Hi everyone,
I've just begun to ride a bike again after lots of years off. Our sons are in the bike business and I figured I'd better get with the program! A couple of years ago I bought a Specialized Crossroads Elite Low Entry after telling a son that I needed a "grandma bike". I rode it once that summer and once last summer, then all of a sudden this summer I want to be on it all the time!

The back roads around here are fairly hilly so it's been a workout. I started with about 6 miles, then 8 miles and Friday I did 18.5. It was 86º out, which is very hot for us up in the mountains. About half of the roads were paved, but half were dirt and one stretch was deep sand. I got off my bike and looked because I thought my tire was flat. Wow, that stretch was hard, hard to stay upright!

I feel like I'm doing okay but little things crop up now and then. Numb finger problem has gone away. Sore sit bones are resolving. Tight shoulders still bug me.

I wonder if I would be happy with cleats. Should I wait until I have more experience?

Does anyone have any advice?
Shelley