Thanks for the tips, Nancy. I wish you could take me out for a spin. Yeah, part of it is that being heavy, I pick up a LOT of speed downhill. And there is that sense that on sharp or heavily wooded corners, I have no idea what's ahead - and around here there can be livestock, wildlife, farm equipment, gawd knows. Once, trying to talk myself out of braking down a steep hill, I had a little thought about the number of deer I've seen there. So I went cautiously and good thing, because a herd of 10 made their way across, 1 or 2 at a time.

Mostly, I just have to relax.Yesterday's ride was a little over my head in terms of skills in terms of bike handling, esp in the city, and now I also understand what some people have said about the treachery of bike paths. Some quiet rides on a lonely country roads will do me good. I'll get out there this afternoon. I don't hurt too bad - sporting quite the shiner though.