Have you levelled up?
By Toni
@toniganzon (72517)
Philippines
July 11, 2016 5:50pm CST
And I'm not talking about computer games or the new Pokemon Go craze! 
In life, we make goals and we plan to achieve those. Just like in online games, we plan and work hard on each stage so we could level up. We practice, we fail, we stand up again, and we succeed.
I have been cycling for almost four years now and I had never been allowed to wear cycling shoes till last weekend. My brother told me it's too dangerous and he doesn't want to see me fall by forgetting to release my cycling shoes from the pedal. But my brother doesn't trust me as much as I do myself. Until he saw me riding in my cleats.
Now I feel like a proper cyclist! 
In life, we make goals and we plan to achieve those. Just like in online games, we plan and work hard on each stage so we could level up. We practice, we fail, we stand up again, and we succeed.
I have been cycling for almost four years now and I had never been allowed to wear cycling shoes till last weekend. My brother told me it's too dangerous and he doesn't want to see me fall by forgetting to release my cycling shoes from the pedal. But my brother doesn't trust me as much as I do myself. Until he saw me riding in my cleats.
Now I feel like a proper cyclist! 49 people like this
51 responses
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
Congratulations! It's fun to be levelling up every now and then. I don't like feeling stagnant at all.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@just4him I know a few who are contented and don't want to level up anymore. They become stagnant.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon I don't think anyone does.
1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
12 Jul 16
They take a little getting used to but in a fairly short period of time you get used to the motion for releasing out of them when needed. I rode for awhile with the old toe cages.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
Those are even more difficult I heard. I researched and watched a lot of youtube and most of them said the same thing: falling with the cycling shoes on is part of it!
They also said you have to practice 25 releases before finally riding out in the road. I practiced less than that and when I was on the road it felt so easy and so nice wearing it. Cycling is more efficient.
They also said you have to practice 25 releases before finally riding out in the road. I practiced less than that and when I was on the road it felt so easy and so nice wearing it. Cycling is more efficient.1 person likes this
@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon Toe cages were inconvenient. You had to flip the pedal up as you started off and then slide your toes in. After that if you had to get free you had to remember to pull your foot straight back first. Anything else would potential lead to a fall. I never fell because of them (came close though).
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@koopharper Yeah I have seen pictures of those and I have seen bicycles with those pedal system but i never tried it. There are also pedals with buckles. These days it's just the clipless cleats for most cyclist.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
I can't be a risk taker like i was when i was younger D. These days I'm more careful than ever. That's why I made sure I could really wear the cleats properly before deciding to finally buy myself a pair. It's not cheap and I don't have any plans to throw my shoes away lol!
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon Yes, every money spent should be worth it . 
2 people like this
@OreoBrownie (3755)
• Commerce, Georgia
12 Jul 16
Sounds like you have conquered a scary situation.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
I did and I did it with ease. All those scary thing they say didn't happen to me. A lot of them told me it was difficult but when I was finally on my bike with my cleats, it felt so easy.
@Letranknight2015 (52079)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
I haven't exercise for another week now. good luck for you, just be cautious.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
Levelling up doesn't mean you are keeping up with the Joneses...your own personal goal is your own levelling up.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@sofssu and you don't feel sad that you have become stagnant?
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon No many goals nothing to prove.. I am fine right now.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72190)
• United States
30 Jul 16
@toniganzon When his son was with his mother all the time my man would bicycle about 30 miles a day.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
30 Jul 16
@shaggin That's good. He should get the cycling shoes. Does he use a mountain bike or a road bike?
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
30 Jul 16
Presence of mind is very important in using the cycling shoes. It's very essential to have these shoes when you're riding for speed and long distance. But if it's just casual cycling, it's not recommended.
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
Saw this post of your in IG.
Way to go twin sister!!!
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon I'm always proud of you!
Do you feel the same?
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@allen0187 You're my twin brother. The feeling is mutual.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
Thank you dear brother. Do I make you proud?
1 person likes this
Lets hit the marine drive 
Missed yah@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon Okay, so I get my own. Or do you prefer me getting us a tandem for the drive
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@thesids if you get a tandem bike I won't mind riding it with you. Who sits on the front saddle?
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
I'm so sorry I don't own a tandem bike.
I've missed you too. 
1 person likes this
@cromainer (218)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
I also learned biking some four years ago. Maybe because when I was younger, I was really afraid of getting marks and blood flows that's why I never tried biking. But not until I had the courage to face it, maybe a bit old but that felt great and proud. I've leveled up also.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
@cromainer Must have been quite heavy and not your size.
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
Congratulations! You have levelled up indeed. What bike are you riding?
@cromainer (218)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
@toniganzon I'm not quite sure, it's some kind of a mountain bike bought in a surplus store.
