I went one more step and got some toe straps. The way that these seemingly simple things work is that rather than just pushing the pedals, now you're pulling too, so every stroke is twice as strong. I just rode down to Great Harvest for breakfast, and the difference was immediate. Now I'm going 10 and 11 mph on the uphills, rather then 5 or 6, and going 22 on the flats, rather than 13. Of course, now my legs hurt in all new places, too.
So, a couple more days of practice, and I might be ready to make my friends, family and coworkers more nervous by biking all the way to work.
Have you got one of those pennants on a tall stick to warn drivers behind you that you are there??
Steve just offered me the flag from his tandem to put on the bike. It sticks out the left, encouraging drivers to leave a little extra room when they go around.
As you prepare for your maiden voyage to work on your new bike you might want to read the Analysis of Traffic Crash Data in Kentucky, table numbers 41 and 42 are espeically helpful.
Hey, I share because I care.
Oh, yes. I almost forgot. You will want to carry this form with you any time you are out riding your bike on Kentucky highways. Just think of it as being prepared.