khutch

I have my SPDs set to min, never come out when I don't want to, and always was able to yank a foot free at the last second to prevent a fall. Until RAGBRAI 2013. Then, in front of several hundred other riders I smoothly glided to a stop, probably in front of Beekman's ice cream stand, unclipped my left foot, only to have the bike decide to go right at the last minute. Couldn't get my right foot free in time and fell but of course there are no flat shoulders on rural Iowa roads so I fell into a ditch. Unharmed but thoroughly embarrassed, as I was getting free of the bike the first few people asked if I was OK and about the time I got to my feet someone asked "is the bike OK?"

So now I try to remember to unclip both feet every time I slow down for any reason....

Dave Cutter

Glad neither you or your bicycle was seriously damaged. I hit my hip hard enough once it took months to stop hurting. But if I knew that tomorrow's bicycle ride would include an embarrassing little fall... I'd still take the ride and enjoy it.

Dessert

Well my knee must have taken the brunt of the fall somehow. It's still not 100% but very close. We just don't heal quickly as we get older.

So I made my decision and visited the LBS. I purchased a new pair of shoes that accept the Shimano Multi-release clips. Since they didn't carry the pedals I ordered a pair of Shimano PD A530 pedals and SH-56 multi-release cleats from the internet. I thank everyone who offered great conversation to enlighten me enough to know what I needed to do to minimize the chances of falling over again. I'm wise enough to know that I can still fall over in the future but I think this will change the odds in my favor.

RonH

You can rotate but in an emergency you can lift out if you pull hard enough.

Dave Cutter

You're right! Last time I fell I tried that body roll stuff... but hadn't practiced and didn't execute the move correctly. I slammed my wrist against the concrete and wondered if I'd broke it. I healed find... but never quickly anymore.

qcpmsame 

Glad that the knee is doing better now, and good for you on getting your shoes, and your pedal question sorted out, hope that the miles are great ones for you.

Bill

h2oxtc

You mean like THIS?

khutch

Yup, that pretty much captures the essence of the moment!

wphamilton

Practice this one instead Judo Lessons for Beginners : How to Do a Judo Side Fall - YouTube or start with this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U59hbQKDn0 seriously you need to protect the elbows and knees.

Dave Cutter

I think a little practice falling is in order... at least for me. I had called the local YMCA about teaching/offering a "seniors tumbling" class. One guy really liked the idea and they took it to the board. But not many old people seemed interested.

wphamilton

Yeah, me too. I can still do a side-fall but the last time I did a roll for real was a couple of years ago - and it hurt.

Maybe the Y could teach one in general. It's not necessarily different for seniors.

qcpmsame 

Check with a local dojo for a martial art, they most all teach how to best fall and what to do when you get downed. Just a thought, if it helps.

Bill

Dave Cutter

An awesome idea guys! I have a hard time getting enough winter activity. Judo would be excellent for an older guy. I studied Karate decades ago and have always felt I've benefited from it.

qcpmsame 

I missed WP Hamilton's suggestion about the you tube vids, sorry about that, didn't mean to act as if I was coming up with an original idea (probably not possible in my case. His suggestion for the vids is one I didn't even think about. My SIL, and nephew, are both instructors in Tae Kwon Do, high degree black belts and competitors, I should get up with them for some instruction. We should take advantage of any help we can find at our ages. No slam intended.

Bill

spoiledrotten

I only had mine for about a month. I "almost" got it last week. I thought I unclipped, and just as I was about to put my foot down, I believe the cleat caught the pedal again. I started over, and just before my knee got close to the ground, I popped my foot back out and caught myself. Talk about a big "whew". I know a good one is going to happen. I just don't know when.

wphamilton

I thought you were backing me up, and also you were right that in-person instruction is better than a video. I'm not sure that someone can learn from a video without an instructor or students to practice with. But it's better than nothing.

Wileyrat

I guess I'm using that judo technique in my tombays. It basically looks like a roll through that I learned when I wrestled many years ago.

It came in handy again when I managed to unclip to the wrong side and tombayed in front of a bunch of cars and a couple of cyclists while I was waiting to cross a street while riding a mup a couple of weeks ago.

meanmojo

I started clipless about 7 or 8 months ago. I figured I would apply the same thought process to clipless as emergency procedures when flying. Theory is, you will do what you have been trained to do in a panic situation and the training comes in the form of mindless repetition LOL. Despite all the practice I still went down a couple of times early on. Not because I forgot I was strapped in, but something happened I wasn't expecting and needed to get out quickly. So I panicked, and instead of turning ankles, pulled straight up and we know how that ends. There's not enough time to think, "oh crap, I should rotate out". You just keep on pulling until the event has ran it's course LOL. However I think what happens next is what matters. The pain!! Your brain finally catches on that failing to get out of pedals hurts and its not nearly as likely to happen a third time. Kinda like the child that burns his hand on the stove. Brain says to hell with that! and it doesn't happen again. IMHO I think you gotta go down to complete the process

h2oxtc

Okay - this may be hard to believe, but I fell twice today while clipped in. To keep things fair, once on each side. A little road rash, bruises, and two sore wrists. For those inquiring about the bike, also my first concern, it seems to have sustained only minor damage including a tear in the saddle and scuffed bar tape. Cause? Wet road and riding uphill, spun the wheel and the rest was history.

And to prove that I dont learn easily, 20 minutes later riding back I did the same thing a second time. Who can top that?

OldsCOOL

Dessert

You win! You got me beat on that one.....

CliffordK

Been there, done that.

As far as I know, no road rash, or damage whatsoever other than a bruised ego. I can't say I blame it on being clipped in, although my gearing wouldn't allow the climb without the cleats. However, I probably would have bailed earlier without them.

I will say that on my Litespeed, I can't maintain traction while standing. I must sit down to keep wet traction while climbing. I think the slightly longer geometry puts too much weight forward. My Colnago just barely gets climbing traction when using good tires (currently a Schwalbe Marathon which seem to do ok).



Prepping for my tracks in the snow photo, I had one false start, too high of a gear. Walked back to the road, downshifted, and tried it again. The second time I made it all the way down to the end of the side-road where I hit some very soft gravel. Did a difficult turn in the soft gravel, and headed back up. Gentle slope. Not enough speed and traction. & WHAM!!!!!



Ok, so I was just out having to much fun.