On a scale of one to ten - How embarrasing?

redvee

Jen J wrote:

redvee wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

he landed on a dog, then apologised to it, several times.

I was riding in the lanes around Whitchurch Canonicorum and a duck waddled across the road in front of me so I shouted at it to get out of the way :oops:

And did it?

I didn't run it over.

MrsT

I got SPDs for xmas as well, came off 3 times on Boxing Day !!! Now that is embarassing. The first one was at traffic lights, I just slowly fell sideways, no-one asked if I was ok, but I was giggling manically. Next set of lights, off again, couldn't understand why I couldn't unclip. Once on the ground I looked at my shoes and realised the cleat had twisted out of line. My own silly fault, I hadn't tightened them up as well as I thought. I cycled the rest of the way home very carefully (about 6 miles) and thought I'd made it. Fell of right outside the house!! This was the worst one, I was already bruised and somehow I managed to stab the chainrings into my knee, so there was blood everywhere!!
I avoided the bike for about a week after that, but withdrawal symptoms kicked in. I haven't fallen off since, but I do tend to unclip too soon at traffic lights!

blackworx

Doesn't really count in terms of the OP, but... Back in the glory days of clips and straps, I was about 15 miles from the end the end of a mammoth 145 mile ride with my cousin and our grandad. I was riding two abreast at the front with my cousin, me on the inside. We were taking our usual shortcut through the back streets of Coupar Angus when I failed to make a left turn (sheer exhaustion, brain on standby). My cousin, slightly less exhausted but not perky enough to realise what was going on until the last minute, started to make the turn. He was riding these newfangled Looks and his feet somehow popped out, allowing him to skip over the carnage and do a penguin run to the other side of the road. I on the other hand was strapped in tight and became part of the tangled mass of bike soon to hit the deck, which hurt a bit.

One of my cousin's wheels was totally spannered and he couldn't finish the ride - something I doubt he'll ever really forgive me for :oops:. My bike was fine though (bombproof Reynolds 501 on one inch steel hoops with a gazillion spokes a piece) so I did the last 15 miles, got home, ate my weight in porridge, slept the sleep of the dead for nearly 24 hours, then got up and cleaned the blood and skin off my bike.

boy on bike

When I got my road bike, I cycled carefully back from the shop, managing to unclip each time I needed to, then went round the block a few times practising unclipping. So, on Monday morning I commuted in for the first time, and managed a spectacular dismount failing to unclip in front of a whole queue of cars at some lights! Not content with that, I fell over again on arriving at the bike shed at work... :oops:

What I then failed to realise was that 2 crashes onto the RHS of the bike had pushed the rear deraileur out of alignment: on the way home, the first time I put the bike into the lowest gear the deraileur hit the wheel and I stopped rather abruptly.

So the bike was back in the shop on Tuesday!

Since then I've generally managed successful dismounts, but I do remember failing to unclip at some lights, and rolling gracefully onto the leafy verge - to find that said leaves were hiding a ditch which I disappeared into

Still, its good that we cyclists are so public spirited and do such things to enliven the lives of any passing motorists...

cheehee

I bet the guys at Shimano would crack up reading these tales of StuPiDity, you see what I did there................ :roll:

Shimano Guy;

"Ha Ha check out those rosers, they can't ride with the cripress pedals".............. :P

PS, I've had a few StuPiD moments myself

PPS, I'm half slanty eye, half white boy, so my borderline racist comment is acceptable..............or so my mate HRH Prince Harry tells me

Cheehee

ellieb

First time I came off was when I stopped in front of a queue at an ice cream van on a boiling hot day. As I started keeling over I realized what was happening and went 'AAAARRGGHH'!!!
I can still remember hearing the little old lady at the front of the queue very distinctly saying: 'Oh dear' as I was still on the way down.

:oops:

Niffleman

I got a set of SPD pedals and shoes for Christmas after havering for about a year. I haven't fitted them yet and now I'm a bit concerned. Is it inevitable I'll have at least one fall? I was going to have a practice with them using the turbo trainer for a while before I actually went out. Is this a good idea?

cjcp

redvee wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

he landed on a dog, then apologised to it, several times.

I was riding in the lanes around Whitchurch Canonicorum and a duck waddled across the road in front of me so I shouted at it to get out of the way :oops:

I do this to the deer in Rchmond Park!

jonginge

cjcp wrote:

redvee wrote:

jashburnham wrote:

he landed on a dog, then apologised to it, several times.

