Bikers! Advice, please!

[bullygirl979]

So.....I'm getting clipless pedals (finally). I've never used them and I'm a little nervous. I went to LBS last night to get them and they put me on the trainer to practice getting in and out. I am going back tonight to work with them more and will be riding in the parking lot. 

I lied. I'm not nervous...I'm scared shitless, lol. Mostly because of horror stories I've heard of people falling over, crashing, etc. 

Any advice or words of wisdom?

[Deleted]

I've fallen twice due to my clipless pedals. Both times were due to not unclipping fast enough when coming to a stop. As a result, I was barely moving when I fell and all I really did was tip over. Scuffed up one leg a teeny bit (just scratches), but I was totally fine.

You can continue practicing in your house by standing in a doorway with your bike (so that you can prop yourself up with your hands on the doorframe). By holding yourself up like this, you can practice clipping in an out.

Once you know how to do it, instincts tend to kick in when you need to unclip quickly. A couple weeks ago, my chain got caught while I was riding and I just automatically unclipped instantly.

You'll be fine!

[Susie]

Just do it. There aren't any magic words that will make it easier, you've just gotta do it that first time. Some people suggest trying it on grass, but that seems awkward to me so I just started on pavement. Don't do it in busy areas until you're more comfortable with it.

My only real advice is to consider what you wear the first time you try it - don't wear brand new cute stuff, and maybe err on the side of longer sleeves/pants (crops instead of shorts?) to give you a little more coverage if you do fall. Road rash sucks.

[Deleted]

You'll fall over but mostly at low speeds and it's just a bit jarring. Go for a few neighborhood rides and just practice clipping and unclipping while you ride over and over. Soon it'll feel like second nature!

[trigal]

Everyone falls over at least once because of not clipping out in time. It's usually when stopping. You'll be fine!

[shorewife]

Its embarrassing but usually happens when you are going 0 mph and don't get your foot out in time to put it on the ground before you tip over. I'm pretty sure it happens to everyone - I don't know many people who have actually been injured from it (other than their pride).

[sadlebred]

Just do it!

[kams]

Only Flesh wounds usually! And the scabs look so legit.

Lol, sorry. There's no magic bullet. You just have to get past the first couple of times, and then you'll be so glad you did it. Really.

And wear your helmet even to try it out on grass or around the block.

FWIW, my H has never ever fallen or stumbled with his pedals. So, it is possible to not fall. But if you do, don't let to shake you up. It's not like a high speed crash or anything.

ETA: this doesn't even sound like me! I don't mean to worry you! Falls are pretty common when you're adjusting to clipless, but they are minor in comparison to the big improvements in your cycling.

[patches31709]

I practiced the first few times on grass. I found it really helped to hold the bike up a little bit better, so it gave me a better chance to clip in, and then when I would fall it would hurt a little less.

Once I was able to clip in ok, I would just ride a few feet and try and unclip, then start over. I had a few falls where I just kind of fell over. One time I even got stuck with my foot stuck in the pedal, with the bike on top of me. Of course I was on our busy rail trail when that happened, I was so embarassed and had to ride 10 miles home with blood dripping down my leg. Good times!

Seriously though, it really does get easier with practice.

[woowoo]

I haven't fallen yet (been about a year using them) but I know it's coming. I've come very very close several times. Just start practicing in a large open area, then practice in a smaller area like a parking lot with cars. Just don't hit any.

[bullygirl979]

Thanks, all!

[Deleted]

Glad you posted this. I'm considering clipless as well and have a similar fear! I think I'll bite the bullet soon though.
Also, I've fallen sideways with regular strappy peddle clips. I took one foot out then inexplicably leaned the other way. Pretty funny, no real injury, just pride.

Last year when I was riding horses I was scared of falling off them, until it happened. Am kind of glad it happened, didn't hurt even half as much as I expected.

[bullygirl979]

Jul 9, 2014 17:59:38 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

Glad you posted this. I'm considering clipless as well and have a similar fear! I think I'll bite the bullet soon though.
Also, I've fallen sideways with regular strappy peddle clips. I took one foot out then inexplicably leaned the other way. Pretty funny, no real injury, just pride.

Last year when I was riding horses I was scared of falling off them, until it happened. Am kind of glad it happened, didn't hurt even half as much as I expected.

Lol. I ride horses too! Apparently, the balance aspect helps because the salesperson at the LBS said I was a natural. GL!

[sadlebred]

Jul 9, 2014 20:51:37 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Jul 9, 2014 17:59:38 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

Glad you posted this. I'm considering clipless as well and have a similar fear! I think I'll bite the bullet soon though.
Also, I've fallen sideways with regular strappy peddle clips. I took one foot out then inexplicably leaned the other way. Pretty funny, no real injury, just pride.

Last year when I was riding horses I was scared of falling off them, until it happened. Am kind of glad it happened, didn't hurt even half as much as I expected.

Lol. I ride horses too! Apparently, the balance aspect helps because the salesperson at the LBS said I was a natural. GL!

Stand up on your bike or on a mountain bike. Then go jump something in two point or trot around in two point. The balance point is the same!

Signed,
The other hunter rider

[bullygirl979]

Jul 9, 2014 21:12:27 GMT -5 sadlebred said:

Jul 9, 2014 20:51:37 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Lol. I ride horses too! Apparently, the balance aspect helps because the salesperson at the LBS said I was a natural. GL!

Stand up on your bike or on a mountain bike. Then go jump something in two point or trot around in two point. The balance point is the same!

Signed,
The other hunter rider

I knew I like you for a reason.

It is funny, how similar riding bikes and riding/jumping horses is. Even your form and posture, to a certain degree.

[thedutchgirl]

I have been using shoes for spin class for several years, but I finally got a road bike this year with different shoes and a different type clipless pedal (Speedplay Light Action). I confess that even with the spin class experience, I have tipped over several times. Every time while stopped. Only the first really hurt because I used my wrist to break my fall. It is sort of a joke with my cycling friends--will I fall or not?

Anyway, one thing that I didn't see mentioned that is really important is unclip one foot and put that foot down. Then unclip the other. Or more likely, at a stop, leave one foot in the pedal and only take one out. Out and down and then the other. Don't try to take both out together.

[Deleted]

Jul 9, 2014 20:51:37 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Jul 9, 2014 17:59:38 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

Glad you posted this. I'm considering clipless as well and have a similar fear! I think I'll bite the bullet soon though.
Also, I've fallen sideways with regular strappy peddle clips. I took one foot out then inexplicably leaned the other way. Pretty funny, no real injury, just pride.

Last year when I was riding horses I was scared of falling off them, until it happened. Am kind of glad it happened, didn't hurt even half as much as I expected.

Lol. I ride horses too! Apparently, the balance aspect helps because the salesperson at the LBS said I was a natural. GL!

Sometimes I ride standing on my bike with the pedals level. My DH asked me once what I was doing that for. I said 'my bike needs a wee.'