Novice rider update: I met my friend at her apartment for an easy, no pressure ride around her area. This woman's parking lot connects directly to a lovely network of park MUPs, and there's an on-street route nearby leading directly to a set of famous rails-to-trails bike paths. I told her how jealous I was of her location! We explored the park paths first, and she opted to go for second loops. We also rode a couple of neighborhood streets to connect back to the park loops.

She has a long way to go toward basic fitness, but did really well. Basically I tried to emphasize basics and told her about a recent "women's night" that I attended at my LBS. I did feel bad that she'd wasted money on a silly slip-on saddle pad that promptly slipped off the first time she dismounted. I had to nix the way she wanted to carry her purse by wrapping the strap around the seat post, though! I hope to haul her to the other LBS that's offering the basic fit-adjustment this week.

After a very slow ride with her (about 3.5 miles) I left and drove south to try to find a spot to park near the rail-trails network, and found a sweet park that's earmarked for our next ride. Blew the dust off with a quick 5 miles (not quick by most sane TE standards, but quick for me) before meeting DH to see a movie.

I'm seeing my LBS fitter tonight for a fit adjustment - this is at the shop where I purchased my Vita. I'm passing on the free one offered by Performance for the charity ride, but hope to accompany my friend when she goes for hers. Hoping to get her to just set foot in a real LBS instead of buying silly stuff at Target and making do with bungie cords to hold a water bottle and a bag of snacks.