That's interesting that padded gloves may contribute to hand numbness. I went on a longer-than-usual ride the other day and noticed a bit of numbness in one hand near the end, along the outside/pinky. I have drop bars and I varied my hand positions a lot (and tried to avoid using a death grip, heh) but I'll see if using un-padded gloves helps. Thanks for the tip.

I have the least-padded saddle imaginable on my touring bike - a Brooks leather saddle - and it's great, no problems at all. It was already broken in when I got it, though, so I'm cheating a bit there. Still, nothing better than a leather saddle that conforms to your butt. I had started out with a women's version of the Brooks and decided that I preferred the longer, narrower men's version.

I still have a padded saddle on my old hybrid and I can't stand it now!

I haven't been using biking shorts, but I have been using those Andiamo padded briefs, and they work fine under a pair of mid-weight tights in the chilly weather. I've noticed I don't get as uh, sweaty down there when I use them. I found with the Andiamos I can wear my regular tights and shorts rather than go in for the biking wardrobe. Could anyone tell me how they compare, padding-wise, to real biking shorts?

I suppose all this padding is a marketing tool to convince us Delicate Flowers that we won't get hurt on our bikes. Heh.

Poor Lizzy, I'm getting away from her original topic. Congratulations on your re-found joy!

I've already blabbed incessantly about my Xmas present in other threads, but one other nice present I received is an emerging sense of self-confidence, coming from the realization that a goal I had set for myself (which I originally thought was a real stretch for me!) is actually well within my reach.

Have fun bombing thru the mud, Lizzy!

- Jo.