psalm

Well I had my first fall with clipless today, I say first because I assume there will be more. The thing is it wasn't even a forget to clip out, or anything close to that. I was riding up a small hill and about 3/4 of the way I started to lose speed quick. So I stood up in the saddle to get more power, I pushed down with my left foot, and as I pull up the handlebars with my left arm I twist my ankle. I think I was trying to smother the pedals with the all the power I could muster. Well twisting my ankle popped my cleat out of the pedal and down my foot went. As my shoe hit the pavement, with no traction, it slid back and over I went. I ended up with some nice road rash on the inside of me knee. As I lay on my back for a few seconds, laughing to myself, I get up and look around. It doesn't look like anyone saw me, at least not that I could tell, I check my bike first, then notice my bloody knee. I hop back on my bike and on on my merry way. All the time thinking, it's a right of passage, it's the first fall, I hope it never happens again.

Now I know some of you might be worried, so let me lay your fears to rest...my bike is fine.

Mr. Beanz

Well, take two Oreo cookies and call me in the morning!

Make sure you have enough tension on the pedals via tension adjustment screw. Plus, make sure to use good form while developing a standing position. I've seen some crazy out of control riders out there.: I rode with one gal, very strong rider, but she'd lose her composeur when attacking. Usually crashed into a bush or flip on a turn.

Mr Sinister

Now where did I see that before???
I think I might be feeling sick too... need cookies.

I myself have yet to try clipless pedals, but plan on doing so this year. I figure I will also fall a few times, and look around to see if anyone saw that.

mdohertyjr

Whew was worried about the bike. Glad to see it made out of your mistakes alive.

The wife and I got new bikes here in the past two months, and she just had her first fall. Nice sized bruises in multiple spots on her lower body. I had one close call so far, on a very short ride, but at the last second I clipped out and didn't fall.

I know its coming, and I fear the fall, lol.

ZManT

Win/Win - you get a good lesson (and a reminder in the bloody knee) and both your pride and bike remain intact!
glad you made it out OK - good for you to lay on the ground and laugh

psalm

I checked the tension and it seems to be fine, I think it was just a lack of practice. I need to work on my form.

Don't fear it, embrace it!


It was therapeutic.

Seve

As long as some kids don't come by and start poking you with a stick to see if you are alive or not, don't worry, be happy.

jethro56 

I hate it when they do that.

Neil_B

Now if I can stop people from trying to push me into the water when I'm reclining on the beach.

B.Alive

Nice!!!

I'm a member of the clipless fall group for a little over a week now! Mine was unclip left foot, look right, fall right! My bike was fine too--my knee bloody as well!

RunningPirate

Sorry to hear that, but glad you're all right. So far (touch wood) I've been able to avoid that fate, though I've come close a couple of times at stoplights...it was more of a timing issue, than anything.

Oddly enough, the issue I have with my clipless pedals is not getting out, but getting back in when I take off from a light - once I'm in, it's fine and I can (normally) pop right out. All that said, I figure sooner or later, I'll be on the ground, wondering how I got there thinking "This is not my beautiful house! This is not my beautiful wife!"

psalm

Yeah so far this is the only real issue I've been having as well, besides falling that is.

Nice Talking Heads reference.