Everyone told me it would happen….”you will fall when learning to ride with clipless pedals”. Oh, pish-posh, that wouldn’t happen to me! I mean, how hard could it really be???? Clip in, balance, go. I admit I was nervous and apprehensive, mostly that I would just look dumb, but never really thought I would fall. I have used them a handful of times in the safety of my trainer, and it felt a little awkward, but I always feel a little out of sorts when I first get on the trainer because it sits you up a little higher.

So, yesterday I bravely put my “big girl shoes” on and decide to practice in the privacy of my own driveway. I clip my left foot in, and…..oh….oh………oh no….I’m wobbling to the left…..can’t get my balance…..thinking “this can’t be happening!” and CRASH!!!!! Next thing I know, I am laying in the driveway with my bike on top of me with a scrapped up knee and severely bruised pride, thinking “I can’t believe I just fell on my VERY. FIRST. TRY!!!!!”, and thanking GOD that I did this alone or I would have been 1000x more embarrassed. I bet it was quite the entertaining sight to see my 6ft frame struggle to maintain balance to be finally overtaken by gravity. Weird sensation it is to be physically attached to your bike. I mean, I knew in my mind that I would be physically attached to my bike, but did not have a clear grasp of what it would feel like to BE PHYSICALLY ATTACHED to my bike. And no, this is NOT me in the picture, but I bet I looked a lot like this poor gal. Too bad I didn’t get video of myself, I LOVE to see a good fall LOL.

So I dusted myself off, took inventory, all my body parts seemed to be intact. Un-true to form (I usually tuck tail and quit when failures occur) I got back on, slowly and carefully clipped in, started to roll, clipped the other foot in and OFF. I. WENT! I managed to ride 11 miles with plenty of stopping and starting and did NOT fall over again (thank goodness!) There were some awkward moments of not feeling like I could clip out in time to stop, and having trouble getting the second foot back in. I didn’t think I would be able to tell much of a difference in my performance with shoes and pedals, but I did. The main difference I felt right off the bat was the increase start off power, my feet didn’t skip off the pedals when I change gears to abruptly, and riding out of the saddle is much easier. I rode a really hilly route, so I didn’t see any improvement in speed. But all in all, after I got started, I think I did pretty well and will get the hang of this thing soon.

On a bad note, I managed to fall on my left knee….the BAD knee. I had just hung up with my mom, and the last thing she told me was “if you fall, don’t fall on your BAD knee!” And what did I do? I feel on the BAD knee DOH!!!!!! Like I said before, it is a little scrapped up (but my tights somehow managed to not get a scratch on them….hmmmm, strange!). I know your thinking….”that doesn’t look so bad, quit being a wuss”, but believe me it was much more dramatic than the picture looks. And how I managed to fall on the inside of my knee befuddles me!!! I iced it, swallowed a handful of Ibuprofen, and said a little prayer that this would not be “Running Layoff Part Deux” Its a little sore today, and I plan to take a few more days off from running. I think I’m still safe to bike though.

Lessons learned……….perhaps line your surroundings with mattress or other protective materials when learning to ride clipless. Do this alone and privately the first time as to not have witnesses (although have your phone handy to call your neighbor in case you tear your ACL or shatter your wrist!). Don’t willy nilly dismiss others when they tell you “everyone falls!” Get back up and try again after the imminent fall occurs….its so worth it in the end!