I'm new here, and it looks like a great forum. I'm fairly new into cycling, and I need some help. I did RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) for the first time last summer, and it was both the best and worst week of my life. Here are my issues...

1. I have had my Trek 7100 hybrid for several years and have used it for commuting around town and for weekend rides. The problem is that this thing weighs a TON! I'm looking at purchasing another bike. I think I want another hybrid (cost and versatility in an area where many of the trails aren't paved, including my route to work), but I want something light. Any suggestions?

2. I felt undertrained last year. I also trained for a marathon at the same time, so maybe that has something to do with it. Any suggestions for training? I have a trainer, and it bores me to death. My cycling buddies aren't nearby, so a lot of my training is solo.

3. My poor bottom. Oh dear, was it painful! What started out as minor chafing turned into major blisters and open sores. There was nothing to do but keep on riding and then deal with the wounds later. Besides more time in the saddle, what else can I do? I used a lot of chamois butter, and I have Pearl Izumi short attack shorts. I have a very tiny backside and hips, and a fuller abdomen - could it be that the shorts I bought to fit my belly were too big for the rest of me, thus causing much more friction that was expected?

4. A knee and a hip, on opposite legs, are causing me problems. It actually started with all my running last winter/spring, but it has continued on. I do have clipless pedals and have done some minor adjustments, but that doesn't seem to help. Have been to PT, had various imagings done of the joints, etc. It's not completely debillitating, but it doesn't always make for comfy riding. Any suggestions?

I think that's all for now (and it sure is plenty). Thanks for your answers!

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