Eden -- your third point, stick to your own pace, that's easy: there's just no way to keep up with anyone. I'm doing well to keep up with myself!

No standing on hoods or in drops -- only got "flat" bars, since this is one of those hybrid-y comfort beast bikes. I will play more with standing now and then, which I haven't done much yet. Of course, there's a reason for not standing on this bike: my bike has a suspension fork, and when I do stand, even if I don't think I'm leaning too hard on the bars and trying to keep myself mostly on my pedals, that fork is squishing and flexing, or whatever it is that it's designed to do. It feels like I'm smooshing the front wheel into the ground -- almost like I'm losing forward momentum? Does this description make sense? It's definitely an icky, spongy sensation. Is this another good reason to need that road bike with a "normal" fork that I've been wanting?

If I really want to get good at hill climbing, rather than just barely surviving, gasping my way up the hill, is this bike the wrong tool? I'm about ready to get out the old bike (an old Trek 720), lube up the chain, air up the tires, dust off the cobwebs, and see what happens. It's got a "rigid" frame and I can't help but think it would be a good experiment!

The article -- relaxed hands -- I work hard at that, I think I'm getting pretty good at that part. Open chest -- I wonder -- I can hardly wait to focus on that and make sure I'm doing it! Cadence, I don't know about keeping that high -- what a struggle! Or, maybe I'm doing it just fine, and don't realize it? Butt back -- I've noticed the power that gives me on the flats, I'll have to work on using it on hills too!

Lots of great information -- now I wish I could get out on the road again before Sunday! (meanwhile, I'll eagerly read any other ideas people have to offer!!!!!)

Karen in Boise