Good point. Practice was mostly without any real pressure. Now to figure out a way to simulate this without causing further damage. Maybe first work on panic stops with flats, emphasizing keeping
control of the bike throughout. Maybe another idea: put some clipless pedals on the mountain bike and go practice on nice soft grass somewhere? Never did any martial arts, but that's not a bad idea--take a few classes and learn how to tuck and roll. Thanks!
"Light Action" Speedplays are road pedals. I do have a set of Frog pedals also, but not mounted on any bike. I guess I could consider putting the Frogs (or even the Light Action roadies) on the mountain bike and practicing panic stops somewhere safe. Don't know what manual you are referring to. The pedals have brand new "Ver. 2" Light Action cleats, mounted to specs and tweaked with the help of a Speedplay rep to be very even side-to-side. Also lubed with Speedplays stuff (although brand-new!). The entry/exit of the pedal seems to me to be pretty easy, but it does require a definite kick of the heels outboard of the pedal.
AFAIK, pulling up and trying to get out would never work.
Per above, brand-new, adjusted and lubed cleats and a clean pedal.
Excellent points. I'm sure a better bike handler would have NO problem avoiding these situations. Thinking back, if I were able and confident with a "track stand" and slow-speed maneuvering, I would have had room to just turn and pedal away. Ditto for not crossing at pedestrian crosswalks. I've just been cautious about riding on the road due to inexperience.
The route to the gym has a MUP that I (and a lot of cyclists) use and it terminates at the pedestrian crosswalk at each intersection.