Well it turns out that the springs on the m515 pedals were still just way to tight.

I managed to conquer it, however, and then at the end of the minuteman bikeway in boston, the nicest LBS guy said: "they should have loosed them all the way, knowing it was your first time.:"

So he unwound them some more, and actually now they are too loose! but I was clipping in and out like a pro. Only had one small spill when Ipanicked when a truck came by.

All this suffering for nothing. grrrrrrrrrrrr

Am going to get my own tool set today. This is stupid trying to depend on these bike guys.