I've actually had concern about falling asleep on this route in a "classic Pavlovian response" kind of way.

I guess I discovered a ritual I have today when I broke it. I puttered around until I was pushed for time so instead of going upstairs to my sock drawer and getting my "bike" socks I just wore the cotton ankle lengths I had on. Big mistake. About 25 miles in my two little toes on my right foot started killing me. My left foot was just a little but my right was getting intense with every stroke. Loosened the straps, moved my foot around in the shoe while trying not to unclip and got minimal relief. I guess the extra mm. or two of thickness was enough to put the pressure on. These aren't new shoes. They are probably 10 to 12 years old and have had a lot of use. Broken in.

I'll never not wear my "bike" socks when I ride in those shoes.

I probably have a lot of "rituals" that I only notice when I change something and it doesn't work. I know I am a little crazy with getting things in multiple when I find something I like. The shoes for example. My first real cycling shoes were worn out to the point of being held to the sole with duct tape (I have wide feet and am fussy about getting shoes that fit) and was in something of a panic when I found these. So I bought two pair that I have rotated over the years. I'll buy gloves in twos or threes because I've found as soon as I find some thing I like it's discontinued. Want something to go out of production? Sell it to me.

While in my "real" life I am kind of messy and disorganized by nature (talk to my wife if you want to hear about this) with my bikes I am obsessive with doing things a certain way, every time. It's really self-defense learned the hard way. I always line up my valve stem and the tire label. If the tire only has one label it goes on the drive side. I have to have talcum on my tubes. I only use Michelin and Vittoria tubes because they don't have threads to snag my pump head when I'm pulling it off or to give me more resistance putting it on. I check my tires on any bike before any ride. My frame might be dirty but my drive train is cleaned regularly.