Need a new bike, but I'm scared!

[wiseowl]

You sound overwhelmed to me, but also really excited, which is cool! The very first time I got onto my bike, WHILE I WAS STILL TEST RIDING IT IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE STORE, I crashed. I figured since the thing I was scared of had already happened, I would go for it. I loved that bike, and it got me over the early stages of overcoming fear. I also was really hard on it, learning to shift right, etc. It is a "fitness bike" which I found to be a great intermediary between mtn and road, and is more like a road bike than a hybrid is. It wasn't too scary or aggressive or expensive, and I rode it for two years. That said, I just plunked down my deposit for a full carbon road bike! I am still scared of that road bike, but I am SO much farther along now, and I could not have bought a road bike right out the starting gate. And if my fitness bike had fit a little better, I may not even have been so tempted to make the change. I just left a post elsewhere about how great powergrips are as an intermediary step towards clipless pedals, too. Baby steps are what got me to where I am today, and proud of it! Good luck to you! Let us know how things go!

[twiggjlm]

Wow...all of this info is really great and helpful!

Yes, I am a little overwhelmed, but it is so worth it! I am a single-mother of one, with a very demanding full time job and a part time job and I start college again this fall! I have a ton going on but whenever I get on my bike, it's as if I ride away from everything...at least for the next 7 miles or so!

Anyway, enough whining! I just love riding so much and wanted to take my passion even further. It's very heartwarming to read all of your replies and realize there are other people who share this passion as well. *tear* j/k

As soon as I find my bike I will definitely post pictures!

FYI-Biofreeze with Ilex works great on soar and stiff muscles! I had to use some today...ouch! I got the roll on from my Chiropractor and I love it! It doesn't have that obnoxious medicine smell like the other stuff. After about two minutes whatever smell it has dissipates. And it's all natural!

[sandra]

FYI-Biofreeze with Ilex works great on soar and stiff muscles

Ditto this. I use it also if I have a crick in my neck, etc.