Today, noglider, I rode through a dicey snowy stretch with my feet out of the clips, and pointed downward to keep the metal from dragging in the snow. I wanted my feet out incase the bike went out from under me.

3.5 flat miles isn't really long enouh to save much time by increasing my efficiency with clips, but if they're practical for the bike, I have them on. If I were to commute through deep snow regularly, I'd go w/o clips. When I get my folder, I'm not likely to put on pedals that will take clips.

Edit: Return trip: I was nailed on the side of my helmet with an iceball. I totally chased down the kids into an alleyway... the obvious thrower must have thought I was going to seriously kick his butt, b/c he was reaching into a dumpster to get something to defend himself with.

I asked him what he thought he was doing, and he came right out w/ sorry sir and so on. I asked if he'd like to see a picture of my babies, and showed him and his friend my toddlers and wife, asking them if they really want to knock me over -- under the wheels of a car on the icy road, and have my brains scattered on the road. They agreed that this would be a bad thing. I asked about his age and school (14)

I guess race is part of this-- white guy on a road bike in a black neighborhood, but I teach in a black high school, and tried to make it more of a teaching moment than some kind of road rage thing. He'll probably talk big about it to his friends, but might just take something more positive away from the experience.