Today I joined THAT club
Discussion
First time I did it, I had got my new pedals but it was snowing outside. I fitted them and headed out into the thick snow.
The bike stopped suddenly and I slowly keeled over into about a foot of snow. It wasn't too bad.
The second time was worse, I crossed a low curb at a shallow angle and the front wheel skidded away from me, I had one foot clipped in and with the other one I was hopping along trying desperately to keep the bike upright. I still went down, that one hurt.
The bike stopped suddenly and I slowly keeled over into about a foot of snow. It wasn't too bad.
The second time was worse, I crossed a low curb at a shallow angle and the front wheel skidded away from me, I had one foot clipped in and with the other one I was hopping along trying desperately to keep the bike upright. I still went down, that one hurt.
I've had membership since the age of 15. Second ride on SPDs, stopped at traffic lights, cars pull up behind me, attempt to trackstand, felt myself going, pulled foot backwards to get it out of toeclip, s
t-just-remember-I've-now-got-SPDs moment, over I went.
Result: one broken arm and several drivers pishing themselves laughing.
t-just-remember-I've-now-got-SPDs moment, over I went. Result: one broken arm and several drivers pishing themselves laughing.
I recently rejoined on the Essex 100 at the weekend, mind was elsewhere as i was slurping on a gel, approached a junction, anticpated the guy infront joining the road but he stopped for a car - fair enough - and yours truly wobbled to the right and realised that with out boht hands on hte bar, twisting out of spds is actually quite hard, I said "i'll be on the floor if you need me" and promptly fell over.
didnt drop the gel though!
didnt drop the gel though!
I joined the club outside the main entrance at work, during rush hour. I'd only had SPD's a couple of weeks. Wasn't expecting the car in front to stop at the junction, braked to a stop and toppled over. At no point did I think "I should twist my foot now" and I hit the ground like a sack of spuds. The woman in the car actually got out and helped me out of the road, because I'd fallen into the path of oncoming traffic. Thankfully there wasn't any.
I ended up going to A&E where they put me in plaster and the following day diagnosed a badly sprained wrist. If I'd broken it (which they originally thought I had) the recovery period would have taken me to December 28th. Which would not have been good.
Second time was about 50 metres from SWMBO's house. Riding round a corner (very slowly) drinking from a bottle (I'd finished my ride, so was a bit knackered) when a young kid came absolutely flying round the other way on a BMX with no brakes. I jinked sharp left to avoid him and just kept going round. Ended up not being able to straighten up and landed in a heap. He got both barrels when he came back to see what happened. If I'd been in a wheelchair, or if I'd been 5, he would have seriously injured us both. I actually growled at him!
I wouldn't go back to normal pedals now. I ride all year round and the certainty of grip whether it's raining, snowing or really muddy is worth the occasional spill.
I ended up going to A&E where they put me in plaster and the following day diagnosed a badly sprained wrist. If I'd broken it (which they originally thought I had) the recovery period would have taken me to December 28th. Which would not have been good.
Second time was about 50 metres from SWMBO's house. Riding round a corner (very slowly) drinking from a bottle (I'd finished my ride, so was a bit knackered) when a young kid came absolutely flying round the other way on a BMX with no brakes. I jinked sharp left to avoid him and just kept going round. Ended up not being able to straighten up and landed in a heap. He got both barrels when he came back to see what happened. If I'd been in a wheelchair, or if I'd been 5, he would have seriously injured us both. I actually growled at him!
I wouldn't go back to normal pedals now. I ride all year round and the certainty of grip whether it's raining, snowing or really muddy is worth the occasional spill.
ewenm said:
There's the special VIP membership you can get by unclipping on the left and then slowly toppling right (or vice versa)
I've been riding clipless for years and still have the occasional wobble when I'm knackered or distracted.
Ha! Where do I collect my membership card?I've been riding clipless for years and still have the occasional wobble when I'm knackered or distracted.
Two days ago, returning from a 35 miler after 2.5 weeks off the bike. Turned into the drive, unclipped the left, as always, but found myself falling to the right. Fortunately I have a grass strip up the middle of the drive, so a soft landing, and I managed to 'roll' the bike into the air while still clipped in with my right foot, thereby avoiding any expensive drive-train damage or (further) tears to the saddle.
All after promising that I'd never do THAT again the last time I did THAT. I think the problem was I'd turned right off the road, so when I unclipped the left pedal, the bike was already leant over to the right a little. Live and learn, eh?
Done it twice.
1st time about 1/4 mile from home at some traffic lights. Tried to balance and failed. Lots of cars and another cyclist saw it.
2nd time.
I was half way through a 100 mile ride from home to the seaside.
I was going up a steep hill and got some chest pains which panicked me. Discovered later it was heartburn.
