The fact that you came in second to a pro is majorly impressive, spokewench! I'm out in the NE - Vermont specifically, and we have been getting tons of wet weather. My bro-in-law was at the Nationals in Providence RI last year and talk about wet, ice, cold, frozen snow- He said he spent more time off his bike than on it, so it sounded like what you went through!

I guess I just need to figure out what I feel comfortable with - And, like Velo said, HAVE FUN!

Pedals, I think I have narrowed down to staying with SPDs or trying Candys...leaning toward the Candys......Oh, crud....now SHOES!?

Ummmm, do you think that you Cycloxperts could just set up a hotline for me?? I'll probably need to know what brand of kleenex to use next......