Ok, so I want to learn how to mount my bike after T1 with the bike shoes already clipped in. So I figure, practice makes perfect, and here I go running out the front door barefoot with my bike in hand. I get to the road, hop on… and the because of the weight of the shoes they are both upside down. It is a real pain to get them to flip over, not to mention sliding my fat feet into them without folding the heal portion over on itself. Now I have seen people pull this off seamlessly at the two races that I have completed and it didn’t look nearly this difficult. What am I doing wrong? Is there any way to keep the shoes upright or what is the easiest way to flip them over when trying to mount? How do you keep them open enough to slide your feet it without bunching the heel all up?
Watching me flounder down the street must have been really entertaining for my neighbors!
I have seen people use thread, dental floss and very thin rubber bands to tie the back loop of the shoe to the bike keeping the shoes in an upright position. Simply pedalling will break the thread and you are up and running.
I’m sure that I have provided my neighbors with endless amusement, including the day I began the run portion of my brick with my helmet still on.
I have used rubber bands in my last few races with great success. I put it around the chainstay, near the dropout, through itself and then around my (for me, left) shoe. This keeps the cranks level and my right shoe forward. I mount my bike from the left and get my right foot situated first.
The shoes, pedals, and cleat position you are using can make a difference. I use Sidi T1’s with Speedplays and my shoe hangs just past vertical, but I have no problem flipping it over and getting my foot ON TOP. I think it is critical to just get your feet on top of your shoes and pedal for a while, a long while if necessary, to get up to speed before trying to get your feet INTO your shoes. First off, it’s way faster, and your bike will be much more stable at 15 - 20 mph than at 5. I see too many people hop on their bikes just outside of transition and then wobble around trying to get their shoes on right away. Wait until you are out on the road and moving before trying to work your feet into your shoes.