Brakes, or Why can't I use them?

[tctrek]

Which direction? I just started riding clipless and about once every 20 stops, my weight goes the wrong way. I've managed to avoid all but two falls, but I'm getting phobic about it. Would help a lot if I could learn a way to know that I'm going to lean the right way every time.

Lean your bike in the direction of your planted foot. As you approach the stop, unclip 1 foot (I always unclip left foot first, but I've seen people that do right foot). What's important is to learn a routine where you always unclip the same foot first. Use both brakes evenly to slow/stop the bike. Plant your foot and lean the bike slightly towards the side of your planted foot. Now you still have one foot clipped in and, if you aren't paying attention, your bike can roll with your other foot clipped in and you will fall. I think most people that fall, do it when they are standing still! So, in the beginning, if I had one foot clipped in, I always had my hands on my brakes so that the bike couldn't roll away with me still attached

[aicabsolut]

Turn the handlebars away from the direction of lean. So if you put your left foot down, turn the front wheel to the right slightly.

[Anathema]

Lean your bike in the direction of your planted foot. As you approach the stop, unclip 1 foot (I always unclip left foot first, but I've seen people that do right foot). What's important is to learn a routine where you always unclip the same foot first. Use both brakes evenly to slow/stop the bike. Plant your foot and lean the bike slightly towards the side of your planted foot. Now you still have one foot clipped in and, if you aren't paying attention, your bike can roll with your other foot clipped in and you will fall. I think most people that fall, do it when they are standing still! So, in the beginning, if I had one foot clipped in, I always had my hands on my brakes so that the bike couldn't roll away with me still attached

Oh, man, I hadn't even gotten far enough to think of that! Once I stop tipping over, that'll be me getting dragged behind the bike.

Thanks for the replies. As long as I'm not near the bike, I feel like I'm looking forward to trying out the suggestions. I hope it helps; I really want to make these work. I tried putting back on the old pedals, and even with the tears and cold sweat, clipless is more enjoyable than platforms.