First fall off on clipless pedals

mistermatthew

Having recently taken up bike riding I heard a lot about people doing the stationary fall. I however thought I was above such things.
However today I was on a new route, tackling some local hills. Having conquered one I decided I'd take a break and bask in my own achievement. Then still tired I decided to continue.
Clipped in left foot and was clipping in right and bike started to lena alarmingly to the left.
Two seconds later I was lying in a rather dastardly placed pile of nettles. Tingling arm all the way home. Luckily no one witnessed this. It got me wondering though.
What is your most embarrassing staionary fall, as today made me imagine you could get some pretty shocking ones?

statto25

A couple of years back I bought clipless pedals and shoes and like yourself I was just starting out. As soon as they were delivered I fitted the pedals, stuck on the shoes and bolted out the door. I clipped out once or twice as I was setting off and thought "This is easy, I'll have no problems at all"
With my confidence high I set off through the town and met some traffic. As i approached the rear of a car I started to clip out but it wasn't happening. Panic set in and needless to say I ended up on my side in front of not only pedestrians and cars but about 20 of the local cycling club who regularly meet in a certain carpark along the route. Amid the sniggers and laughing, I gathered myself and headed off head-down on my way with a very red face.

Colonel Panic

That junction on the Long Mile Road towards the Walkinstown roundabout. Taxi driver behind me made sure to beep the hell out of his horn so everyone would look!

Icyseanfitz

good thread, yeah after about 8 months of cycling on them i had my first "incident" yesterday, about 2 minutes after starting my route i went to stop at a junction (not very busy thank god) and i thought id get away with a track stand...until i looked left and it will went arse up :pac: a couple of walkers and many drivers saw me red faced trying to laugh it off..funny stuff haha

humbert

Came up through stopped traffic to the lights at Grand Canal bridge. There's a slight incline so I came to a stop a little quicker than expected. When I tried to unclip my foot didn't come out as easily as usual and I panicked and pulled.

The drivers would just have seen me coming up between the two lanes of stopped traffic to the front and slowly toppling over out of view. Picked myself up but waiting for the lights to change felt like an hour.

AaronB

I had been using clips for along time, but one day a group of us were out and the guy in-front of me came to a stop and i just couldnt re-act quick enough to get my foot out. I did manage to slow down alot but i fall on my side and what ever way my elbow tucked in it broke 2 of my ribs when i landed on it.

I was just one of those unlucky moments, my one and only fall due to clips.

IM0

Alpe d'huez - the top had just finished a TT up there in 53 minutes, so was knackered, went for the public toilet on the other side of the road to the fountain. got to door, clipped out on the left side [which I NEVER do after about 6 years of using them! ]

handlebars fell to the left and in catching the bike and in massive fatigue unbalanced myself on the right side, while being unclipped on the left :rolleyes:
and down I went looking like a ****in noob :rolleyes:

Cee-Jay-Cee

There's a rough drive way from my house down to the road. I usually only clip in one foot as I freewheel down it abd clip in the second once I know the road is clear. That day I clipped in both feet as I thought the road was clear but as I got to the end of the lane I heard a car approaching fast, I slowed right down thinking I could pace it till it past, I realised I couldn't and tried to clip out but couldn't and just as the car past I toppled into the wet grass verge. The kids in the back of the car all had a great laugh at me. Of course I got up quick as lightning and headed off my spin embarrassed and wet but sort of glad it happened as I knew it would at some stage and at least I wasnt hurt.

Wishbone Ash

Very stormy evening. Unclipped left foot at traffic lights on the Main Street in Rush. Sudden gust of wind unbalanced me and fell over on my right side which was still clipped in.

Of course every teenager in the town were congregated outside Xtra-vision!:o

Curran

Only cycling 3 weeks and had my first already!
Happened towards the end of my route, about 2 mins from home; at a traffic light junction, with a petrol station on the left almost immediately before the junction, and three lanes.
My route is to turn left, lights are green, truck pulls out of petrol station, as I approach and crosses my lane to get into the lane for straight ahead, so my view of the road ahead is blocked. I have to back of slightly and as he cleared the lane, squeezing up the inside before he's fully out of the lane, I see the ligths are amber and decide I'll make it, as they've probably just changed. Not a chance...lights red and Im 5-10m away...thinking; Ill just go ahead and swing around the corner anyways (sure I just missed it). Now have full view of road ahead, first at the lights opposite is the Guards in patrol car and to add there's a person crossing the road. Jam on, skid to the line, try to balance but it doesnt happen; down I go, in what feels like one of the most stupid things Ive ever done...similar to biting your own cheek! :rolleyes:
No doubt the Guards had a good laugh, along with all the other motorists, the pedestrian walked on by without saying a word. Pulled out the phone to stop the route recording (as Im practically done) and dust myself off, saddle is turned about 45 degress, but hop back on and get out of there red faced.

Lesson learned early on!