Well, I finally fell!! Ouch

[Bad JuJu]

I recently went clipless--what an adventure! I haven't had the big fall......yet--partially because my cycling buddy occasionally reminds me to remember to unclip as we're slowing or about to stop. I've been riding with old-fashioned toeclips during most of my adult cycling life, and they were easy to remember because I could always feel the pressure of the strap around my feet. With clipless, there's no pressure to remind me that my feet are attached to the bike, so I have to be extra careful.

DDH, your tone is humble but not daunted--good for you--pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back in the saddle. Yeah, easy for Miss-I-Haven't-Fallen-Yet to say, right? I'm sure my time is gonna come......

[Pedal Wench]

Before you start using clipless, you should start using imaginary clipless pedals! Seriously, before you even think about using real ones, everytime you ride, pretend you're clipped in. When you come to a stop, 'click' your ankle out, as if you're unclipping. It should become second nature by the time you're ready for the real ones. Make sure you do it every single time you come to a stop, because once you're on the real ones, it will have to be every single time.

[five one]

Before you start using clipless, you should start using imaginary clipless pedals!

I know someone who did this. On rides, using platforms, she would follow her friend with clipless pedals and "clicked out" whenever her friend did. I wish I would have thought about that before my first attempt. It's good advice.

[mimitabby]

Before you start using clipless, you should start using imaginary clipless pedals! Seriously, before you even think about using real ones, everytime you ride, pretend you're clipped in. When you come to a stop, 'click' your ankle out, as if you're unclipping. It should become second nature by the time you're ready for the real ones. Make sure you do it every single time you come to a stop, because once you're on the real ones, it will have to be every single time.

PW
that's a good idea. YOu know, on my "outside" bike, i have straps, which i have to pull out of. So maybe it's almost the same thing?

But i will try that!

[Bad JuJu]

YOu know, on my "outside" bike, i have straps, which i have to pull out of. So maybe it's almost the same thing?

Yes and no, Mimi. I've found that from years of riding with traditional toeclips, I've got the right reflexes (or whatever you'd call it) for unclipping. But as I mentioned earlier, with clipless, you don't feel the straps around your feet so there's a bit of a tendency--at least for me--to feel like the feet are, well, clipless, and hence to maybe forget that there's anything to clip out of. Does that make any little bit of sense at all?

Having said that, I do think it's easier to get used to clipless pedals if you've already been using some other attachment system on your pedals. AND, the feeling of freedom and oneness with the bike is unmatchable.

[mimitabby]

Yes and no, Mimi. I've found that from years of riding with traditional toeclips, I've got the right reflexes (or whatever you'd call it) for unclipping. But as I mentioned earlier, with clipless, you don't feel the straps around your feet so there's a bit of a tendency--at least for me--to feel like the feet are, well, clipless, and hence to maybe forget that there's anything to clip out of. Does that make any little bit of sense at all?

Having said that, I do think it's easier to get used to clipless pedals if you've already been using some other attachment system on your pedals. AND, the feeling of freedom and oneness with the bike is unmatchable.

sounds good, anyway! thanks!

[GypsyAngel]

I love my clipless pedals but I did have the inaugural fall not long after I started using them.
I was climbing a hill, creeping by the time I got near the top, when I turned my head to say something to friends about making it to the top, threw off my weight balance and just tipped over to the side. It all seemed like it was in slow motion but I had no chance to clip out. Not hurt just scraped up a bit.

Glad you're OK, DDH!

Gypsy