tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post2878565471113086566..comments2023-10-18T10:15:31.043-06:00Comments on MareBare Necessities: Truth. A light in the darkness.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05827718321802434964noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-16674615466459550132013-02-01T10:31:25.252-07:002013-02-01T10:31:25.252-07:00"I am a clipless goddess... I am a clipless g..."I am a clipless goddess... I am a clipless goddess"<br /><br />At the moment actually I'm a sick puppy - I fear caught a cold somewhere along the line. Perhaps this is some unconscious way of avoiding my clipless fears?<br /><br />Just out of curiosity, what kind of pedals do you have? I originally wanted to go with Speedplay light actions, because I read they were the easiest, especially for beginners. But we got them all set up ("we" being the nice fellow at the bike store) and I couldn't for the life of me get them to engage. We tried for about 20 minutes... he loosened them as far as he could, and I was literally standing with all my weight on one foot bouncing up and down and STILL couldn't clip in!<br /><br />Finally, we gave up and tried the Shimano SPD's and clipping in was easy as pie. So that sorta made the decision for me. The guy said he set them as loose as possible so hopefully that should make it easier to unclip - ahhh but why worry, I AM a clipless goddess after all!<br /><br />I'm really glad I paid the extra bit of money to have them installed and professionally fit because at least I got to practice a little bit with my bike safely attached to the trainer. <br /><br />Have you ever had a professional bike fit? It's sort of a wild experience. They measure every conceivable piece of your body, and then make you watch yourself in a little camera from various angles so you can see... well... you can see where certain things like posture have room for improvement!<br /><br />Anyhow, they ended up having to put a shim in one of my shoes and adjust the cleat a bit to get both knees pointing forward, so hopefully that will prevent any problems down the road!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-31041242409655949692013-02-01T09:12:21.461-07:002013-02-01T09:12:21.461-07:00ECL! Change your thoughts!!!! Change your words!...ECL! Change your thoughts!!!! Change your words!!!!!<br />New Mantra: I am a clipless pedal Goddess... Actually, I think they were probably made for me and my mad skills. Watch me as I effortlessly twist my heel outwards each and every time I need to stop my bike...<br /><br />PS: Here is a practical tip from extensive experience... MAKE SURE THEY AREN'T SCREWED ON TOO TIGHT!!!! Erm... why do I know that? Well, you'll just have to trust me :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05827718321802434964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-79882650603568309172013-01-31T21:30:51.264-07:002013-01-31T21:30:51.264-07:00Yes... well, we'll see how jealous you are whe...Yes... well, we'll see how jealous you are when I fall off the bike and break an arm or leg - twist heel outward... twist heel outward, I just have to keep repeating it to myself...EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-14781648518568399592013-01-31T21:24:17.692-07:002013-01-31T21:24:17.692-07:00ECL! I am so sorry to hear of your cat's illn...ECL! I am so sorry to hear of your cat's illness... but I know for certain that he is one lucky fella to be living out his last days in your care... What a special Service/gift that you bring to the world! AND, as a fellow biker (whose season is WAY shorter than yours!)... I am putting away my jealousy and instead cultivating Gratitude. I am so glad that you have an outlet that makes a difference. PS -- once you go clipless you will NEVER go back! xo<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05827718321802434964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-77315822202656816372013-01-31T21:22:07.430-07:002013-01-31T21:22:07.430-07:00My beautiful Tess! I can hardly wait for news of ...My beautiful Tess! I can hardly wait for news of your newest one!!! Glad to hear that you have an adventure soon on the horizon! Lots of love to you Three + 1!!! xoxo<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05827718321802434964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-51394554576395351332013-01-31T12:45:44.374-07:002013-01-31T12:45:44.374-07:00I can so totally relate to this. It's been a h...I can so totally relate to this. It's been a hard few months for me too. <br /><br />My oldest cat is sick... "circling the drain" in fact. He's actually doing OK given that he has a huge tumor in his bladder - but I know he doesn't have that long - and he requires lots of extra care right now. <br /><br />And it seems that the more I focus my attention on him, the more demanding everything else in my life becomes - and then I just start to resent EVERYTHING! I too would just love to run away right now - my brain starts thinking things like "why do I even have pets?" and "why do we have to have so many people on this planet - couldn't they all just go away and leave me alone?" and "eating is too much trouble - I'm just too tired to deal with it."<br /><br />On some level I know what's really going on - I just don't want to face not being able to control things - and I don't want to feel the things I'm feeling right now. Alas, we don't get those kind of choices.<br /><br />The weather has lightened up though, and CatMan and I rode 100 miles last week - then it snowed - but I took advantage of the time and took my bike in for a tuneup and finally decided to "make the leap" and had clipless pedals installed. And we're in for another warm week here, so hopefully we'll get to ride some more - and hopefully I won't kill myself with the new pedals! Exercise really, REALLY helps me.<br /><br />Hang in there, and please know that I'm pullin' for you!<br /><br />XOXOXOEcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437530886114278864.post-76346707176928007892013-01-31T09:48:29.704-07:002013-01-31T09:48:29.704-07:00Hee hee -funny video. I hear you sister. You hav...Hee hee -funny video. I hear you sister. You have great perspective on this. Not to encourage your 'running away' strategy, but it does help to have some dangling carrots! <br />It helps me to have a few races and trips booked throughout the year. My parents just told us they are taking us to Mexico at the end of March with our new family of 4. How can you deny... that HELPS! :) Mrs. Letailleurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11825844409966958034noreply@blogger.com