How many times have you fallen? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

skywalkerbeth

07-16-2011, 10:51 AM

Due to clips? By this I mean that you would have caught yourself if not for the clips.

I just got clipless pedals about a month ago. Never had them - and I'm 45 and have ridden on and off (for fun, not serious riding) since I was a kid.

Anyway, I practiced in the bike store and had a system down pat I thought... at least for the right side. That's the side I decided to generally unclip at lights, etc.

Anyway, fall number two was this morning. I just can't get the left side off quickly enough. I decided I should start practicing the left side dismount and bam. The problem is (to me - klutz) is that when you commit to taking one side off, that side is down as you slow... if you cannot get it off, that side is down, the other is up (harder to unclip) and then it's too late.

The first time I fell I got a little scrape but otherwise didn't hurt any joint. This morning I had no scrape whatsoever but my left wrist feels a little funny. It's isn't in pain, just a little bit achey. A little off. Ditto my elbow - just a little off. It doesn't appear swollen but I'm not a doctor.

Otherwise it was a good ride. I'm training for the Seagull Century which is now three months off. My ride this AM was 22 miles, and I plan on another 22 tomorrow morning. I've been away numerous different wkds which makes it hard for continuity but the next three months I doubt I'll be away as much.

Ritamarie

07-16-2011, 11:19 AM

Beth, I had a few, early on. Usually it was because I was unclipped for a stop and accidentally clipped back in. Or, I generally unclip the left, but learned that if I am making a sharp slow turn to the right (parking lot situation) that I darn well better be unclipped on the right too!

A few things to consider...

Make sure the right really is your preferred unclipping side. When you do not have clips, which foot do you naturally put down first? I am right handed but always unclip left. I am an absolute klutz unclipping right first.

I constantly think ahead to any potential stops. At intersections, even in very rural areas where I rarely see a car, I unclip early and rest my foot on the pedal (making sure not to clip in by accident). If in the event I have trouble unclipping, I have plenty of time to react and do something different.

If clipping in and out is not easy and foolproof (the actual unclipping, not your balance or timing) then examine your pedal system. If I turn my heal out at any angle, it better unclip or something is wrong. I want a fool-proof pedal system that I have confidence in.

Rita

skywalkerbeth

07-16-2011, 11:31 AM

Thanks Ritamarie!

The funny thing is... I guess I do favor having the left foot in the "dismount" position as I coast... but in the store the guy asked me, I had no idea (couldn't visualize it) and spent two hours practicing the right side. Literally two hours. Had it down. I haven't fallen on my right side.

I got speedplays because I heard they were the easiest for unclipping and that they also had a lot of play. I don't know if there are easier ones or not.

I will say "just turning the ankle" isn't doing it - I have to apply a little bit of force with it. Left side, this morning - couldn't get it out. The stupid thing is that as I slowed, instead of reacting to that and getting the right foot in the dismount position (meaning down and ready to unclip) I instead fought the left clip like a dummy.

The falls so far have been slow motion/stopped. It's hard to act against your instincts - I think my hand came out this morning trying to stop me. The other time I never took my hands off the handlebars - I wrestled the damn thing to the ground.

It would be funny if it weren't potentially dangerous. I have had a lot of bike people swear solemnly that clipless is safer than those cages (I guess they are called "clips" - the stirrups?

Well I am here to tell you I have never fallen due to the damn cage on my feet. Only the clipLESS pedals.

Crankin

07-16-2011, 11:42 AM

Only 2 in ten years. The first was when I was fairly new to clipless, at a little uphill intersection with a light. Since then, I have avoided this spot! (8 years ago?). The second was because some idiot on a group ride stopped short in front of me, when a driver was waving us through a crowded country fair area on Cape Cod. I was only going about 5 mph, but I wasn't expecting her to stop and I just touched her wheel and I couldn't unclip. The first one trashed my bars, but not me.

