I went clipless and never looked back. My Shimano pedals are pretty big so if I want to unclip a foot (never both) for a section I can position my arch over the mount. I have my tension set as low as I can for quick escapes. I agree- if it looks too technical, I walk. I too like to be "one with the bike". Better sense of control. You can buy "campus" pedals which are platform on one side, clipless on the other. I think there is also a gizmo that can clip into an spd and turn it into a platform- saw it online somewhere.