Here's Long-lost LLB (we finally got DSL in our slice of the boondocks, so it doesn't take forever & a day to read TE now) I, too, am a second-hand Rose in the cycling world. My very darling Giant OCR3 was $200, found the first week I put out word that I was hoping to find a road bike to fit both me and my artist's budget. Trekhawk here at TE sent a better saddle and shorts she had "thinned" out of. Spin instructors have handed me water bottles and socks. The LBS owner who sold me my shoes laughed at my expression when I found out that the cleats weren't included with the shoes. He'd already thrown a used pair in the box. I do watch the Terry & TE sites for good sales - being a large rider, I feel I need the best shorts I can find, and I take comfort in the fact that they hold up well. But beware cheaply made stuff. My Terry full-finger gloves fit like they were custom made and will take a beating. I settled for a pair of fingerless Performance gloves to save money - 1 month later, the seams are already falling apart.

I bet you're gettting pm's with offers of goodies. The world of cycling is full of people with good hearts (and great butts. )