Wow, it's been awhile since I updated this.  Last time I weighed myself I had lost 32 lbs which is amazing considering how much I've slacked at the gym.  I have been riding my bike pretty much every day - at least to and from work, and usually more.  I let the bike shop raise the seat on my bike.  I have balance issues, so I've never been able to get the full leg extension that they say you should have because I need my toes to at least drag the ground if I drop the feet.  I can't do the stand up on the pedals and then get off the bike thing.  But, now my seat is high enough that I have to at least stand up and move to the front of my seat if I know I'm going to stop because otherwise I'm on my very tippy toes when I drop me feet which is not sufficient to get my balance right.  Let's just say it's been an adventure, and I've come close to falling a few times, but I haven't.

That having been said:  I am getting a new bike!  Weeee!!!!  I'm either getting the Surly LHT or Trek 520.  I don't know which yet.  The bike shop says Trek has a better warranty than Surly, but from all the comparisons I've read online absolutely nobody said:  Buy Trek!  It has the better warranty!  I have also read some complaints about Trek honoring their warranty.  I bounced (literally) into the bike shop this morning, told them I want a new bike (even though keeping my mtn. bike).  I told them that drop handle bars scare me.  I'm afraid I'd wreck, so I don't want drop handle bars.  I told them I want a steel frame, something meant for long distance riding, something that is nice and stable.

Yesterday, I was riding home from work and I couldn't understand why it seemed so hard.  I mean it was WORK to get up Wolfe Street, and I ride up Wolfe Street every day.  I was having cramps in one of my calves.  I was really worried.  This morning, I noticed my front derailler was in third gear.  D'oh!