I have this theory, TrekRider, that comfort bikes are built for middle-aged, overweight, haven't been near a bike in twenty years but think it might be a good idea, just want to pootle around the neighborhood and try it out, those other bikes look scary sorta people (me, in other words). Congrats in advance on your future road bike ... what a world of difference!

bikerchas55, it's next to impossible to get to that bottle while riding ... just nice to know it's there on longer rides because I'm sweating a storm out there. If I'm planning to be gone more than a couple of hours, I also drop a liter bottle in the rack bag for good measure as there aren't many stores out where I'm riding.

As for saddle, guys, you should'a seen the sofa the other bike came with! I've a picture around here somewhere if you're curious. It's awful! The pillow you're lookin' at is a Terry Liberator X, which some of the gals here seem to rate. It worked really well with the more upright posture on the comfort bike, but now that it's on this bike and I've had a few rides, I'm not so sure about it.

I've thought about a camelbak, shokhead, and I'm still thinking about it, but I'm not sure it's a great idea for me. Y'see, I started riding because I have a deteriorated disc (it's almost gone) at the base of my spine and there are very few forms of exercise that my lower back will tolerate. Any pressure against the supporting muscles down there will send them into spasms. I'll probably borrow one at some point and see how it goes, but I'm a bit leery of trying to carry anything on my back at this point. We'll see.

In the meantime, it's time to put in some miles!