shoes and racks

[Biciclista]

take your bike into the shop and have them remove those things from your pedals, it's not safe. I suggest you buy an inexpensive pair of bike shoes first (well fitted hopefully) for you to get used to the idea. Later on, when you know what you want you can spend a bunch of money.
I bought a nice pair of bike shoes for about 40 dollars. they had a sole I could walk on and they were firm enough to protect my feet from the rigors of cycling.

ps in my humble opinion 25 pounds is a lot of groceries to carry on a bike. It would be enough for me!

[blackhillsbiker]

I have a Topeak rack on my commuter. I really like it. I especially like the rail/clip system for attaching bags & panniers. It is quick to put on and easy to get off if I don't want to leave it on my bike.

Deb

[moderncyclista]

Chrome bags makes some nice street shoes with a fiberglass insert to make the sole rigid enough for biking (so it doesn't flex over the pedals making your feet numb.) With a gnarly tread that grips the pedals and a small reflective strip on the heel. They look like Chucks but made functional for biking and a big plus to me, they don't look dopey like some cycling shoes.

They run about $70 - $100 dollars depending on the model but they are pure style. Get some of these and run toe clips.

[Geonz]

Turn that bike into a *real* grocery getter.

Xtracycle is doing an inventory reduction sale right now, by the way... (and you can get the extension; you don't have to get a whole bike). I don't own stock in 'em, just own one that let's me do without one of those car things most of the time.

[Melalvai]

I got a pair of Keen shoes from REI for that exact problem. I wanted the toe clip, but only on the right side, because I stop at every stop sign and stop light, and I like to be able to get my foot in the start position quickly. My running shoes are too wide and these Keen shoes were exactly right.