I just joined the clipless timber club!

So, after ~6 months of riding my pretty little Trek 1500 I took the plunge and got clipless pedals, Crank Brothers Candies. Did fine on my first ride around the neighborhood, and most of my ride today. But right near the end, at the corner of Page Mill Rd and Junipera Serra for you Bay Area folks, I pushed the button for the cross walk signal and then the next thing I knew I was on the ground with my bike on top of me and my left foot still clipped in. WOOPS! My left knee is a little red and sore, and my front chainring bit my right calf, but there are no scrapes on the bike!

I knew this was going to happen, and of course it was going to happen at a VERY busy intersection for lots of people to see! :rolleyes: My friend who was riding with me was immediately asking if I was OK, and all I could do was laugh! I actually laughed the rest of the way home. I have to say I am pretty proud of my fall! I am a true biker now!

Just felt the need to share....now I just have to get myself psyched up 'cause the same friend says we are doing Old La Honda Road next week :eek:

It is always a most excellent fall if you don't wreck the bike!:) Scars from abrasions are my personal merit badges. Someday I picture myself sitting in the nursing home comparing scars from endo's much like the sailors in Jaws...
Now that was funny!!




karen
applying bacitracin liberally

PA, congrats on going clipless. I know I was really worried when I first got them. I have balance issues as it is (I had a stroke when I was 27) so I was really worried about falling.

I used to go hiking/walking up the hill right near that intersection many years ago. I loved walking up in that area. It's just beautiful. :)

mel

Your entry brought a smile to my face and memories of my own clipless fall from many, many, many years ago. I think we've all done that! My fall was like yours, early in my clipless days but after I'd successfully done a ride and remembered to unclip. In my case, I came to a stop light and totally forgot my feet were clipped in. The bike and I fell as a unit, luckily to the side away from traffic. And it took me a few minutes to get up because I was laughing so hard!

Thanks for the memories, and here's to continued clipless riding with no more falls. Oh, and welcome to the forum too!

--- Denise

Glad to hear your first clipless fall was a "safe" one. I started riding last year and practiced clipping in and out on my bike, supported by the walls of
my apartment's narrow entry hallway--my roommate thought I was a freak! My first fall was also at the dreaded intersection. Thankfully it was 6am and few cars. I blame it on still waking up! Congrats on getting the clipless pedals--you'll notice a big difference. Have fun!
-S

What a great attitude, PA - I look up to you (now that you're back on yer feet:p) I just went clipless for spin classes and will go road-clipless in the Spring. My plan is to practice in the cemetary next door, where only the dead will look & laugh.

Ride on!!

Glad you're liking your clipless pedals! I've been riding for about a year and I still fall every once in a while. And Murphy's Law states that the most spectacular ones will be witnessed by others. There's just no getting around it.

Have fun on Old La Honda. It's going to be a long time before I can make it up that bad boy. :)

I went clipless this summer on my mt bike. I actually bought the bike in Colorado, while visiting my Mom. The first day out, my husband and brother and I rode up to the top of Boreas Pass. Not technical, but 6 miles uphill. As we approached the parking lot on the way down, I went off on a side trail and tried a few log overs. When I got to the truck the guys were waiting for me, and I was so excited, yelling " I jumped a log, I jumped a log". Well I forgot I was clipped in and went down pretty hard. Smacked my helmet, cut my hand.
And wouldn't you know, there standing in the parking lot, are a gang of Aussie dudes finishing their ride at the same time. They looked over at me like I was nuts.
I still have not lived it down.....the guys bring it up every chance they get.

I read the title of this thread as:

I Just Joined The Topless Climber Club!

But I went on to read the first thread about new toys first, and even though I _knew_ it must not have really said topless climber club, I still tried to imagine what that would entail.

Nanci

Welcome to the club. I'm sure we've all done it. I love my Candies and they are very easy to get in and out. I fell after a long ride and was at the end of my driveway and decided to get the mail. I leaned over to open the mailbox and the next thing I know I'm on the ground and my husband is laughing his #$$ off.

Uggh! I haven't had my first clipless fall yet, but I know it's coming. Morgan Hill is a small enough town, too, so there will be at least 5 people waiting at the intersection who know me. I guess I can just tell those non-cyclers, "I'm practicing my roll-overs." and they'll just think I know what I'm talking about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nanci

I read the title of this thread as:

I Just Joined The Topless Climber Club!

But I went on to read the first thread about new toys first, and even though I _knew_ it must not have really said topless climber club, I still tried to imagine what that would entail.

Nanci

---

LOL - Im sure if there was one of these more men would be in the Timber clipless club.:D

You know what they say... There are those of us who have crashed, and those who will crash.. It's kinda the same thing w/ pedals I think. We all fall at some point!
One day I clipped out, put my foot down and the next thing I know I'm on the ground w/ my bike on top of me?? And yes, I was also at a busy intersection. I still have NO idea how I did it, but my left foot stayed clipped in so it was fun trying to get up! And my chainring bit into my calf as well. I had some good bleeding going. YIKES! In fact I still have the pretty chainring scar to remind me. But the best part.. Once I got the bleeding to stop I finished my ride! :p

Welcome to the club Badger! Been there done that more than once! My best was the day I just fell over - both feet still clipped, hands still on the flats. and of Course it won't happen in the privacy of your backyard - it Must be done for the enjoyment of others!! I have a friend who came unclipped right after takeoff once - she laughed and told me she'd learned that one from Lance Armstrong! (think Tour De France TT!) I'm glad to hear both of you came through it just fine!!

As for the Topless Climber Club - isn't that the team formed by the Assos Womens Bib Shorts?? ;)

"As for the Topless Climber Club - isn't that the team formed by the Assos Womens Bib Shorts?? "



And isn't CorsairMac their premire rider???? All that pointin and shiftin, she sure is MY hero...:D



SAC
just could not resist...typed so fast I actually used my sorta dead left hand.
Your good therapy for this SAC Corsair