Hi Gals!! I've been "lurking" over the last two weeks and decided to post. I've had lifelong "weight issues" and started riding a Giant hybrid 5 years ago for fitness.

I'm over 40 and a cross between the poster child for "geek" in the dictionary and Rosie the Riveter.

I now ride a Bianchi Boardwalk with upgrades in shifting and I now have a racing wheel set. I have the fastest CRUISER bike in town!

My co-manager has Multiple scleroris, and like me, is a Fedex station manager with a Fedex husband and kids. I see how she suffers and wanted to do something----hence---I'm the team captain of MS Team FedEx Ohio!!

Question for you all---This is OHIO in winter...I'm riding the Bianchi on a trainer and working out at the gym. My weight training is focused on developing my trapezius muscles. That said, I can now lower my position on the bike.

Do I need to swap out my flat handlbars for drop bars? Will I gain more consistent speed? In 2003 I averaged 8 MPH. In 2004 I jumped to 12-13 MPH and would like a cruising speed of 15 MPH for the upcoming MS 160 tours.

Any ideas? I love my Bianchi but I'm not sure what's involved in the handlebar change. Tx.