Human vs Equipment

I am about to admit defeat on the bike cleats - I hate them!  I've attached them to the bike on the turbo and after my 2 hour stint last week I very nearly fell off the bike.  Which is totally static.  Fixed to the turbo frame.  Oh dear...  I have tried really really hard to love the cleats, but I just can't get on with them.

I'm also struggling with the new saddle - it doesn't seem to be any more comfortable than the old saddle (which it should be) and it was very expensive (kind present from the Melodeon Master who obviously didn't like the John Wayne walk).  It still hurts, just in different places.

So, a scientific experiment is on....  Today I did a 'fast 10 miles' on the turbo trainer with the horrible cleats and the painful saddle.

And then I replaced the pedals and the saddle...

On Tuesday I'll do a fast 10 miles again and try to note at what point my legs start hurting, and at what point I can't sit on the saddle any more (at twenty minutes today, thank you for asking).  Twenty minutes on the saddle does not bode well for a 7 hour 100 mile bike ride...

I figure that if I use the cleats and my saddle is painful I'm going to be tense and worried.  It's got to be better to be happy and comfortable, right?  I'll probably be slower, but I'll enjoy myself more and actually, um, survive.

Since I've pledged to raise £1,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, survival is crucial!