Is group cycling the dullest of activities?

[@richardhall263]

I can't find anyone to ride with. The cycling clubs near me all go to fast 90 kilometres in 2 hours non stop is the norm. I am 15 kilometres per hour for 3 hours, so dead slow . I am envious of your wonderful group rides. In the past I had people to ride with but they all got to old or died. As for clipping, I ride flat peddles my left leg will not clip in or out so I just fall off. My group ride is I talk to the cows and horses and count magpies it keeps me happy. Thank you again Mr Treadway for a wonderful and entertaining video. I am very impressed that you all build your own bikes. Very brave.

[@petertreadway]

Sorry to hear that Richard, but having seen a stunning herd of Deer on our ride today, I’d say I’m quite jealous of your cow, horse and magpie companions. Nothing like a bit of wildlife and nature to cheer up your ride. If you’re ever back this side of Le Channel though, you are of course more than welcome to join us. 👌🏻

[@richardhall263]

When I do come over to the UK I am in the deep south , my mum lives in Southampton, and my daughter near Salisbury. So a bit of a ride to get to you . But thank you for the offer. My rides are normally practical, school, conversation club, doctors, hospital etc. So not practical to ride with other people. The hills are so severe near me, cyclists tend to be almost professional so normal people don't ride. Just crazy people like me. Thanks again.

[@ronniebiggs4026]

Just enjoy your cycling dude it’s not a race ! I also don’t clip in having been off twice I can ride flats just as fast so it’s no big deal

[@mikeainsworth4504]

Have a look at British Cycling’s Let’s Ride programme of guided and group rides. These generally are a slower pace than traditional club runs. Guided rides are run by qualified rider leaders. Just search British Cycling’s Let’s Ride and you can search for rides near you.

[@bikeman123]

90 km in 2 hours sounds like a gross exaggeration

[@pezza100]

Did my first ever group ride yesterday with the local gravel group. Enjoyed the social aspect and being shown new trails. But riding in a tight group was stressful and required so much more concentration than riding on my own without people around me. We only rode about 2 kmh faster than I ride on my own but it knackered me!

[@AG-el6vt]

Stress tires you out for sure. I guess once you get used to it, watching wheels around you will be easier, making for a better experience!

[@petertreadway]

Yeh, riding in a group the first few times can be difficult, but I'd definitely give it a chance to grow on you, especially as you enjoyed the social side of it. Riding in a tight pack will start to feel more natural after a few rides and it sound like a great way to push your average speed too (even though you'll be close to your limit in the beginning). Soon you'll be attacking yourself and having people have to chase to catch you up. 💪

[@kevshields1604]

Hi I unclip on the left side because of the traffic. Left foot away from traffic , right foot is on the road side . I just find it safer. Or is that just me 🤔 . Keep up your great videos 👍🏼

[@petertreadway]

I definitely don’t think that’s just you, Kev, but there seem to be so many variations of right/left sided people, who ride on the right/left side of the road and unclip with either their right or left… so who knows! 😂

[@AG-el6vt]

I unclip on the left at lights, because then I have the right (dominant) leg ready to start pedaling again. I also do same side when on flat pedals. To get off the bike tho, I often unclip the right to do CX dismount 🙃

[@bikeman123]

If you fall because you can't unclip, you will fall towards the side that remains clipped in

[@budycelyn]

unclipping is situational, if i need to stop and i'm near a curb i'll go left foot out, if i'm getting off the bike i tend to right foot out and do a CX style dismount. i don't have a banana for scale. a note about the cues mech, i've had 2 of them and they have a weak point in the pivot of the lower cage, they wear really easy, grit etc, causes shifting to be a bit erratic after a while. not sure if the crank dial is similar to srams system but that was just for bb preload. may be the same thing.

[@petertreadway]

A dull man must always be in possession of a banana for scale! 😂 Interesting that you swap your feet dependant on the situation though. Thinking about it, I may well do that myself actually… 🤔 Even more to think about!

