I'm getting comfortable on the bike. I don't have ANY, not one smidgen, of the neck pain I anticipated on this type of bike -- none! On our ride today I had no wrist or thumb pain -- none. I did get some numbness in my hands but it's improving and I'm working on developing my core strength. At the LBS yesterday, Hubby's stem was swapped for a Dimension with a higher angle and a spacer was added. He's feeling good now.

We set out for a "short" ride today. Since I'm still adjusting to this bike I just wanted an easy out-'n-back ride.

41 miles and 5 hours later, we arrived back home smiling, but a bit tired. It's difficult to escape the traffic around here, and to get to any of the nice trails we need to ride through traffic, or haul our bikes in the truck. Trying to get accustomed to a new position on a new bike on poorly paved streets with narrow shoulders and lots of cars and people yelling out of windows and cars passing too close and... and... and.... Well, suffice to say it was an "interesting", but very satisfying ride today.

The full report is on my blog: Ride to "Joe's Place".

Joes place is the Place to ride to- But get the pie in next time!!!!

New bike- different ride position and 41 miles. Not bad for a beginner. And 41 miles is never easy so stop running yourself down. Look for the first "Metric" you can make and enter.

Glad to see the bikes work- but possibly a bit of adjustment still to make. A Few more downhills to find to get the average up just a bit. Well done.

Hi Yen,
We're both up late tonight! Great report. I love your blog and all the wonderful pictures, especially the one with your bikes joining you at the breakfast table. Scary about your tire! Was the tire hard to change compared with your old bike?

I followed the link to your knitting blog. I really like the scarf you're making for your husband. I just learned to knit a couple of years ago when I had a bit of surgury and knew I'd be recuperating for a while. It's such a fun hobby, isn't it? I'm working on my second pair of socks now. Hubby got the first pair.

It sounds like you both had a great adventure. Exercise and
a little exploration all rolled into one is always a winning combo.
Glad the new bikes are working out for both of you. Thanks
for the great report and pics.

Happy Trails

I've become a fan of your blog and will be visiting more often. What a nice ride.

It's good to hear the new bikes are working out for both of you. Joe's looks like a great place for a bike stop

"Just 41 miles?"

At mile 25 yesterday I was in full auto-whine mode. "How to they do it, those folks at BF? They pull 40-50 milers at the drop of a helmet and I feel like I'm going to die".

41 miles is just a long way, especially on a new bike. I agree (as always) with Stapfam.

NB: when I finished my 32 miler yesterday, I pulled the stats on MotionBased: 32 miles, 2692 ft climbing, max grade of 20%. I didn't feel so bad about the whole thing after all.

I'm jealous, my wife doesn't want the bike in the house. I should just overrule her. Nice ride and pics.

Nice ride and nice write-up. I enjoyed the pictures.

Good ride report, good blog.

Would you knit those of us who live further north some spring-weather riding gear? I'm headed out right now for a ride; it's 34 degrees and there is slush on the ground...I could use a muffler.

Nice report. Rides can be a lot more fun when you have a desitination such as Joe's Place. Let us know what you 'd recommend on the menu as you visit there more often.

Nice ride report.

Here's a good article on hand numbness. Different nerves cause distinct symptoms.

Where was the blowout on your tube, was it near the valve? Maybe the tube wasn't installed correctly. They don't usually blow out, with a bang, due a defect. That's usually from the tire bead coming off the rim and then the tube bulges out and pops with a loud noise.