My new Bike, Thanks to Kathi!

[Jiffer]

Sweet bike! I have a Cannondale CAAD9. Welcome to the Cannondale club.

Downhill will get less freaky the more you do it, but a little bit of freakiness is good as it keeps you focused. I don't generally do much more than 30, maybe 35 down a hill unless I'm on the tandem. We've gone at least 45 on that. Exhilarating and scary at the same time! (But more stable on the heavier bike with two people.)

I don't like going down to my drop bars much because I, personally, feel safer and more in control up higher (opposite of Kathi). So, go with what feels right to you. I did go down to them recently on a downhill for a bit and felt more comfortable than I used to, so it might be an acquired thing.

I highly recommend a professional bike fit. I didn't get one when I got my bike and this was shortly after dh had learned how wonderful they can be. Yet, he felt he knew enough to fit me and wanted me to just try it for a while and see if I had any issues. Well, after a year, I was still having some neck and back issues and finally went and got the fit. I'm so glad I did and wish I had in the beginning. Not only did he move my seat, but I learned so much, like how I'm "actually" pedaling, as opposed to how I "should" be pedaling. I had no idea I was pulling up more with the left and pushing down more with the right and was, over all, getting more power out of my left. I'm right handed, so assumed, if anything, I would have been getting more power out of the right. He also told me that I needed to focus a lot more on pushing forward across the top of the pedal. I thought I had been doing this, but man, what a difference when I really started focusing on this. It DEFINITELY helped improve my hill climbing, something I had struggled with a lot and was really frustrated with, so if this is something you don't already do, work on that skill.

Also, I learned at my bike fit that I need to relax more on the handlebars, meaning I was putting too much weight down on them, which was causing some of my neck and back pain. Your hands should sort of float on the bars and it's your abdomen that should hold you up, not your arms. This means putting more pressure on the pelvic area, which sucks. This is something I'm still working on getting used to.

20-25 on the flats is fast! You go girl! Just remember when you ride by yourself, it is unlikely you'll go as fast as with a group, so don't get discouraged.

Congrats on the new bike! Have fun with her!

[Smilie]

Thanks Jiffer! The tandem is definitely fast! Riders love the draft from it! I really don't like going down steep hills fast on that. I just had to trust my captain to keep us safe, and that is a bit scary!

I also tried the drop position, and didn't feel very stable either. I figured I just need to ride more and get used to it. I am just like you in not feeling very comfortable yet.

The guy (Bill) that fit me, gave me the analogy of pretend you have a glass of water on the top of your foot. Pedal so you don't spill it, and you will have great form. I will have to see how the pushing across the pedal compares to the water analogy. Thanks! Hills suck. (or they make me suck...a LOT of air!)

I am used to letting my hands 'float' as sometimes my hands to get a bit tingly. Bill told me to RELAX my shoulders, and it was great as my elbows bent and gave me better form. I have problems relaxing the shoulders, another thing to get used to for me.

I shall see how fast and for how long I can go on the flats all by myself! I will be the only one pushing myself!