Boy, can I relate to your feelings, AF! I have only owned my trusty little Fuji hybird for a month, and I have 230 miles on it. On my almost daily 6 mile-one-way comute, I frequently see the local "big dogs" and wonder if I will ever get there. But, in my solitary rides, I know that I am getting in better shape, and I am loving that. For now, I just have to take solace in the fact that I am in better shape than I have been in years, and I know if I keep it up, maybe someday I will be one of the "big dogs!" One of the "big dogs" has even been kind enough to offer me many words of encouragement, even though one of her afternoon rides would probably kill me! Discouraged soemtimes? You bet! But, I just keep pumping away, and now I can wear spandex (more for the padding than the aerodynamics!) without children running from the side of the road screaming! Just have fun with it! Bill