As planned, I was able to do my long bike ride today. It was a 36 mile ride out to Grand Haven. Usually an uneventful ride, I had a bit of an equipment malfunction along the way. I was about 20 miles into the ride as I approached a red light. As I slowed down, I twisted my right foot to unclip from my pedal. Except my foot didn’t come free. I tried again and realized it was stuck. Thankfully, I was able to quickly unclip my left foot and avoid tipping over at a standstill in the middle of traffic. That would have been embarrassing. Despite unclipping, I still almost tipped over because I am so used to balancing on my right foot at a stop; leaning left, instead of right, just seemed awkward.
After I got through the light, I pulled over to inspect my bike. I found that the cleat on my right shoe was missing a bolt and the second bolt was loose. I ended up taking a bolt from the left shoe so that my primary foot for stopping had both bolts. I tightened everything down and was back on my way. I still had 15 miles to go and was slightly worried about the left shoe only having the one bolt, but there was nothing I could about it at that time.
My equipment malfunction. If you can’t tell, the top bolt is missing
I ended up making it to Grand Haven without further incident. Once I got there, I loaded up my bike for the ride home with Jennifer. As soon as we got home, I dropped off Jennifer and took the car into the repair shop for some scheduled work. At the shop, I pulled my bike out and biked the 4 miles back home.
As for my shoes, I am hoping to find a replacement bolt at the hardware store so that I don’t have to order a whole new set of cleats.
Stats: 36.19 miles in 1:47:27 (20.2 mph)
4 comments
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Jon
October 30, 2009 at 8:10 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Woah, scary! Nice save!
Joy
October 30, 2009 at 5:28 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Geez you’re fast! I’m looking at your bike & swim times from your last 2 posts – wow.
Glad you didn’t tip over
carol
October 31, 2009 at 9:33 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Glad you didn’t tip over. I have trouble clipping out on my left side, too. I sometimes wonder if I should alternate just so I get used to it.
I lost a bolt once too. I think I went to the bike shop and the guy just gave me one. Anyhoo, That taught me to save at least one set of extra washers/bolts whenever I change out my cleats.
Tricia
November 1, 2009 at 9:22 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
dude, the sucks. and yes, nice save. I def would have bit it !