I was riding in the lanes around Whitchurch Canonicorum and a duck waddled across the road in front of me so I shouted at it to get out of the way :oops:

I do this to the cars in Rchmond Park!

Let me fix that for you

cjcp

richara3

this is a good one..

Mate at work gets his new mtb, at the same time gets his firs set of shoes and clipless pedals. So he puts the clipless pedals on then puts the cleats on his shoes.. He then hops on the bike and clips in,He gets a hundred yards then tries to unclip but despite many attempts he cant release his foot from the pedal. He spends the next 1/2 or so lent up against the side of his parents house waiting for his dad to get home . When dad finaly arives he prises his sons foot/shoe out of the pedal with a screwdriver.... Turs out that the cleat was just sliding around on the bottom of his shoe as he haddnt tightened down the allen screws enough... Why he didnt just take his foot out of the shoe I dont know ...but its still funny. And lucky to have happened so close to home. His parents house is atleast a mile from the first road junction it would have been a silly walk back from there in his socks had he not decided to practice unclipping closer to home.

simple_salmon

My first was outside the school where I was a PE teacher; in front of all the kids.

Oh the shame :oops: :P

Sewinman

On a scale of 1-10 that is pretty low! Forget to unclip, fall over on to a pretty girl, talk about it on here, said girl randomly also posts on forum and replies :shock: :oops: ...10/10 :

simple_salmon

You've obviously never been a teacher (or if you have then you're more popular than me :? :? )

I have to accept that you have top-trumped me though

Mayhemwmb

I've chuckled at a few of these tales,
I was entered into one of those cycle orienteering type events at Kielder by a good mates sister, I was dreading it as she was bloody fit I was dreading the event, I decided to buy some spd's and shoes as I had loads of bother with the old fashioned toe straps. I fixed them onto the bike, practiced a bit the packed up to head off for the event several days later.
As we set off we got caught in a bottle neck of other riders on an uphill path over a small drainage ditch, I was stopped on this 'bridge', forgot to unclip and toppled over, I went right into the bottom of the drain - luckily to a soft landing, I fell further than I would of had I been on the flat, Talk about embarrassing, there were probably about 20 others riders several others nearly fell off laughing at me :oops:

flybike

Hi, I am new here (and to clipless cycling!), but my clipless incident happened over xmas on my second ride. I was being ultra cautious so clipped out both feet before stopping at a T-junction on a downhill slope. Having got my feet out I didn't want to put my feet back on the pedals incase I clipped back in so I sat on the saddle with my legs dangling in the air, by this time the junction was closer than I thought so I slammed on both brakes and promptly rocketed off the front of the saddle and shot over the handlebars... Lucky is was quiet around so no one to laugh at me.
Now I unclip one foot and pray thats the side I come down on :oops:

MrChuck

My very first SPD ride (years ago now) was OK thanks to furious concentration, but was of course followed the very next day by lying down across a lane of traffic counting myself lucky not to have been flattened. I still have the odd one on the MTB, usually while stationary with one foot out and leaning on the bars- one shift of weight later on not-quite-as-flat-as-it-seemed ground and there you go.

Crapaud

From,Your Biggest Dumb @ss moment

Crapaud wrote:

A clipless moment for me too...

On my way to the local campaigning group's easyride, I was stopped at a red light, right foot unclipped and on the road. With nothing better to do, I have a look around: light, fluffy clouds drift lazily across a bright blue sky (looks like it'll be a nice day), the Kelvingrove museum renovation seems to be coming along nicely, etc.

Then I notice what appears to be a leggy, Mediterranean beauty coming along the pavement towards me, but I only get a glimpse of her before a lamppost in the foreground obscures my view. So I lean slightly to the left to get a better view. Sure enough, she's a stunner! Long legs in tight jeans, ample, hourglass figure, beautiful face topped with long wavey auburn hair - lovely, but something's wrong. It took me a few seconds to realise that I'd moved my centre of gravity a bit too far, and with the sloooowest of slow topples, right arm and leg flailing, I hit the deck.

As I lay on the road, trying to unclip my other foot to get up, I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. It's the Mediterranean beauty looking down at me writhing on the ground, with an amused smirk. It's only at this point that I notice her aged mother, who's obviously seen the whole thing, absolutely pissing herself.

