fall report

[k80k80]

My suggestions are to always use the same foot to clip in and out--I use my right foot.

Also--make sure the tension on your clip and cleat are such that it is easier to clip in and out of at first. I'm not sure how to do this--but it can be done.

And stay close to home the first few times--on a flat surface. I've also heard that practicing at the park--with lots of grass around can break a fall.

GOOD LUCK! You can do this!! You'll love your clips--eventually!

[Grog]

My suggestions are to always use the same foot to clip in and out--I use my right foot.

That's a very good way to start. However I'd suggest progressively getting used to unclipping and falling on your other foot, because there might be situations in which it's unsafe or unpractical to fall on your "usual" leg.

Unclipping both feet can also help.

[csr1210]

I've had my clipless pedals for about a month, and for the most part feel pretty used to them, BUT every once in a while, the brain just forget to signal the legs....

The first time, I just forgot about being clipped in, stopped, and gently fell over! Luckily my car in the drive way broke my fall (and didn't get scratched up -- I was more worried about that and my bike at the time). The second time, I actually had my right foot unclipped and prepared for the stop, but at the last second I somehow shifted my weight, and flopped over the other direction -- managed to get other foot free just before hitting the ground, but I had a lovely black and blue knot on the side of my knee where the bike wacked it! I feel like such a clutz! My husband is sympathetic, but I am just waiting for the first time he just falls over at a stop so that he knows how silly you feel when it happens! It's such a weird feeling as you slowly topple over!!!

[Cha Cha]

Yesterday I finally worked through the biggest issues of my "stopping problem" - my body wanted to lean left and put down the left foot, and I was trying to force it to lean right. (That, and wasn't 100% really stopped yet... oy...) Skinned both knees my first time out, and got a deep bruise approximately the size of Nebrasks on my bottom the second time... third time I stayed vertical, and fourth time - yesterday - I finally figured out I was fighting my body wanting to go left.

Problem solved! Seriously - you might want to try left foot vs right a few times, one may feel more 'natural'.

I know I need to be able to stop on both sides, but I'm actually thrilled to at least be able to stop on one side and remain vertical.... I must say, dreading The Stop sure takes some fun out of The Go!

Happy Monday everyone!

Amy

[amymisk]

I can't tell you how many times I fell learning to ride with clipless pedals. I am not the least bit athletic, I just love to ride. The most embarrassing fall would be at our local trail- pro riders were riding to prepare for a race the following weekend and I had to stop suddenly and couldn't get a foot loose and fell right over in front of a large group of pros!

Keep practicing, I am forever thankful for my trainer. I just switched to a new pedal/cleet combo and now have to re-learn. I favor one foot over the other, but I have been practicing on the trainer for both directions. When I was first learning, if there was heavy traffic ahead and I was unsure if I would need to stop, I would unclip one foot just in case. It is much easier to unclip if you are not in panic mode! Plus, It is really easy to re-clip if you manuever through without stopping.