I was on a long hot (mid 90's) solo ride today, when suddenly I found myself with 2 empty Camelback Podiums. I decided to stop at a convenience store and find some fluids. I parked my bike outside, took off my helmet and went inside. As you can imagine my shoes clicked and clacked on the cheap tiles. I gave a look to the store owner, he was busy looking at my shoes, when he looked up, I gave him my best HTFU look and continued about my business.

This was my first time going in a store on a ride, much less with cleats on. Is it normal to walk in with cleats on, or must I bring along cleat covers or something? What do you guys do?

I'd like to know the answer too. Do you have SPD cleats or Look-style? I wear SPD, but I've only seen covers for Look.

plastic cleats wont damage tile floor so i wouldn't worry about it

SPD-SL. I know it wont do anything, it was just loud on his floor and everyone was looking. I really didn't care, I was electrolyte starved at that moment.

Ef 'em. You bought something, didn't steal it or try to stick him up. Probably didn't puke all over the bathroom or clog the toilet either.

Wear cleat covers to protect your cleats, not the floor. I only use them in an emergency if I have to walk a good distance in my cycling shoes.

Solo? Who was watching your bike outside?

And I thought I lived in crackertown...

Just remember if you have speedplay zero's be very careful. Those metal cleats on a polished tile floor are a recipe for disaster.

I am in North Georgia (very rural) so naturally it was just me at the local country store, so I left it near the front door in view of the cash register. People around here look at bikes like something crazy people use, "I cain't get to no rib BBQ on that thang, can you hitch it to a pick up truck and pull me???"

And I thought I lived in crackertown...

I use SPD-SL cleats too and have never given a second thought to walking in convenience stores. You should give it no further consideration either.

That explains that....LOL! I miss living in a small town.

We have a store up in the mountains with wood floors. They have a sign telling you to use cleat covers or remove your shoes.
Besides that most of the convenience stores I frequent are used to cyclists waddling around like ducks and making a racket. No sign = keep shoes on.

I can certainly understand that on premium flooring. I just didn't know if I was breaking some unwritten Velominati rule about not sounding like a Clydesdale horse bringing a shipment of Budweiser to the local mom and pop store.

I've gone into a strip club with cleats on... I have money and they don't give a rats ass what I look like.

I just go in stores if I need to.

One time I was not allowed in a bike shop without taking off my shoes. He did not want me to scratch the floor. That was so ridiculous and stupid I just left before going in.

I would imagine (and hope) that bike shop soon went out of business.

Anywhere near Blue Ridge?

Sort of but not really, between Commerce and Gainseville.

He wasn't looking at just your shoes.

Consider cleat covers if you don't want to wear out your cleats from walking too much.

Everyone I knows just goes clip-clopping around like it was a natural thing to do.

It was embarrassing with my LOOK cleats because those were really loud. SPD-SL, not so much

Yeah, when I used the Look Delta system, I remember someone turning around and stating that they were expecting to see a woman in heels.

I need to start going on rides with you....