I just saw where you said your goal was fitness only. I didn't address that. Yeah, that was my goal too. It took all of a few months on this board and riding for that to change! Now I have three bikes, the Trek, a road bike and a mountain bike. I didn't think I'd want to mountain bike either, but you would not believe how much fun it is to go on some of those trails through the woods, and they aren't all crazy with hills and rocks either! I wish my kids were little again and the three of us would be riding in the woods all the time! It's amazing. The Trek will also go on Rail Trails and there are a zillion of those around. Just today I purchased a book on Mo. Wildflowers and I plan to take some pictures and identify them when I'm on them. This biking thing is verrrrrrrrry addictive! Let's meet back here in one year and see if you resisted the temptation! My guess is that you'll have a drawer of lycra and Smartwool like the rest of us!