The feeling is perfectly normal; however, I would caution against lowering it too much or getting used to it lower and just leaving it.

If you don't raise it to something resembling close to "proper" height before the event, you will be miserable on a "long" ride and you run the risk of doing severe damage to your knees.

Also don't be surprised or discouraged if you feel like you are putting in a lot of effort and going nowhere or you are getting aches and pains from riding. That happens to everyone, but riding a bike that is not adjusted correctly for riding will likely make it even worse.


Honestly, I'd put the bike into a mid-range gear and get used to starting and stopping with the seat in the "correct" position on relatively level ground, THEN get used to shifting (ie: I'd personally do it "backwards" of what you are considering).

A hint that may help with this: Most no-one can comfortably put a foot down while still seated in the saddle on a road bike (I can touch a toe NOW, but by this point I'm darn comfortable leaning my bike over while I'm still on it). When you are about to stop get off the saddle (move forward and down), put your weight on one foot with the pedal in the 6 o'clock position, and step off the bike with the other foot (pedal at the 12 o'clock position). If the bike fits, you likely won't have to lean it or anything and this will become second nature with some practice.