Gumby, brakes have "shoes", but shoes (vans, nikes etc) do not have brakes.
That is just silly.
Next time, also test the throttle linkage and clutch by pulling the cables/levers and watching, before riding. Please? This community doesn't want to hear about another MB wreck or injured rider.
Haha thats a good one. Oh dont worry, i was young and dumb. Since then i got my associates in automotive engineering, so im now much smarter when it comes to stuff like this.