[@AndyRides]

I made similar changes to my mountain bike (Kona Blast) as Mark. I've have it since 2008. It now has a rigid carbon fork, thinner wheels and a road cassette for closer ratios. It still has the triple chainrings on the front for the hills. I wasn't riding anywhere that needed suspension and it was knackered anyway. It's now over 2.5kgs lighter. I commute on it and will be using it on the Flitch Way in August. I can even surprise some roadies around Regents Park if I catch them on the downhill bit.

[@petertreadway]

2.5kgs is a huge amount to drop, Andy. That must feel incredible going up climbs now. I’d love to see the faces of the Regents Park guys as you cruise past them though! 😂

[@cnakayama]

Hey Peter, to answer the first question. I have no preference of clip out. Most likely because of so many years of riding Cross and mountain bikes. But I assume that its which ever is your dominant leg. Second question is the spinning thing is the crank is a preload adjustment. Well hope that helps have a great rest of your day. Note my wheeltop groupset still running great thanks for the great info.

[@petertreadway]

Firstly Casey, I’m so glad you’ve found the Wheeltop group to be so good. I’m still loving mine and haven’t had any problems with it, so I’m equally as happy with it. I don’t know about the dominant keg thing though, as I’m definitely right legged but I unclip on the left, so who knows! 😂 As for the crank, Mark has now found a couple of spacers in the packaging, which go on the drive side, to set the chain line, then the dial on the non drive side tightens everything together. 👌🏻

[@iecrime]

I'm in the US. I tend to unclip on the right. But tbh, I've never really given much thought about it. Probably bc we ride on the right and that's where curbs are, though there are plenty of times, I've found myself unclipping on the left.

[@petertreadway]

Absolutely makes sense to unclip on the right if driving on the right. Intriguing that quite a few people differ in that, on both sides of the pond.

[@brianwalworth6016]

Over the years, I've found that my right foot cleat wears out much faster than the left. This makes sense, given that I put it on the ground more. I have also been plagued over the past few years (even via Amazon) with fake Shimano cleats, which wear out ALOT faster.

[@iecrime]

@ It is intriguing. I think it might differ based on the dominant leg.

[@iecrime]

@ I bought a fake shimano chain a few years back, though it was off of ebay. I discovered it not from use but being alerted by a yt channel and then double-checking.

[@thefreebikes4kidschannel279]

The adjuster is bearing preload. The spacers determine the chainline.

[@petertreadway]

Perfect, thanks. Mark has norms found the spacers in the packaging he was about to throw out! 😵😂

[@leslielucas9119]

Hi Peter great content as usual I think the clipping in and out depends on wether you are right or left-handed 👍

[@petertreadway]

Thanks so much, Leslie. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards the clipping out though, I wish it were that simple but everyone in my riding group is right handed but it was a pretty even split as to whether they unclipped left or right! The plot thickens! 🤣

[@doctorscoot]

Ohhh well in Australia we of course ride on the correct side of the road (left) but I unclip on _either_ side, it just depends. But, I learned SPD clips on a mountain bike where you might have to unclip either side. Also, on a skateboard or surfboard I was always a goofy foot (left foot back) even though I’m right handed. My dad was a left hand batsman and a right hand bowler, maybe it runs in the family 😂

[@petertreadway]

That's quite the mix you've got there then! 😂 Makes sense that you'd unclip both sides being an off road rider though.

[@rayzecor]

I enjoy biking and while most of my friends are athletes in good shape, they're not huge fans of biking. My wife in particular, but on my birthday just recently we rented out two electric MTBs and road them around the countryside. One of the funnest days I've had :) I guess two doesn't really count as a group, though

[@petertreadway]

As long as you’re out on two wheels and enjoying it, Daniel, that’s all the counts and two is a great number to start a group. 👌🏻

[@DaveRTJarvis]

I always unclip on the left mainly for putting the foot on the curb as mentioned. Also I feel being right footed I have more power to get off the line quicker and out of the way of traffic by staying clipped in on my right.

