In the 80's I had a state of the art Trek touring bike and put so many miles a week on it I learned I was actually canibalizing myself. Carb loading was just blossoming. (Worked, but, oh the side effects!) When I sold the Trek it went for peanuts because of this thing called "mountain bikes." Many years of ice dancing was great, til my partner quit. So I went to REI to just "look" at bikes, and ended up with a Marin SanRafael hybrid. No goals other than regular riding on the Green River that is right outside my door. I decided to do the 200 mile Seattle to Portland and had a flawless two days. I have modified the bike alot. Tires,shifters,seatpost,saddle,pedals,bottom bracket,cassette,chainrings,stem,and two (!) barends. But what I really enjoy are the cyclocomputers and hrm's. I am restricted to an 80% mhr by my doctor, so I must use a monitor. I enjoy compiling accurate physical data to track my ups and downs. I am evaluating four cycling software programs right now. I just finished the Lake Tahoe time trial which is 72 miles around the lake at an average 6500'. (gasp-gasp) My goal is to ride the Seattle to Portland in one day every year. I'm 63 so I'd better train seriously. I enjoy the hardware end of computing, picking banjo and mandolin, and supporting my wife's marathoning. I am looking forward to giving and receiving advice/opinions. Pedaling forever-Dale Farrell.