Well, I got the newbie clipless fall out of the way...

[channlluv]

but it wasn't at all what I was expecting. I had just set up my bike on the trainer (but apparently not very securely) and I climbed on, pedaled a bit while my Garmin booted up, when I noticed that the front wheel wasn't aligned properly, so I tried to twist my handlebar to straighten the wheel, and the action knocked me over completely. Kicked the back wheel right out of the bike stand.

I nearly brained myself on an empty metal guitar stand nearby - thankfully I missed it by inches - but my first thought was "Oh, god, did I hurt my bike?" And then I thought immediately of you all. Ha!

I did a quick systems check on myself. My left foot had come unclipped in the fall, but my right foot was still attached, so I unclipped and tried to right myself. My left ankle is twisted a bit, I bruised the inside of my right knee and three fingers on my right hand, but nothing's broken. My daughter had heard me yell on the way down and came into the living room and helped me up, then started to put my bike back up on the trainer stand.

I was much more careful in putting it on the stand the second time.

It's sort of like the Universe said, "See, you can fall and not get hurt seriously. Bruises heal. No biggie. Don't be afraid of going clipless."

I've been on my bike only once since DH bought me these clipless pedals (and that was a trainer ride to make sure the Sidi shoes fit and to teach me the swivel motion of clipping in and out). I'm that scared of falling. This is a good reminder that I'm tougher than I think I am. On the other hand, I'm really, really scared of getting hurt again if I fall on pavement. (I just got released from therapy for my shoulder for the last fall a year and a half ago, and my left foot still hurts from that one.)

Where's that thread on how to unclip safely? I've looked, but I can't find it.

Thanks all.

Roxy

[kmehrzad]

Roxy,

Glad to hear that you're not injured, bruised a little but nothing serious.

I remember well my clipless fall on a brand new Bike Friday during its maiden voyage. I was lost in thought, came upon a Stop sign then realized I needed to unclip. It was too late, I knew the bike was going over but didn't want to scratch it on the pavement. I took the fall on my knee, which hurt for a good two months and raised quite a knot, but the bike was saved. I totally understand how your initial thought was about the bike.

[Bike Chick]

Oh my goodness, Roxy! I'm glad you weren't hurt seriously.

[channlluv]

Oh, trust me, I'd much rather have a much more exciting story for you, something about outmaneuvering a runaway F-150 or swerving to avoid hitting a baby stroller or something, but no, alas...I was on the trainer in my own living room. Ha!

The bruises on my knee and fingers are already fading compared to the bruise on my ego. <g>

Thanks for the commiseration. I am proud of myself that I got back on the bike and rode for thirty minutes. I'm really going to have to work to get back up to the level of fitness I had back in October. Baby steps.

Roxy

[spindizzy]

...but you saved the bike...the true cyclist....

[Tri Girl]

ouch!! I think falling off the trainer would be harder than the road. You're up higher on that trainer. It's a longer way to fall.
Sorry it happened, but I guess it's just a matter of time. My DH did something similar last week. Didn't get that back wheel in tight enough and hopped on the bike and went down. That smarts!!
Get back out there and jump on that bike again, girl!! You're already broken in for the road now that you've had your first fall with the clipless. No fear!