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First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes!
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 2005-09-27 1:29 AM |
Veteran  1108   Perth, Oz |  Subject: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes!I'm soo talented I didn't even make it out the driveway before I came tumbling down of the bike. Mental note don't try and clip in to pedals, turn a corner and go down a hill all at the same time coz it makes for some big painful bruises and a bit of gravel rash too. Apart from that very first fall I think I did ok for my first couple of rides with the shoes though. I can't believe how scared I was! Is it normal that I found it harder to clip into the pedals then to clip out. I ahd no problems at all getting my feet out with plenty of time but I just couldn't seem to click my feet in when I was just starting like at lights and stuff. |
| 2005-09-27 7:09 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Expert 1070 North Carolina | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Wait until you are just sitting still and you get your center of gravity too far to the side of your bike that still has one shoe clip in..........off you go. I think I have fell twice like that. I assume you have LOOK pedals.....if so, it should get a little easier to clip-in when the platform wears down a little. It is normal. |
| 2005-09-27 7:59 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Master 1573 Red Sox Nation | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Congrats!!! I had a lot of difficulty clipping in at first! I wanted to clip in my toe area, when the clip on the shoe was more towards the ball of my foot. Once I gave myself a visual reference from where the clip was relative to the top of my shoe, it got easier. I was nervous my first rides to be clipped in. I think I rode the first fifty or so miles with just my right foot clipped and down peddling with my free left. Not the most efficient way to ride  ! Good luck, enjoy, and stay safe! |
| 2005-09-27 8:11 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Buttercup 14334  | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Melanie, Welcome to the club! I absolutely hated my clipped-clipless pedals for the first 4 weeks or so that I had them (it was justified hate as they were trying to kill me). Now I love them and feel very comfortable in them; I prefer them to my toe cages. Once you get comfortable and feel like you have mastered the clipped-clipless pedals, be assured - you will fall again! Witness my beaut of a bruise and scabbing after my fall a week ago... like you, I was pulling out of my driveway when I took a tumble. (Picture 215 (160 x 120).jpg) Attachments ---------------- Picture 215 (160 x 120).jpg (21KB - 57 downloads) |
| 2005-09-27 8:29 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Master 1210 Saskatchewan | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Falling in clipless pedals is just one of those rites of passage. However, it is more of a seasonal occurence for me, early in the season and usually at a standstill as I clip out of the wrong side and fall over my bike. Glad you are okay! |
| 2005-09-27 8:39 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Expert 658 San Diego | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! at least you are Ok. i had the standing still experience and it was quite embarassing but oh well it happens. everyone has been there. i've had quite a few close calls but luckily got out to get at least one foot down. keep at it and it'll be like second nature. |
| 2005-09-27 10:00 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Master 1292 McKinney, TX | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I just got mine a few weeks ago. Was doing a brick when I decided to get cute. Tried to unstrap and pull my feet out and ride on top of my shoes like I've seen folks do going into T2. Unfortunately, when I pulled my left foot out, my cleat flipped, causing my shoe to drag on the ground. I looked down to try to fix it, which caused me to hit the curb. Managed to unclip my right shoe as I went flying into the grass. No injuries, just bruised pride. And a good laugh for my neighbor who was outside watching. |
| 2005-09-27 10:23 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Champion 5495 Whizzzzzlandia Silver member | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Happens to all of us! As expressed in my Training Log... May 29, 2005... I love riding with the group. I'm just such a DORK... I can't help being a dork...it comes quite naturally. I fell over in my pedals twice... Once before we even got started...(WHAT?) and AGAIN when we stopped at the half way point to drink and get a snack... I was standing there, eating my Clif bar... when (I don't know WHY...) I only unclipped one foot... I'd forgotten this tid-bit, tried to move to the right while still attached to my bike, fell over, and did a face plant into the padded A$$ of the guy standing next to me. Literally nose to buttcrack. Thank God he was wearing heavily padded shorts... There was no actual face to a$$ contact. The group must think I'm an idiot. I scraped up my leg on my damn chainring again... I was bleeding from the scratches... I wear skirts at work, and my legs are just mauled from the knees down. I look like I've been attacked by a wild mountain-lion. Enjoy your pedals... you will learn to love them! Whizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Edited by Whizzer 2005-09-27 10:52 AM |
| 2005-09-27 10:50 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Pro 4189 Pittsburgh, my heart is in Glasgow | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Oddly enough, I have yet to fall off my bike with the clipless pedals. I never seem to have a problem getting in. When mounting at my 2nd tri this year, I just literally jumped on the bike and *CLICK*...uhh...OK!. I love the clipless pedals though...don't know how I did without them before. LOOOVE them. I want more sporty looking shoes though, mine are sort of dorky. |
| 2005-09-27 11:18 AM in reply to: #254376 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Whizz, if ya gotta fall... you might as well fall big. Nice job! |
| 2005-09-27 11:23 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Lethbridge, Alberta Bronze member | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I just got my first set of bike shoes and switched to clipless pedals at the end of last week. I tried them out last weekend, first inside and then in my front yard where I took a couple of tumbles in the soft grass. With that out of the way, they've been working well since and I'm continually getting more comfortable clicking in and out of them. I'm sure I'll eventually join most everyone else with a collection of stories about falling over but, so far they're good. Stick with it and good luck!  |
