Hello all! Just wanted to start by saying you guys are great, and I've learned lots so far just by reading, Thanks! A little background before my question: I bought a used road bike (trek 1000) in feb. from a guy who was getting out of riding, and have since been out on 5-6 rides-- my first being a 25 mile (flat)- in the rain, lol! But I had a blast. I did a few 13-15 mile rides with one of the LBS in the area, and have made the trip to the grocery store twice . Tuesday I decided to try a 20 mile ride with a different LBS- I called and asked them if this was suitable for a newbie, and they assured me I'd be fine. When I got there, however, the group was mostly guys who race and do triathalon. They left me in the dust! One or two people did stick back to make sure I made all the right turns though-- that I appreciated. I kinda did myself in by trying to keep up with the pack though. The ride was a short ride in, and then a loop that you do 5 times. At the end of that loop, there is a MONSTER hill! They talked me through doing a standing climb (in the dark mind you), but I still feel like a total clutz. I wobble from side to side, and by the 3rd time through I wasn't riding anything close to a straight line. I finally got off and walked up the fourth time, because I decided the embarrassement of walking would be better than wiping out , and the last loop I just waited through-- I really should have tried to pace myself in the beginning. I know more experience will make the climbing part better, but can anybody offer some hints to make it feel more stable? Thanks for reading! cheers-