hi there,

As some of you may know, i am a newbie triathlete. I need advice or your suggestions on how is the best (actually, the easy, safest way) to get onto my cleats both getting ONTO the bike and OFF the bike while doing a triathlon.

I have just tried them out a couple of times practicing getting into my shoes with them already on the cleats but I am bit wobbly and slow...I have also tried having the shoes already on and then getting on the bike - but of course running in transition with cycling shoes is difficult.

Then there is getting out of them, which scares me more, as I have just gotten out of plaster from falling in the last race! (had toe clips and my shoe lace got caught on them I think). I have JUST now tried getting one foot at a time out but again shaking....maybe I should just 'click out' altogether (which is easier) and then either take my shoes off once I am off the bike or just try and run with them...??

Ahh, this is all so new and I know it takes a bit of practice but I want to know what others do (especially in regards to GETTING OFF the bike and into the run transition).

thanks in advance!

For short distance races sprint Olympic nd some half/long course I have my shoes on the pedals and get into them and out of them on the bike. It takes lots of practice but you get better at it with time. Leave your shoes on the bike all the time if you want to be better at this method. This way you get into them and out of them for every ride you do. I even got out of them at every set of lights and every other time I stopped just to keep practicing it until it got easy.
For lead in races and all Ironman races I put my shoes on before I mount my bike. I still get out of them on the bike though. The main reason for this is I use a triathlon shoe for short races (Velcro straps) and these allow easy enrty in short races. In Ironman I use a road shoe (velcro straps and clip closure strap) These are much fiddler to put on but are stiffer and more comfortable to ride in for long periods of time.
So your method will be partially dependant on your shoes and partially dependant on your practice.
Either good luck and remember don't rush the process.

I run in my bike shoes. It is easier if the bike compound is grass, but needs some care if it is anything else as you may slip. But i am not that confident on my bike, so I feel more comfortable just running in my shoes out of T1 and into T2. I've gotten used to it too, so i don't think i'm that much slower than if i put my feet into the shoes while riding, as you'd slow down to do that anyway. I often pass riders who are undoing their shoes on the bike, and dismount before them....and boy, i imagine you'd go thru a lot of socks! ........ but having said all that - i'd love to be skilful enough to leave my shoes on my bike! It looks cool! :D

I'm with B+. Learn to leave them on your bike. No socks. Just wettie/cap/goggles off, helmet/sunnies on, grab the bike and GO! With practise you'll be slipping your feet into the shoes without even looking down.

In T2 same thing backwards. Pull your bare feet out with about 500m to go and run through in bare feet. A tip for putting your runners on (with elastic laces). Just focus on pushing your toes as far into the shoe as possible at first. Even 'crawl' your toes right up to the front of the shoe. Then simply slip the heel in and you're away. Easy!

Hope that helps. :)

thanks heaps for the advice guys....yes, it will take practice.

I feel my method may the same as what B+ and reefy have suggested - that is, to leave my shoes on the bike and get into them and off them and run barefoot through transition - afterall, running is my best leg. oh, and don't worry, I don't wear socks but may consider it if I was doing a half ironman distance.

I am still very nervous however and know I will fall again - it hurts ! out I go now for some more practice !

just did 6 times around the local block practicing going in/coming out of my shoes and also a few practices 'unclicking'. No crashes today ! hip, hip hooray!