Owlie

07-16-2011, 12:04 PM

Three. The first was a classic clipless fall--stopped at a stop sign, and leaned the bike the wrong way. Skinned my knee. The second (on the same day) was pretty much me being stupid and trying to take too sharp a turn, and down I went. I count it as a clipless fall because if I hadn't been clipped in, I probably could have righted myself. Fell on the same knee, scuffed up my bar tape, bent my left brake hood in a bit, and knocked my front wheel out of true.
The last one...I don't quite know what happened, but I think I leaned the wrong way, then over-corrected at the last possible moment. I ended up sitting on the rear triangle.:confused:

ridenread

07-16-2011, 12:37 PM

I had my third fall this morning. I stopped at a 3 way intersection,unclipped with my left foot as I came to the stop and was ready to put my foot down. The cars at the other two stop signs both stopped and waved me through. As I began to push off with my right foot,I fell over to the right side. I love my helmet,which protected my head as it went crashing to the ground. Everyone jumped out of their cars to see if I was ok. Except for the major embarrassment I was fine. I biked another 8 miles or so, then started to feel sick. I only had 4 miles to go to get home but decided to stop and call my husband to come get me.

My second fall was at a stop sign on an incline. My first time trying to stop on a hill and I couldn't get out in time. Went down gracefully with no problems. There was a guy in a pickup truck laughing. He apologized for laughing but he fell in the same spot the week before so he thanked me for making him feel better.

My first fall happened at the end of my driveway. I was so proud of myself for completing a 30 mile ride with my new clip less shoes and pedals,I was able to clip in and out without any problems, but then pulled into my driveway,looked at my cyclometer and found myself back in the road. Unfortunately I fractured my wrist on that one.

Three falls but I still love my clipless pedals and will be back out riding again tomorrow.

westtexas

07-16-2011, 12:43 PM

I've only fallen once. We were doing some intense hill climbs at Ft. Davis and at the base of a hill I felt too tired to climb. But I waited too long before clipping out and while at a complete standstill I simply fell over. Didn't even get scraped up.

I always unclip with my left foot. It's my weakest leg and if I decide to re-clip in (light turns green as I approach the intersection, etc.) or I can't get that foot clipped in, I can still pedal by pulling the right pedal up and give myself some more time. I often ride around my apartment complex with my left leg dangling and my right leg pedaling as it's just easier to maneuver that way around cars and ramps and my foot's already out in case I have to stop suddenly. I never unclip both unless I need to actually dismount from the bike.

I really prefer the clipless pedals and when I build up my steel frame commuter I'm probably going to put another pair of 105 pedals on it since I can't imagine riding without them.

Ritamarie

07-16-2011, 01:20 PM

ha ha Owlie,

I've done that too! Unclip left, left foot down and waiting for a light, all of the sudden for no reason listing to the right! I can't say I've gone down this way, but a few times it's been close. Kind of comical.

Beth, I didn't get along with Speedplay myself. I thought I was the only person in the world that could get stuck in Frogs. I get some looks from my serious road cycling friends but I use mountain bike pedals called Crank Brothers "eggbeaters". They are about as simple as you can get. They have some with platforms, but I am hard on pedals and they use a lighter spring with the platform pedals, which I've had fail. The regular eggbeaters (not the cheap ones, but the ones that can be serviced) are tough as nails, and foolproof. Once I had trouble clipping IN, which lube fixed, but never unclipping.

redrhodie

07-16-2011, 02:43 PM

None, but I'm probably not doing it right. ;)

surgtech1956

07-16-2011, 06:33 PM

I'm glad for this post. I just purchased clipless pedals -Shimano A520 and going to install them tomorrow.

ZenBiker

07-16-2011, 06:57 PM

Twice, both in the first week of learning to use clipless pedals and both ridiculous slow motion falls in my driveway (once coming in, once going out). And I use Crank Bros pedals on my nice road bike too - I love them!

m.eliza

07-16-2011, 07:07 PM

Twice. Once the first time clipping in. Landed on my poor mother's foot and broke her toe with my elbow. The second time was a year later and I had no excuse. I wasn't paying attention and looked back to check on a friend while unclipping and went down right in front of an elderly woman going for a walk, who made a big fuss about making sure I was okay. How embarrassing.

KnottedYet

07-16-2011, 07:50 PM

The problem is (to me - klutz) is that when you commit to taking one side off, that side is down as you slow... if you cannot get it off, that side is down, the other is up (harder to unclip) and then it's too late.

I do it the other way around.

The side I'm taking off is UP as I slow.

The one staying clicked is down, and I can coast or scoot all over the place using that foot to control the bike.

OakLeaf

07-16-2011, 08:21 PM

I do the same as Knott.

smilingcat

07-17-2011, 01:06 AM

hmm most recent one was just the other day when my rear wheel came off and jammed. I was doing the track stand (going 0MPH) and just toppled over to the side.

