I have been riding in clips for 6 months and I still get nervous. I have really only fallen two times, but they were AWFUL. Oh, that and when I almost was hit by a car a couple of times. To avoid I slammed on the breaks and couldn't unclip. But once, in a really hairy situation, they saved me from flying onto the back of the car in front. I got a bruise and a cut, but I was really thankful for them.

We have ALL been there. So, no feeling ashamed! Just get better at falling - I say that in jest and in reality. Years of horseback riding and jumping a stopper has led me to being REALLY good at being a "good faller". The people in my club back home when I was learning let me know I was doing well at falling. Hey - you gotta be good at something!

Get a sweet new helmet and keep at it! It will get easier. I learned how to be safe in my grandmother's church's parking lot. No one there except me and God. And I couldn't swear without feeling bad, so it kept me cool! Don't rush. No reason to. I still get hurt in the lady bits if I rush too much getting on/off the bike. No bueno.