New Orleans may be flat, but I've been riding a single speed as of late and don't like it for commuting. I'm in traffic and I'm constantly going between a dead stop and pedaling like a mad man to go 20-25 mph. There's no happy medium unless I stay at around 15 to 18 mph, but stop lights and cars are against me, along with serious headwinds coming off the river or lake depending on where I am. We've had an unseasonably extended cool spring, so there's a lot of transition weather days of 25 mph wind blowing storms out. I'm interested in building stamina, but I'd rather save that for purposeful workouts, not the necessity of commuting to one job from 11am to 3pm and a second job from 4pm to midnight then home.

As for the word of caution, totally relate and appreciate the concern, but we're not friends in the sense that we go way back. I know them first through doing business (tune-ups, repairs) and second through loose association with our local social ride group. We're definitely friendly and all now, but I don't suspect any issues in that regard. I'm going to check out the Dawes right now, so we'll see.