I've read through all of your responses, and I just wanted to thank you all for responding. If the rain has stopped by tomorrow morning (GMT), I'll be attempting another run with the shoe/cleat/pedal combo. I've read everyone's response with great interest and found all the responses useful. I was happy to see that I was not the only one put off by a cycle that ends feeling like the aftermath of a ice hockey marathon with the Broad Street Bullies. Canopus's reluctance to get back on the rollers with clipless truly reflects my own current trepidation.

Having said that, I will try again. One_Beatnik's query about whether I had lubed the springs gave me the idea of greasing the rear of the cleat where it snaps into the pedal. I am going to try this and hope that it eases the extraction. And looking over cleats from other models mentioned, such as the Nashbar cleats, made me think about how I might modify the Shimano cleats to exit more quickly. This is why we buy Old Timers, one of the three most important tools known to mechanics worldwide (the other two being a pipe wrench and a five pound hammer).

I am intrigued though by BND 10706's reference to eggbeaters. I looked them up on the Crank Brothers web site. They make three-hole cleats as well, which would fit the shoes I have. They are a bit expensive, but if they keep me from battering myself and my bike, all's well. And if worse comes to worst, I will chuck in the whole lot and go for toe-clips as recommended by Panthers007.

Thanks again to all.