first, I have to thank all of you for your input. It is very helpful.

Bike Fits: I spoke to a bike fitter re a true bike fit. He suggested that I test ride a wide range of bikes to get a sense of what I do or don't like first. Did your fit expert fit you closely to each bike you test rode? I was expecting to narrow it down to 1-3 bikes and then go do another test ride with each to be sure.

Test Rides: Although I didn't do long test rides, I was riding on streets in midtown Manhattan on a weekday afternoon (we don't have parking lots here!).

Touring Bikes: I haven't tried any touring bikes and it seems that I definitely should. Thanks for the very specific recommendations.

How It Felt: I felt "crunched up." At first I thought perhaps the bikes were too small but I had the same crunched up feeling on bikes from 48-53 (originally anticipating getting a 51 or 52) but folks at both shops assured me that the bikes were *not* too small for me. I should also admit that the lightness of the bikes rattled me especially as I thought about descents or sudden stops (=endo).

Riding Hybrids: maybe I can make some adjustments to my hybrid. I will say that after riding road bikes, the wide handlebars on my hybrid seem like even wider than before!

Veloce: when I tried the Veloce, the first thing I said upon returning to the shop was that I did *not* like campy. My hands just don't work that way!

I will keep you all posted. I expected to be baffled when test riding road bikes, but I didn't expect to be uncertain that I even want one!