Well, I got the newbie clipless fall out of the way...

[moderncyclista]

I ride in stiff soled shoes no clips or straps. I do city riding and I don't run lights and I put a foot down often enough that I don't see a need for them. I often express curmudgeoney ideas on here though - for the most part everyone has been great. Again, I'm just chipping in my two bits.

On the flip side - I had a "major" wreck when my aluminum rack broke in traffic. it contacted my rear wheel, effectively jamming it and threw me from the bike. I had the forethought to "fall to the left" away from the drive side. It tore me up fierce. It was a factory defect I'm told, however I am still jittery about getting grocieries on the bike or loading the replacement aluminum rack. (thinking of getting a tubular steel one like the Surly nice rack, etc) The irony? When I fell in the street, a lady in a hummerH2 almost ran me over.

Point being. Keep practicing every aspect of bicycle riding. Don't be afraid to jump back on.

[featuretile]

I ride with sport shoes and half toe clips. Your foot just comes out when you stop and you don't have to do anything special. I do like this better than just flat pedals with nothing because it keeps my foot in the right place and I do have some pull up power.

Although club members tell me I will eventually want to go clipless, I don't really want to fall. I had an ACL tear some years ago and it took 2 years to recover. Also, I fell a few months ago when getting on my bike on a downhill with left banking in the road. (I don't do that anymore and put my bike in a better starting place....) It was one of those slow motion things. I cut my elbow and continued the ride, but did not even notice that I had really bruised my ribs until I got home. It took 3-4 weeks to be able to sleep on that side and not feel pain.

I would wait until the ankle got better to ride again, because if you aggravate it, it may take even longer to heal. Perhaps, you would want to at least start with the half toe clips and get comfortable before going to the clipless system.

I just don't want ant physical problems to stop me from riding now that I am so addicted to it. Just the rain these past few weeks has been limiting my riding (CA). My sympathy to all of you that live in cold places and can't ride all winter. I tried a spin class and thought it awful compared to riding outside.

[Librarygirl]

Have had clipless pedals for going on two months now and I think it's only the last week or couple of weeks I've stopped feeling petrified every time I went for a ride. The funny thing is, I think the fear is actually much worse than the fall. I've fallen once from being clipped in and once today cause I intersected with another cyclist (thought he was turning on the bike path but was going straight ahead) and both times didn't really hurt that much. A bit of road rash on my elbow first time, and some bruising on the leg, but looked much worse than it felt.

I think now I've realised that low-speed falls really aren't that bad, I've been able to relax, just see it as an occasional part of cycling and stop being scared (and finally enjoy the ride - except for the steep hills )

I actually think a clipped-in fall on the road or bike path probably hurts less than your fall from the trainer, Roxy! My advice is, expect to fall again and 1) It probably won't happen, especially because you are more aware of clipping out before you stop
2) If it does, you won't be so shaken up, which I think is the worst part, more than any hurts.

Also, remember to lean to the side you are unclipped from when you stop, and apply brakes. At first, I would lean to that side and my body/brain's balancing instinct tried to then compensate by immediately leaning to the other side to 'right' myself. This instinct is great normally, not so good when you're clipped in! But this goes after a while and you get more used to this way of doing things, it starts to feel more natural.

Good luck!

[kitten]

I have fallen many times, and think of my bruises as badges of honor. It shows that your willing to get out there and take chances, plus they can make for the start of some great stories.

[kmehrzad]

I have fallen many times, and think of my bruises as badges of honor. It shows that your willing to get out there and take chances, plus they can make for the start of some great stories.

That's how I feel about the bruises I get while playing racquetball -- wear them with honor.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Your story reminds me of one of my classmates who came to school with road rash all over his face, arms, and legs. He was riding along and noticed his front brake rubbing the rim on one side, so he kicked the wheel to straighten things out. Problem is he kicked the wheel right off the bike and he ate it, big time.

[TrekTheKaty]

Let's hope you got it out of the way. I prefer to fall on gravel in front of other people :-)

If you fell to the right and she starts shifting funny, you may have bent your derailleur. I learned this the hard way, 100 miles from home on a 2 day ride. Lesson learned--always fall to the LEFT.