I just checked the brakes and they seem to be okay (albeit very dirty from this morning's ride).

I am willing to bet my saddle height had a lot to do with it. I wonder if I didn't have the bolt around the seat post tightened enough because it seems to have gone down a bit from when I initially put it at the correct height.

Liza - I do think I have the uncomfortable gearing spot you are talking about. It seems when I am in my small ring, my legs are spinning too fast, but when I jump up to the big ring, I am not strong enough to really lay into it. I will keep in plugging away and hopefully my legs will restore some confidence in my riding.

Thank you all for the ideas!