When I first switched to Look clipless pedals in '93, I started using them just a couple of weeks before the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia. On the first day of BRAG, I fell over at the first traffic lights we came to in the first three towns along the route because I forgot to unclip before stopping. After that, one of my friends started riding behind and reminding me to unclip every time we approached a stop. He had a large time that evening telling everyone in camp how stupid I looked, so I drank his beer all night. :)

I have very rarely had a problem with unclipping since then.

Probably irrelevent addition to a very full, informative and amusing thread

But for what it's worth

I'm recovering from a broken leg, after a sideways fall on a very slippy road at a very low speed. I was wearing SPDs.

BUT - I knew it was slippy, had unclipped way before the tight U Turn, and still tumbled faster than I could react

What's the point of my post? Just, the clips might not be the deciding factor. Stop, dismount, pick up and replace the bike 180 degrees if you're on a surface you couldn't run fast on

Stay safe, all

Did anybody's ankles hurt after riding with clipless pedals for the first time?
Its only my right ankle and its been sore since Monday morning.

If it is because of the pedals then shouldn't both ankles be sore?
Also the soreness doesn't even seem like muscle pain but more like as if I was almost finished recovering form a sprained ankle.
If that makes any sense.

Wisdom anyone?

Sounds like you need to adjust the cleat position on that shoe.

I've told my story about my first fall, into a lane of the freeway. I went back to toe clips, and and here's why I'm glad I did: I had a blowout on the rear tire going down a hill, and as I lost control I was able to jump up and off the bike and land running on the grass next to the road (a freeway again). I don't think I could have done that with clipless.

Clipless are not for everyone but I find I have far less control over the bike unless I am clipped in. Offroad and if you are going over at speed- you are going over whether you have clipless or not- but at slow speed-If I unclip- I can't control the bike up over the rock or the root or through the scree. For this reason- I never unclip untill I am going to stop or want to get upright after the fall. And on the road- I have yet to fall through being clipped in. Had a few moments but Mountain biking taught me to trackstand. And the only fall I have had was due to not being clipped in. Thought I might have to stop so unclipped. Didn't have to and when I put on pressure- My foot slipped off the pedal and over I went.

Don't be so sure. I've done some pretty acrobatic escapes from flipping mountain bikes and landed on my feet. I would not think of riding offroad without clipless pedals.