Thanks for the welcome!

My beautiful giant was my first road bike and I purchased her the week before I moved to Texas. Biking was/and is replacing the daily hikes. Except that I only ride once or twice a week and not daily as planned. Gotta learn to change that tire so that I can venture out solo.

Beauty, is in my garage hanging on a bike rack, I am afraid that I stripped her of her pedals and electronic gadgets to save a little money. Perhaps I will ask Santa for a new set of pedals this Christmas and then I will take her back out to see if we still can fly.

My camena has smaller tires and is lighter in weight. She is easier to climb hills with, but is seriously disadvantaged when it comes to speeding back down them. My typical route in Austin is very hilly and it is easy for others to fly by me down a hill and then that momentum carries them a good quarter of the way (or more) up the next hill. I know, this used to be me! And now, I am stuck pedaling like a mad woman to catch back up with them and often before I reach the top they are speeding away again down the next hill.

I also worry that I am getting weaker because it is easier to pedal up the hills. On the plus side, the ti frame is kinder to my joints and I have no more elbow or wrist pain! Speed isn't everything, is it?????

Glad to hear that you still have Camelback on that list. It is a great workout and so rewarding. I think the echo side is beautiful and I love climbing up the rocks, but I usually did the other side with my friends. I was just there over Thanksgiving and hiked as often as I could. I was really worried that I would be terribly slow, but managed to get up Squaw Peak in less than thirty minutes, only one minute off of my best time.

You and the other gals are so inspiring, I look forward to being a part of the group!

karri