Thanks so much. It's good to hear from someone who knows the area. Sometimes riding up to Beal's Point feels like a mountain to me, but at this point I'm talking more like riding up to Auburn. Some of our group rides incorporate 3500-4200 feet of climbing. I've got to tell you, I love my granny ring during those rides! Even so, I'm always trailing behind and lose even more speed going downhill . . . sigh . . . But, when I went with DH last weekend, I had to wait for him at the top, so I'm getting better! And all this without clipless pedals (I'm learning to use those on the fluid trainer first). Someday I'd like to be able to ride up in Tahoe.

Tomorrow, I plan to go to City Bicycle Works in Sac. They are the closest shop that carries Cannondale. If I go with the Ruby, I'll probably go through Bicycles Plus here in town. Their Diva Night discount is pretty good - 12% off bikes and 25% off gear. Even though their gear is generally overpriced, it still comes out better with the 25% off discount. I really hate driving, so Sac feels far away!

Thanks again.