When I left my LBS last week, I thought it clicked in my head, the gears and when to shift, etc, so I won't break my cadance on inclines. Well, it worked, last week. I really understood and was doing well. My speed didn't drop that much on inclines. In fact, I was actually gaining speed this past week, until this morning. Maybe it's just because I've been riding in the evenings and there were a few differences this morning. I was out at 7:30 AM so I'm not totally awake and my muscles aren't warmed up as much as at the end of the day AND I took different streets with slightly higher inclines. But, dang, it's like starting all over again and I just can't seem to wrap my brain around which way to shift to help maintain some resemblance of cadence. At least I found where I'm most comfortable in riding but I'm sure that will change with time.

I rode out for breakfast this morning. Dang, that was nice. Not alot of traffic, especially since I had to ride a highly travelled street. That's why I went early. People around here do tend to sleep in until church time. So, I'm good for riding about any street as long as it's before noon, then the traffic picks up. However, I got a little more adventurous and took different streets back. Found out that didn't add any distance, in fact it actually took off distance. But, the inclines are a little steeper than I've been doing. By the time I got back to the house, I rode less distance and my legs are now rebelling. Maybe I need to return to the fitness and center before work in the mornings and do some spinning. I guess I can say that I am progressing some since 2 weeks ago, 1 mile just about did me in (I wasn't sure my legs were even gonna support my body when I got off the bike) and now I'm up to 4, except today. I don't feel as bad as I did when I started, especially this past week. I was progressing nicely.

So, please explain those dang derailleurs again, 3 on the front, 7 on the back. For flats surfaces I do great at 2 on front and 3 on back. It's the inclines and declines I'm having problems with wrapping my head around the concept. It's the whole reason I gave up biking 11 years ago. I guess my mind needs just a little more explanation than just shift until you are comfortable and when you hear the clicking along the edge, shift your front derailleur.