thye rowing motion is very similar to a snatch lift

To get an idea what its like to effectively row a race, take the hardest stroke you can on a rowing machine take that down about 85-90 percent, then try to do that 220 times in a row without stopping. The only rest you get is during the "recovery phase" and that varies during the course of a race depending on your position.

A 2000 meter race is essentially a 6 minute, all out sprint

Then you have to worryabout blade work. You go in too shallow or to deep there is a good chance that you'll "crab" which at best will stop the speed of your boat, at worse you'll get thrown out of the boat, or suffer some bodily injury.

Go out with the local club ride this weekend and grab someone's wheel and get in the paceline. You'll get a couple of mph's without even trying and still have enough energy for some sprints. Also, ask one of the group leaders to watch your peddling technique and position to see if he/she can point out anything. Basically humble yourself - that's what I did when I got into cycling. I thought I knew HOW to ride a bike but it was totally different from those days of riding around on a banana seat.

Pedalling is a skill. It takes time to develop the appropriate neuromuscular co-ordination necessary to keep the transfer of effort between all the muscles used smooth and properly timed.

Just as, I would imagine, it takes time to co-ordinate the proper timing in the use of back, arm and leg muscles when rowing

Yes you can.

But working on the engine always shows results, too.

please dont do this.

if you do, at least read this first:

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/87401-unwritten-rules-group-ride.html

I advise no more responses to this thread until the O.P. answers some of the questions that have been posed.

ha sorry for the belated reply. i've been riding my bike too much! so it wasn't that i had buyers remorse nor that i was too powerful. i was simply too stupid to shift correctly! i love my bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and again, i'm an idiot.

Well at least you figured out what was going on there. Good luck with the riding!

I've always wondered how shifting can cause so much confusion. How is it possible to shift incorrectly?

Here's a whole article dedicated to not being afraid of shifting: https://www.bfw.org/articles/dontbe.php

New cyclists sometimes ask me if I have any tips for shifting and when they should do it.

Where's the complexity? I'm genuinely curious.

An Emily Litella moment (for those of you who remember the late 70s).

people learn at different levels. not only have in not ridden a bike in 10 years, a bike with a single gear, but i had no idea how either lever worked when i bought the bike. i should've asked but i didn't. the complexity lies with it being something i've never done, possibly like driving a manual car for the first time. sure it's easy once you have the hang of it, but at first it's a bit tough. sorry for not having been more experienced out of the womb, bikegod

Dude, I'm not insulting you, nor am I insulting anyone who is having difficulty with any aspect of cycling, nor am I a bikegod. I was just curious what your difficulty was. My reason for wanting to know is so that I can help people who are experiencing the same problem. No offense intended. Thanks for your answer though. I can understand a new rider having confusion over STI shifters. I had it explained to me too. Sometimes I get the impression that some people are concerned about *when* to shift, so I thought that might be your issue, but it's not.

I did once try to drive a manual car, and pretty much gave up on that.

Aw come on...

sissy!

Haha, maybe so. I thought I might get some comments about that. But I guess I just don't know what I'm missing, and don't really care right now. I'm sure I could learn it eventually, but I feel no compelling need, since I don't really drive anything these days, and don't plan to start any time soon.

Rock on! I had a strong suspicion you'd get the hang of your new bike and start having fun with it. It takes a while to get used to new equipment of any kind, be it breaking in a new pair of shoes or learning your way around a new bike.

Well, as John Muir used to say, "Peace and good roads." Have fun!