ICI/PRO Member Kathy Ehrlich-Scheffer shared this story with me and I felt it would be an inspiration to to others wanting to make the move to riding outdoors.
Jennifer & John,
Yesterday I took part in my first century, completing 80 of the 100 miles! I'm very proud of my effort, even though I didn't end up finishing this one... I gleaned so much information by being out there on the road and I already know some adjustments to make in order to be better prepared next year. I definitely felt my "new-ness" of being on the road. I just began training outside a couple months ago for the first time ever, overcoming a rather large intimidation of my very responsive road bike and using clipless pedals outside.
My training was not without its hiccups.
Here I go on my 1st century
I fell during my first 2 rides, each time while trying to unclip at a stop and leaning the wrong way. The second time the experienced road riders laughed along with me- I had just done a great job on a hard climb, managing my intensity and speed and I was feeling great... until we came up to a T-intersection and had to stop, whereupon I went over. After learning I was ok and still had my sense of humor they cajoled me that "it (the climb and subsequent fall) was done like a spin instructor" and reminded me that road bikes don't stay stay upright on their own. Good tip.
The century was incredible: 337 riders riding the Ride for Missing and Exploited Children in Rochester, NY. Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart (abducted from and later returned to Utah) rode with us- what an honor! There were many ups and downs, literal and figurative. I used it to learn as much as I could- about my own style, about riding in various places within a pack, about fueling my body, and my limits. I found that 31mph wind with 44mph gusts was beyond my limits... especially on rolling hills at the 70 mile mark. I was losing focus and control, fearing for my own safety and subsequently the safety of the riders around me. I knew it was time to rest for a leg on the bus, and I don't regret doing so. It was the sensible, safe choice. I got back on my bike and re-joined the pack for the final 7 miles, completing 80 of the 100.
I have got to learn to shift. Seriously. As a newbie I took a shifting clinic at my local shop, but for some reason, shifting intimidates the heck out of me. I also need to learn to feel comfortable standing out of the saddle. I rode all 80 miles in the same gear and seated... after telling my husband of this utter foolishness he looked at me in disbelief and said, "I can't believe you made it 80 miles!!! Learn to shift and you'll be bloody dangerous!" I am going to start practicing my shifting on rides with just my husband, when I don't feel so intimidated and when I don't have to keep a steady pace "or else." My knees today are horrible sore... I can barely go up and down stairs right now, but it serves me right for not shifting appropriately. Lesson learned.
The thing I could not help was trap pain. I kept going through all of my form cues constantly, kept trying to relax (as best I could riding in a pack of 336 other people), but the pain in my shoulders and neck was unreal by the end. There's actually a picture of me at a mid-ride stop where I'm stretching my neck and my mom is giving me a massage and boy oh boy do I look grumpy! (I attached it... why not have a laugh, right?) I would tense up anytime I sensed a rider getting too aggressive or too close, seeing the crash-that-could-be in my mind's eye. We rode 2x2, but sometimes riders would try to sneak up and that would throw me for a loop... I'm HUGE on safety ahead of everything else and anytime I feel like my safety is threatened I just go all tense. But even on training rides my traps were always sore... I've got to figure out how to curtail that.
The ride itself was very moving, put on by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. I raised $895 (so honored by all the support I received!!) and the Rochester ride altogether raised $125,000. I fought back tears riding past the grave of Jennifer Koon, abducted and murdered in Rochester in 1993. Her father, a NYS assemblyman, rode a leg of the ride with us. We stopped at several elementary schools and were greeted by throngs of screaming school children. I felt like a rock star!
I remember back in January, ICI had a teleseminar on goals for the coming year (I don't remember the exact title). Jennifer- something you said has stuck with me all this time. You said to imagine the day for attempting that goal coming and going, and not having tried to accomplish the goal. How would you feel? Anytime I got scared or intimdated during training I remembered your words and pledged I was going to give it my best shot. I'm proud of my attempt yesterday. I learned so much and I'm going to put it to use both on the road and in upcoming spin profiles I'm developing. My goal in seguing to road riding was both to see what I was missing and also to use it to be a better instructor. I'm already gaining in those areas! And of course, I have a new goal to come back and do the Ride again next year!
I will be a more active participant in ICI now that my century is over, but don't worry- I'm only just beginning to ride on the road! Thanks to both of you for your fantastic work and your support!
-Kathy Ehrlich-Scheffer
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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I LOVE this story. Congratulations on your journey!
Kathy you are in inspiration! I am sending this link to some of my students to read!
Your story is a great exemple of inspiration for all IDC rider and instructor.
My hidden goal is as IDC instructor is to bring people outdoor and teach them that cycling can be something else than exercise or competition.
Kathy, I had to smile reading your story. I just moved outside myself with a brand new road bike and today I took a spill at an intersection trying to unclip and leaning the wrong way!!! And I was on a bike trail!!!!!!! I am taking my first road ride with a group mid-June, so I am in awe that you jumped right in with a century ride. I am doing my first one in September and am hoping to just get more than half way!!! It is nice to know that I am not the only one falling and trying to learn to shift!!! Thank you for sharing your journey……………
Laurie,
yes, we’ve all fallen! I remember my first time in clipless pedals, and my first fall. But it often only takes ONE time to establish how to unclip correctly, so make sure to let go of any fear (it’s the fear that trips us up). You’ve got that part over and done with – now believe in yourself and get out and ride! I’m proud of you, and am excited anytime I hear about an IC instructor getting into road (or mtn) riding. It warms my heart! 🙂
In the “intro to road bike riding” presentations I have done I would recommend spending some practice time on grass, at a park. Everyone falls while learning to un-clip! The trick is to have some soft grass to fall on 🙂
The first time I fell was in front of my house (and a collection of neighbors) as I was returning from my maiden ride with LOOK pedals. I rolled up all proud and haughty and promptly went down.
Hey you fellow ICI/PRO folks:
Thank you for sharing this one! I can also
attest to the fear of falling when slowing down to a stop. Luckily I didn’t sustain too many bruises or fall too hard — however, I do end up with a hearty laugh (mainly out emabarrassment) and sometimes funny comments from others who witness this hilarious stunt, concerned stares and stifled grins. Now the command is: RIGHT FOOT, RIGHT FOOT, unclip. Got any tips and suggestions for us???
Thanks!
Like so much of cycling, improvement comes from time on the bike. Un-clipping needs to become automatic and will come with practice and repetition.
Thanks all for the comments! Yes, signing up for a century was ambitious of me, but I can’t say enough good about the amount I learned training for it. I was comforted to know that even “experienced” cyclists still fall from time to time. It was heart-warming how much the community of bikers around me supported my efforts and wanted to see me succeed. If anything, I’ve learned that it’s ok not to know everything, and to speak up and ask for help when I need it… really, what we expect from our newbie indoor cycle students! It’s been a good experience for me to see things from their point-of-view. But wow… what totally different animals! I’m humbled and awed and motivated by the challenge that is being out there on the road!