Feeling like a clipless idiot!

[IFjane]

I know lots of people swear by always using the same foot. I force myself to practice using either or both feet. Saved me from a nasty fall once.

I NEVER use the same foot for that very reason. I feel much more comfortable being able to unclip from either side & rarely have a problem coming to a stop and putting one foot or the other down. (Having said that, my fingers, eyes, toes, legs and anything else I can find are crossed 'cause I KNOW I'll fall the next time I get on the bike!)

[violetpurl]

I had been practicing on my trainer and was feeling pretty cocky. I took the bike off the trainer to load it on my bike rack for a visit to my Mom's two weeks ago. My maiden clipless voyage in the wild went without a hitch - took a spin prior to loading it on the rack. Fast forward to my Mom's the next day - didn't even get out of the garage - BAM! I was stunned. Had to pull my foot out of the shoe to even get up. Thought that maybe because my Mom's driveway is short and steep (well certainly steeper than mine ) I'd walk the bike to the road and start with my left foot. BAM! Fell on the other side this time. I was not going to let the bike get the best of me and finally clipped in successfully. My ankle was bothering me, so I cut the ride short. I haven't been back on the road bike since - I'm waiting for my ankle to heal. I would have sworn I broke it the day of the fall, but I can walk on it so I know it's fine - just tender still. I've learned from reading the boards that I should have started the crank at 2:00 not the 6:00 I clipped in at. Thanks for letting me lurk.

[wildeny]

So I'm coming up the to stop - successfully clipped my left foot out about 200 ft ahead - I always give myself plenty of time - came to a stop and I don't know how I did it but when I went to put my left foot down I caught the pedal and it clipped back in - you all know what happened next.

Sorry about your frustration. I hope you can still give it a try.

From your description, I think you probably didn't put your right foot on the bottom when clipped out your left foot (the pedal should be on the top). Then you just lower your left foot.

Check this picture, especially the part (2) to (3) in the bottom. (click at the picture to see it more clearly)



Note that the foot to unclip first is the one you use for balance at a stop .