Second one was when I got carried away with yakking with my friends while waiting for the light to turn green. Again I was doing the track stand and just plum forgot that I was balancing on my bike. Took down several riders with me :o Such silliness so I laughed.

Third one is when the screws holding the cleats came loose and my shoe got stuck on the pedal.

Others I have no memories. But these were not because I couldn't unclip or forgot to unclip.

skywalkerbeth

07-17-2011, 05:27 AM

I do it the other way around.

The side I'm taking off is UP as I slow.

The one staying clicked is down, and I can coast or scoot all over the place using that foot to control the bike.

Hmmm, that seems counter-intuitive. I'd like to try it - but I'll probably fall in the attempt! haha

KnottedYet

07-17-2011, 07:14 AM

Hmmm, that seems counter-intuitive. I'd like to try it - but I'll probably fall in the attempt! haha

How are you lowering yourself from the saddle as you slow to a stop?

My clicked in (bottom) foot is on the pedal, as low as it goes, and it is the "step-stool" I use to lower myself from the saddle so I can reach the ground with my unclicked (upper) foot. By the time my bike is just about stopped, I'm off the saddle and standing on the bottom pedal with my upper unclicked foot reaching out for the ground, just gliding to the stop with my bottom foot and two hands in contact with the bike.

Is your saddle so low that you can reach the ground without getting off the saddle?

Is your saddle at proper height, but you are tipping the bike over to one side to reach the ground while staying in the saddle?

I'm trying to figure out the physics of what you are doing. Can you run through the steps for me?

ETA: By the way, the above process of getting down from the saddle and stopping is the same one I use regardless of whether I'm on clipless or platforms. As I'm waiting for the light to change, I use the bike-foot to pull the bottom pedal up and ready to push. My ground foot just hangs out on the ground. When it's time to go I give a shove with my ground foot as I push down on the pedal with my bike foot. This lifts me to saddle-height again. I pedal standing a few beats to get a good start, then settle back onto the saddle.

amb

07-17-2011, 08:02 AM

I've fallen 2.5 times with my clips, all in the first week or two of getting them. Once I turned in front of my Dad and he didn't hear me say I was going L (to head to the bathroom) so he ran into me and I just went over (my fault!). Second time I leaned just a hair to the clipped in side at a traffic light, lost my balance and over I went! My pride was left on the asphalt for those at the light to see!:). Third time was almost the same...lost my balance while stopped. My co-worker happened to be next to me and caught me (thus the 0.5!).

I think a few tumbles are pretty normal. I have not had any incidents since putting them on in March. I use spd pedals so I don't have to worry about them being right side up.

skywalkerbeth

07-17-2011, 09:19 AM

How are you lowering yourself from the saddle as you slow to a stop?

My clicked in (bottom) foot is on the pedal, as low as it goes, and it is the "step-stool" I use to lower myself from the saddle so I can reach the ground with my unclicked (upper) foot. By the time my bike is just about stopped, I'm off the saddle and standing on the bottom pedal with my upper unclicked foot reaching out for the ground, just gliding to the stop with my bottom foot and two hands in contact with the bike.

Is your saddle so low that you can reach the ground without getting off the saddle?

Is your saddle at proper height, but you are tipping the bike over to one side to reach the ground while staying in the saddle?

I'm trying to figure out the physics of what you are doing. Can you run through the steps for me?

ETA: By the way, the above process of getting down from the saddle and stopping is the same one I use regardless of whether I'm on clipless or platforms. As I'm waiting for the light to change, I use the bike-foot to pull the bottom pedal up and ready to push. My ground foot just hangs out on the ground. When it's time to go I give a shove with my ground foot as I push down on the pedal with my bike foot. This lifts me to saddle-height again. I pedal standing a few beats to get a good start, then settle back onto the saddle.

Hello and thanks for the feedback, this is helpful.

I can barely reach the ground with my toes - just just barely - if I am sitting in the saddle. I have to jump off and tip to the side. Saddle is fitted at proper height.

