TA-DAH! Yesterday I got the courage to go meet up with a bike club (I didn't know any of the members) for my very first road ride ever.

It was one of those no-drop deals, which saved me as I crawled up a few hills they consider small, but seemed like Everest to me.

The ride leader stayed with me on the tough spots and gave me tips on how to shift. I just kept telling myself, I can't shift into the last gear cause where will I go from there?

We did 13 miles at speeds (I'm told) averaged about 12, but topped out at 18. I had been doing 15 miles on our bike trails here along a canal, but there was NO comparison. I think I will like roads better than trails -- eventually. And it was cool to have other people around. I even got applause for my ascent in the granny gear. Feeling waaay cool, since I can still walk.

It was thrilling, and more importantly it was 24 hours ago and I am still ambulatory.

Just had to tell somebody, and reading you all gave me the nerve to risk embarrassing myself. Thanks all. Now I gotta read the threads on hills.