[@petertreadway]

The thing about pushing on the pedal with your right leg seems to make sense, but then some of the guys I ride with are right legged, but still unclip on the right! It’s a mystery, Dave! 😂

[@DarenC]

I unclip on the left but it's nothing to do with the kerb as such. Ever since I was a kid I've preferred to put my left foot down; I think because I'm right-legged and prefer to push off with my dominant leg. So it makes sense that would be the one that stays clipped in. It's advantageous though, I don't deny it. Regardless of there being a kerb or not, I'm not standing out into the traffic, and generally leaning away from the road. If I fall over, it's more likely to be out of traffic. I only had one "clipless moment" - back in 1985 when I got cleats and toe straps for the first time. When I sopped at the lights, I tried to get my foot out but forgot I was strapped in. Keeled over - on to the footway. Cue embarrassment, and I've never forgotten to undo my straps or unclip since

[@petertreadway]

The dominant leg argument makes sense actually. I’ll have to investigate whether my riding buddies are right or left leg dominant. 👌🏻

[@mrpokeit]

I'm a London commuter who clips out on the right. I'm also right foot dominant so it doesn't seem to make much sense. I suspect I have better small motor control in my dominant foot so have always erred towards it when clipping back in...

[@petertreadway]

Interesting thought regards small motor control on the right. There could be something in that.

[@Bikey_McBeardface]

The dial on the crank is the pre-load adjuster (like SRAM) but you have to get the correct spacers installed behind the BB that correspond to the shell width, the dealer's manual for it is DM-LAFC001-00-ENG[DOT]pdf Usually for an MTB* BSA type BB It's: 3x2.5mm spacers, one on the NDS and 2 on the DS for a 68mm shell. 1x2.5mm spacer on the DS for a 73mm shell. The only anomaly (that I know of) is Shimano's own BB-UR400 that's a single 2.5mm on the DS for a 68mm shell and is not compatible with a 73mm (because "standards") If he has a Shinano Road specific BB in there (1mm wider each side) there is no offal combo, but a 2.5 on the drive side usually does the trick without any noticeable imbalance, or you can get 1.5mm spacers if you want to get it spot on. *Some after market BSA BB's are often MTB standard, even when they are marketed as "Road" it's not normally an issue with HollowTech, but that's something to be aware of with this type of pre-load.

[@petertreadway]

Cheers for that. Mark did end up finding the spacers in the packaging (just before he was a bout to throw it, thankfully! 🤣). 👍

[@SteveHorton-rf7dr]

Uk born and bread, clipped out on the left, living in Spain for the last 7 years, I now clip out on the right, just as cliff (I think said) use the kerb, stay in the saddle, safer pull away, well that was what my school cycling proficiency instructor said

[@jamesporter5630]

Left side first. I live in the US. So curbside influence doesn’t hold up in this case. But here’s (possibly) a weird twist, I unclip my left foot by turning my heel inward rather than out. Don’t know why. Don’t know when I began this practice. But I’ve been using clipless since 1982/3 using Looks. Right foot? Heel out like one would expect.

[@petertreadway]

That’s muddied the waters even more, James! Inward unclipping… I’ve got a new topic to demystify now! 😂

[@BisnesPyry]

All middle-aged men's hobbies are super boring but there's no shame in that, it's something to be cherished!

[@petertreadway]

We’ve lived long enough for the exciting stuff to be old hat. Tye slow, dull activities are the best now. 😉

[@thatwebbloke]

Unclip on the left and always mount from the left; anything else just feels wrong. I was taught this during my motorcycle test: if you slip or overbalance, you fall away from the traffic, not into it.

[@bikeman123]

Except that you will always fall towards the side that is clipped in

[@petertreadway]

Makes sense to unclip on the left, where you ride on the left, but I can’t figure out why others do differently!

