Stupidest question ever

I think that might be your problem.

I almost always unclip my up foot (and by habit it is almost always my left foot, but that's just my preference) with my weight shifted slightly to the down foot. If I'm coming to a stop, I'm usually shifted forward of the seat as well. Once your top foot is unclipped and your speed is close to zero, shift the weight over to the unclipped side and set your foot on the ground.  

I unclip when my foot is up. last year it was always my right foot. This year it switched and now I can't go right - only left. No idea why.

You may want to consider loosening up the clips so that it is very easy to unclip. Almost to the point of accidentally unclipping sometimes. That way you KNOW that you can get out of them really easily.

Once you practice a lot of "stop and put foot downs", and are comfortable, then start tightening them a little until you like the balance between unclipping ease and knowing they'll stay IN the pedals if you pedal really hard.

Some do it left, others right.  But the best cyclists seem to be saying that you should practice bilateral unclipping.  This gives you the option of unclipping to either side as necessary, for example, in a heavy wind.

On a related point:  you'll see some people in this forum say that they unclip every 4 or even 6 rotations of the crank, but again the best cyclists suggest that every rotation or at most every other rotation is best.  This has something to do with oxygen uptake.

Oh wait.... I think I have the wrong discipline.   Man this tri stuff is confusing.

I will work in my hallway trying to unclip the up foot.  I think that maybe the easiest.  I was asked why I didn't learn as a kid.  I was born in New York City to parents who grew up in New York City (my Mom grew up partly in Israel).  I did a lot of my growing up in suburbia, but the mentality of my parents was still very city, and they were afraid I would get hit by a car.  My neigbors did teach me (sort of), so I did learn how to get up on a bike, but I never really rode, or had a bike.

I yelled at my parents a few weeks ago for depriving me.  They are the best parents in the world.  So I was just kidding.  Sort of.  I do feel a bit deprived.  My daughters learned to ride last week. 

I'm actually not sure if I unclip up or down, but I always unclip on the right and I keep that one a tiny bit looser. It made it easier to get comfortable with the pedals. When i was first learning, I would also unclip early sometimes and then keep my foot on the pedal just forward of the clip so I could get a couple more pedal strokes before the stop. You can try that, but I think Speedplays might be a bit small for it.

I wonder what your neighbors think! And great choice to go clipless right away. They really aren't that difficult to get the hang of and will make cycling so much easier for you in the long run. Good luck! 

I am a top right unclipper as well, that was great, i actually had to think about that for a minute, it just becomes natural after a while.

You don't need to wait until you are almost stopped to remove your foot. 

1 Slow down to about 5mph

2 Unclip your foot (top of stroke or bottom of stroke)

3 Rotate your other foot to the bottom (or top if you prefer)

4 Put your foot out to catch yourself

5 Slow down to a stop

6 Slip off your seat and stand on your foot.

I think you are waiting too long to unclip your foot.  That makes you panic at the last second.  As you practice you wont need to think about each step so much.

If I'm thinking correctly, I unclip at 3 o'clock and immediately peddal backwards so the unclipped pedal is at 12 o'clock. Then put my foot down.

Heh, sounds kind of complicated but it seems natural to me.

Ok, so the bottom line is that there is no right or wrong way to do it.  I'm amazed at all the different anwers to this "stupid" question.  I'm sure many of you are too.  I guess I'm just going to have to figure out what works for me and practice itin the halway until the muscle memory develops before i hit the streets.  I'm off for a run, then a swim, then the hallway.  Wish me luck! 

Thanks to all the people that responded to this thread.  You are inspiring and awesome!