General Cycling Discussion - Can't stop laughing at myself ...

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Just got some shoes today, and since I've only had limited experience with clipless systems, I was bound to do what I did ... I was riding on the street with my friend and we came to a stop. I unclipped my right foot (big mistake) but since I usually step out on my left, I shifted my weight to the left side without realizing it!!! Sloooooow motion-like, I felt myself tilt over and then THUMP!

A car next to us honked his/her horn, and my friend simply smiled. I couldn't stop laughing since then, and it's been about 8 hours!

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That makes me feel so much better... Never managed to fall over completely but have a hard time on occasion getting my feet in the clips... or forgetting one foot is still clipped in and moving my foot forward - the whole bike lurches around!

Glad you could laugh about it and no-one was badly injured!!

:)

I have trouble clipping in too ... actually smacked my shin a couple of times later today as I was riding on the road (after the fall :p).

I hear it's all about practice. Good luck to both of us. :)

i had near misses since i bought my new shoes.. There were times i stopped and forgot to unclip, good thing for me i got unclipped myself just in time.

At first, its a bit hard to get clipped in, but after 2-3days, you will get used to it...

Wish me luck too, I'm going clipless today. Please pray for me.

I think almost everyone has done something similar. Nearly everyone falls when they first try out clippless systems.

It's happened to me. The first day I used clipless pedals, I stopped at a stop sign and forgot to unclip. WOMP! I fell right on my side. A passing motorist rolled down her window and asked, "Are you OK?" I embarrasedly mumbled something like "Yes, I'm fine" and started riding again.

My leg got a little bit bruised up, but not nearly as badly as my ego. :)

Originally posted by Chi
I have trouble clipping in too ... actually smacked my shin a couple of times later today as I was riding on the road (after the fall :p).

I hear it's all about practice. Good luck to both of us. :)

LOL

A lot of folks starting out try to clip in too early. I generally clip my left foot when stopped, and wait several cycles before clipping in my right - perhaps 1/2 a block or so, after I get up some good speed.

Also, I unclip my right foot anytime I sense danger - i.e., approaching sand on the path, passing small kids. Sometimes after I unclip I will clip back in without even knowing it, defeating my original purpose.

Anyway, after my initial 2 falls within a month of getting clipless, I have never fallen again. (Knock on wood).

Today was a great day, I used my clipless for an hour of ride. I had some problems though, but I didn't fall over. When starting to pedal, I will try to get the shoe on the pedal, but since my clipless pedals are the Look PP206 which has the rounded bottom, I would keep slipping from the pedal. I really looked like a fool since I keep slipping and can't pedal at all, I'll go across the junction and the cars and pedestrians will look at me weirdly. I didn't feel too embarassed though.

I did prevent any falls by unclipping early, whenever I sense the slightest dangers. Anyway, if I'm about to fall, it seems that my leg just knows what to do and coincidentally, I'll unclip from the pedal. Thus, I do consider myself rather lucky. Wish me luck guys, and everyone out there, good luck too!

chi: I know the exact feeling you're experiencing. I did the slow-mo tumble yesterday. :)

Zack

It was very windy today here in the Atlanta area. And I cross balanced coming to a stop myself. I unclipped my right foot and fell to the left.

Bummer.

At least I am learning how to fall.

I had a problem with my spd's once- I don't know what was going on with me on one occasion, but no matter how hard I tried to clip in, I couldn't. I tried for like 45 minutes before I gave up.

I literally had tears in my eyes. I was so upset I'd missed my ride.

Good to know you can laugh off the small stuff. I look back and laugh at how I couldn't clip in, but man, I really wanted to throw away my spd's after that day for a looooooooong time! :rolleyes:

Koff

HAA HAA!!!!

My first ride clipless was pretty impressive. Five, count 'em, *five* falls. I can still point out every spot where I fell. The other guys on my ride were vastly amused. The funniest one was when I rode between two of the other guys (we were all stopping at an intersection) and then realized I'd forgotten to unclip. 'Hold on!' I yelled. They managed to keep me upright before cracking up. Took a long time to live that first ride down.

ha. ha ha. we all go through it don't worry :)

It happens to everyone. Now it's happened to you, soon it'll be my turn.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
LOL

A lot of folks starting out try to clip in too early. I generally clip my left foot when stopped, and wait several cycles before clipping in my right - perhaps 1/2 a block or so, after I get up some good speed.

Also, I unclip my right foot anytime I sense danger - i.e., approaching sand on the path, passing small kids. Sometimes after I unclip I will clip back in without even knowing it, defeating my original purpose.

Anyway, after my initial 2 falls within a month of getting clipless, I have never fallen again. (Knock on wood).

Very good advice, DnvrFox!!

LOL!! Some really funny stories here! Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one that's having trouble. Had my second fall today, as I tripped my bike on a few rocks on the side of a trail, lost my balance and CRASH!!! :p

Got a scraped left knee to remember that by. I'll be a lot more careful now, about those steep paving dropoffs.

Steep learning curve to clipless. Everyone misses the clipout at some point. Unforseen "panic" stops are ones that even experienced clipless users often forget to clipout on.