Quote Originally Posted by nsandz View Post
Ugh! I was just convinced by my boyfriend and the local bike shop owner that going clipless was the best thing for me. So I did, and now I have fancy new pedals and shoes...I hate it! I am reluctant to ride my bike now. EVERYTIME I ride I fall off at some point. Not only is that embarrassing but it hurts too, I always get bruises and cuts. I have a ton of advice from multiple sources on how to avoid falling but I don't think technique is the problem. I panic real easily while riding clipless I am afraid a car will cut me off, or a child will run out in front of me, or I will just fall over in the middle of an intersection. I know these are unlikely, but I panic nonetheless. I don't like being scared of riding my bike. Whenever I panic I cannot get my foot un-clipped. I hope one day soon this will stop otherwise I am going back to my sucky regular pedals
I felt exactly the same way for a long time. I finally got over it by riding clipless just in spinning classes. I rode with platform pedals on the road. After quite some time and feeling very comfortable clipping in/out on a spinning bike, I tried on my road bike.

One of the keys to learning to ride clipless is to have a pattern and style that you always follow exactly the same every time. Here's mine:
1. To start out, I clip in my right foot.
2. Raise up the right foot to about 2 o'clock position
3. Push down on right pedal while hoisting myself up into the saddle.
4. Clip in left foot. Note: I can rotate the crank a couple of time without my left foot clipped in if I have trouble clipping in. Try not to look at your left foot as you clip in... it can put you off balance
To stop:
1. Hopefully, have a little notice that you are going to stop
2. Unclip left foot as approaching stop. Braking, slowing down, I might actually hang down my left leg ready to stop.
3. Fully braking, put your left foot down. Keep control of the bike - continue to brake... at this point you are a one legged girl on a skateboard
4. Lean bike left. when you are stable and fully planted, you can release the brake, but don't lean right or you can take off attached to the bike.

I do it exactly this way every single time. After a few rides following this, you can practice stopping with less advance preparation -- sudden stops. It's the same movements, just faster and you must be aware and focused.

I've had three falls in 2 years and all of them were zero mph, right foot clipped in, losing focus, not braking and leaning right.. the bike took off without me and down I went. Every time there were other riders around.. embarassing.

But, I agree with one thing -- riding your bike must first be fun. So, don't let riding clipless steal your fun. Platform pedals and toe clips are fun too!!