My method right now is:

I see stop sign approaching. My right foot goes to the low to the ground position and I unclick it there and then the right foot is completely free. I'm coasting at this point. Probably coasting for too long to be honest. The left foot comes down and I'm not actually standing on the pedal but I could if I wanted to - left pedal down, foot attached. I come to a stop, sometimes it's still kind of an abrupt stop and I still have to tell myself "lean right". I tip bike over and stand on right foot. I have to tip bike to stand upright on foot.

When it's clear to go, I raise my left foot, spinning it backwards one half turn, and then push off with it. I am coasting through the intersection as I fumble for the right foot. The last ride I started to avoid fumbling in the intersection entirely, leaving the right foot entirely free of the pedal until I made it through the intersection - even using the left foot to pedal alone. Then I'd fumble for the right foot to re-clip once I was clear of the intersection.

Are you actually unclicking the right foot as it is in the upper position? I can only click on and off when that foot is down low. Meaning I am coasting with the right foot low when I unclick and then it's free. Left foot then goes low.

TrekTheKaty

07-17-2011, 09:30 AM

Second one was when I got carried away with yakking with my friends while waiting for the light to turn green. Again I was doing the track stand and just plum forgot that I was balancing on my bike. Took down several riders with me :o Such silliness

That's hilarious.

Three times too many. Twice because i forgot to clip out and once on a painted white line while climbing a hill. I now have a fear of crossing over painted lines.

ny biker

07-17-2011, 09:59 AM

First of all, this article helped me a lot for clipping in:

http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/carmichael-20070330.html

Get your butt on the saddle as soon as you start moving, and this will make you more stable while you clip in your second foot. If it takes a couple of tries to clip in, you can pedal with one foot a couple of times to keep forward momentum. You will be fine as long as you're sitting down and moving.

For clipping out, when I had spd pedals it was more comfortable for me to clip out with my foot at the top of the pedal stroke, turning my ankle in. This was because of scar tissue in my right ankle from surgery years ago. Last year I switched to Speedplay pedals which require you to turn your ankle out to clip out, and this had to be done at the bottom of the pedal stroke, because I couldn't get enough leverage at the top. So I had to relearn how to unclip. With the Speedplays, my ankle doesn't hurt when I do this.

I always put my right foot in clipping-out position (currently at bottom of stroke) any time I think I might have to stop. I always shift into an easy gear as I approach an intersection where it's possible that I'll have to stop, and then clip out so my foot is free before I get there. Shifting to an easy gear makes it easier to get going again, so you can easily build up enough momentum while you're clipping in with your second foot.

When I first got clipless pedals, the LBS guys put my bike on the trainer so I could practice clipping in and out. When I got the Speedplay pedals, the bike was on the trainer for a fitting, so I was again able to practice clipping in and out. Afterwards I practiced a few times in my living room, holding onto furniture for support.

Another way to practice is riding on an unpaved, flat area, like a grassy field, because it's softer if you fall.

I fell the first time I tried to ride with clipless pedals, because I thought I usually put my left foot down first and was totally wrong about that. I fell once at the start of a century ride because someone walked in front of me at the start area while I was moving very slowly. I fell once trying to get clipped in at an intersection (before I read that Chris Carmichael article) and I fell once while I was standing still because I leaned left for no apparent reason (I got a really cool swirly scrape on my right leg from the chain ring as a result).

All of that being said, as I said on the other thread, if you're that unhappy with them, take them off your bike. You can always decide later that you're more comfortable on the bike and would like to try them again.

KnottedYet

07-17-2011, 10:20 AM

Hello and thanks for the feedback, this is helpful.

I can barely reach the ground with my toes - just just barely - if I am sitting in the saddle. I have to jump off and tip to the side.
.....

I tip bike over and stand on right foot. I have to tip bike to stand upright on foot.

It sounds like you are keeping your butt on the saddle and just tipping the bike over to get your foot to the ground?

Regardless of what kind of pedals you end up using, it might be a good idea to learn how to get on and off the saddle so you can get on and off the bike without having to tip the bike over.

(In other words, get off the saddle before you reach for the ground.)

Perhaps switch back to platforms and take the bike to a vacant parking lot. Keep your left foot on the pedal. Using just your left foot and your hands to contact the bike, practice scooting around pushing with your right foot on the ground. Scoot, stop. Scoot, stop. Just like the scooters we had as kids.

Once you have the scoot under control and can glide a few yards with only your left foot and hands on the bike, practice doing a glide and lifting your butt to the height of the saddle, then lowering your butt. Up, down. Up, down.