[@Bikey_McBeardface]

I actually don't know which side I clip out first, I've never thought about it and I can't visualise it, so I'll have to report back tomorrow 🤣

[@petertreadway]

Anything to report yet? 🤣

[@Bikey_McBeardface]

​@@petertreadway Nope, I ended up on Zwift today results were inclusive 🤣

[@martincburns]

Only ever unclip on the right side! I rarely need to unclip during a ride though, once or twice even in a few hours.

[@petertreadway]

Do you just tend not to stop, Martin or are you a ‘track stander’?

[@mikeparker1286]

Hi Pete, I am a "UK" left foot unclipper, I commute in Birmingham and use my left foot on the kerb🤓

[@petertreadway]

That makes sense, Mike. I’m no closer to figuring out why others unclip on the other side though. 😂

[@GrahamWP58]

I unclip left side UK. Clipping out left side is the safest, I was taught to left foot down is away from passing traffic. Clipping out right side you are putting your leg and foot into the path of passing traffic.

[@petertreadway]

That makes sense, Graham. I wonder why some people unclip on the left though. Possibly something to do with being left or right brained??? Who knows!

[@LincolnGreenUK]

I was going to watch until the end but it was too dull 😂 ONLY JOKING!!!! I am disappointed by the lack of bananas though. Male 53, love a chat about nonsense, unclips on the left first except when I forget.

[@petertreadway]

😂 Gutted I didn’t have any bananas with me on this ride. If only I could have use Africa by Toto as the background music too! 😂

[@xour_yt]

Interesting, never thought about it: I unclip right-side first. We drive on the right so naturally the curb is on the right side for us. I also comes natural to me, even on country/rural roads where there are no traffic lights or curb.

[@petertreadway]

It makes total sense for people who drive on the right, to unclip on the right. It is strange why some people who have been born and bred in a particular ‘driving side’ country then unclip the other side. There must be some demonstrable reason for it! 😂

[@davidhope1910]

Being a left footer (in a footballing sense, not religious inclination😅), I clip in with my left foot and therefore unclip my right foot first, although I agree it would be more convenient to unclip left first. There, cleared it up for you😅.

[@petertreadway]

@@davidhope1910 cheers David, but I fear you’ve made it even more complicated because you’re the first person to say they clip in with one foot and out with the other! 😂 The plot thickens!

[@davetomlinson8090]

The dial preloads the cranks to remove any slack, does the same job as the plastic hollowtech preload cap, but is in fact, more like the sram style preload system.

[@davetomlinson8090]

Just screw it inboard until the crank axle has no sideways movement. It doesn't need to be super tight or anything, just enough to stop the movement.

[@petertreadway]

That makes sense and in fact, Mark has now found some additional spacers in the packaging, which are clearly there to bridge the gap once you’ve got the chain line dialled in. Cheers Dave. 👌🏻

[@joffbrown]

I’m British live in uk but right foot for me can’t even kick a ball with my left foot so even thinking of unclipping with left foot brings me out in a cold sweat lol. My uncle is a left foot man tho.

[@petertreadway]

@@joffbrown I find it so intriguing how everyone differs so much, Joff! Didn’t mean to bring you in a cold sweat though. 😂

[@5x5boy]

Hi, when is the cycplus radar review coming?

[@petertreadway]

This Tuesday, 2pm GMT. 👌🏻

[@chrisje1991]

Is the spiny thing on the non-drive side a preload adjuster, my SRAM has one.

[@petertreadway]

Yes, it turns out that it is, Chris. Mark found some spacers in the packaging that pack out the drive side once you've got the chain line and then you use the dial to preload the crank axle.

[@urouroniwa]

I live in Japan (people drive on the left like in the UK). I was taught to unclip on the left for safety reasons (as others have said). I ride my cleats into the ground and so left foot cleat looks like absolute rubbish and the right foot cleat is pristine 🙂

[@petertreadway]

Unclipping on the left makes sense for people riding on the left. I’m intrigued as to why others might unclip on the right then.

