First Clipless Ride!

[taxmuffin]

Today, I finally took my clipless pedals out of my apartment and on the road. Aside from one fall at a stop light (unclipped left, shifted weight right), it went pretty smoothly. Thanks to all of the folks on TE for the tips -- they really helped!

[jessmarimba]

Woohoo!! Congrats! It was petrifying the first few times I tried, but now it feels bizarre and inefficient to ride without.

Dunno what kind you have, but if you've got SPDs and they're new check & re-tighten the cleat bolts. It sucks if they fall off and you're clipped in, b/c you absolutely CAN'T get the shoe out of the pedal...not that I've been there and fallen over in front of a ton of people because of it

[AnnieBikes]

Congratulations!! You will soon wonder how you EVER rode without them. And, yes, I have fallen at a stop light in front of a bunch of people when I failed to clip out and leaned the wrong way! It happens to us ALL!!! Good luck, and remember that it does take time to get fully comfortable with them!

[schnitzle]

Way to go!! Were you hurt when you fell, or did you just topple over?
I'm so excited for you I can't wait until I'm ready for some new peddles.

[Owlie]

I've done that once or twice.
Glad it's going well for you.

[DarcyInOregon]

You will love cycling with clipless pedals. I fell over a few times too at an intersection. I am different than other cyclists in that I unclip both of my feet and plant both of my feet on pavement, so as to minimize any risks of stressing my lame left foot, though I will plant just one foot if it is an emergency. In my first year, a shoe would glide over the pedal and clip back in when I thought I was unclipped, and over I went. I never even got a scrape or bruise. It doesn't happen anymore.

[Catrin]

Congratulations! I am almost ready to try it again myself.... perhaps

[buffybike]

You will love cycling with clipless pedals. I fell over a few times too at an intersection. I am different than other cyclists in that I unclip both of my feet and plant both of my feet on pavement, so as to minimize any risks of stressing my lame left foot, though I will plant just one foot if it is an emergency. In my first year, a shoe would glide over the pedal and clip back in when I thought I was unclipped, and over I went. I never even got a scrape or bruise. It doesn't happen anymore.

I always unclip both. Even though my right foot is always my "chocolate foot". The one time I tried to unclip on only one side at an intersection, I fell.