Today I did a lap of Prospect Park without dropping to my small chainring! I can't believe I was actually able to stay in the big ring (50t) all the way around including the hill! Maybe it's the cool weather...

Just for perspective: when I started riding in the spring on my flatbar, I had to go to my easiest gear to spin up that hill at about 6mph. That gear was a 30/26 or 31 gear inches. Today I never dropped lower than my 50/24 or 55 gear inches, and I maintained a speed on the hill of about 11mph!

Just thought I'd share my little milestone. It has been an incredible feeling to improve so drastically over the 6 months I've been riding. It really boosts the self esteem!