Well, almost. Long story short, for a week or so I'm staying somewhere much closer to where I work than usual. So, I took along to the temporary abode the folder that has a flat side to the clipless pedals and rode to the office this morning in hiking shorts and a cotton (!!!) t-shirt. The only pieces of superhero / OMGLANCEWANNABE equipment (yes, I am being sarcastic) that I preserved were bike-specific gloves, bike-specific shades and of course (?) the helmet. I didn't even change at office -- I zipped on the "legs" to my shorts and put on a long-sleeved shirt I leave at the office was good to go. The lack of bike shorts and wicking clothing was not a big deal for what was maybe a 20 minute ride.

How did it go? you ask. Not bad, but I prefer the full kit and bike shoes. I never want to ride without clipless pedals again. It's the first time I've done that in something like five years and maybe only the fourth or fifth time in 12 years. I was very nervous and uncomfortable, feeling like I had a lot less control of the bike with my feet sliding around on the pedals. Those of you afraid of clipless pedals... you must feel the same way, though for perhaps different reasons.

Bad drivers, clueless peds and shaky fellow commuters... they were all still out there. So maybe it was not so different after all.

Edit: changed 15 years to 12 years. Not THAT old, yet.