my first embarrassment

My first fall was in front of my 6-year old. Who still has memories of falling off bikes all the time. To him it was perfectly natural and OK. I have to admit I didn't feel the same way.

Worst, I landed on the brifters enough that the left one was way out of line. Had to take it to the shop and admit to everyone there that I had just fallen.

Since then I've learned that everyone does it at least once and I'm not going to worry about it any more.

If I'm stopping at a stop sign or red light, I only unclip one foot to put on the ground. I only unclip both feet when I'm getting off the bike completely.

The OP indicated that both feet were out of the clips at a stop light, at least that's how I read it.  I keep one foot in and just touch my left big toe on the ground a stop.

If the OP is taking both feet out at a stop, it might be helpful to leave one in.

So long as they remember not to lean to the side that is still clipped in.

I am sorry i worded it very bad. I had 1 clipped in already. but when i tried to clip the next one in the look pedal kept spinning and slipping.

Just a quick note from someone who is also new to clipless pedals...

You can pedal with one foot!  You are able to use your clipped in foot to pull up and keep moving.  If you miss clipping in on your first try, give a pull up, and push down with your clipped in foot, then try again... that way you won't "stall" and fall over.

Good luck!  You'll have it mastered in no time at all!!!

I really, really hate it when people say that, 5 years now and touch wood no fall as yet (have come close though).  I keep thinking when it happens it's going to be a big one

I always feel kind of left out when I see things like this.  I was $hitting myself when I first got clipless pedals.  It took me a couple of days to get up the courage to actually put them on the bike and go out for a spin.  Sadly (?) everything went ok and have ever since.  Never had a single issue.

One thing for the OP, depending on the type of system you use there is adjustment in how easy/hard it is to clip out.  For a while at least it's better to back it off as much as you can so that clipping out takes very little force.  I still have mine this way but I have heard some people complain that their shoes can slip out of the pedals when spinning fast.  Never had that problem myself.

See!  This is what I mean. 

Well, I sure have my share of war stories, although just two very minor bike spills neither related to clipping in/out issues. And now that I've completely damned myself by saying so, I am sure it will happen soon

There is only two types of cyclists;

Those that have fallen and those that are going to fall!!!

Just a note to the OP.  If you are using Look Pedals they are only one sided I believe. IF they are the pedals I am thinking of.

Think about a set of speedplay or other brand pedals.  My speedplays you just step on them and go right in because they are double sided. It doesnt matter which side is facing up.

The only thing with speedplays is there is a lot more ability for you feet to move or rotate on the pedal. THis is why most people like myself like the speedplays BUT it also takes slightly longer to get out of them.  You have to turn your heel a little further.  I am more than used to it by now as I've had them for 10 years but some take a bit. 

Just a thought.

x2 on the Speedplays. Love em.

I actually find them WAY easier to unclip from than other pedals......

My first fall was at the intersection of a 4 lane hwy I was crossing (I was on a two lane crossing the 4 lane at a light)...I rolled up to the line and unclipped...was just standing there and the light for the 4 lane turned red...my left foot while on the ground spun on the cleat and down I went with a total of 6 lanes of cars pointing and laughing...I was so stuck the car behind me had to get out of his car to help get the bike off of me and my other foot unclipped...needless to say I didn't make the light...first day on the clipless pedals and 2 blocks from the house after a 20 mile ride...as the saying goes "suck it up and rub some dirt in it"

I fell last year at a stop light after coming back from a furious training run with my buddy. We were talking and I just forgot and tipped over. LSF=Low Speed Fall. Once he stopped laughing he told me he did the same thing earlier this year after many years of riding. He was biking early in the morning and saw some deer drinking at the lake and it was so beautiful he stopped to watch. Except guess what he forgot!

Just remember, fall UNDER the bike. Protect your investment

So long as they remember not to lean to the side that is still clipped in.