Aggie, just some thoughts on crashing/falling/bruising etc, I ride my mt and my road bike fairly equally, and although I crash way more often on my mountain bike, road crashes hurt WAY WAY worse. Omg, road rash is the worst, lol. Seriously, mountain bike bumps and bruises really aren't that bad! The thing I hate most about mt bike crashes 1) frequently they are caused because I couldn't clip out (still working that, lol) and 2) sometimes when I fall clipped in I can't get out, I"m like a turtle on it's back. So embarrassing! But anyways! welcome to the dirty side sounds like you're well on your way! good luck!