I also ride just for exercise and fun, being old-school am resisting going clipless, but have relented and will go clipless next season. This year I had an epiphany when I tightened up the straps. Changed my pedaling style from forward-down to spinning. Holy cow did that make a difference! I had to "hold myself back" because just that little pull backwards and up tended to throw my other leg forward and down. It's only a small percentage, but huge difference is feel. Course, now I can't get my tennis shoes out of the clips...so had to loosen them up again. *sigh*
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FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.