I realize that I'm bringing up a semi-controversial subject with my first post, but here goes nothing...

(Trumpets Sound) THE GREAT CLIPLESS DEBATE!

I’ve been biking with regular tennis shoes on platform pedals my entire life. Even so, I’ve done a lot of long rides and even my first Century about a month ago...Now I’m training for the infamous Dirty Dozen (a race up the 13 steepest hills in Pittsburgh) and the folks I’m riding with can’t believe that I don’t use clipless pedals – or even clips, for that matter.

I do find that I am struggling significantly more than the others on sustained, steep climbs. I assume that this is 95% just because I am not as fit as the other riders –- but I was wondering how much my performance might improve if I were to go clipless. Once again, I know that hill repeats and increasing my cardio abilities are what I really need to work on –- I realize I’m not going to put some cleats on and win the Tour de France…But how noticeable do you think the improvement in time or climbing ability would be as a result of going clipless?