No Skin Left After Falling Clipped-In

[Carm]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I thought I would let you know what I found in case the info can help someone else.

Yesterday, I purchased a pair of black neoprene shin splint pads at my local sporting goods store. They are made by Cramer. They cover my entire shin and calf area. They are easy to put on and take off over the boo-boos. I feel like I have body armour on which gives me confidence to try again. They also look much better than the bubble wrap alternative I was thinking about using. The package says in addition to helping with shin splits, the product protects from abrasions.

In addition, I covered all my wounds with J&J's Advanced Healing Adhesive Pads. The product box says these pads help prevent infection, scarring and pain. After I put them on, the pain went away for all of my cuts except for one. They lay flat against your skin and don't come loose. This makes it easy to put the shin pads on. They are kind of pricey but you are supposed to leave each one on for several days.

So, tonight after work, I'm going to suit up and work on my clipping/unclipping technique. Thanks again for your help. Carmen

[fixedgeargirl]

Way to perservere, Carm! It's sooooo worth it to nail this clipless thing! You've gotten lots of good, hard-earned advice about overcoming the initial difficulty. I first rode clipless on my mtb, spent a good part of 28 miles doing the Artie Johnson Laugh-In routine. I was cracking up the whole time, knowing how ridiculous I looked ! I was fortunate to be falling in grass and flowers, and it ate up the time while I waited for my slower companion. I knew the tension screw was there, but didn't fully understand how far I needed to back it off to get results. Eventually, muscle memory takes over (the driving analogy is excellent). I have since been amazed many times at how automatic unclipping has become. I may be lying in the dust, but at least I didn't pull my bike and all it's sharp bits over on top of myself !! I've even unclipped while my bike was over my head

[PaulaE]

This happened to me the second day I rode using clipless pedals/cleated shoes. I thought I heard something drop from my bike, and came to a quick stop, before releasing a foot. Duh!! I slowly toppled over toward the right, landing on a very gravelly road. My right leg and knee were pretty scraped up, with rivulets of blood running down into my nice new bike socks. I had fun picking the pebbles out of my skin....

I don't know any way to prevent this other than just being more careful and getting more mileage. I'm just very conscious now about my surroundings, and when in doubt, I release a foot. It's easy enough to slip it back in when conditions warrant.

That was a month ago, and the scabs are just now truly gone. The skin is still pink and raw-looking. I think I had permanently scabby knees as a kid, so maybe this is just my second childhood.

[trigurl]

I don't have a lot of experience yet with the clips but have had a couple of times that I stopped and forgot to unclip, thank goodness for some good balance, but I did find that when I panicked and pulled straight up my shoe came lose, thanks to very lose clips! that is definately something you should check.

I watched several people in a group ride, most only unclipped one foot, one fellow did both each time and seemed very unsteady when he stopped

If you can use a trainer do so, I started with mine there and clipped and unclipped a lot to get used to it.

good luck!

[RoadRaven]

*Sidles in... smiles*

hey there folks... I hope that everyone that had bumps, scratches and bruises are healing well...

*Mutters quietly to selfabout how embarrassing it is to clip in on grass, go to give it the heave-ho with the clipped in foot so you can get speed up to clip the other in...*

*Mumbles about how for all the "oomph" put in to start the bike, the back well just spun in one spot and I ended up with a face full of grass and a bike sitting on top of me, one foot still clipped in!*

Thank god no one had the camera out!

[nicolezoie]

I was SO scared of clipless when I got my first set. I'd NEVER ridden clipless, and I was terrified of not being able to get my feet out if I had to stop suddenly. The shop owner told me to unclip my resting foot partially 10 feet before I start braking for a stop. It did take some practice and I went through my first set of cleats in about a month, but now it's no big deal. Oh, and I always only pull one foot loose. If I'm at a stopsign, stoplight, etc, one foot comes out, and usually the same one. The only time I pull both feet loose is if I'm straddling the top tube while walking to pedestrian crosswalk signal button.

I hope your wounds have healed up by now.

[Trekhawk]

I have only been riding for about three weeks but I know all about falling from not unclipping in time. What really helped me was riding around the local school carpark (school holidays so empty and very big) and clipping and unclipping until I felt a lot more comfortable. I still need to watch areas where the camber of the road is wicked and there is no bike lane but this really did help with my confidence.

Good luck

[oph4887]

Bless your heart, I know what you are talking about and those J&J Bandages are awesome! Expensive as all get out but they really work!
The Bike Group still calls me vertically challenged but I'm doing better on the clipless.
Someone on the forum had suggested using one regular pedal and the other clipless-I did that for a month and then switch feet clipless on the other side for about 3 weeks.
That worked for me.

Good luck, everytime I walk into the doctors office now they say, 'here's the bike lady again' I'm not sure if my legs are ever going to be the same and I have gotten over the fear factor but the one foot clipless and the other regular really worked for me!
We will have to compare medical expenses!

[latelatebloomer]

oooh, clipless, I can't wait

But! regarding replacing helmets after a hit, DO IT (I work at a brain injury rehab, do everything you can to protect your brain) and check with your health insurer if you are lucky enough to have one. Sometimes they reimburse at least part of your purchase price.

[BikingAt50]

So sorry to hear about your fall. I hope you heal quickly. So far, thank God, I have not had a fall yet. I know it is a yet. Take care and be careful.