Saturday, June 25, 2005, 9:04:59


> "I've got you. It's ok. You won't fall. Now pedal, and when you're
> ready, get your foot out like you've practised. But it's ok, if you
> can't get it out, I'll catch you - you won't fall"

> We did loops of the little street beside his shop like this - me
> pedalling, stopping when I was ready, clicking my
> left foot out, and getting it down to the ground in time.
> That quick outward swivel of the heel - second nature now,
> but so strange then.

> Damien, owner of Flemington Cycles (in Racecourse Rd, up the
> Racecourse end) alternated between, (panting)"Great... you're doing
> great ... yes, yes, you've got it..." and "need to get in better shape
> ... not enough hours on the bike ... too long in the shop!"

> My husband Phil had been using cleats for a couple of years,
> but I'd watched him learning to use them, horrified,as he swayed
> and fell like a tree at traffic lights, to the general bemusement
> of motorists and pedestrians alike. Painful, public humiliation!
> He was forever going on about how fast I'd be, once I swapped my
> toe-clips for cleats, but I was just too scared. I don't have much
> extra meat on me -I figured I'd break at least a couple of bones if
> I fell like that.

> Now, here I was, clicking my way in and out like a professional. And
> starting to smile.

> "OK. You can't always choose when to stop: there's going to be a sudden traffic
> light, or a stray dog, so now, when I yell 'STOP!!' you're going to
> stop straight away. But don't worry. I'm right here. If you can't
> get it out quickly enough, I'll catch you!"

> That was pretty scary. It took me a while to get the hang of that,
> but no, I didn't fall, because he caught me. And before this, I was
> on my bike on the trainer in his shop, learning to get the hang of
> twisting out and snapping back in just by feel. And before this, I
> was walking up and down in my slightly duck-footed way, while
> Damien worked out the angle the cleats should be set out and screwed
> them into the shoes for me.

> I was so grateful that he coached me through my fear and out the
> other side, that I said I'd write down something for his web-site.
> It's been almost 9 months since then. Heaps of kilometres with
> Melbourne Bicycle Touring Club at weekends, amd a month in Vietnam
> with my husband last Christmas - but I'm still grateful- and seeing
> his smiling face today reminded me of my offer.

> S, here it is. If you're scared of getting cleats - which ARE
> fantastic by the way, go to Damien and learn the easy way.

> Gail Crennan (crennans@bigpond.net.au)

> PS Yes. I was determined not to, but I did fall a couple of times -
> forgetting, or being taken by surprise at the steepness of a
> mountain-bike track and coming to an unexpected halt - but I just
> rolled to one side. The only thing bruised was a bit of dignity.

> So - you want cleats? You're scared? Go see Damien.
> And Damien ... thanks very much!!




--
Best regards,
Gail & Phil