Originally Posted by penanaut
Howdy y'all. Have you considered Power Grips? Its a strap that is easily atached to you existing pedal and you get that connected to your machine feeling and control but in your street and/or work shoes. I was skeptical when my LBS suggested them when I switched to full time commuting. I love them and I don't have to carry extra shoes. I also like that off stop signs and lights I can get going quickly with a quick stomp on the strap or the strapless side without the hassle of finding the clip or having it scrape on the asphalt. I like my dress shoes shiny at work and the strap has not messed them up yet.
I commute 10 miles over hilly terrain on a racing bike. Ain't no way I'm riding with anything but my cycling shoes. I only commute once or twice a week by bike (that's the max I can do because of family obligations-I trade off picking up my son with my wife so she can work out on the days I don't ride) and I take my clothes in the day before so I'm not lugging a 5-6 lb pack on my back.
Sometimes I try to sprint the distance if I'm feeling good to try to lower my time (of course, lights and traffic always seem to conspire against me).
I ride with SPD-SL, Dura-Ace 7800 pedals and Specialized shoes...full spandex kit of course.