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

[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.

[mizzbananie]

my worst ever bike accident involved my (then) 7 yo daughter's bike that i was riding home after she'd ridden it to school. i don't even remember touching the brakes, but i did a spectacular endo in front of all sorts of moms... omg.. i did a number on my elbow that i still regret... anyway.. the reason i'm on this thread is that i had decided to go clipless, and my bike is at the lbs at this very moment waiting for me to pick her back up. i'm skerrrrrrd. even tho i've had a fall and know it isn't the end of the world, i'm still worried. i thought that if i spend the weekend on the trainer that i'd be in good shape, but.. not so much?

[Catrin]

Today was the first time that I went out with my shiny new SPD pedals... 4 falls later they may not be so shiny any longer

Starting wasn't the problem, I knew that timing my stopping would be the most interesting. It took 3 falls to figure out that I have to unclip BOTH feet to stop - because I am so accustomed to stopping with both feet, not one.

So, bruised elbow and wrenched shoulder aside, I had a great time! I would have gone further than 9.5 miles, but my elbow was getting stiff. I DID manage to ride 4-5 miles after the last fall without falling over again Assuming that I can move my arm tomorrow, I fully intend on heading back out to the same place and doing it all over again minus the falling.

Oh yes, for the first time it was quiet and still enough that I could hear my tires singing on the pavement. That was a very, very good sound!

[channlluv]

You guys are so brave. I have yet to get out on actual pavement with my new pedals. I want to practice with touch-and-go stops with someone who will catch me before I bite the asphalt.

I've been so riddled with injuries of late. I'm surprised I haven't gained back all the weight I lost last year.

Roxy...trying to remember to always fall to the left, fall to the left, fall to the left

[Librarygirl]

He he...Roxy your last sentence reminded me of how when I started with the pedals I would ride along singing to myself the line from that Beyonce song that goes - "to the left, to the left" to try and ingrain leaning to that side in my brain!