Hi Beth,

Actually to begin a ride with a hill is difficult, expecially if you do not expect it and in my daughters case, she has not road any hills to speak of. This was her second organized ride, the first was on a flat part of Long Island. Other than that she only road maybe 10 miles at a time and only a few times at the end of summer. Needless to say she is trying to get herself in some kind of shape. What bothered her most was her shoulders. Her legs were fine. In fact her shoulders bothered her all week and finally felt better today. Because of her inexperience in riding, she did not know how to use her gears properly and I am sure as she was climbing any of the hills she was probably putting stress on her neck and shoulders. My husband was trying to explain to her the best he could when to change gears. I tell her it takes practice.

Your son sounds adorable. As the saying goes, "out of the mouths of babes"

JoAnn