Yes, you might fall. But you’ll also level up your riding game.

If you’re new to cycling or triathlon, few things feel as awkward or as nerve-wracking as learning to clip in and out of your bike pedals. The fear of tipping over at a red light or falling in front of a café is very real (and very normal).

But here’s the truth: every cyclist and triathlete has been there. Clipping in is a rite of passage and once you’ve got it, it opens the door to more efficient, powerful riding.

At Hive Endurance, we help athletes master this skill with patience and practical strategies. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

1. Why Clip In at All?

Before you commit to learning, it helps to know why it's worth the effort:

Efficiency: Clipping in connects you to the bike, allowing you to generate power through the full pedal stroke not just on the push down.
Control: It gives you more stability and bike handling precision, especially on climbs and technical terrain.
Performance: More consistent cadence, better power transfer, and fewer energy leaks = faster, smoother riding.

Yes, you can ride with flat pedals. But if you’re serious about improving, clipless pedals are a game-changer.

2. Start Somewhere Safe (and Soft)

Before you hit the road, find a safe place to practice:

An empty carpark or quiet cul-de-sac.
A patch of grass or soft trail (to soften the blow if you do topple over).
Somewhere flat with no hills, traffic, or pressure.

This is about building muscle memory and confidence in a controlled environment.

3. Practice Clipping In and Out

If you practice on a stationary bike/indoor trainer then give that a try first. If you don’t have an indoor trainer, follow these steps.

Break it down:

Hold onto a wall, fence, or stationary object with one hand.
Practice clipping one foot in, then out again. Repeat until it’s second nature.
Once you’ve nailed that, try pushing off, clipping in, rolling a few metres, and stopping.
As you approach the stop, unclip early well before you come to a full halt and place that foot down.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. It might feel clunky at first, but it gets smoother fast.

4. Always Unclip the Same Foot First

Pick your dominant or most comfortable foot and always unclip that one first. This creates a reliable habit so when you’re tired or in a rush, your body knows what to do.

5. Expect to Fall (and Laugh About It)

Every cyclist has a “zero-speed fall” story:

Tipping over at the lights.
Falling in slow motion in front of a crowd.
Forgetting to unclip at the café stop.

It’s normal. It’s part of learning. And yes you’ll probably laugh about it later.

The key is to not let one awkward moment shake your confidence. You’re learning something new, and that’s always a little messy at first.

6. Adjust Tension on Your Pedals

Most clipless pedals allow you to adjust the spring tension, the force required to clip in and out.

Looser tension makes it easier to unclip (ideal for beginners).
Once you're more confident, you can tighten them for a more secure connection.

Ask your local bike shop to help set this up, or have your coach give it a quick check.

7. Practice in Real-Life Scenarios

Once you're comfortable clipping in and out while stationary, start using your new skills:

Practice stopping and starting at intersections or roundabouts.
Ride loops that include gentle stop-start traffic.
Work your way up to longer, uninterrupted rides where you can stay clipped in for a while.

Before long, you’ll wonder how you ever rode without them.

Final Thoughts

Learning to clip in is one of those small-but-mighty upgrades in your triathlon journey. Yes, it’s awkward at first. Yes, you might fall. But the gains in control, efficiency, and confidence are more than worth it.

At Hive Endurance, we support athletes through every step, clipped in or not. Whether you're a complete beginner or just need a nudge to try something new, we’re here to help you ride smarter, smoother, and stronger.

Learning to Clip In on the Bike