[@alistairmacfadyen9365]

I clip on the left, UK style

[@petertreadway]

Same as me, Alistair. 👌🏻

[@alexhadfield657]

I unclip my right foot, and only at the top of the pedal stroke. It feels natural to me to do it that way. I'm left handed, and even though I've had multiple repair surgeries on my left knee, I still feel that is my dominant leg for pushing off. British by birth, Yorkshire by the grace of god 😁

[@petertreadway]

@@alexhadfield657 now you mention it, Alex, I only unclip at the top of the pedal stroke too. I guess that’s subconscious, as it stops your unclipped foot spinning backwards and down to the 6 o’clock position unexpectedly. Even more intriguing that you still push off with your left, despite the previous injuries too. My dear old Castleford born Grandmoth would have been chuckling at your sign off too. 😂👌🏻

[@alexhadfield657]

@petertreadway regarding pushing off I could subconsciously be 'looking after' it by making sure it's securely locked in and using my still stronger leg for stability. I'm not going to try analysing it too much though, cos I'll probably fall off 🤣

[@PaulGreenVlog]

UK..... I think..... Erm..... Maybe😮

[@petertreadway]

A very dull comment, Paul! 😉

[@lindapilkington2687]

I'm a UK unclipper 🙂 I was always taught that way so if you accidentally fall whilst unclipping, you'll go into the curb rather than fall onto the road.

[@petertreadway]

That makes sense actually, Linda. Although, the first (and only) time I fell over while clipped in is because I unclipped on the left but leant to the right! 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[@markfly480]

I agree with that sentiment. Unclip on the right and if you topple it will be into the curb side 😂

[@L333ENG]

What did you have for breakie though..?

[@aidanbailey-lewis3209]

Despite being right footed, I always unclip my left foot first. Might have something to do with having a plastic knee on my right leg!

[@petertreadway]

I think a plastic knee would definitely qualify you for unclipping on the opposite side, Aidan! 😬 Just out of curiosity, does that affect your cycling at all? Please don’t feel obligated to answer that question though.

[@aidanbailey-lewis3209]

@ - I didn’t have a traditional knee replacement operation. Instead, I had a patella-femoral joint replacement that consists of a ceramic pad on my femur and a plastic kneecap. Totally revolutionised my life! I was told that if I cane-it (surgeons actual phrase), it should last 25 to 30 years. The only slight issue is that I have lost the hyper extension in that joint, which means I have to work on the flexibility in that leg. But it’s been 12-years since the op and I’m cycling more than ever.

[@db79887]

I am mainly left footed a lot stronger than my right foot,so I unclip my right foot.

[@petertreadway]

Presumably so you can push down on the pedal with your left foot when you take off again? Mayes sense. 👌🏻

[@russellcarter6699]

UK side, especially when you didn't get 'held' on post covid tts.... so foot on the kerb.

[@petertreadway]

Seems a lot of people are the same, Russell. It was a fairly even split down the the middle with our group though. I find it quite intriguing!

[@Gary-still-cycling]

I’ve always had the opinion that the side you unclip on depends on whether you are left or right handed? So for example I’m right handed and I unclip on my left. What’s your thoughts?

[@petertreadway]

See that sounds like common sense, Gary, but all of my riding buddies are (so far as I’m aware) right handed but it was a 50/50 split as to which side they unclipped on, so it seems it’s not as cut and dry as that. It’s intriguing, to say the least.

[@JsyCylng]

Except I'm right handed and unclip on my right

[@Gary-still-cycling]

@@petertreadway well that's my theory blown to pieces 😂

[@paulnaughton2684]

Hi Peter, I’m a lone cyclist ( by choice) when I started a few years ago my aim was just to cycle 5 miles or so around our local countryside on my brand new £120 bike !!! As the years went by I bought a better bike and got more ambitious, converting an old Citroen Picasso to store my bike and paraphernalia permanently, I’ve bored you in the past with my achievements ( Great Dun Fell, tour of Cornwall etc) I’m thinking of maybe reaching out to people who haven’t cycled in years to join me for a ride , with the aim of giving them confidence to then go out and do it for themselves, how do you think I could start something like that, I’m not great with computers etc, I would appreciate your advice ( as always) all the best 👍

