New Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Also, don't overinflate your tires. I typically run mine between 10 and 20 psi less than the specified maximum pressure.

I also keep my tires at about 10-15 lbs less than the stated maximum. When I had them at max I noticed my spokes and wheels making funny noises, for one thing.
People sometimes assume that "maximum psi"=suggested psi. Max pressure simply means Don't go over that pressure or your tire might explode! It doens't mean that's the ideal pressure to ride on.

[Starfish]

I definitely cannot grasp the brakes nearly as fully from the hoods as from the drops. I will brake in the hoods for gentle hills and slopes, but for real security down hills, I like the drops.

I also think the drops are safer for downhills and braking downhill because you can shift your weight back and push into the drops, stabilizing your center of gravity, etc.

Just my .02 ...I really enjoyed reading your post...you are really on the right track and doing great. Now, it is just a matter of time and riding, and you will relax, enjoy, and learn what kinds of things you will want to tweak on your bike as you go.

Beauty of a bike, too!

[teawoman]

I definitely cannot grasp the brakes nearly as fully from the hoods as from the drops. I will brake in the hoods for gentle hills and slopes, but for real security down hills, I like the drops.

Whew. That's exactly what I mean.

Just my .02 ...I really enjoyed reading your post...you are really on the right track and doing great. Now, it is just a matter of time and riding, and you will relax, enjoy, and learn what kinds of things you will want to tweak on your bike as you go.

Aww, thanks. I was pretty active as a kid, but other priorities took over as I got older and getting out there took a back seat...and I gained weight, yada yada. I am so excited to be doing stuff like this!