stapfam,
Thanks for that tip. I'll definitely try that technique (and need to develop those muscles). Maybe that will help me start to overcome hills. I just run out of gas on them to this point. The ol' engine still needs some tuning up. I don't have to stop during the hill climb, but am not very fast. I have a granny gear and am not afraid to use it. Thanks to the friends who advised the triple in lieu of the compact double.
Regarding tension set-up... I backed that adjuster all the way to soft and then moved it one click firm. I had no issues with the cleats coming out of the pedals prematurely. I did sense a bit of a hot spot on my left foot. I probably need to make a bit of a positioning adjustment there.
How often do you check the screws on the cleats? Every ride?