Once you have a feel for straightening your leg and using your calf to raise your butt, start actually putting your butt onto the saddle as you glide. Scoot, glide, on, off - scoot, glide, on, off.

Pretty soon you can add "stop" to the mix: scoot, glide, on, off, glide, stop.

Then add pedalling: scoot, glide, on, pedal, off, glide, stop.

You might find you like your clipless pedals a lot more when you can stop the bike without having to use a controlled topple-over to reach the ground. It's much easier if you just step down with your butt already off the saddle, and you have plenty of time to unclip beforehand.

ETA: yes, I unclip my ground foot when it is at the top of the pedal stroke, and my bike foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Once I'm unclipped I'm ready, nothing has to switch positions before I stop.

skywalkerbeth

07-17-2011, 10:56 AM

Hi

I should have clarified - butt is off saddle, and the reason I lean so much is that I just don't trust that if I try to be upright that I won't accidentally list left and go down. A pronounced lean to the right means I ain't going left, no way!

Another stupid thing: I hate that the chamois sometimes gets caught in the saddle tip as I try to re-mount! I wonder if I should have gotten just one skosh smaller bike - the seat is pretty high.

NY Biker - yeah, they're coming off. This is silly to worry about this when I'm trying to have fun.

KnottedYet

07-17-2011, 11:07 AM

I wonder if I should have gotten just one skosh smaller bike - the seat is pretty high.

Lower the saddle a bit if it is too high right now.

Take a look at your seatpost, and follow it down to where it inserts into your bike frame at the seat tube of the frame.

You will either find a collar with a lever, or you will find a collar with a bolt with a hex socket in it. OR you may find a pair of bunny-ears that are pinched together with a bolt.

Put a little pencil mark on your seat-post about 1/8 inch above the collar. Loosen the bolt a teeny bit with a hex key, and slide the post gently until your mark meets the collar. Check that the saddle nose is still pointing straight ahead, then tighten the bolt back up with the hex key.

If you found a lever (quick release) instead of a bolt, pull the lever handle away from the bike frame. It should be really tough to pull! Slide the post down to your mark, check that the saddle is straight, and then push the lever back to the frame. It should be really tough to push shut!

Try riding again with the saddle at your new mark. If you still think it is too high in a day or two, repeat the process.

As far as the tippy bike is concerned, if you get really good at scooting the bike, you can pull it back in the direction you want it to go if it starts to tip the wrong way. Find a grassy field and practice leaning the bike one way and then the other underneath you while you stay upright over the bike. I learned to ride in a cow pasture and then was on gravel roads long before I ever got to ride on asphalt, which I think is the best way to learn! (find a cow pasture :D )

Chamois will get caught in the saddle tip if you are not lifting yourself high enough to clear it before pushing your butt back, or if the shorts are too big so the chamois is poking out, or if the saddle is just too high for you to clear it no matter what.

ETA: Here's Sheldon: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html Scroll down a ways, he gives much better directions than I did!

buffybike

07-17-2011, 12:10 PM

Twice. Once on my first group ride with the clipless pedals and another time a year later when I had to stop unexpectantly on a steep uphill incline. Nothing hurt either time but my ego.

skinimini

07-17-2011, 02:28 PM

Twice--once because of a squirrel (not a clipping accident) and one major clipping accident that resulted in fractured leg and torn ligaments. I haven't fallen in a year and a half and I am petrified that I will. I keep trying to tell myself that clipping accidents are just part of the sport and that they don't have to be disastrous!

KnottedYet

07-17-2011, 03:06 PM

I haven't fallen in a year and a half and I am petrified that I will. I keep trying to tell myself that clipping accidents are just part of the sport...

They don't have to be.

You don't have to be petrified every time you get on the bike.

You don't have to ride clipped in to be a "real" rider.

luv2climb

07-17-2011, 06:07 PM

It had been years since I crashed, until a couple months ago when I attempted to climb out of the saddle on a first-generation single-speed Dahon folding bike. The handlebar latch came undone and I crashed. Got it on video too! Here's the thread I started with the ride report, pictures, and video with the crash in it: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=42904

Before that I did a few slow-speed clipless pedal crashes. More hilarity! :D

Trek420

07-17-2011, 06:10 PM

4.5 times. In random order:

1) On the Cinderella. This &^% hill with a stop light, I've never timed it right and end up having to start on a hill. Clip in right foot, start rolling slooooowly forward, clip in left, keep sloooowly trying to get going up the ..... topple right. :rolleyes:

2) On the Alameda Creek Trail, stopped, looking at the view, straddling the bike ... fell over for no apparent reason.

