Oh, regarding shoes and pedals, etc., it doesn't matter as much as conditioning. One guy we ride with in casual group rides is capable of some serious speed but he often wears sandals and rides an old school cruiser, something like a Raleigh or Schwinn with riser bar -- bike probably weighs 30 lbs with the rear rack, basket or pannier, etc. He cruises at 15-16 mph and looks like he's loafing, not really trying. I follow him on Strava and on his serious longer rides on a road bike he's doing better than 20 mph.