DocC3

I installed a set of clipless pedals this spring at the urging of my avid cyclist buddy. I practiced on the trainer at the dealer until I was comfortable and the mechanic had everything adjusted. I did several rides with no issues or problems. I was feeling confident and thinking that these pedals are pretty easy to master. Big mistake. I came home from a Saturday morning ride, uncliped my right foot as I rolled up the driveway to a stop, apparently leaned left and went down. There were plenty of witnesses because all of the neighbors and their kids were outside and yelling, "Are you OK?" The next day I went down again when I couldn't get up speed starting up-hill from a stop sign. I believe I had a witness that time too. The woman in the car behind drove around me while I was on the ground still talking on her cell phone.

chinarider

I've had my share of unwitnessed falls, but I had a good witnessed one a couple of years ago that should qualify me for membership.

It was on an organized 55 mi ride called the Tour de Dickinson (I live in Dickinson county). About 200 people participate. While most of the ride is on country roads, the first few miles go through the city (such as it is: 7,500 pop.). There was a traffic light at one of the intersections and a cop was there to alternate letting riders and cars through. As I approached, he signaled for the bikes to stop. I have Look pedals and will often unclip in preparation for a stop and flip the pedal over so I can pedal to the stop or continue on if the stop becomes unnecessary. I did that on this occasion but somehow reflipped the pedal and inadvertently reclipped (of course on the side I was leaning toward) just as I came to a stop. Down I went. Plenty of witnesses. Nothing hurt but my pride.

CaptCranky

Hmm... I flopped our tandem a couple of weeks ago, but as a relative newbie here, I'll put off applying for Club Tombay. Classic combination of brain fade and stubborn SPD, though.

I slowed the bike to check for traffic where a hike/bike trail crosses a lightly used street, then coasted past some debris in the crosswalk, the bike lost momentum and stability, and I couldn't unclip in time to put a foot down. As we went over, my wife unclipped from her Look pedals, and she rolled away unscathed. I kept arms and knees in, got off easy: one bruise, no blood. By the time the witnesses approached to ask if we were OK, we were laughing and wheeling the bike out of the road.

Al

MinnMan

Today was my second day using clipless pedals. I don't yet qualify for the club, but all I've done is ride a few miles on some quiet trails, practicing clipping and unclipping. Everybody assures me that club membership is inevitable, but I'll be happy if I have to wait 16 years. It seems that most of you escape your initiation with just a few scrapes to your skin and pride, but somehow I visualize my surprise rite of passage will occur in front of a moving truck or bike or hitting my head on the curb or....

I...must...not....think....bad...thoughts.

maddmaxx 

Welcome....................welcome all. We haven't had a season like this in quite some time. It's good to see such new and creative way's to achieve membership.

Remember, the classic and still most appreciated tombay of all is the 0mph "I forgot".

BigBlueToe

Perhaps Club Tombay is a subdivision of a larger organization (of which I'm a zealous member) called "Club Bonehead." I'd like to get a jersey like that. Maybe do the Ragbrai with fellow members.

ModeratedUser150120149

Actually, the Brown Eyeball Club Award is extremely effective in encouraging people to be more attentive. Hmmm...a jersey with a big brown eyeball on the back.....now that would be a sight.

Monoborracho

If nobody saw you it doesn't count.

BengeBoy 

That's not fair. I wrote about it on the Internets; you all are witnesses.

cehowardGS

Good point! IMO, crashing is part of the life of two wheels. Street and recreational riders can expect long lapses of time inbetween crashes. However, racers, who push their machines and skill to the limit, have more crashes. I mentioned this in another thread and got blasted..

Again, street riders, and recreational riders on two wheels can expects long lapses in time between crashes. Such as the OP has mentioned. However, racers will crash more often, because they feather right on the edge of the limits of the machine/bicycle, and their skill level.

In addition, racers have to deal with the CLOSENESS of other racers trying to get into the same piece of ground at the same time.

Life is indeed interesting!!

Tom Bombadil

You're never going to get me, maddmaxx. I may fall someday, but it will be with platform pedals.

But perhaps I will be gashed by the pins on my Wellgo MG-1 BMX platforms.

maddmaxx 

I still use them around tourists in crowded places like Woods Hole on the cape. They can chew up your legs like there's no tomorrow..........much more dangerous than the occasional clipless fall...............

MinnMan

Well, that didn't take long. I joined Club Tombay today. Lining up in a left turn lane I came to a stop and realized, too late, that I hadn't made a decision as to which foot to unclip. Panic! Up until now I've been so paranoid about falling that I unclipped well in advance, but I guess I've become blase without yet fully absorbing the unclipping reflex. I fell right over on my left side, breaking my fall with my shoulder. No damage done except for a minor scrape on my knee. Of course, the young woman in the car behind me burst into laughter. I don't know why, but being laughed at by a young woman really does seem to be an intrinsic part of the experience.

badamsjr

That reminds me of my first time with clipless 10 years ago. OK until I came to a stop sign. Remember the tricycle rider on Rowan&Martin's Laugh-In? That was me! Flopped over on my right side--still clipped in. Only injury was to my pride, but I'm sure I was beet red faced!

akohekohe

Well, I only fell once because of clipless pedals but I don't know if it counts. I'm coming up to a red light, I clip out well in advance, stop and put my left foot down. This other cyclist pulls up on my left, can't get his foot unclipped in time, falls into me, I fall over and he stays up! I think it might count because maybe, perhaps, if my right foot wasn't still clipped in I could have kept from falling over, but this is speculation. In any event, it was caused by someone not being able to clip out - but it was the other guy, not me.

ahsposo 

Yeah, I think it's just like golf. If another players ball causes yours to move it's a stroke against you. Good story, though.

kr32

Huh?
I play and have not heard this.
I also confess that I do not know every rule and there a a ton of them and some are stupid, imo anyway.

BlazingPedals

I renewed my membership a couple of weeks ago. Stopped at a corner, foot that was down slipped on the pavement. I found myself sitting on the ground with the bike upright and one leg draped across the seat with the foot still clipped in to the pedal. Good thing no cameras were present!

ahsposo 

I am Wrong Again! As my wife will attest this is not unusual.

From the USGA rules:

18-5. By Another Ball

If a ball in play and at rest is moved by another ball in motion after a stroke, the moved ball must be replaced.


Maybe I'm thinking of croquet or maybe I'm just loony...