I also like SPD cleats. There are plenty of SPD shoes that recess the cleats so you can walk in them. I look for shoes with very stiff soles. The stiff soles spread the force from the pedals across a large area of your foot to prevent "hot spots". The shoes get the clips recessed by placing a border of rubber (or similar) around the edge of the sole. I look for shoes where the rubber is soft and grippy, so the shoes won't be slick if I walk into a store. There are plenty of SPD pedals and shoes, because they are frequently used by mountain bikers. You should be able to get decent pedals and shoes for less than $200.
Make sure you ride in these a good amount before starting your tour. You want your feet to acclimate to the shoes gradually.
When learning to learn how to ride with clipless shoes, there are two kinds of people -- those who have fallen over, and liars.
The problem is, you have to remember to clip out before stopping. Most people do OK when they first start. After a while, they think they've got it. Then they lose their focus, forget to clip out, and fall over as they stop. My fall happened next to a car of attractive young women. It hurt my pride. This is just another reason to ride your new shoes a good amount before starting your tour.
Ha-ha I did pretty much the same thing. When trying it out the first time, I was warned, so I practiced a bit clipping in and out. But its different when you actually ride, so I still fell over
I always take one foot out, sometimes both well before I have to stop. It'll be the emergency stops that get me I think. My shoes are good for walking a little, but I can't wear them to work, I have to bring shoes for being on my feet all day.
Tip: get pedals that are SPD on one side and normal on the other, I got them on a whim, but if you're riding through a city, stoplight to stoplight, clipping in is impractical and probably dangerous. I flip my right pedal over so I can't clip in by accident. Also always use the same foot to stop with, or you'll confuse yourself and fall over
Sent from my SGP561 using Tapatalk