Remember when I said my winter cycling shoes were so heavy? So heavy that I could feel my upstroke and my quads were terribly unhappy very early in the bike ride?
Maybe not but I do.
Anyway several rides ago I had an post-ride-shower epiphany. It’s the cleats.
I had installed my SPD cleats in my usual position – which would be fine … if the shoes weren’t two sizes larger than my usual cycling shoes. Checked where the widest part of my foot was hitting inside the shoe and moved the cleat back significantly.
Sure enough, my winter shoes are no longer a terrible burden and when coupled with toe warmers, I’m a much happier cyclist out on the road and in the woods. Praise Science!
Pro Tip #1: if it doesn’t feel quite right, tweak it until it does.
See you on the road or in the woods!
wife. mother. awesome girl. 
Short, sweet but to the point. It’s always tempting not to make those minor adjustments even when you know it’s not right; cleats, seat height/tilt etc…but when it feels right, it feels right:
http://ragtimecyclist.com/2013/12/19/the-obscure-art-of-road-bike-set-up/
So true … when it’s really good you have to leave it alone! 🙂