So as much as I love my new girl I'm finding some various aches and pains when I ride. I need lots of help determining which ones are the kind to tough it out and get stronger, and which can be fixed.

The biggest one, the one that makes me want to go home and just cry is my hands. My palms, in the padding under my thumb hurt like h*ll! Not specifically the heel of my palm, but more like radiating out from there. I switch my hands around a ton because it sucks. Most of the time it stops bugging me after a while but it comes back.

My concern here is that I don't think the angle my handlebars are at is working for me. I feel like the hoods should meet me at a more natural angle. Concern two is that maybe I'm just an idiot and don't put my hands right at all. I try to steal glances and at all riders who seem to have a clue, but I don't know if I'm doing it right. I try and keep my elbows bent and in close to my body but this seems to have zero effect.

Ouch number two came tonight. My lower back was protesting pretty hard core. I finally got off and did some stretches, conveniently over the top tube of my bike so I didn't have to lay her down. I think this one is a live through it. It's never shown up before tonight and I got super brave and spent tons of time in the drops. Had to show mister fancy pants on his lighter than a popcorn fart and worth more than I make in a year bike what was for. Amazing the energy you have when chasing guys wearing jerseys from the "snobby shop."

I may try and swing her by the LBS Friday after work. They're all super excited to see her anyway so maybe I can get some quick help from a second pair of eyes.