach of his hands as he crawled with bike trailing attached to foot.

To do what the OP wants...right foot over foot on top of shoe, start pedalling, left foot on top of shoe, get some speed and balance up , slip right foot in, slip left foot in, then strap both (velcro obviously)...do this without looking down, wobbling etc.
Reverse for dismounting- straps off, feet out, keep pedalling, slow down, stop put left leg dwon then right leg.

good luck

[miners]

While I understand the reluctance and trepidation about slipping into shoes clipped onto the bike, you should (all) really have a go at getting your feet out of the shoes prior to dismounting into T2. Trust me, while the T1 method is admittedly tricky, this one's easy.

You'll already be rolling into T2 anyway, so you won't lose any speed. While keeping an eye up ahead just reach down and loosen the straps one side at a time. You should be able to pull your feet out while you're sitting up. Place your feet on top of your shoes for the cruise into T2, and swing one leg over if you're comfortable doing so.

The advantages are that you've removed the time it would have taken to remove the shoes in T2 - but far more importantly, you won't be skating on cleats at the dismount line. Remember you'll be stepping off the bike at speed onto a bitumen surface. I've seen many cyclists sliding on their cleats at this point.

I've also seen many guys struggling to unclip their last shoe - remember that if you've swung a leg over to step down, your leg still attached won't be aligned at the same angle that it's used to when you're straddled over the bike. Getting the unclipping angle right has caused lots of guys to go A over T while dismounting this way.

And of course the other advantage is you can run through transition freely without the achilles-destroying, and loose as ball-bearings cleat platform under your foot strike.

Which brings me full circle to my reasoning why you should have shoes clipped in for T1 also. I appreciate the technique takes a bit of practice - and as my T1-theory nemesis Rohan will rightfully point out to you, it really only saves a skerrick of time. But you only have to watch the ungainly and timid gaits of cyclists negotiating a coffee shop floor @7am to wonder why anyone would choose to run in those things

[twosheds]

Colin, on Oct 28 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

To do what the OP wants...right foot over foot on top of shoe, start pedalling, left foot on top of shoe, get some speed and balance up , slip right foot in, slip left foot in, then strap both (velcro obviously)...do this without looking down, wobbling etc.
Reverse for dismounting- straps off, feet out, keep pedalling, slow down, stop put left leg dwon then right leg.

good luck

Thats exactly what i want to do- but this produces many challenges- mostly now getting the left foot into the shoe- just dont seem to be able to get it happening. I know I just have to practice practice practice and get more confident. Ive come a long way- to begin with i couldnt indicate to go right ( ie as it meant taking my hand off the handle bars. I can now do that and also get my water bottle out.
when i first started to ride with cleats- I managed to fall twice- without actually getting the bike moving at all My kids thought it was a great laugh- " Is Mum going out on the bike- can we watch" ( That was in March this year)
Any way i have now completed my first 100km ride ( bris to Gold Coast and my first Sprint tri- First Olympic distance this weekend)- still very gumby but getting there slowly.
twosheds

[twosheds]

miners, on Oct 28 2009, 09:27 AM, said:

While I understand the reluctance and trepidation about slipping into shoes clipped onto the bike, you should (all) really have a go at getting your feet out of the shoes prior to dismounting into T2. Trust me, while the T1 method is admittedly tricky, this one's easy.

You'll already be rolling into T2 anyway, so you won't lose any speed. While keeping an eye up ahead just reach down and loosen the straps one side at a time. You should be able to pull your feet out while you're sitting up. Place your feet on top of your shoes for the cruise into T2, and swing one leg over if you're comfortable doing so.

The advantages are that you've removed the time it would have taken to remove the shoes in T2 - but far more importantly, you won't be skating on cleats at the dismount line. Remember you'll be stepping off the bike at speed onto a bitumen surface. I've seen many cyclists sliding on their cleats at this point.

I've also seen many guys struggling to unclip their last shoe - remember that if you've swung a leg over to step down, your leg still attached won't be aligned at the same angle that it's used to when you're straddled over the bike. Getting the unclipping angle right has caused lots of guys to go A over T while dismounting this way.

And of course the other advantage is you can run through transition freely without the achilles-destroying, and loose as ball-bearings cleat platform under your foot strike.