Not my finest hour. But, hey.....phoar!!!

c12345

not a clip story, but still a source of embarrasing to me. One weekend, I went to see friends in London, Summertime and nice weather, so took the shopper in on the train. This bike is a ladies bike with a mix of strumey archer and three speed rear dereulier, far too small, and lives outside my house in the elements. Basicaly its unknickable, and has quite deep gears, so can put a fair turn of speed in, but is not very well looked after. I did pump up the tyres before I left though - somehere in the region of 110 psi: can you see where this is heading yet?

Back to the story. Rode up towards Camden, and just turned off the main road when the bike goes funny. The crank arm has just dropped off! Decide to limp onwards and try and sort it out at a bike shop, so I set off pedaling with the left foot, and every 5 turns kicking the rightside back onto the spindle. This makes for slow progress, and gives plenty of time for a bus stop full of spectators to be fully amused by me limping up the hill on an ill shaped bike. after about five minutes, I draw level with said bus stop, and its at this moment the rear tyre decides to blow in spectacular fasion. basically, it rips both sidewalls off for around 180 degrees of the wheel, releasing its entire payload of 110 psi air instantly with much the same noise as a large calibre gun. the entire queue of the busstop jump as one into the air, with a few yelps and screams, no doubt beleiving it was a gunshot, then pin me down with filthy looks of disgust, leaving me to make a small apology and hang my head with shame as I push my bike off and hurry away.

All credit to the bike shop in Chalk Farm though who got me a new bolt for the crank arm and fitted it on the spot on a busy Saturday morning for what was basically a nominal fee of £1. Thank You!

flybike

Ha ha, that is funny, a "backfiring" bike!

ConsciousPilot

Happened to me twice this week. Stopped (unclipped on left side) at a junction to wait for a van to turn into same road. Rather than let me out 1st the van cut the corner and passed so close to me that I thought he was going to clip my back end. In turning round to see if he was going to clear must have turned the wheel and COG shifted and ever so slowly fell over to the right. :oops: Car behind and a few others over the road to witness said embarrassment. Yesterday arrived back home unclipped left side while turning right into the drive :roll: Didnt straighten up in time before stopping and over I went. Hip landed on the door step so not only bruised ego. Fortunately no-one around to witness this time. Must remember...turn left unclip left, turn right unclip right.

demBones

my unclipping disaster is the usual fare i guess.
had fitted spd's the week before and spent all week being really conscious about being clipped in even to ther point of repeating to myself "you are clipped in, you are clipped in" as i approached every junction/trafficlight. silly but it seemed to work for me.
It all went horribly wrong on the way home on the friday. I was just coasting up to the front of the house when i had a lapse and unclipped my right foot and tried to put my left foot on the floor. next thing i know i'm lying on the floor tangled up with the bike much to the amusement of the queue of traffic at the T-junction. Picked myself up and hobbled to the garage without looking at any of the drivers in the eye. Felt sooo stupid and quite sore for about a week.
That was 6 months ago and now its second nature.

I am worried that one post said everyone has 2 clipless falls though....<eek>

and i'm not sure i will ever feel comfortable enough to go clipless on my MTB but it's early days yet.

symo

Can we please stop telling the clipless tales as I am convinced it caused last nights comedy slo-mo off.

Since having the things they caused me only one accident and that was down to the council not gritting the cycle path. However last night I was at a junction onto a roundabout in the left hand lane about to go straight on. There is a set of lights before the lights at the rondabout and I decided to move through at a snails pace until they turned green. However it was clear that they would remain red so I came to a halt. I realised I had yet to remove my cleat just as I came to a stop and toppled over to my right. Cue much laughing inside of specators "health machines" (cars). So I got off giggled (because I thought it was hiliarious) and as soon as the lights went green left everyone behind.

newburb_1968

The two incidents that happen to me was:
1. The early commute in the morning when turning right into blackfriars bridge, they had some roadworks in the left lane. So I went down the right side in between a Island and car and came across the road works sign, so I unclipped my normal left foot only to catch my peddle on the right side which then made me fool on the sign and to the right. So I can imagine what the driver was thinking , so I then on my feed now move clear out in front of the car and just about to clip-back in (Red faced) with my right foot again. Then the left slid along the wet road which left me doing the splits in the middle of the road in full view at this point I thinking "You silly **#####** " and laughing at how stupid this was looking.

