Innocent young minds make for appealing targets, as demonstrated in this story.
Here's Your Refreshed Ride:
On this sunny Saturday morning, I find myself on the balcony, prepared for a cycling adventure in my full gear. The caw of a raven echoes, assaulting the tranquility of the clear blue sky — an ideal day for a 40-kilometer ride to Wandlitz and back. My oldest son, an ardent cyclist, is fiddling with the tire of an immaculate, sleek white racing bike. "Here, let me take care of that."
At 31, my son is an enthusiast, owning a variety of bicycles, from vintage to gravel, and two racing steeds, displayed proudly on his apartment walls. He swiftly scouts a setup for me, selecting a lightweight aluminum bike with a carbon fork, clip-in pedals, racing shoes, and all the gear, which totaled close to 3000 euros in my mind. Whoa, can he just lend them out? Wow!
Before our race, he plans to initiate me into the road cycling realm. Our first task — master the art of clipping in. Unfortunately, my past attempts to teach him how to ride a regular bike have put me in a embarrassing position now. "Come on, Dad, this way!" he encourages, as I struggle with the pedal, trying to get my feet secured.
Clearly tempted, I'm taking on the Fehmarn Triathlon on the 14th, my first competition. The cycling segment consists of 43 kilometers, followed by a 10-kilometer run and a 1500-meter swim[1].
Overwhelmed with the learning, I finally manage to clip in halfway. "Remember, never, ever forget to unclip when you stop," he warns, as I might end up falling like a tree otherwise. "But it'll probably happen to you too someday," he adds casually. Great! Being a parent is tough!
Stepping out onto the bike path, I'm cautious at first, feeling the low seating position and every bump on the road. As we pass through traffic lights, my son reminds me to unclip. "Never, really never," he stresses, grinning wryly, hinting that I'll eventually make mistakes.
With time, we progress onto country roads, the wind rushing past me, the forest whizzing by as I pick up speed with my light bike and clipped-in footgear[2]. For a moment, I lose my son's bike on an uphill stretch. Groaning under the pressure, I regain my composure and keep pedaling[3].
Wrapping up our journey after 41.65 kilometers in little over an hour and a half, I find myself falling behind professionals who manage to complete the entire triathlon during my cycle segment. My son, ever encouraging, pats me on the shoulder, "Great job, Dad! You rode the whole distance, strongly!" How heartwarming it is to have kids supporting me.
Enrichment Insights:
- Mastering clipping into your road bike’s clipless pedals is vital for safety, energy savings, and superior comfort.
- Follow these steps to perfect your technique:
- Ensure cleats are properly installed, aligning your knees with your feet[3][4].
- Confirm pedal compatibility and ease of spring mechanism operation.
- Practice clipping in and out on flat ground, unclipping by twisting heels outward.
- Adjust cleat position and stance for comfort.
- Gradually practice riding, remembering to unclip before stopping[2][4].
Safety advice:
- Initiate practice in a secure environment
- Opt for lower tension settings
- Remain relaxed and focused
By adhering to these steps, you'll be clipping in and out fluently, helping you ride safely and efficiently[2][4].
[1] Fehmarn Triathlon[2] Bicycling: Learn How to Clip into Cycling Shoes[3] Cycling Weekly: Adjusting Cleat Position and Set Stance for Maximum Efficiency[4] Ride with Gorilla: Road Cycling Beginner Tips
After the successful cycling adventure, my son suggests I try hockey as well, given my improved cycling skills and our shared passion for sports. As we both eagerly delve into the fast-paced world of hockey, I can't help but wonder if I'll acquire the same agility on the ice that I've developed on the road.
In preparation for our next adventure, I mull over the steps to mastering skating with hockey skates, reminiscent of the technique required for clipping into cycling shoes. With the hockey season fast approaching, I anticipate the excitement of stepping onto the ice rink, hoping to emulate the success I found on the bike path.