Which brings me full circle to my reasoning why you should have shoes clipped in for T1 also. I appreciate the technique takes a bit of practice - and as my T1-theory nemesis Rohan will rightfully point out to you, it really only saves a skerrick of time. But you only have to watch the ungainly and timid gaits of cyclists negotiating a coffee shop floor @7am to wonder why anyone would choose to run in those things

Yes- I am hoping to be able to do this, it is definitely the easier transition. Will have a bit more practice over the next couple of days- but think this is possible. just wonder what might happena s during a race my coordination decreases dramatically.

Thanks for all the advice- Im even getting nervous about it just sitting here writing lol

[miners]

great to hear 2-sheds - but as you've probably surmised from everyone's recommendations, I wouldn't be trying anything new this weekend at Noosa.

Other than making sure you're well clear of the mounting line (good practice for any Tri), I'd otherwise do everything exactly as you have done in previous Tris. Keep it in your comfort zone for a race of this scale (and cost - don't want a nasty fall ruin your day and waste your entry fee). Use the next few Club races, or Bribie etc.. to experiment with new techniques.

[guinness]

Colin, on Oct 28 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

Yes..I am surprised that it hasn't yet...seems like looking for a face plant.

nah - it's easy! I just use the back brake to make the bike come to a complete stop at the dismount line, right foot to the ground, then unclip left foot and i'm away.

i also prefer to run in my bike shoes on grass rather than barefoot - my feet are sensitive

each to their own

[TynoMite]

twosheds, on Oct 28 2009, 09:34 AM, said:

mostly now getting the left foot into the shoe- just dont seem to be able to get it happening. I know I just have to practice practice practice and get more confident. Ive come a long way- to begin with i couldnt indicate to go right ( ie as it meant taking my hand off the handle bars. I can now do that and also get my water bottle out.

I was trying to get into the shoes on bike thing about 14 months ago.
Was a real challenge for me to start off.
Wobbling alog the road behind the pool at UQ, sticking my right arm between the frame to point the left shoe the right way up.
Dedicated, single strap Tri shoes made a big difference, but as you say, practice is key.
It'll be like the water bottle soon, you'll be able to do it with your eyes closed.

Good stuff

[Wardy]

Good advice from Miners regarding T2. Getting out of your shoes on the bike and running in barefeet is actually much easier and safer than clipping out of your pedals and clomping along in bikes shoes on wobbly legs.
Learning to put your shoes on while riding is also actually a lot easier than it looks - I'm one of the most uncoordinated people I know, and even I learned to do this without too much trauma :-)
My tip: speed is key. While you might think that you'll be conservative and just ride slowly while putting your feet in (or taking them out) you'll actually be doing exactly the wrong thing. Balance on a bike is hard while travelling slowly, but not at all so while travelling at speed. So, jump on and ride with your feet on top of your shoes until you're comfortably up to speed, onto a straight piece of road, out of the way of traffic, and out of sight of the crowd of spectators waiting to see the carnage at the mount line ;-) If you lose a lot of speed while you're fiddling about putting one foot in, simply ride along with the other foot on top of your shoe until you're up to speed again before you have a go with the second one. Don't panic about not having your feet in your shoes for a while - it really doesn't matter, you can ride quite well (including around corners and up steep hills) with your feet on top of your shoes.
Relax and enjoy. You'll look and feel quite the professional if you can learn this simple trick - and we know that triathlon is all about looking cool ;-)

[Colin]

guinness, on Oct 28 2009, 08:43 PM, said:

nah - it's easy! I just use the back brake to make the bike come to a complete stop at the dismount line, right foot to the ground, then unclip left foot and i'm away.

i also prefer to run in my bike shoes on grass rather than barefoot - my feet are sensitive

each to their own

So I take it that wasn't you crawling over Sunnyholt Rd then

btw...whether each to own or not...it is physically much easier clipping/unclipping at the top of the crank cycle...and less chance of that face plant.

cheers

[miners]

Wardy, on Oct 28 2009, 09:37 PM, said:

and we know that triathlon is all about looking cool ;-)

amen brother

[twosheds]

Wardy, on Oct 28 2009, 09:37 PM, said:

- and we know that triathlon is all about looking cool ;-)

you mean I have to be able to do all this stuff and still manage to look cool????
twosheds