Clipless 2; CyclChyk 0

[colby]

Keep on it, you'll get it. Mistakes happen, accidents happen, weird riding conditions happen, and even platformers fall off sometimes. Don't let your DH grow that seed of doubt inside you. Be confident, get out there and try again, and over time you'll get better and better.

I fell twice in silly mistakes, and after that, I calmed down, took it easy, and also did some rides by myself that helped me raise my confidence. I can handle being told what to do, but sometimes I need to take that information and go figure it out on my own without someone telling me "you're doing great" or "if you'd only done this better..." all the time. Maybe you could use some "practice time" by yourself, too

In the end, more time on the bike with clipless pedals makes it easier. Don't let it stress you out or it'll get harder than it should be. If you have to take a break and go back to platforms, so be it, but make that YOUR decision.

[HillSlugger]

This forum is full of us recounting our clipless falls. We've all gotten back on and (hopefully) learned from our mistakes and did better the next time.

You may want/need to heal a bit before you head out again, but don't give up on those clipless pedals!

[midgetcycler]

Well, I've been told that everyone falls twice when switching to clipless. So now you have your two out of the way. Now you can go on and enjoy everything else life has to offer . . . without falling!!

And think of it this way, now you have some cool stories to tell down then road when you are talking to a newbie considering switching to clipless. And hopefully your road rash will leave some really cool scars!

[KnottedYet]

I found riding around a school track and on a soccer field to be excellent learning. Clipping in and out on the fly, pedalling with one foot, and other circus tricks were great confidence builders.

[salsabike]

No no no--your DH is dead wrong. We've all fallen learning to ride clipless. Think I fell once or twice--and then had a banner day when I was trying to learn to stop with one foot still in (secret---step down onto that clipped in foot and forward off the saddle, and then onto the unclipped foot, and don't lean towards the clipped in foot), and fell three times, got good and bruised as did my bike. And haven't fallen since (it's been many months). Keep it up. You'll get it.

[Thistle]

i've had 2 falls since i went clipless too... must be the magic number. First one was the first day, second one was a few weeks later.

Hang in there. I totally understand the fear... it was sooo hard to get back on the bike after falling, but you can do it .. you can do it... others have done it, you can do it too .

My policy now is always unclip the same foot (left works for me) and not to be embarassed about unclipping way way early for a stop, or even if i approach a situation where i might have to stop ( regularly unclip for what turns out to be no reason ) ... and i'm starting to feel much more comfortable. Hopefully there wont be any more falls....

[RoadRaven]

All of my falls caused by pedals you clip into (Raven still resolutely refusing to call clip in pedals "clipless")

Alwasy at slow speed or no speed so therefore minimal damge to body and bike.

I join the other voices - persevere... they are so very very worth it in all other areas of performance.