Iggy--

It's no fun starting out on a new bike only to take a nasty fall. Give your elbow time to heal and when the time is right, you'll know when to get back in the saddle.

When I was starting out with clipless pedals I practiced on the grass in the yard. Then I rode with one foot clipped in and the other unclipped (which is much easier to do with mountain bike shoes ). After that I started riding on the road and practiced clipping and unclipping before I rolled to a stop.

I have different pedals for my bikes and one that I like to use is the Wellgo platform pedals because the pins really grip the sole but allow quick dismounts. Perhaps this is an option for you until you get the feel of your bike? You can always switch back to your SPD's after you get the hang of it.