New shoes and pedals have arrived!

My stuff came in early.  Thanks Amazon!    My pedals are Shimano 105 SPD-SL and the shoes are Pearl Izumi Race RD III (pics below).  I will review the gear later and talk through why I chose these.  But I wanted to take a minute first to talk about my first ride.

I took Sven on cruise this morning clipped in for the first time.  That is an interesting experience! 

17.5 miles
1:20 
http://app.strava.com/activities/200553126

A few things I learned:

• I have a lot to learn about pedaling efficiency!  There is a technique that needs to be learned.  The coordination to complete the entire pedal stroke is not something that I will pick up immediately.  I felt a little like trying to play the drums for the first time.  Hard to get your hands and feet moving at the same time.  Similarly, I could get about two of the four zones of the pedal stroke working but not all four on both legs at the same time.  Here's the instruction I am working off of:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5DIwAveY7w
• When you add pedals and shoes, RAISE THE SEAT!  At least for Shimano SPD pedals.  It raises your feet up significantly and you need to raise your seat to accommodate.
• Be prepared to be tired!  Having the ability to pull up while pedaling in great.  However, it exercises new muscles.  The fronts of my hips are feeling it today.
• Practice getting in and out of your clips a bunch before heading out!  I went out after getting in and out just a couple of times.  I had a hard time getting in the pedals while crossing a major street.  Not cool...
• Remember you are clipped in!  I almost ate it on the trail portion of my ride.  There was a fallen tree that I had to lift my bike over.  I forgot I was clipped in and almost tipped over when I stopped.  That would have been embarrassing.  Here's a philosophical question...If a chubby cyclist falls in the woods and nobody is there to see it...Is he an idiot?  I am going with YES! 

In all, clipping in is easy.  I would say very easy.  It's a bit unnerving at first and my body needs to acclimate to the new capabilities of the pedals.  However, when I learn how to pedal right and get used to it, I can tell it will make a huge difference.