I started using pedals with toe clips in my early teens because Lemond, my childhood idol, was using them. Before then, I was fine with platforms on a single speed with coaster brakes and a Kmart ten-speed, as my riding was not demanding and mostly used to get from point A to B. But with the purchase of my first "good" bike, a Peugeot, I ventured further which necessitated the climbing of larger hills. Along with the clips and my wooden soled Sidi shoes, I felt so much more connected to the bike especially on the climbs. However, this connection had a price, my feet would throb with pain due to the tightness of the straps only after an hour or two of riding.

Clipless pedals became popularized a few years later for cycling enthusists, though by that time I had fallen out of love with cycling and headed off to college. After getting married and kids, I started riding again about 15 years ago. By this time toe clips with horizontal cleated shoes had long been replaced by various "clipless" systems. I continued to ride clipped (with sneakers) for a few years, but eventually bought a second hand bike with entry level Look pedals. At the time road cycling was at its high, as Armstrong was piling up his TDF victories, so everyone including me was now adorned with clipless pedals and colorful jerseys.

Currently, I have 3 road bikes with clipless pedals; DuraAce, Speedplay and the old Look. But more frequently take out the bikes with toe clips, mostly because my road rides are short, riding with the kids, or somewhere I'm just commuting to so planned on walking or hiking when I arrived.

I've also spent more time on the trails this past year then years past and found more benefits with clipless in ascents, where I'm constantly changing directions when climbing. Additionally going downhill and bumping through roots and rocks, the Eggbeaters keep my feet planted on the pedals. All that being said, I'm going back to platforms (with rivets) on 2 of my mt bikes as my riding lately has been getting technical to a point where I need the step off frequently. When my skills improve I'll go back to the Eggbeaters or some variant.

When I get back to more serious road riding I'll likely again embrace the clipless systems, or whatever the pros are using..... But for now toe clips seem fine to me, they fit most pairs of shoes I own, they are cheap and I have a box full of them. I also have a box of clipless pedals, most of which I don't plan to ever use again and many missing cleats. Boy, I do love the simplicity of toe clips.