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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to give up on cycling after a long love-hate relationship?

22 replies

singme · 08/05/2017 14:20

Looking for opinions as I know there's a lot of Mumsnet cyclists.

Backstory....lived abroad in a country with wide roads and not much traffic. Bought a bike (was a bit of peer pressure involved) but I love my bike and had some great days cycling where we used to live. Did a lot of hill climbing and had a couple of bad falls on the descent, probably caused by trying to slow down rather than going with the flow. Also got clip-in pedals while I was there, which were great for long cycles, but I never really got on with them, DH was more keen that I have them than I was!

Moved back to the UK and stopped cycling so much. Maybe a few long country rides in the last year. Went out with a club a couple of times to get my confidence back on narrow UK roads. Spent a few evenings in the park trying to refine my clipping technique.

Anyway, I'm at a point now where I'm still slow clipping in and out and still really nervous on the road. I cycled to work this weekend for the first time and had a lovely route planned, off road shared used paths to begin and end but had to cross the city in the middle. Fine on a weekend. I actually arrived at work feeling happy and exhilarated!

This morning I did not enjoy the ride at all! Roads were really busy with cars passing fairly close. I didn't mind that so much but I don't like cycling in queuing traffic as I find it difficult to clip and unclip as often as is needed. There's a hill with lots of stop starting and no cycle lane, and I just got off and pushed my bike up the pavement at that point. In fact I got off and pushed my bike a few times! Totally negating the point of cycling.

Basically I just feel nervous and unsafe on the road. Constant stop starting and getting off the bike can't be very safe, but really don't feel up to weaving my way around the traffic.

I've checked the route and basically there is a massive gap in the city centre for cycle lanes/paths.

My options are to stop being a wimp and hold my line in the road, to carry on pushing the bike in the middle part of the ride, to get rid of my clipped pedals so I am not attached to the bike, or just to get back on the sloooow bus!

I think if I don't cycle now, I'll lose my confidence for good, and then I may as well just sell my bike!

Well....AIBU?

OP posts:

reetgood · 08/05/2017 14:28

You're being unreasonable in that I think you're being harsh on yourself! Personally I'd swap out the clips, and look for as much traffic free routes as possible. Have you had a look at cycle streets? You can plot your journey and select quietest as the option.

I've come to accept I'm a fair weather cyclist. In the summer I can commute via tow path, and it's lovely. In winter, the traffic planning in my city means I have to head out of town in the 'public transport zone' e.g. Share the road with buses and taxis. The natural friend of the cyclist. they've done a big cycle path but I have to cross the city centre and the buses in order to reach it. So I just stick to my lighter evenings route which means I avoid it. City centre commute riding is such a different beast. Your council may have subsidised access to cycling courses, there's usually an advanced option where you can get a lesson with someone riding with you on your commute.

reetgood · 08/05/2017 14:29

Ps it's really easy to change out pedals :)

heron98 · 08/05/2017 14:32

I love cycling and have just returned from 10 days in the Highlands. I'm off to the Alps in July. BUT - I ignore what you're "supposed" to do and do it my way. I wear trainers, not clips (and I did use them for a year so gave them a good go). I still beat people up hills!

I also avoid cycling in busy places, unless just going to the shops. My mantra is "life is too short to cycle in shit places", so I deliberately go to quiet, beautiful roads, even if that means driving or getting the train to go there.

SpicyTomatos · 08/05/2017 14:35

Flats, hold your line and tweak your route if you can. Don't give up.

Also, there is no shame in stopping on the left briefly if you want to turn right, but I think walking is a bit much.

Accept that some motorists won't like you. It's not nice, but such is life.

For stationary traffic try to filter on the right as there is more space.

marybastardpoppins · 08/05/2017 14:36

Double-sided pedals are your friends
www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals/

Original poster

singme · 08/05/2017 14:38

Thank you! Yes I think I should just switch the pedals. I think if I wasn't worried about clipping in and out every 5 seconds it would be a load off my mind and I'd be happier in traffic/lights etc.

I did look at cycle streets but can't remember if this was the quietest route. The beginning and end are perfect it's just the middle. I may be a fairweather cyclist too, it's better than never cycling I guess

OP posts:

Original poster

singme · 08/05/2017 14:40

Heron98, where did you go in the Highlands? Heading there this summer.

OP posts:

robinia · 08/05/2017 14:42

Get rid of the clips.
Cycle at your own pace and in the way you want. Stop on the left. Get off and walk. Never compromise your safety for the sake of being seen to do it a certain way.

CMOTDibbler · 08/05/2017 14:43

Dual sided pedals are where its at. You can then ride in trainers, or just not clip in when it suits you. And hold your line!

Also, join a local cycling action group to campaign for better infrastructure on the bad bits. With the new government initiative, councils have had to develop local transport plans which do have some funding. I'm involved in a group who are working with the county council to identify what needs to happen to encourage journeys by bike

SpicyTomatos · 08/05/2017 14:45

I'd expect to spend a number of months optimising your route. By the end you'll know the order of all the traffic lights

Not sure on your maintenance skills, but you'll need a 15mm spanner. You don't need an expensive bike one. You may need to stand on the spanner to turn it. Left pedal is reverse threaded.

