[QUOTE=buldogge;13125505]I always wear bibs when I ride, unless it's simply to the store/park with the kid/trail-a-bike, etc.

The Hammer Nutrition bibs are the best buy out there...unfortunately you then have to be a billboard...but...you can't beat the Bergamo bibs and their really nice E.I.T. multi-d chamois. At $90 their almost 1/2 the price of comparable bibs (ie Assos FI).

Thanks for these tips.

This is exactly how I find out about quality products, from folks that have been there and done that!

I have a fairly wide net of riding friends here in the Twin Cities, so I have plenty of folks to ask locally.

Otherwise, I think an lbs is very helpful in searching for the right products to ride comfortably consistently.

Mark, as for dates for the ride, we have a bit of a snafoo for our tent. October 22nd date. We'll let you know in a day or two. Promise.

Keith, if you read this while you are recovering, please pm me about setting up a midwest ride in the Twin Cities.THX.