It's funny that you all mention the weight of the bike. I'd never even consider it a problem since the bike weighs a fraction of what I do.

I did notice a difference when going from the Buick's hybrid tires to the nobby tires on the Trek. When I lean in to turns, you can hear me coming.

13 mph....is that fast? I go about 12 most of the time. I recently had the experience of being able to move up to the big ring and it seeming *easier* rather than harder, like it had been before. Does that mean my legs are getting stronger? I confess to using the gears but not understanding them as well as I would like.

Karen