Velvet said:wrong. As it is the bike's at an angle while stopped - and I can't stop
any more and stay on, I stop/hop off, but have to get back on prior to
pedalling away again.
The BB on my Brom and the 8 are such that putting a foot down is easy
while still on the saddle, but it wasn't that way with my old tourer and
I'd practically always step forwards from the saddle when stopping
unless there was a kerb handy.
Don't forget that getting moving on a bike does /not/require pedalling
away when your feet are down. You can get enough momentum to start
yourself off just by pushing away forwards from the ground unless it's
uphill (and in that case being in a low gear as you are means your
starting pedalling will cut in at a sensible rate).
It's a lot easier to get underway completely if you haven't got toe
clips, or if you are using them the don't try and get your standing foot
slotted in until /after/ you're well underway. Start off using the
bottom of the pedal as a plain platform and once you're underway flip
the pedal around with your toe and slot in. That last takes a little
practice, but only a little, and if you don't get it right it just means
you're using a platform pedal temporarily.
Next stage, though if this doesn't appeal don't necessarily write off
the above...
It's not much use when you're stopping in the middle of the road for
some reason, but for getting going to start with maybe try out the
basics of rolling mounts. Starting on the left of the bike, put left
foot on left pedal at 6 o'clock, crossing across the front of your right
leg. Try scooting the bike along with your right foot (practice on
grass if you're worried), hands on the bars as for riding.
Being able to scoot the bike is itself a useful skill if you only need
to go a few meters, but it also serves as the basis for a rolling mount.
Once you're scootting along at a reasonable rate (one scoot is
actually enough, but take one or two more if you want) just stand on the
left pedal and climb onto the bike as it moves by swinging your right
leg over the saddle. It's easier than climbing on from the ground
because you've already got a leg up from the pedal, and you're already
moving off when you get into the saddle so no need to grind to a halt.
Bit of practice and it works up reasonable hills too.
For a rolling dismount, just reverse, so swing right leg over the saddle
with your left at 6 o'clock, and let the bike freewheel with you
standing on the left pedal. As you come to a halt with the brakes, just
step off, far more easily than getting over the frame and saddle when
you start stood over the top tube in front of the saddle.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/