She's not without her merits (anyone taking on the Etape Caledonia has to be given some encouragement) but her column this week made me laugh- talking going clipless. An extract:
"The problems with upgrading from normal pedals to something jazzier are manifold and blindingly technical. I floundered, initially, when I bought a Shimano mountain-bike shoe and pedal (generally known as SPD — Shimano Pedalling Dynamic).
The only way I could slot shoe into pedal was by getting off the bike and hammering it with my fist — obviously useless. I didn’t understand that the thing could be loosened.
Then someone forced me into a road-bike shoe and a cleat and pedal made by a company called Look, and that was much easier to use. What I really fancied was a Crank Brothers Egg Beater pedal, which apparently is very simple and (more important) comes in a fantastic array of blinged-up colours, but unfortunately I ran out of money."
I started using SPDs at the turn of the year. I didn't have a problem getting them on the bike. Didn't have a problem turning the tension down (there's a manual in the box Kate...). Didn't get the cleat position quite right on the shoes, but my LBS sorted me out there. I certainly didn't think 'I'm having problems. Rather than consulting an LBS I'll buy a whole new set of shoes and a different pedal system. Twice'.
Another thing: clipless moments. 'Every pro I've spoken to still has spud falls on occasion'. I am a klutz (tried PowerGrips a few months before and couldn't get my feet out easily). I've nearly come a cropper a few times, but haven't managed it yet (famous last words, I know...). It ain't rocket science....