Knowing when to unclip

Peddle Up!
Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
edited August 2011 in Road beginners
Just back from a ride that took in a hill with a tight left-hander on a steepish section. For some reason I didn't have enough oomph to handle it and found myself in that difficult place - thinking I should unclip and put a foot down, but when you're pushing hard on the pedals it isn't easy, is it? :( So an inelegant twist tug and wobble leaving the bike at 45 deg and me feeling like an idiot. :roll:

How do you time it and handle the moment if it comes?

[For anyone local to me, it's the left-hander on the climb from Winchcombe to Belas Knapp]
Purveyor of "up" :)

Comments

  • anto164
    anto164 Posts: 3,500
    Is this uphill or downhill?
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    anto164 wrote:
    Is this uphill or downhill?

    Uphill
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    Put the brakes on, stop, trackstand for a second, unclip, fall the opposite side. :wink:

    Seriously, just slowing and stopping can give enough time to unclip a foot.

    Or start unclipping as you put a power stroke through, twist out at bottom of stroke, stop and put foot down.

    Alternatively, trying to unclip can sometimes waste time and power from just pushing on and getting sorted again, or give you enough time to unclip in less panic.

    Note: i have never used road clipless systems, just my mtb spd's. Not sure if more effort is required to unclip road systems.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • gsvbagpuss
    gsvbagpuss Posts: 272
    andrewjoseph wrote:
    Put the brakes on, stop, trackstand for a second, unclip, fall the opposite side. :wink: .

    I thought I had patent pending on that move!

    OP - it's a tricky one, I think practise in the only way
  • Peddle Up!
    Peddle Up! Posts: 2,040
    GSVBagpuss wrote:
    andrewjoseph wrote:
    Put the brakes on, stop, trackstand for a second, unclip, fall the opposite side. :wink: .

    I thought I had patent pending on that move!

    OP - it's a tricky one, I think practise in the only way

    It's actually a good incentive to get up the bloody hill. :D
    Purveyor of "up" :)
  • Secteur
    Secteur Posts: 1,971
    Rule of unclipping #1 - ALWAYS lean to the side you are unclipping on!

    Easily forgotten!!! (especially if there's a contra-cross wind!)

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