Original poster

singme · 08/05/2017 14:48

CMOT I've been reading some of the local cycling websites, they make a really good point in that a small gap in a cycle route sometimes means the difference between cycling or not cycling for those on the fence like me.

I'm feeling better about it, but can't see myself managing this busy hill at rush hour, at least until I sort my pedals. There's got to be another way.

OP posts:

TheLongRider · 08/05/2017 14:53

Second the the double-sided pedals recommendation. SPD pedals are much easier to deal with if you're nervous. Otherwise it's just practice and patience.

If you are having problems descending that takes longer to correct. The main aim is to look ahead to where you want to go and the bike will follow. If you keep your head up and pick your line you'll be fine, if you look at the ditch that's where you're going to go! Good luck.

If your head's not right it's very hard to keep going.

Original poster

singme · 08/05/2017 14:55

SpicyTomatos yes that's the one, still got it, good idea to stand on it. Just need the pedals now.

OP posts:

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 08/05/2017 14:59

this is funny as today I cycled to work for the first time. can you really not find a longer but low traffic route? I will go nowhere near a main road, I like to be alive thanks. But I managed to do the whole thing on fairly quiet residential roads and parks and did it in 38 mins

I am not joining the lycra clad fast aggressive men (all men) on the A roads. fuck that

changingShorts · 08/05/2017 15:03

I've used clipless pedals for years and like them, BUT... A while back I tried 'proper' road pedals (SPD-SL) types. Hated them. Not getting out of them but getting in. You have to sort of flip it with your toe to get them the right side up. I am no good at this.

Went back to SPD double-sided ones (the ones that have a clip-in mechanism on both sides, not ones that are flat one side and clip-in the other) like this. Only have to stamp your foot down in the right place and your're in.

ginnybone · 08/05/2017 15:04

I've tried cycling here to and I just don't think we are set up for it very well and as a result is often dangerous as well as many drivers hostility to cyclists.

SpicyTomatos · 08/05/2017 15:17

Oh, and don't forget to grease threads if you want to remove the pedals again!

Mulledwine1 · 08/05/2017 15:51

I don't bother with cleats etc. I ride a hybrid and it serves me well.

I did a 300 mile charity ride on it last year.

I am a fair weather cyclist too, it is just too unpleasant in rain/wind/cold weather! It's lovely on a fair day :)

Don't give up, just make it easier for yourself and ride the way that suits you, not people that you may go out and ride with.

As for the drivers - with my cycling group we usually find relatively traffic-free routes and small lanes. We still get the odd idiot but on the whole drivers are pretty good. I definitely find drivers react differently to people they perceive to be out riding for a hobby (or commuting in fairly normal clothes) rather than the "lycra louts" using the roads for a time trial. But there's no doubt that we need a lot more cycle infrastructure. Yes drivers need to be more patient, but you only have to look at the cycle superhighway in London to see how good infrastructure gets everyone out on their bikes. It's amazing.

I don't like riding on my own and am finding it difficult to find rides locally to join in with, as they all seem to start at 35 miles upwards and last year I hurt my hip by doing too much too soon. I'd rather do about 20 miles for a few weeks and then step up to the longer rides. I think bike clubs are set up by men, for men. They seem to like to be out for hours and hours. There is a ladies group but they meet on Fridays, when I have to work.

I'm not sure my post has been that helpful, but I think we all need to work at cycling - it takes cars off the roads and is good for us.

sparechange · 08/05/2017 15:56

Have you got road pedals or mountain bike pedals?

Mountain bike cleats are SO much easier to clip in and out of, and lots of pedals are double sided, so you can use MTB shoes, or trainers, or even MTB shoes but on the non-cleat side when you're going through heavy traffic, so you aren't clipped in...
Something like this... www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals/ and they are a piece of piss to change yourself, with the correct spanner

Original poster

singme · 08/05/2017 16:16

I've got road bike pedals. I have set them so they aren't so stiff and I can clip in and out ok. But for example this morning setting off from some lights I couldn't get my right foot in for ages. Also find it difficult to clip out of the right as my foot naturally sticks out on that side so more difficult to turn heel out IYSWIM. Usually clip out left first and then have to shake right out a bit. Can't be correct...

OP posts:

sparechange · 08/05/2017 16:19

Have you got floating or fixed cleats?

Definitely worth trying MTB pedals, or even Look road cleats which are a lot less stiff than Shimano SPD-SLs

BoysofMelody · 08/05/2017 17:32

I've got road bike pedals. I have set them so they aren't so stiff and I can clip in and out ok. But for example this morning setting off from some lights I couldn't get my right foot in for ages

I can recommend mountain bike I have Shimano SPD M520 pedals for commuting/town riding you can adjust the tension with an Allen key. To my mind road bike pedals are no use for commuting and the extra stiffness is only really needed if you're racing. I got used to my SPDs in half an hour and have never struggled to clip in or out, they're two sided so you just stamp down and you're in. I'm a clumsy oaf, so if I can do it, anyone can.

I think it might just be a period of adjustment to the route, confidence will come with time. You haven't become a bad rider and you are right, you need to claim your space in the road and be confident and decisive. I find drivers give you far more respect if you look like you know what you're doing rather than nervously bouncing around in the gutter!

Don't give up and happy cycling!

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