i fell off!!

[elk]

I fell off my new Aurora today...

We were on the Springwater Corridor and DH stopped in front of me...I didn't have time to get my feet out of my clips and boink! I hit the ground. Scraped the hell outta my knee but otherwise bike and I are OK...

First fall..that's a KIND of a milestone...iddn't it?

I did get back on & we pedaled on...I became very conscious of freeing my feet before we came to stoplights etc...

I hope my reflexes re my feet will get faster!

[Tuckervill]

OW! I'll bet his water was shut off last night!

Karen

[sandra]

Congratulations. Yes, a milestone. I've fallen several times. That's also why I hate those clips and straps. You may want to consider Power Grip pedals.

[alicestrong]

Congrats!

I just run BMX style pedals on the commuter...

[cosc]

Elk, sorry about your topple. I hope that knee heals up fast.

[froglegs]

It will become instinct for you to unclip as you try to set your foot down. Adjusting the pedals to the lightest tension setting also helps.

[onimity]

I have the instinct down pat, and still fell off the other day. No fun, but you have the right attitude. I think the first fall is important. You no longer have to wait for it to happen...

Anne

[RoadRaven]

OK... OK... I get it ... you are ok... super...

But Elk... you only said the bike is OK... now, after all those pics have you gone over her and really made sure...? She is so fine, after all...

[elk]

I was sure I was never going to fall, Me? Fall? No way...too in control...

I have the clips, but took the straps off, so it's just a toe cage, which works pretty well, except if my foot isn't IN the cage, the thing scrapes on the ground....

I think I'll try those power grips....!! Sandra, Lisa, are they easy easy to get out of?

I must have good falling instincts, despite myself; DH says I rolled into a ball and ended up on my back...!! Made it easier for him to help me up..

[sandra]

The Power Grips can be adjusted. I left mine really loose and they are very easy to get out of.

edited to add: I did that for a while with the toe clip without the straps and it was aggravating. I spent way to much time trying to get the pedal turned over and my foot under it.

[elk]

The Power Grips can be adjusted. I left mine really loose and they are very easy to get out of.

edited to add: I did that for a while with the toe clip without the straps and it was aggravating. I spent way to much time trying to get the pedal turned over and my foot under it.

EGGGGSACTLY!!!

I'll look over my bike again, Raven, Mostly I listened for funny noises....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think I'll try those power grips....!! Sandra, Lisa, are they easy easy to get out of?

You do have to use the "heel outwards" motion to both get into the straps and get out. You have to start with your heel tilted outwards and then wiggle your foot a bit to get it into the strap. Once your foot is in and straight, the strap is snug. To get out is easy by just turning your heel outwards and then pull your foot back out of the strap. (see link animation). http://powergrips.mrpbike.com/pg_how_works.shtml
Overall there is less chance of truly being unable to remove your foot in time to avoid a tip-over as with clipless cleats. A lot of folks passionately love their clipless system and insist it gives you higher speed and more power. I'm glad they use something they like. As for me, I like my PowerGrips. They have just the right combination of freedom and control for me. I can adjust them quite snugly to employ circular pedaling power...but best of all I can wear warm insulated winter boots with several pairs of heavy wool socks in the winter to bike- I don't have to rely on thin "special" plastic shoes and inadequate neoprene shoe covers to try to keep warm at 25 degrees and a 30mph wind chill factor.

I have fallen once on my bike....at a standstill, the very first time I coasted to a stop in my brand new PowerGrip straps- because I stupidly thought I had to get both feet out at once, and started trying to get my feet out after I was almost stopped already.....DUH!!!!! There i was trying to tilt both heels out at once while at a complete standstill....so naturally I just fell over. Learned my lesson quickly and no problems anymore.

[sandra]

When they are really loose you don't have to turn your heel much. I find that if I anticipate a stop I slide my left foot back instinctively now so that I'm ready.

I feel once at a standstill in my power grips too. Pulled up to an intersection, waited for cars to pass, went to pedal across, it was more incline than I thought and I was not in a low enough gear. Didn't get my foot out in time and I toppled right over. It happens.

[RoadRaven]

I was sure I was never going to fall, Me? Fall? No way...too in control...

I've said it before here... I'll say it again...
There are only two types of cyclists... ones who have just fallen off.... and ones who are about to...

I have the clips, but took the straps off, so it's just a toe cage, which works pretty well, except if my foot isn't IN the cage, the thing scrapes on the ground....

Yup... this is the only way I used cages too - the straps and being strapped/buckled in just freaked me out completely.
The plastic toe cages are pretty tough though... don't worry too much about them scraping the ground

[smilingcat]

Waiting for the light to turn green... doing a track stand... oh oHHH quick quick get your foot unclipped thrashed about in panic... rolled forward about foot and half, unclipped. but the light turned green. I'm such a Wilma at times. So people around thought what is that woman doing. looking cool and composed one minute and thrashing like an idiot the next.

Sheepishly rode away. well that was a close call today. Maybe I need to get my cycling legs back first.

Everyone falls over at one time or another and for experienced cyclist we do it when we aren't paying attention.

So don't feel embarrassed. I've done the slo-mo fall over the side move at stop lights a number of times.

Smilingcat