| 2005-09-27 12:24 PM in reply to: #254426 |
Veteran 291 Seattle, WA | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I don't have anything really to add here, other than I get my new bike with clipless pedals tomorrow. I definitely fall into the "natural dork" category and my LBS recommended I go to a park that has a path with grassy areas along each side (it's right near the shop). That way I can fall over onto the grass. Luckily, I always wear slacks to work. - Heidi |
| 2005-09-27 12:28 PM in reply to: #254159 |
| Veteran 122 Iowa | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I've got you beat--I didn't make it out of the store parking lot! Was learning how to clip in and didn't give myself enough of a push. Down I went into loose gravel  . Huge bloodiness on my knee--I can finally kneel again after 4-5 weeks! |
| 2005-09-27 1:35 PM in reply to: #254159 |
Extreme Veteran 301 Metro Atlanta | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! At least you got it over with quickly. Now you can just get on with the riding. Clipless is definately the way to go. I have had them for years, MTB and Road. During the MS150 ride at the very last rest stop, 90 mile point or so, I was beat and unclipped my right foot but leaned to the left...DOH!! Flat on my back (ar$e). It wasn't so bad...in front of a store, 6 people manning the rest stop and 4 team-mates all as witnesses. I claim fatigue...and I am stickin' to it!!! |
| 2005-09-27 1:37 PM in reply to: #254376 |
Extreme Veteran 301 Metro Atlanta | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Hey Whiz.... ROFLMAO!!!!!!!! That has to be the best tipping over story EVER!!!! Edited by atree 2005-09-27 1:38 PM |
| 2005-09-27 4:04 PM in reply to: #254159 |
Elite 2673 Muskego, WI | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I just did that this morning... Step one...unclip left foot at stoplight as I'm rolling to the stop. Step two...lean to the right for some inexplicable reason as the bike is stopping. Step three...fall flat on the pavement sprawled against the bike and next to cars. Once a year...don't know why. And it's September...I almost made it! Whizzer, GREAT story. I got a good chuckle out of that one. |
| 2005-09-27 5:26 PM in reply to: #254159 |
| Regular 52 Pembroke, Wales, UK | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! i just bought my first cycle shoes with cleats today [initially to use on stationary spin-bikes, and tried them out tonight at the gym, great but...] scary stories guys haven't bought the pedals for my mobile-bike yet, real scary stories...ouch! perhaps i'll practice a bit at the gym for a while did i hear someone say "coward"? Phil |
| 2005-09-27 9:29 PM in reply to: #254159 |
Veteran 1108 Perth, Oz | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Ohh whizzer that is soo funny! thanks for all your stories guys! I feel like I've just joined a new club "I've got bike shoes and I fell off my bike too" |
| 2005-09-28 7:28 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Elite 2673 Muskego, WI | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Just so you know, it will happen, so laugh about it and move on. The BENEFITS of clipping in are so huge, it is worth the occasional headache, or nose-ache in Whizzer's case. So, do not give up because of our stories. |
| 2005-09-28 8:03 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Extreme Veteran 532 Plymouth MA | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I'm planning on a new bike with clipless pedals sometime soon ....I hope. I am sort of dreading the inevitible falls. I actually have fallen 3 times since July because I starting using my husbands bike with toe cages. What happens is that I forget until the last minute that my feet are not free and by then its too late and I am picking gravel out of my knee and hand. The first time it happened was at a stop sign close to my house, with a car right beside me. I could hear the people laughing their a@#es off. So I tried to be as dignified as I could and just got on the bike, didn't make eye contact, and rode off. It must make people wonder though.... |
| 2005-09-28 8:07 AM in reply to: #255151 |
Extreme Veteran 301 Metro Atlanta | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! I HATE toe cages!! I had them on my MTB and fell all the time!! Clipless Pedals are MUCH better. A needed skill is humility and knowing how to take a bow for your performance!! |
| 2005-09-28 11:43 AM in reply to: #255155 |
Buttercup 14334 | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! ... and not yelling "F*****ck!!! Shit!!" as you are falling. At 7am on a weekend morning in your driveway. Then noticing your elderly neighbor in his driveway. |
| 2005-09-28 2:21 PM in reply to: #255382 |
Expert 640 Montreal | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! We have it easy these days with the clipless. Way back( in a past life) you bought your cycling shoes and metal cleats. Took them to a shoemaker who attached the cleat to the bottom of the leather sole with nails. On the bike you used toe clips and straps. Once the grove on the bottom of the cleat slid down over the back part of the pedal you tightened up the straps. To get out you had to lift up on the tab on the strap to get enough room to pull up then back to get you foot out. You had to be fast. I spent lots of time leaning on parked or stopped cars while waiting at red lights. Only fell once into my Mom's holly bushes at the end of our driveway. Once was enough. Since I got back on the bike (26 years later) I have yet to take a spill. Not to say that it won't ever happen.
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| 2005-09-29 12:37 AM in reply to: #254159 |
| Expert 615 Brisbane | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Nice work Mel. Now you're all set to ride into the back of a parked car, get hit going round a round about, pushed into gutters by trucks/buses/cars/cyclists, running down small children and animals, hitting old ladies as they cross the street. I could go on about the joys of crashes but hey that would be not as much fun as hearing you relay them back to us. |
| 2005-09-29 12:55 AM in reply to: #254159 |
Champion 26509 Sydney | Subject: RE: First Ride and First Fall in bike shoes! Well done!!! My spectacular falls all at slow speeds...I cant stop!!! My biggest problem happens at SLOW speed..I slow down to stop, unclip, finally put my foot down and it just S-L-I-D-E-S... Look out Perth!!! Your gonna be flying!!! |
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