Don't be scared of clip-in pedals

Clipless Pedals???????? (The way to go)

Why having doubts when riding technical uphill with cleats? Is it a mind setting or just plain fear of falling (which is inevitable when using cleats anyway LOL)

I was introduced to MTB about 3.5 years ago, started with a borrowed silverback Oakland V-Brake joppie. I pedalled like a monster for my legs were still strong from road running. Soon I purchased my own Merida TFS 500 Big Nine, also a entry level thought well set components.

I was that typical rookie oukie that said............I will never ride with cleats for I pedal past the oukies with their clip on shoes. So this went on for 12 months before my mindset changed a bit and I decided to give the “Clipless” pedals a try.  I bought the package, installed it and when off for my first fall. I soon realised the advantage of using cleats e.g. power saving, more control and feet’s staying on the pedals when jumping.

The first thing that I realised very soon was that I hesitated when climbing technical single-track. I was still into the “riding like a monster and not afraid of any downhill or uphill” I even attempted the Black Dot route at Mankele with my hardtail and tekkies (didn’t went so well but ya)

So after two years of riding with clippless pedals one should imagine to have mastered this technique by now. I usually ride at Groenkloof reserve in PTA at weekends for there is lekka uphills, downhills and single track.  There is one specific uphill that brought me to write this post. The one still to be mastered by myself. After two attempts at two occasions and two lekka falls, I still can't seem to master the technique of climbing up steep technical routes. By technical I mean rocky steeps. I've tried the momentum technique but the runway doesn't allow me to gain enough momentum. Then the low gear standing...............stopping solidly against one of the rocks who magically appears like a mushroom in front of my front tire.

Then the question whilst lying in the dust facing your handle bar and feeling the pedal knocking against the back of your ear with one foot still clipped in.............what did I miss now?????? Ooooo yes, I was supposed to clip MOS out these bad boys, that’s what I was supposed to do.  

So the question........how the hell do I conquer this monster now? Do I just keep on trying until all the rocks has been broken by my STRONG BICEPS or is there actually a technique to address this kind of obstacle in a professional way?

Regards

The Clipless Toothless Monster MTB trybeerder. LOL