klr, even if you don't want to join a cycling club, you might be able to find ride/route descriptions on club web sites and flyers. Also check your LBS for a copy of CycleCalifornia. Is there a route to the Santa Anita mall that avoids busy streets? Riding in traffic, as a fun ride and not commuting, isn't all that fun. There used to be a bike path along the 605 -- I never tried it, and it's probably noisy.

I finally got up early and caught the Vuelta this morning. There's something about the coverage (and of course the absence of Lance) that makes it less exciting to me. But I'll stick with it -- which Spaniard should I be rooting for?

I liked friction shifters when I tried them last year, but I like index shifting with Dura Ace too. Veronica, you're not criticizing the cadence of all us STI users, are you? We could have modern day range wars here -- clipless vs not, STI vs friction, mtn vs road, what else?

I've (gulp, and very red-faced) never been to a gym. Do they come with instruction manuals?

Yeah, we need a Bay Area chapter of TE. But do we have to ride in the wind?

Kim