[@petertreadway]

That sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea, Paul. I love that. I would initially start by maybe posting in any local facebook groups for your area and surrounding. I recall a guy doing that near me a few years ago, as he wanted to get a group ride going at the weekend. Otherwise, do you have a local community magazine? That’s the sort of thing they love to print, to try and get people out exercising and exploring the area. I love how you’re wanting to give back now you’ve got so much from cycling though. Chapeau that man. 🧢

[@paulnaughton2684]

Cheers Peter for getting back to me, I had a chat with my local library and they say that it’s ok if I put some posters up on their community information board , so I’ll let you know how I get along, thanks as always for your advice 👍

[@lewisA76]

Hi Peter, I've always unclipped my left, never because it's curbside, but purely so my stronger foot is left in the pedal to start off, although this has always been done unconsciously. However,, I am a complete contradiction as when I used to skateboard, my right was on the board with my left pushing me along. Like a said a complete contradiction, go figure.

[@petertreadway]

It’s all very confusing, Lewis! I’m still no closer to figuring it out! 😂

[@brianridley1102]

Unclipping? The correct side of course....the right 😁

[@petertreadway]

Sounds like fighting talk, Brian! 🤣

[@ManPowered]

Right-side as I’m left-handed, no other reason methinks!

[@petertreadway]

Trouble is, a number of my riding buddies are right handed, but unclip on the left… so who knows! 😂

[@ManPowered]

@ I noticed yesterday that on the indoor I actually go left…..otherwise I hit the wall 😁

[@petertreadway]

That would be a reason to unclip one side as opposed to the other! 😂

[@ManPowered]

@@petertreadway bike skills 😅

[@duncanwatson7858]

I unclip on the right. Just because I’m right footed and not for any other reason.

[@GiveItaGo]

I used to unclip by crashing 😮 I changed to flats after my last crash 'clipped in' resulted in 3 broken ribs and concussion 😂😂😂. Now I just have shins full of scars from the pins on my flats 🙃

[@petertreadway]

It’s all just fun, fun, fun with you mate, isn’t it? 😂

[@GiveItaGo]

@@petertreadway it's not a ride without a crash or some kind of 'incident' 🤣🤣

[@petertreadway]

@GiveItaGo I’ll take your word for that, mate! 😂

[@GiveItaGo]

@petertreadway well, if you come over in the summer, you'll find out 🤣🤣🤣

[@bikeman123]

If you need to perch on a kerb at traffic lights, your saddle is too high.

[@petertreadway]

Getting technical, it really all depends on your BB height and crank length. That aside, while I can reach down to the floor while sat on my saddle, it’s much more comfortable to place my foot on a raised surface.

[@gscott5062]

How on earth do you manage to get back on the bike and ride after a fry-up like that? I can see eating it afterwards, but not during!

[@petertreadway]

Lots of practice! 😂

[@nathandesoer9648]

Clip out woth the left so you dint get your leg crushed by a bus or any other vehicles 👍

[@petertreadway]

That makes sense, Nathan. So intriguing why others naturally unclip on the other side then!

[@philPJS]

I unclip my right leg first..... and I am British ....

[@petertreadway]

Have you always done that, Phil? I’m now so intrigued as to what determines which side people unclip! 😂

[@philPJS]

@petertreadway I think so Peter. Ever since I started using clipless I have been right foot first.... just habit now I guess. I am ambidextrous so I guess it would really phase me either way. Love your vlogs by the way 👍

[@rogersimmons8788]

I unclip on the left. And I voted for brexit! (And I stick by it. Furthermore, this being a cycling channel, I won't answer any comments)

[@petertreadway]

It really does seem quite random as to whether you unclip on the left or right, Roger certainly, it was pretty much a 50/50 split in this group, who are all UK born and bred. As far as I’m aware, they’re all right handed too… the mystery continues! 😂