new bike, training, all sorts of stuff...help!!

[conurejade]

......
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?

I too started out on a Trek 7100 - but as my weight dropped and my riding needs changed, so started the changes to my beloved hybrid (well, actually a car/bike 'incident' started the first major change ). To make a long story short, I basically turned my 7100 into an FX model - ditching the suspension fork dropped 3-4 lbs in one fell swoop! If you want a hybrid, you could do alot worse than look at the FX series. Also, don't discount the idea of a road bike - a cyclocross bike or something like a Surly LHT sounds great. I still love my hybrid as an around town and commuting bike, but the drop bars on my new road bike are sure more comfortable for longer rides. BTW the Trek Pilot mentioned in a previous post is close to a drop bar version of an FX.........

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? .........

The stock saddle on the 7100 was horrible for me. I thought with my size that a bigger, cushier saddle would be better - WRONG! It took me four tries to find the right saddle, but it was worth it. Also as already mentioned - good quality bike shorts that fit.
4. A knee and a hip, on opposite legs, are causing me problems. ......

Bike fit...Bike fit...Bike fit.

[Geonz]

I keep thinking ... get a bike that fits... get a bike that fits... get a bike that fits... (so I'd suggest working with that 7100 too, especially if you are still going to tool aroudn town on it).
I have a Trek 7500FX that is light and fast, tho' I don't take it off road because ... well, I don't like off road and it's got fairly skinny (25) tires.
Basically there's a conflict between off-road and on-road riding right there in the tires. Weight is one factor but in my opinion tires are at least as important. If you're pushing fat knobby ones around you are working a lot harder than you could be. Great for training... but wearing on the bod!
So in your saddle I'd adjust the saddle and what have you on the 7100 and use it for all and sundry gravel-hopping.
If you really prefer a hybrid fit - but it doesn't sound like what you've got now is comfortable - there are light ones (like the 7.5 Trek), and there are bikes like the Pilot that have a more upright position. (I'm an upright kinda gal myself.) I'd give some of those road and cross bikes a try, though... basically I'd ride lots of bikes until I foudn one that my legs and other body parts said "yes!" to

[HillSlugger]

If you like the position of a hybrid but want something lighter, consider a flat bar road bike like the Jamis Coda or the Specialized Sirrus.

[rij73]

I highly recommend you try out cyclocross bikes. They are so darn cool. BUT, if you prefer a more upright position, I also agree with the flat-bar road bike idea. You would just have to make sure to get the right tires for the unpaved road. The Trek FX series comes with beefy tires.

[weathergal]

Congrats on doing RAGBRAI! With a hybrid that's quite an accomplishment.

Agree with the others on looking at a cross bike, it would probably be able to handle unpaved trails pretty well.

As for training, I've never done RAGRBAI, but I've done Bike Across Kansas. The more miles before you go, the better. However, some periodization with high mile weeks and low mile weeks, as well as interval training can help. I followed the endurance plans in this book:

The Female Cyclist

Or one of the century training plans that you can find online could also help.

Some of your other problems would probably be helped by a good bike fit, as well as some experimenting with different saddles and shorts.

Good luck.

[Geonz]

so, weathergal... where'd that sign in the avatar come from? (Or is it one of those graphic arts exploits?)

[weathergal]

so, weathergal... where'd that sign in the avatar come from? (Or is it one of those graphic arts exploits?)

I can't really remember where I found it. It was on one of those avatar collection sites. From what I can tell I think it's a real sign somewhere.