@silvermist (19702)
• India
25 Jul 16
@toniganzon It is years since I got on a cycle.But when I used to cycle,I have never used cycling shoes.Good for you.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
25 Jul 16
Yeah most people who aren't actually racing and just ride the bicycle casually don't see the importance of using cycling shoes with clip on cleats.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
31 Jul 16
@silvermist its long distance and hours of ride for me and my family. Cycling shoes is definitely a must for us for pedal efficiency.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
31 Jul 16
@toniganzon You are right.It was just casual cycling along with my brothers.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
31 Jul 16
Hi, Val! Yes they could be! He told me he didn't want to be blamed if something happens to me. But so far so good and I'm begging better at cycling than him!
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
31 Jul 16
@to8000 thanks tom. I always do. I dream to join the Tour de France but that remains to be a dream lol!
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
17 Jul 16
I like challenges especially when my brother says I couldn't do it, I always try to prove myself to him lol!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
17 Jul 16
@LadyDuck He's 7 years older than me.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472004)
• Switzerland
17 Jul 16
@toniganzon Is your brother younger? I have a younger brother, he teased me a lot when we were young.
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
Hi Toni! ;)
It's been a while... anyhoo, it's great to know things about you especially on how you maintain your sexy figure.
I really wanted to do cycling but I don't like to stay under the sun too much. I have no idea that cycling shoes might cause accidents... lol...
I really wanted to do cycling but I don't like to stay under the sun too much. I have no idea that cycling shoes might cause accidents... lol...1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
Lol they do because they're not ordinary shoes. They're cleat shoes attached to a cleat pedal system that locks in the moment you clip them. One must learn how to release those shoes from the pedals at least 25 times before hitting the road.
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
15 Jul 16
@Dextoi cycling shoes has been in existence for ages but for those who don't race, they don't know about it for they don't have a need for it.
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
18 Jul 16
@toniganzon I can relate to that... lol. I usually have my slippers on and sometimes use them as brakes haha
@annierose (21571)
• Philippines
31 Jul 16
Good for you! At least you did not let your brother limit you on what is it that you really want. He just loves you very much that is why he was worried.
I am not into any outdoor sports. I am an introvert person that is why I just love to read and write. Am I levelling up? I think so because since I disciplined myself in reading, I am able to write more discussions and finish my articles for my blog.
1 person likes this
@annierose (21571)
• Philippines
31 Jul 16
@toniganzon Our directions become clearer when we already know our goals and what we want to become.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
31 Jul 16
When you know what you want and you set goals for yourself, you will level up.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
I did and I don't ever want to go back to wearing running shoes again. It just felt so damn good to be finally wearing cycling shoes.
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
25 Jul 16
Cycling shoes? Must be for more serious riders.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
25 Jul 16
Yes it is for serious cyclers. Not really professionals but those who enjoy it not only as an exercise but a hobby. The cleat pedal alone is expensive, and the cleat shoes itself isn't cheap. Cheapest ones I found here is at $75 and it was on sale.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
Getting them in could be a little difficult at first but what causes most accidents is the releasing from the pedal cleat system lol
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
@DianneN Yeah i understand but when you cycle in those shoes, the feeling is totally different. You won't feel tired and you are able to use your legs efficiently.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
13 Jul 16
What are cycling shoes? Why do they need to be "released" from the pedal? I'm confused...lol
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
It has a lock that you need to insert into the pedal system so much so that when you cycle it's more efficient as your foot doesn't move as when you're using sneakers or any type of shoes. Of course you have to release those cleats before stopping or you fall with your legs still hooked into the pedal.
The pedal system is different from ordinary bikes that doesn't use cycling shoes of course.
Switching to clipless pedals is a great way to increase overall cycling performance. Using clipless pedals will help smooth out your pedal stroke, increase o...
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
13 Jul 16
@missjessicadawn lol most people who are not a bicycle enthusiast never knew those existed.
2 people like this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
13 Jul 16
@toniganzon That's really neat! I never knew those existed!
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
12 Jul 16
Wow. I envy you for I cannot do that anymore. I really like cycling. before I only wear shorts and sneakers not really a fan of proper outfits because I look dummy or whatsover. lol Well cycling also helps to lose weight. Go and be a pro.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
I used to be like you but it's awkward to cycle for 70km not wearing the proper cycling outfit. If it's just an ordinary bike it's ok but I have a road bike and a mountain bike which requires proper cycling outfit or you'll suffer from discomfort and injuries if not wearing the right one.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
12 Jul 16
@JustBhem There's a specific size for each person. It's important that one must have a bike fit. The frame should be in accordance to your height, the seat post height, the stem, the drop bar should be measured according to the width of your shoulder. Otherwise, the bike would cause you injuries like back pain. My customised road bike costs around 300,000 pesos.
1 person likes this
@JustBhem (70555)
• Davao, Philippines
12 Jul 16
@toniganzon
I tried that one you have. Ghad. I cannot cycle more than a mile because I'm too short for that kind. I end up losing my balance and bruises. lol. But I still like it and will try someday.
