Quote Originally Posted by spatlese
I hope I don't sound too whine-y but I am just SCARED!!
Before I got into biking three years ago I was an avid rock climber (these days the climbing takes a back seat to the riding). I learned that it was OK to get scared. The thing is to *NOT* let the fear keep you from doing what you want to do.

There's absolutely no reason why you need to use clipless pedals, but before you ditch them (temporarily) try loosening up the setting on them so that they are easier to get out of. I have my Shimano m520's set 3 or 4 clicks looser than their default setting. They are still tight enough to keep me in while climbing, etc. but loose enough that I know that I can get out of them when I need to.

If you decide to take a break from the clipless, try cages and straps. I used them until a month or two ago. I kept them, too, loose enough that I could get out of them easily. Even set loosely, they are an improvement over platform pedals. My caged pedal are sitting collecting dust. If you'd like to give them a try I'd be happy to lend them out.