Feeling like a clipless idiot!

[Trek420]

My first commute with clipless I must have unclipped 200 times... whenever I slowed down, whenever I stopped, whenever I thought I might have to stop, whenever I even thought about stopping, and just for practice...

You can practice by finding a safe stretch where you won't (probably) have to stop, and just clip and unclip, pedal a bit and repeat, over and over. Pedal, unclip and stop, pedal, unclip and stop. It does become second nature, and you don't have to fall over many times. Maybe you've already "done your time" on the ground

What she says. Until it's such a habit that you unclip/turn your foot when getting up from a chair find a quiet stretch of road and just clip and unclip for no apparent reason, sometimes stopping, sometimes just pedaling and clipping in and out .... left foot, right foot, at the 9 o clock, 6, 3 .... all parts of the pedal stroke.

Does not take long for it to be a habit.

[indigoiis]

Don't assume you'll fall. Assume it will be easy and then it will be. Practice track standing on the grass.

[Kalidurga]

Practice track standing on the grass.

That's a whoooole 'nother thread. And one of the things I forgot to work on learning this summer

[tctrek]

Practice track standing on the grass.

Hmmm... I'm pretty good at clipping in/out these days, but track standing?
DH and I play a game coming up to a red light going as slow as we possibly can hoping we don't have to unclip and stop... I can get down to about 2 mph, but then I have to put a foot down or I'm going over .

[MommyBird]

I am very new to clipless pedals too.
My husband has been a cyclist for almost 30 years so I have been exposed to them for years.

Every time I come to a stop I am thankful that my husband told me to lean towards my free foot. I don't know if I would have naturally done that without his instructions.

I have not fallen yet. (I am sure my day will come)

[copperlegend]

I did great with my clipless pedals at first, but lately I've been having trouble un-clipping. It's like I forgot how to! Practice makes perfect, keep at it!

I totally fell over in my own driveway tonight, right infront of my neighbor's entire family. I KNEW it was happening and just couldn't think fast enough. Lucky you, you have a spotter

[drdwin]

Thank You all sooooo much for your comments. They are very helpful. I just love this forum...everyone seems so genuine and willing to share their experience. I want to get comfortable with this whole clipless thing before the weather gets warm again because at least with tights on the road rash is not too bad - don't wanna try it in shorts.

[Mmm4dmb]

I tried clips for the first time today, not on my bike, or with my shoes, everything was too big...but I somehow managed to do it without falling and it didnt seem too difficult. Everyone says you will eventually, so after today I decided to get some for my road bike and I'm sure I will be falling soon enough, I hope not though! Hope it works out for you

[macski]

I've been riding for a few months now and just had my first clipless fall - felt like a real idiot

I was on a group ride with about 15 other women so at least there was plenty of concern and sympathy - someone put a dressing on my elbow and then we were away again

I felt a bit shaky for a few minutes but lived to tell the tale

[Librarygirl]

Hi Macski!

Wow, another Canberran How cool! I am quite new to cycling, only been doing it for about 3 months. Learning sooooo much so fast, and looking forward to my first clipless stack - am getting some pedals and shoes for Christmas present! This forum is great for support, answers, lots of stuff. I was wondering, what's the women's group that you ride with?

Cheers,

Librarygirl

[malkin]

...DH and I play a game coming up to a red light going as slow as we possibly can hoping we don't have to unclip and stop... I can get down to about 2 mph, but then I have to put a foot down or I'm going over .

Not long after our switch to clipless, I watched my DH ride slowly up to a red light and then tip over sideways, like Arte Johnson on Laugh-In. When I caught up to him, he was laughing and said that he had wondered how slowly he could go before tipping over.

[solobiker]

Just don't try this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0hFd--1Fk

[solobiker]

Don't give up..it does get easier. I actually unclip with my right foot. It feels more natural to me. I don't have very much advice other then keep trying, you will get it. Like you said in your above post, try to unclip in advance and keep your cleat away from the clip if you can. Maybe practice on the road near your street...ride as slow as you are comfortable riding and practice clipping in and out without putting your foot down. Good luck and keep at it!!

[chicagogal]

Oh, I just switched to clipless a few weeks ago. The first and only time I fell (the day I installed my new pedals) I unclipped on the left, came to a stop, and leaned left. However, just like with you, my foot had gotten itself at least partially clipped back in. I panicked, couldn't get unclipped in time, and fell down. Since then, I have been letting my left leg hang straight down in advance of stopping. That way I know it won't accidentally clip back in. Also, with it stretched all the way down, I kinda reach that foot toward the ground as I come to a stop and this helps me lean the right way (towards the unclipped foot). Riding clipless still makes me a little nervous, and I still think I'll fall again, but I'm getting the hang of it - you will too!

Clipping in fast again after stopping for a red light or stop sign is also a bit of a challenge. I ride with groups that push me to my limits, so if I don't clip in fast enough I risk getting dropped (or having to bust my a** to catch the group). I kinda look down during the stop to see how my pedal is positioned so I know whether I need to turn it over or not when I get started. That way I can clip in pretty fast. When I forget to do that, or let the pedal spins as I trip to position it, I lose precious time!

[Juliegoddess]

Just don't try this...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0hFd--1Fk

LMAO!!! OMG, this was funny!! Thanks for sharing!