Thanks Sarah! I appreciate the validation on the triple and on the fact that it's hilly where I live! Today, like every day that I ride, I try and try and try to shift even though I know there aren't any more gears. But then I make it to the top of the hill and everything is good again.

I would imagine there aren't too many compacts on the Death Ride...and I want to do that ride next year or the year after that. So...perhaps I should contact Felt and see if they can make a bike with a triple just especially for me!