3) Also on the ACT there's a little whoop dee do at the trail head, steep downhill with a turn and blind corner then an uphill. I was going downhill, dad and daughter downhill towards me towards the apex of the turn. Said daughter a little wobbly descending, I was carefully watching her and missed seeing the head-sized boulder in my path. I did a near picture perfect forward roll off the trail towards the creek far below ... yelling "I'm OK!!" the whole time I rolled :rolleyes:" and I was.

My wheels though were taco'd. What a way to need an upgrade :D

4) Right hooked by a driver in a hurry for a Wendy's burger in Oakland just could not wait till I passed the drive through driveway.

The half is a couple of close calls, blew a tire on a descending turn on the Peninsula, skidded in the gravel as I did but retained my balance. Another was like the thread here "Chris Carmichael saved my life" when a driver turned right in front of me and I followed the curve of the turn.

KnottedYet

07-17-2011, 06:34 PM

Sounds like only #1 was due to a clipping problem as the OP discussed.

Koronin

07-17-2011, 07:39 PM

2ce. I've had clipless for about a year now. However the ones we have are clipless on one side and platform on the other side. I have no problems at all with the left foot unclipping if needed, the right foot is a whole other issue, and of course the right foot is the one I prefer to put on the ground first. After the 2nd fall, it was about 8 months before I even tried to ride at all with the right foot clipped in. Now I will ride with it clipped in to a point, but unclip it and flip the pedal over when I'm semi near where I many need to stop. I also don't clip either foot in until I've started pedaling. once I've got a bit of speed going I'll clip in the left foot and then decide if I'll bother clipping in the right foot or not. That's on the road bike. The mountain bike has platform pedals and I have no intention on ever putting clipless or cages on it.

JuneHawk

07-20-2011, 04:50 AM

I've sorta fallen once and it was really embarrassing because I was standing around, not even riding and only had one foot clipped in. I lost my balance and tumbled. The bike fell but I managed to unclip right before it took me down with it. I got a nice bruise on my leg but that was about it. I've actually never fallen off my bike, fingers crossed!

JuneHawk

07-20-2011, 04:54 AM

Grits

07-20-2011, 05:45 AM

Three times.
Once in the parking lot the first day I was practicing with my clipless pedals.
Once when leaving from a gravel parking lot. Tire skidded out, and I couldn't get unclipped fast enough.
Once when I had to stop abruptly when leaving a parking lot at the beginning of a ride.
A few other close calls, but was able to get out just in time.

radacrider

07-20-2011, 09:09 AM

Don't really know my actual crash count - lol.

Most funny, memorable was when I was a kid and we decided to have a snowball fight on bikes. The first time I threw the momentum flipped the bike out from under me and I went down laughing.:p

The second most funny I was actually not riding, but was a passenger on the top tube of my friend's bike. We were riding around a parking lot, just for fun, and laughing about something and he was riding toward a parked car. Whatever we were laughing about must have shut down his brain because he could not decide which way to go around the car, so he crashed into it.:confused::D

Now as an adult? Several.

A 30ish mph, downhiller - we suspect it was the new pavement overflow that left an angled 2" lip across the shoulder. Bike must have hit it and launched as the only thing I remember is going downhill, then waking up in a fetal position on the side of the road. Helmet was in 3 pieces.

One of the Seattle to Portland rides, 1st day, large group of riders and, fortunately, light traffic. My friends' group were passing a large group and I had someone on my left so I could not move left to avoid a rider on the right drifing left. She drifted into my front tire and down I went. Fortunately not a high speed and I only had a hip road rash (still have the souvenir mark, today).

A weird one where we had just done a long, hard training stretch and were going snail's pace to let everyone regroup. I reached for my water bottle and pooof, went down. Probably a lapse in concentration and the front tire hit something, though we never really figured it out.

Several silly ones like not wanting to unclip, reach for the power pole to lean against, but get tipping the other way ... plop. Going really, really slow and, again, tipping opposite the side I am unclipping on. :D:eek: