1st ride - new bike, clipless and 1st fall....

[keeper]

I got my pretty new Dolce about a month ago, but took my first ride today. (The day after I developed a really bad corneal ulcer, was hospitalized, and have been dealing with that.) I had practiced a little bit at home on the trainer, but decided just to go for it and do my normal ride. I love riding it, it is so much fun. So much easier than my old bike (Trek hybrid). I was much faster, I managed to average ~ 3 mph faster that I was which I am really happy with considering I was focusing on operating my new bike and not killing myself with my first go clipless pedals. I was doing really good clipping in and out (mostly because I was super paranoid and would unclip way early - luckily I have the Crank Brothers Quattros, so I can pedal pretty well unclipped. I managed it safely for a little over 24 miles until I was crossing the last street to get to the parking lot. I unclipped my right foot, to stop at the street, but for some reason, I tried to put mu left foot down - plunk! Road rash on my elbow and knee and a HUGE bruise on my thigh. But I managed to protect the bike! :o I can't wait for my next ride!!!:) :D

[alpinerabbit]

Ouch.

of course you did the sensible thing - save the bike !!:D !

Ouch also about the corneal ulcer, hope it heals off well.

[mixie]

I got my pretty new Dolce about a month ago


Me too, and I LOVE HER! She's a beautiful baby isn't she :) i also had my first (few) clipless falls last week. It gets better.

Also, what I've been telling people when they ask is "no, I didn't fall. The bike did, I only threw myself under it to protect it!"

[RoadRaven]

Sounds like congrats are in order for two of you - Keeper and Mixie!

So cool and fun and exciting to have a new bike

... enjoy them ladies, and here's wishing you many happy miles on your handsome steeds :)

[LaDolceVita]

I got my pretty new Dolce about a month ago, :D

I got my Dolce about a month ago too! It is sweet!! But I crashed mine the first time out and sprained my wrist :( . . . and I was used to the clipless pedals. I haven't been able to ride in almost three weeks. Sorry you got so skinned up! Hope that heals quickly. Other than the sprain, I just got some bruises, not much to speak of. Can't wait to get back on the saddle ;) .

[keeper]

I got my Dolce about a month ago too! It is sweet!! But I crashed mine the first time out and sprained my wrist :( . . . and I was used to the clipless pedals. I haven't been able to ride in almost three weeks. Sorry you got so skinned up! Hope that heals quickly. Other than the sprain, I just got some bruises, not much to speak of. Can't wait to get back on the saddle ;) .


Ouch!! I hope you are back riding soon. I was pretty sore Monday morning, hopefully I'll remember to unclip next time!:D

[Ninabike]

Keeper, When I first got back on a bike a few years ago, after not riding in 30years, my DH said "don't fall", to which I answered (famous last words) "I've never fallen in my life" and immediately, CRASH!! I was used to the old-type toeclips with cleats. It's a "rite of passage".

[LaDolceVita]

It's a "rite of passage".

My doctor, who is an avid cyclist, gave me some words of encouragement the other day: "You haven't ridden long enough if you haven't fallen." So I guess we've made it.

I hope to be back at it by next week. Just got to be able to shift gears!

[amymisk]

Also, what I've been telling people when they ask is "no, I didn't fall. The bike did, I only threw myself under it to protect it!"


I will have to remember that answer. I have fallen more than once and I am sure I will fall again, but I ride on!

[northstar]

Also, what I've been telling people when they ask is "no, I didn't fall. The bike did, I only threw myself under it to protect it!"

I love this!!! :cool: May have to break it out sometime (hopefully not soon).

[batsheva]

I will have to remember that answer. I have fallen more than once and I am sure I will fall again, but I ride on!

my (cycling) rabbi tells me everyone falls on clipless 13 times-- so I have 9 more to go-- maybe get them all in this week, perhaps??

[Bad JuJu]

my (cycling) rabbi tells me everyone falls on clipless 13 times
UH-OH--13!? And I thought I was out of the woods...........:eek:

[ShubieGA]

Please don't say I have to fall 8 more times. This is one time I hope the dear rabbi is wrong! :D

[bikerz]

Also, what I've been telling people when they ask is "no, I didn't fall. The bike did, I only threw myself under it to protect it!"

That's hilarious!

I wish I had that line in my repertoire the 6 (yes, that's SIX) times I've fallen while clipped in! :o

And keeper, congrats on your new bike!

[bnylo]

Hello all,
I'm just getting into biking after a 4 day vacation in France. I bike thru Bourgoune in a self guided wine tour. Now that I'm back, I can't stop thinking about the tour, planning the next one, and shopping touring bikes.

Sure enough I come home and the next day, splat, I fall off my bike. My left elbow is still healing. One thing for sure, I'm staying away from the clipless pedals!! Its not worth the falls.

M