Ms. Coordinated Here. Falling with Clipless Pedals

[VeloVT]

The bike store was/is very nice to me, they let me practice on a trainer and the owner coached me and told me that I should unclip one foot 1st and place it firmly on the ground. I should make sure that I have the brakes on while unclipping my other foot so the bike will not move around a lot.

I was told that unclipping at the top of the pedal stroke is the easiest.

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This may be part of your problem. It's much easier to unclip at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and I"ve never heard anyone recommend otherwise.

[HoosierGiant]

This may be part of your problem. It's much easier to unclip at the bottom of the pedal stroke, and I"ve never heard anyone recommend otherwise.

Ditto.

[azfiddle]

Why is it that I only have pedal-related incidents when I'm riding with other people?

I never fall when I'm by myself but have had 3 falls in the last ten days, 1 w/ my husband (long back story which I won't explain) and two yesterday on a group ride. The first one didn't hurt much but looked "bloody awful" because it was on the healing skinned knee from last week. The other one didn't leave any visible evidence but I can definitely feel where I landed on both hips!

I think when I'm riding by myself it is easier to be aware of what's around me, when I might need to stop, less distractions and more choice/control of my decisions than in a group.

Right now, a couple of ibuprofen are in order though to get over my bruises from yesterday.

Sharon

[emily_in_nc]

Why is it that I only have pedal-related incidents when I'm riding with other people?

I'd say it's the distraction factor; I've had the same experience.

If it makes you feel any better, I'm beat up today because I slipped and fell coming out of our shed yesterday (the wooden ramp was slick and I had garden clogs on). I pulled something in the top of my foot and am very sore in one side of my rib cage today. So silly! If I am going to fall, I would have rather been doing something fun like riding my bike, not putting birdseed away!

Heal quickly!