"Peewiglet" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 18:55:15 +0100, "wafflycat"
Just a spot of training for when you first try clipless ;-)

g They sound a bit scarey! :-)

The thing to do is find some nice soft grass with few people, say a park
early in the morning, and then practice, practice, practice. Start off
supporting yourself against a wall/fence/whatever then move into open space
when you've got the basics.
If you do fall off in practice try to avoid the reaction of stretching out
your arm and landing on your hand, instead aim to land on your shoulder
(yes, I know this is easier said than done), or at least don't lock your
elbow.
Also: don't forget to set the release tension to its lowest setting,
initially at least.

In well over a decade of using clipless on the road I've only fell off once
clipped in when doing a trackstand and I'd already passed up ample
opportunities to unclip and put my foot down ;-)
All my formative riding with clipless was done mtbing off-road (no traffic
to run over me and only friends to laugh at me :-) where falling off goes
with the territory, which is why I'm suggesting you practice in a safeish
environment.

I have read posts where people have stated they've "forgotten" to unclip, I
won't dispute their experience but to me it's like saying "I forgot to
brake".
Braking should be instinctive and unclipping should become so too after
going through the learning process.
Believe me I never consciously unclip any more than I walk by consciously
moving one leg in front of t'other.

Don't put too much store in scare stories, they may have a negative impact
on your learning process..

--
Pete