I learned a good lesson the hard way last weekend. I got my first road bike last week and have no experience with clipless pedals. Sunday I was riding alone on a paved road that turned to gravel. I knew the gravel was only for a short stretch so I kept going. At this point I totally forgot that I was clipped in. When the gravel got deeper I decided to turn around. In the middle of my turn, the bike slid out and I went down hard on my side. Luckily I was barely moving so I was not hurt. I was more worried that I scratched my new bike. I tried to keep the bike in the air off of the gravel while at the same time releasing the clips. If anybody had come by at that moment it would have been very embarrasing. Eventually I released my shoes and got up. The bike suffered a very slight tear on the end of the left handle bar. The lesson to be learned: Don't ride through gravel while clipped into your pedals.

I learned a good lesson the hard way last weekend. I got my first road bike last week and have no experience with clipless pedals. Sunday I was riding alone on a paved road that turned to gravel. I knew the gravel was only for a short stretch so I kept going. At this point I totally forgot that I was clipped in. When the gravel got deeper I decided to turn around. In the middle of my turn, the bike slid out and I went down hard on my side. Luckily I was barely moving so I was not hurt. I was more worried that I scratched my new bike. I tried to keep the bike in the air off of the gravel while at the same time releasing the clips. If anybody had come by at that moment it would have been very embarrasing. Eventually I released my shoes and got up. The bike suffered a very slight tear on the end of the left handle bar. The lesson to be learned: Don't ride through gravel while clipped into your pedals.
My driveway is gravel and I ride up and down it all the time, there is a favorite ride around here that has a bad road surface, 2.6 miles of gravel, badly done chip and seal, and pot-holes to dodge. I think it has more to do with confidence level and experience than with the gravel.

I'm brand spanking new to road cycling. I actually got my bike in July 2005, so the whole deal with clipless pedals was something I had never experienced until this year. At any rate, on my second ride with some buddies (just to give you an idea, one of the guys use to be a pro racer in the Czech Republic) with my brand new bike. They took me on a 30 mile ride with a stretch of road that was all gravel (the big kind). At one point we had to do a climb on this gravel road. I was having a hell of a time trying to do this gravel road climb sitting down. I decided that I should stand up on the pedals. WRONG! As soon as I stood up and went through one pedal stroke, my back wheel promply came out from under me and I fell on my left hand side because I couldn't unclip in time to put my feet down. I think what I did wrong was I shifted all my weight to the front wheel instead of distributing evenly on the bike.

So lesson learned for me is if you are a newbie to road cycling and this new fangled pedal system, don't go riding on gravel roads!

I'm brand spanking new to road cycling. I actually got my bike in July 2005, so the whole deal with clipless pedals was something I had never experienced until this year. At any rate, on my second ride with some buddies (just to give you an idea, one of the guys use to be a pro racer in the Czech Republic) with my brand new bike. They took me on a 30 mile ride with a stretch of road that was all gravel (the big kind). At one point we had to do a climb on this gravel road. I was having a hell of a time trying to do this gravel road climb sitting down. I decided that I should stand up on the pedals. WRONG! As soon as I stood up and went through one pedal stroke, my back wheel promply came out from under me and I fell on my left hand side because I couldn't unclip in time to put my feet down. I think what I did wrong was I shifted all my weight to the front wheel instead of distributing evenly on the bike.

So lesson learned for me is if you are a newbie to road cycling and this new fangled pedal system, don't go riding on gravel roads!
it ain't the pedal system...it's knowing how to ride on gravel...that said...if you feel you are going to be riding over a particularly challenging patch of ice, gravel or whatnot it's a good idea to unclip one foot in case you do go down.

Since we're all sharing our pedal war stories.... :p

My first experience with clipless was around the block, I had just gotten my bike back from the shop. They had straightened my RD hangar and I bought new pedals and shoes on the visit. I got the pedals on and, heeding the instructions that came with them, practiced getting in and out of them as I leaned up against the wall. Then took the bike out for a quick cruise around the block to make sure my DR was adjusted properly after the hangar repair. Come tooling back into the garage and as I frantically try to unclip my foot, I gracefully fall over on my side. :o Ended up bending the hangar I just had fixed!

Second experience... Cruise around the block again to make sure DR was adjusted properly after the newly repaired hangar (for the second time). Come back into the garage and have my right foot unclipped before I even hit the driveway. I wasn't about to repeat my first experience! :mad: So, I expertly come to a smooth stop in the garage and promptly fall over on my LEFT side! :eek: This time I don't damage the bike, but since my right foot was unclipped I gave myself a nice chain ring tattoo on my right calf muscle.

Moral of my story is... learn how to use the pedals properly...

I haven't had a single problem since and unclipping and clipping are just second nature for me now.

it ain't the pedal system...it's knowing how to ride on gravel...that said...if you feel you are going to be riding over a particularly challenging patch of ice, gravel or whatnot it's a good idea to unclip one foot in case you do go down.


Just remember this when he posts. In this case, however, he's not non-sane.

BT

Just remember this when he posts. In this case, however, he's not non-sane.

BT
I thought that my being insane was a given. Guess we have to warn the newbies though. My bad.

I learned a good lesson the hard way last weekend. I got my first road bike last week and have no experience with clipless pedals. Sunday I was riding alone on a paved road that turned to gravel. I knew the gravel was only for a short stretch so I kept going. At this point I totally forgot that I was clipped in. When the gravel got deeper I decided to turn around. In the middle of my turn, the bike slid out and I went down hard on my side. Luckily I was barely moving so I was not hurt. I was more worried that I scratched my new bike. I tried to keep the bike in the air off of the gravel while at the same time releasing the clips. If anybody had come by at that moment it would have been very embarrasing. Eventually I released my shoes and got up. The bike suffered a very slight tear on the end of the left handle bar. The lesson to be learned: Don't ride through gravel while clipped into your pedals.

It's called "falling over" and everyone has probably been a victim of it at some point. Yeah it definitely looks stupid, but usually occurs either because the rider is new to clipless pedals, or a particular pedal system. I will say though that I've seen this happen to some rather experienced racers usually because of inattention, or sudden unanticipated maneuvers.

I learned a good lesson the hard way last weekend. I got my first road bike last week and have no experience with clipless pedals. Sunday I was riding alone on a paved road that turned to gravel. I knew the gravel was only for a short stretch so I kept going. At this point I totally forgot that I was clipped in. When the gravel got deeper I decided to turn around. In the middle of my turn, the bike slid out and I went down hard on my side. Luckily I was barely moving so I was not hurt. I was more worried that I scratched my new bike. I tried to keep the bike in the air off of the gravel while at the same time releasing the clips. If anybody had come by at that moment it would have been very embarrasing. Eventually I released my shoes and got up. The bike suffered a very slight tear on the end of the left handle bar. The lesson to be learned: Don't ride through gravel while clipped into your pedals.

It's not the gravel, do not slow/stop without unclipping first is a good rule of thumb for newbs

Sorry to bring this thread back to life but had my first "falling over" experience this morning. Was waiting at a two-way stop with my left foot clipped in and started into the intersection when a car appeared over the hill. Tried to stop but my weight had shifted to my left side and down I went. Of course, a car was approaching the stop behind me to further add to my embarassment! :o

I was so happy with myself while reading this thread since I had avoided this experience then my pride decided to trip me!

In case you care, I currently use SPD MTB shoe/pedal combo. Will go to something road specific in the spring.