Embarrasing Moments in MTB #2

Yesterday I purchased a pair of Shimano SPD shoes. With the velcro and the ratchet fastener thing up top. They feel a tiny bit tight when standing, but am sure this won't be the case when riding and after a bit of wear. I've previously been wearing Specialized shoes of the softer variety (softer sole, laces, more like a standard trainer) but wanted something stiffer and more hard wearing.

Anyhow, what prompted the purchased yesterday (even though I've been considering this for a while) was getting out on a ride and then finding the Specialized had fallen apart, strangely in the exact same way as their predecessor (I've tried two pairs of these). Spooky eh (well, read on - not really!).

What was also a bit annoying on this ride is that the left one didn't seem to want to release from the pedal quiet as easily as it had been doing. Odd... but I put it down to mud in the cleats.

This all became clear when I pulled into the parking spot later that day. What did I see tucked in there, but a pair of Specialized shoes. Eh? They look like my proper riding shoes. So what was I wearing on the ride? Ahhhhhh... the old (first) pair. What an idiot, in my early morning haze had tossed the old pair in the back of the car. So dirty and so similar are the old/new pairs of Specialized that didn't even notice. Then half way round the ride had noticed the wear and been disgusted that the 'new' shoes had worn out in the exact same way as... erm... well, the ones I had on my feet.

What a clown! Also explained the cleat issue, what with the old shoes not having the correct ones fitted. Double durh!