Well, I'm glad I came across this forum and am hoping it will be of help! (Was in another one I just left because I never got any answers.) I LOVE the Guidelines and Rules, btw! (the other group was a tad on the vulgar side)

Anyway, to introduce myself: Although I'm not a hard-core cyclist, I do love to ride, and ride my bike every summer. I've never had a nice bike (either hand-me-downs, or cheapies from dept. stores), but finally got one this year -- a ladies Giant Alight Liv. Thoughts? (I like it a lot better than my cheapie mountain bike, but since i failed to get help in the other group, I just went to a local bike store and pretty much got what they suggested for my price range. Didn't have time to shop around much.)

I used to just ride around my neighborhood on sidewalks because there weren't any trails near, (didn't go very long -- half hour - 45 min.) but now my 11 year old rides with me (I figured out my bike rack and I found a trail not far from our home), so we've been going on hour long rides. (Actually, yesterday we went an hour and a half -- and sadly, I have some chafing! ugh.)

Because I've been riding longer now (and more frequent), I've been doing my research, and got a few bike shorts (Pearl Izumi), and am reading up on saddle sores (ugh.), but I still have tons of questions. I feel like no one takes me "serious" because I don't go very far (I'm happy with hour long rides! and love riding with my son), but I still love to ride my bike.

I plan on riding a lot this summer not only because my son can go with me, but also because I want to get my money's worth from my new bike! oh yeah... and I love to ride!

So, that's all for now. Like I said, I'm new to all this, even though I've been riding for decades. I have no desire to do "century rides" or triathlons, etc. (but I do wanna bike the Golden Gate Bridge in the near future!) I just need some help.

thanks.