Wha? Nobody likes my "shoulders up around the ears" style? That first pic is probably a bad example, I had just come up a nasty, short, steep hill and was trying not to collapse. But I think y'all are right, looking at the second pic, my arms do look awful straight and stiff.

I believe you are correct Denise, strong abs are a must for comfy bike riding. I've not been to my Pilates class for 4 weeks, it's time to dust off the DVD's and do some matwork before my core is completely shot.

LBTC - I think I have rapid fire shifters, my bad, I call 'em thumbies. They're Shimano XT.

Other friends have suggested moustache bars, which I was thinking of getting at some point when Bleu becomes a singlespeed. (After I steal Waldo.....) So I may get them now, and try them out, or check out something like Sadie suggested. Honest mama sadie - I usually do have my thumbs behine the bars

Coach Curtis did a fit for me last year, but I may give him a call and revisit everything. He talked me out of drops because my flexibility wasn't all that great, maybe he'll be happy with 'staches, or have other suggestions. He's a wizard - only reason I'm not seeing him now for my PT is my stupid HMO.

My mood is better, thanks girls. Time to go practice the deep breathing/relaxation techniques Trek ordered me to do!