It was kit I was referring to.
I bought some carbon fibre cycling shoes couple of years ago to replace my old Shimano ones and they are fantastic, really light and comfortable. Then I had to get some new cleats as the new shoes had a different fitting to the others, then new cycling socks....
Trouble is, you walk into a bike shop (real or online) and convince yourself you need this and that and before you know it, you've got an empty wallet/purse!
On the subject of being faster, my partner did his usual cycle run the other day, after being laid off exercise during the cancer treatment and recovery, and has shaved 6 minutes off his usual time (in similar conditions). He's lost 4 stone in the last 8 months which may have something to do with it. He was well chuffed and is enjoying starting to get fit again.