I rode to the side of the road and stopped. I forgot to unclip and fell over into a ditch full of nettles.
Being upside down in a ditch being stung from head to foot made the chest pains seem a little less urgent lol.
1st time about 1/4 mile from home at some traffic lights. Tried to balance and failed. Lots of cars and another cyclist saw it.
2nd time.
I was half way through a 100 mile ride from home to the seaside.
I was going up a steep hill and got some chest pains which panicked me. Discovered later it was heartburn.
I rode to the side of the road and stopped. I forgot to unclip and fell over into a ditch full of nettles.
Being upside down in a ditch being stung from head to foot made the chest pains seem a little less urgent lol.
longshot said:
I was half way through a 100 mile ride from home to the seaside.
I was going up a steep hill and got some chest pains which panicked me. Discovered later it was heartburn.
I rode to the side of the road and stopped. I forgot to unclip and fell over into a ditch full of nettles.
Being upside down in a ditch being stung from head to foot made the chest pains seem a little less urgent lol.
I lol'ed again. I was going up a steep hill and got some chest pains which panicked me. Discovered later it was heartburn.
I rode to the side of the road and stopped. I forgot to unclip and fell over into a ditch full of nettles.
Being upside down in a ditch being stung from head to foot made the chest pains seem a little less urgent lol.
If it helps for comedic purposes, and this is a question too by the way, I didn't take my hands off the bars. Think Delboy when he falls through the bar.
I think I didn't move my hands because I thought it would probably hurt more, is that the right thing to do or is it whatever works at the time?
I think I didn't move my hands because I thought it would probably hurt more, is that the right thing to do or is it whatever works at the time?
You're all making me nervous! I've been using them for over 25 years and not yet fallen.
I did have a moment using cleats,clips and straps many many years ago. I was doing a quick circuit of Margate in the rain and slipped on a corner. Skidded wheels first under a stationary lorry. Suffered pains to the pride mostly, I had to be dragged out by the wheels, as I couldn't reach the bloody strap releases.
I did have a moment using cleats,clips and straps many many years ago. I was doing a quick circuit of Margate in the rain and slipped on a corner. Skidded wheels first under a stationary lorry. Suffered pains to the pride mostly, I had to be dragged out by the wheels, as I couldn't reach the bloody strap releases.
Centurion07 said:
If it helps for comedic purposes, and this is a question too by the way, I didn't take my hands off the bars. Think Delboy when he falls through the bar.
I think I didn't move my hands because I thought it would probably hurt more, is that the right thing to do or is it whatever works at the time?
The first time that I came off using clip in pedals wasn't as a result of the comedy 'fail to unclip', but as a result of a sudden and catastrophic loss of grip turning right in the rain. I too gripped onto the bars, as the front wheel washed out and I skidded down the road maintaining 3 points of contact - my right thigh, right foot, and rear mech. Nasty gravel rash from knee to hip (which I foolishly failed to photograph), scuffed shoes, scuffed pedal, and cosmetic damage to my brand new Ultegra rear mech.I think I didn't move my hands because I thought it would probably hurt more, is that the right thing to do or is it whatever works at the time?
In answer to your question, I think there is a benefit, because the top cause of a broken collar bone seems to be putting one's arm out to prevent a faceplant. The scab that formed on my thigh was deep and crisp, but very uneven, and took a lot longer to mend than the bike!
I am not a member yet, so having just said that, I will most likely join tomorrow.
I did have a membership form in my hand though, cycling through a town when I was overtaken by an Audi TT, rounded the corner to find stationary traffic and as I was filtering slowly by in the cycle lane, the traffic started moving and the TT driver stuck on their left indicator. They saw me and waited assuming I'd continue, but I am cautious so I had slowed assuming they would turn, then I waved them to go ahead and slowed some more, and found myself falling towards the footpath. Thankfully the SPDs unclipped at the last second (about 45 degree lean) and I just managed to stay upright.
A car full of young lads all started laughing at me and... I couldn't help but laugh with them!
I did have a membership form in my hand though, cycling through a town when I was overtaken by an Audi TT, rounded the corner to find stationary traffic and as I was filtering slowly by in the cycle lane, the traffic started moving and the TT driver stuck on their left indicator. They saw me and waited assuming I'd continue, but I am cautious so I had slowed assuming they would turn, then I waved them to go ahead and slowed some more, and found myself falling towards the footpath. Thankfully the SPDs unclipped at the last second (about 45 degree lean) and I just managed to stay upright.
A car full of young lads all started laughing at me and... I couldn't help but laugh with them!
I had the obligatory fall off when I first got the pedals and recently renewed my membership on the commute to work. In a queue of traffic I'd managed to clip back in without realising, came to put my leg down and over I went. Couldn't bring myself to look at the car driver behind me.
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