2. Time out on gravel road coming down a hill, I was in MTB and has I turned the corner coming down a car was coming towards me. The road being enough for 1 vehicle, I quickly moved slightly off the road edge on to stop instantly in loose gravel stone and unclipped the wrong side. I then tilt over in slow motion right into the path of the and all I can do is wave with both hands to stop the car. (Good job the car driver had relised that I was in a bit of trouble) Then out jumped this lady who was only a couple feet away in the car to help me up, ensuring I was okay and of course I jumped up virtually laughing again with such a red face and instantly gone (Pride where was it).
I got around the corner then hobbled about for about 10mins rubbing the hip/knee & elbow in agoney...

Sometimes you have to laugh, even when your hurting and then the parnoia sets in "who else is watching"
barry

highwaymunky

The last time it happened to me last April:

I have become so skillful and such a cycling expert now that upon my arrival at my LBS (local bike shop) I was waiting for the manager to arrive I was cycling round in circles to keep warm having blasted the 5 miles to work in a respectable sub 20 min time (it is almost all down hill) I was feeling pleased with myself and my improving fitness and speed.
I look the part, I ride well and I am a cool mountain biking commuting cyclist.
I come to a stop in front of the shop, unclasp the left foot and stand down…..
I then start of over balance to the right……. (the right foot is still fastened to the pedal)
I try to correct this but only manage to continue my fall to the right,
I now try to unclasp my right foot in order catch my self and perform an excellent cyclist shuffle!
Now for those who do not know the act of removing ones’ foot from the spd pedal whilst in a panicked usually falling situation i have decided to call the “cyclist shuffle.”
Imagine if you will a person stubbing out a cigarette on the floor (Olivia newton john in grease style)
Now you have this image speed it up by a factor of 150% and add the shear panic of a deer in headlights coupled to the imminent arrival of pain such as watching something heavy fall onto your toes and you just watch and the toes won’t move out of the way!
Put this together and you have the emotions and actions of the “cyclist shuffle”
The Shuffle failed!
I land on my side still attached to my bike with a loud bang and shout of “Ouch!”
At this point the 5 LBS’s colleagues and 4 customers and the manager all fall over them self’s laughing their asses off at me writhing on the floor.
The embarrassment level was pretty high.

Bugger

Citizen Smith

First time riding clipless this morning (speedplays)...took a while to get them to engage but I understand that's partly down to the 'newness' and just getting the knack of postioning my feet correctly. By the end of my 30 min ride, I was getting the hang of it and without having to look down which is a bonus (which I had to a lot with my previous toe clips).

No cosying up to the ground as yet but three very close calls. Two where I managed to unclip at the very last minute (ala the cyclist shuffle) and one where I did have to utilise the side of a lorry to steady myself. Hopefully, I will manage to avoid a 'TIMBER!" type moment (that's what feel's like when I start to lose my balance - especially with such weight in my panniers) but I'm readying myself for one!! I'm just making sure that I unclip it good time if I see that I will need to stop up ahead - need to keep line of sight of the road ahead.

I certainly found it harder to turn the cranks - it might be just getting used to the new geometry of my stroke but I'm thinking that I may need to increase my saddle height in conjunction with adjusting the cleats to optimal position for the size of feet. I think my foot is a little too close to the crank at the moment.

However, I recognise that I appear to be putting down more power down so look forward to increasing my speed. I will be putting my 'Scotty' hat on over the weekend. Speaking of which will be interesting to see what Simon Pegg makes of the Scotty role in the new Star Trek movie.

snakehips

My first clipless off was in Richmond Park, at one of the roundabouts. I expected the cyclist in front of me to go but he didn't. I fell to the left , grassy side fortunately , but the ground sloped away in to a shallow ditch. I rolled partially in to the ditch and the bike came up in the air with my feet still attached to it. I remember seeing a clear blue sky with a bike hanging strangely in it. The contrast between the pale blue of the sky and the darker blue of my frame was most pleasing to behold.

I have also 'gone the other way'. In the middle of the night on the Dun Run last year , somewhere in Suffolk , I unclipped left in my accustomed manner , but my weight was over on my right hand side !