Absolutely! Five weeks is plenty of time to get used to getting out of your pedals.  It's a little nerve racking at the start but you will get the hang of it quickly and the benefits are enormous. Good luck to you.

For road racing, definitely yes.

For mountain, perhaps. Get lots of practice first.

Either way, adjust them so the release is a little easier. When I started, I had mine on full easy, then tuned them back as I got better / more confident. Have fun in the race!

Switching is a definite "yes" as pointed out by everyone else. The one aspect to the transition that benefits you most, especially in a race, is the ability to engage more leg muscles and consequently more power. One thing that you will want to work on, after you get comfortable in them, is actually being able to "pull up on the pedal" as you develop more and more comfort. When you're able to maintain that type of muscular engagement consistently (without to actually have to think about pulling up on the pedal) you'll develop a smooth cadence and spin which is something you really can't do without them.

Whether it's Crits that you do or road races, your ability to spint as well as climb hills will improve dramatically.  The one thing not mentioned by you is: How often do you ride? If you don't ride frequently during the week, or ride mainly long weekend rides, 5 weeks is "ify". I had been on them for two years before I had my first fall.Although I train indoors 1 or 2 days a week and ride a minimum of 30 to 50 miles 2 or 3 days a week, I still remember the first time I went down and couldn't unclip fast enough. But, like all things, you'll learn and adapt accordingly. Long story short, the change will benefit you in so many other ways.

Have a super season!

i agree. i think you just need to forget it once and fall over, that you will never forget it again . fortunately this happens when you are stationary (hill, traffic light,...)

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Otherland will prevail!