Nancy - great on your decision to start cycling!

I have a Bianchi Volpe which is a steel touring bike and I love it. I do my grocery shopping on it and some longer weekend rides. I have panniers and a tail rack and use it as my workhorse. Plus it is light enough for me to lift it onto a bike rack on my local bus service if I need to.

Any of the bike shops which handle Bianchi brand can order the correct size for you. And you can take a look at it if you Google Bianchi Volpe.

As to the heat. riding early in the morning or late evening is one "work around." Plenty of fluids are a must but if you ride less than 30 or 45 minutes, carry water rather than the 120-calorie (or more) water bottle full of sports drink.

The fear about and aversion to the heat, the hills, the wind, the traffic are all more troubling than the reality of actually being out there and riding!

There is something about smelling the flowers, having the time to look at your surroundings and knowing that what I'm doing is so healthy and beneficial for me and the world that allows all the fear and worry to fall away and enjoy how much fun cycling is!

The most important thing is to get started. The best piece of cycling advice I ever got was from Triskiliongirl when I went on a group ride with her: Just keep pedaling!