Toppler effect - I LOVE it! It's so true - my buddy I was riding with the last time I fell (as she dropped her bike and ran to help untangle me from mine, while I lay at the botton of a gravel-filled ditch) said "That happened so fast!", but it seemed to me to take about half an hour from when I realized I was heading over until I was actually on the ground. Luckily, blood and scars notwithstandiong, all my falls have been from completely stationary positions - embarrasing, but not terribly serious in the long run. And I did feel pretty studly riding the 14 miles back to the car after the last and bloodiest fall! Everyone told me you fall 3 times in your clips before you really get it - me and my knees and hips really hope that's true! I now unclip BOTH feet every time there's even a hint of the need to slow down... I and I don't clip in until I am well under way from a start.

Trek420 - good luck on the up-coming Lifecycle - I have several friends riding and crewing this year - have a great ride - it's an amazing achievement to even sign up and train, much less complete it year after year.