Fear, fear, fear, plain old fear to clip and unclip. Advice please!

[indysteel]

I'd say a lot of us--although this isn't universal--only unclip one foot, and the same foot at that, when we come to a stop. In time, it will become second nature.

[ny biker]

Yes, I unclip my right foot when I need to stop and put that foot down on the ground, while leaving the left foot clipped in. I only unclip the left foot if I'm getting off the bike completely.

To start out, I always clip in with the left foot and start to pedal with that foot, sit down on the saddle, then clip in right after I'm moving. Being seated makes you more stable while you're clipping in with the second foot.

[suzgilzen]

Hi all, I am a new road biker (just got my bike April 13 - had ridden a hybrid on trails and some quiet roads for 5 years) and just got the clips and pedals a week ago - I got the Shimano's that have the clips on one side and really like them - I don't actually see any reason to "graduate" to something else - I have the clips on one side, and that's fine.

I'd gotten the advice about developing a routine, and have done that, so I am fine at routine stops (like at an intersection) but have fallen twice, at non-routine stops. The first one was so funny actually. I am working on building mileage for a 500-mile ride I have in 2 months. So this week I was going out on Monday for a 40-mile ride. I was heading out of the driveway and heard the dog barking at me from inside the house (not being happy that I was leaving - the dog is "my" dog and very loyal to me). I remembered something, turned around, started to get off the bike - forgetting the clips, and down I went, scraping one knee.

The dog's barking ratcheted up considerably ("Oh noooooo, Mommy's doooowwwwwwwnn! Mommmmmmmyyyyyyyyy!"). Eventually my husband came out, helped me dust myself off and encouraged me to go on and do the 40 miles. Several hours later, when I returned, the dog gave my legs a thorough licking - liking the salty sweat. But when he came to my knee, he slowly, gently, and indeed tenderly licked my scrape. What a sweetie. Then I went, showered and cleaned it myself.

I'm getting better, and have only fallen twice. I'm learning that if I clip in my shoes, I should engage my brain, too.

I'm so glad to have found this forum. Thanks, all, for the encouraging and informative posts (been reading a lot about saddles as well).