How to stop and NOT fall...

[PoweredByVeg]

how to stop and not fall?

I like to lean my hand on the wall above the urinal, do my business and shake. The gently remove hand, steady oneself, check everythings away and move on. With practice this can be seamless

Reminds me of the time I saw a bloke stopped with his dog. Well, his dog was standing with both front paws on the tree, having a piss.
I asked him, "hey mate, why does your dog piss like that?"

"Well", he replied "a few years ago a tree fell on him!"

 

[youngoldbloke]

Thanks guys, I'll try some suggestions...Others are really DUH! things...of course I try to lean to the right and put the right foot down since it's the one I unclip...somehow I always end up going left though...ugh!

Was just about to say its safer to fall left - but then noticed your location. Keep practising with the right foot!

 

[slowmotion]

Within three weeks of going clipless, I have been down twice. Both times were when coming to an unexpected halt. No great injuries at all. I have always pushed off from stationary with my right foot so my left foot is the one that I unclip first when approaching any potential stop. I'm new to this so I get my left foot out about ten seconds in advance. Being a coward, I also get my right foot out with five seconds before stopping. I'm not proud.

What slightly scares me is the possibility of something happening that gives me only a few seconds in which to react. Someone walking out between cars, or whatever. If it isn't a clear city road, I pedal on my heels unclipped. Right now, I'm not skilled enough to react suddenly and get myself disconnected.

Good luck.

 

[montage]

Give it a few more rides and soon enough it will be as natural as putting on and taking off a pair of flip flops

 

[marzjennings]

Give it a few more rides and soon enough it will be as natural as putting on and taking off a pair of flip flops

Agreed. Is does get a lot easier and natural.

Practice and time are the only things that'll help with stopping and falling to one side.

I had most of my falls like that back in toeclip days and switching to clips was an easy transition.

But even after a few years these things still happen. I got a small piece of rock stuck in the left cleat one time, didn't know it until I tried to unclip and drop the left foot ready to stop. Left foot was stuck solid, managed to unclip the right foot and somehow poked it through the frame and stop myself from falling over. A very weird cross legged position. I thought cool, saved that one, but then realized I was stuck. Left leg was at a funny angle, still couldn't unclip and with no way to reposition the right leg I had to resort to just falling over anyway so I could get free of the bike. Nowt saved!

 

[ian turner]

Get someone to watch you fall off.
Er I mean watch you unclip and attempt to lean in the right direction.
Video it even so you can see what you're doing.

 

[hotmetal]

Give it a few more rides and soon enough it will be as natural as putting on and taking off a pair of flip flops

Hmm, interesting analogy. Flip flops are the one kind of footwear that I've tried that I can't get on with. If I could walk in them the noise alone would drive me mental, but as it is I cannot get the things to stay on. And they give me cramp and somehow my heel slides off and the middle bit hurts the skin between my big toe and the next one. Clipless shoes were a breeze compared to the Havaianas my GF bought me.

 

[Mad at urage]

If unclipping the right foot (presumably on the right side of the road) push forward on the right handlebar slightly as you do so, this will cause the bike to lean to the right. You are probably unconsciously pushing forward on the opposite bar, making the bike lean left.

 

[exbfb]

I'm one of life's over analysers.

This makes me get unclipped way early and know what side I'll be looking to lean to.