Ha- I had my clipless fall

[Goldilocks]

Just did it today. I seem to be good for a couple a season. Today's occurence . . . it was raining steadily. Pedals were wet, wet, wet. Stopped at a stop sign. When I went to clip back in, the shoe slipped off the pedal due to it being so wet. When that happened, I somehow shifted my weight over to the otherside, somewhat uncontrollably, and down I went. It was with to much force to adjust the weight shift and prevent the fall. And, of course, an avid male cyclist was RIGHT there to watch it all happen. Had to ride 10 miles with my seat crooked because I couldn't get it back into place.

[witchofthedogs]

I did this for the first time last week. I chalk it up to the fact it was early in the morning and I wasn't awake. And old cleats. And... Okay, I was completely uncoordinated and it just happened.

But I have to say, I'm proud of my scrapes and bruises.

[Duck on Wheels]

Just had my first failure-to-unclip fall this morning. Couldn't find the wrench to loosen up the tension on my pedals, but did ok yesterday so I decided to just go out and ride again and adjust the pedals later. Today my goal was a substantial hill, to see how much easier it would be on the Bike Friday, seeing as the gears are (effectively, what with the small wheels) SOOOOO much lower. But the gearing is also a bit twitchy. Got to that hill, tried downshifting, chain fell off, and couldn't unclip fast enough. I think my unclipping-side ankle is sprained. Also some road rash on that knee and a bruise with a bit of a cut on the opposite shin. But no witnesses . So I just sat there in the road intertwined with my bike for a few seconds, then unclipped, got up, got the chain back on, and headed back home. Found out next stop that I'd have to switch unclipping sides for now due to the sprain, but managed that. Now I'd better get showered and dressed. Long pants today to hide the bruise so I don't freak out my Mom. (Trek, if you see this ... shhhhh!)

[hermitclub]

I've been putting off writing this post, since in hindsight it's quite embarrassing, but everyone else on the forum is so good at sharing so here it goes.

It was Memorial Day Saturday, 2006, and I was about 38 miles into a 45 mile ride and new to this type of distance. I had a new road bike, with clipless pedals. Unfortunately I didn't know much about hydration and bike nutrition, and didn't have near the bike fitness that I have today, and I made a terrible decision. I came to a stop sign and thought I heard a car coming. It turns out the car was on a parallel road, but I didn't know that at the time.

I was completely dehydrated and not thinking clearly, and I couldn't decide whether to keep going through the stop sign or stop. The next thing you know, I'm falling over in slo-mo like Artie Johnson on his tricycle on Laugh In (now I'm dating myself).

I heard the snap as soon as I went down. I got myself out of the clip, my friend picked my bike up off of me, and I said to him "I think I broke something, I heard a snap." I got up gingerly but my left ankle was swelling quickly.

I tried to walk it off. The paramedics showed up shortly thereafter and told me in no uncertain terms that there was no walking this off, that I had most likely broken my leg. When I got to the emergency room they confirmed that I had broken my fibula about 2 inches above my left ankle.

In the ambulance, I was so dehydrated that they couldn't start an IV because my veins were so small. I had lots of bruises on my arms from the many attempts.

It was a terrible lesson in hydration and unclipping. I sat in a La-Z-Boy recliner for most of the next 8 weeks, with my leg elevated above my heart, dreaming of getting back on my bike. That is when I discovered the TE forums and all of you fine folks. It took me a while to not be afraid that I would break a bone every time I fell. I actually had an almost identical clipless fall later in November 2006 when I got back on the bike. Slo-mo fall down on the same leg. This time nothing but a bruised ego because I was on a group ride. But it was good to see that I wasn't always going to break.

[Trek420]

Got to that hill, tried downshifting, chain fell off, and couldn't unclip fast enough.

I won't tell our mutual Mom that you were downshifting on a climb? Rest and ice, feel better soon. Then we'll work on shifting as you get used to your new gears. New bike, smaller size wheels, new gearing ... it will take time to know where to be on what climb.

[CATWOMAN]

I had my clipless pedals (Why you clip in and out of these, yet they are called clipless I'll never figure out) on my bike when I had it on the indoor trainer for the winter. But when spring came, I was recovering from my hysterectomy and getting used to my new road bike on the road,so I decided to put my original pedals, with those buckles, back on. It isn't wise to try to get used to too many things at once.

Now that I'm used to my new bike, Specialized Allez, and loving it I might add, I have been thinking about putting those clipless back on for the actual real-life ride on the road.

Now, I don't know. I have read a lot of stories about people falling with those shoes. How do I decide I still have a fear of falling since I went flying over my handlebars last year, and I didn't even break anything. I'm such a whimp

[Goldilocks]

(Why you clip in and out of these, yet they are called clipless I'll never figure out)

Lol, I've always thought the exact same thing.

[Yen]

I had my clipless pedals (Why you clip in and out of these, yet they are called clipless I'll never figure out)

I think it's because the "clip" part of "clipless" refers to the original toe clips, and without toe clips then you are "clipless". The thinking is that if you don't have toe clips on your pedals, then you need something to keep your feet attached..... therefore cleats that clip into pedals. The "less" part of "clipless" refers to the absence of toe clips. Have I confused you even more?

I'm on the verge of going clipless this week.

[dachshund]

When this topic comes up I always think, why do we use these things? How many of us really need to be using clipless pedals? Especially anyone new to riding.

I'd like to put in a vote for platform pedals. Don't fall. Don't be glued to your pedals. Don't expect that you have to fall. I don't think it's an acceptable idea at all.

[mamaof5]

Ha! I just had my first clipless fall this morning. I managed to get used to clipless pedals in my former life without a fall- so I thought I would be fine... but...
I was riding out of my parking garage this morning, one-handed to scan my card to open the gate. Well, the gate didn't open. Evidentally I needed the weight of a car. So I thought I would try and squeeze between the concrete wall and the end of the gate. I realized I wouldn't fit when I was about 2 inches from the gate and then fell right over. I then proceeded to push my bike under the gate to get out for my ride.
Tomorrow I'll just take my bike up the elevator and push it out the front door.

(Edit: This all happened over a length of about 15 feet- so I didn't have much time to react. I slowed down for the gate to open. I just didn't expect to have to stop.)

[Trek420]

I'd like to put in a vote for platform pedals. Don't fall. Don't be glued to your pedals. Don't expect that you have to fall. I don't think it's an acceptable idea at all.

I second that! I have platform pedals on my mixte and love them! And I feel very connected to the bike, can even stand on 'em.

[KnottedYet]

I have platform BMX pedals on 3 of my bikes (Speedplay Frogs on the 4th bike).

BMX platforms (or the critters like the Spider pedals Rivendell sells) are super grippy and you can adjust the grip pattern with the extra pins if you want. I've felt much better with them than with any of the "standard" bear-trap pedals I've used. Especially riding in the rain we occaisionally get here in Seattle.