You have to use the straps to take them off also. You have to keep the bead low so the tire can be pulled over the rim. I can do it without using tire levers...most times! Just make sure to squeeze the air out of the tire 1st. It is harder to get them off sometimes, but if you work the bead down just like putting them on and using the straps, you should be able to use the tire lever to get it started off the rim. Good luck.

Recovery has been really easy. Did a ride with some Easy Street folks on Saturday in Austin on the Walnut Creek Trail. Very nice ride with a couple of hills. We only did a short route, about 8 miles but it showed me that I was ready to go back to some climbing. No problems.  
 
BTW, used that velcro strap trick when putting on my new Marathon Racer. Worked exceedingly well and I got the tire ( folder, not wire bead ) on without a tool. Amazing! Looking forward to trying that on one of my Duranos, although my next set of those will be folders too.