Originally Posted by wphamilton

I think her first ride of over 5 miles jumping to 22 miles is going to hurt no matter what. But yes people get a little silly about equipment and advice.

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

Absolutely! She has much bigger problems than platform pedals. There's way too much for her to learn without putting her in cleats. She is liable to fall on her ass, break her wrist and says to hell with the whole thing! I probably have a bias -- having ridden a century + 12 additional miles the same day wearing steel-toed boots and pushing on platform pedals. I think the recommendation that she needs cleats right away is ignorant elitist crap!

First priority is a little narrower, firmer seat at the right height. It need not be hard as a rock -- one step at a time.