LLB, someday you're going to appreciate the extra speed that weight gives you when you fly past skinny people on the downhills. It doesn't even have to be a big downhill-_and_ you keep that momentum going longer on the way back up a roller!

Speed- for me, 30 seems reasonable. I feel in control at that speed. I've recently gone my fastest speed ever- 41.something, and it was exhilarating, but nerve-wracking. I felt in control, still, but felt like my reaction time cushion was greatly reduced, so I had to be extra extra extra vigilant. But it was wonderful.

Kelownagirl- I'm terrified of falling, too. Not so much tipping over, but a real crash/fall. Hopefully, it will happen so fast and be over so fast I won't have time to worry. Tipping over from not being unclipped hurts your dignity, but that's about all. It _almost_ happened to me last Saturday when I was looking behind, looking behind, wanting to turn left, waiting for a stream of traffic to pass, finally decided I'd have to get off the road onto the dirt shoulder and wait, but I was going so slowly at that point that I _almost_ couldn't unclip. It was a miracle I got my foot out. But- you shouldn't be afraid- all you have to do is plan ahead a little and unclip and then coast nicely to a stop all ready to put your foot down. I learned on a mountain bike, so I had softer landings. Better than on the road. Plus, on the MTB, you crash all the time, anyway, so you don't have that extreme fear of falling- it's more natural.

Nanci