contrary to awm 03 comment, cycling does use abdominals quite extensively although it does depend on what type of cycling you are doing, I am currently a A graded racer with a elite racing licence, in the upper echelons of the domestic cycling scene, my coach prescribes intensive exercises focused on my abdominal muscles this can help in climbing, sprinting and also TT as having strong abdominal muscles is crucial to maintain a comfortable yet aerodynamic position for extended periods of time.

Thanks for sharing your great photos. I finally found 'em today (looked in QF Gallery and Camping Forum days ago --but of course, no luck. HA HA) Beautiful scenery and looks like a lot of fun. I'm impressed that you had a band providing musical entertainment. We've vacationed in N. Florida a couple of times (a great place to go in January when you live in northern Minnesota) and have gotten to paddle on Suwanee River, using an outfitter from White Springs for our shuttle. Ginny

Clare, when you go in a bike shop, tell them up front that you are not ready to buy yet, just doing research to see what is available, what you like, getting their advice. That way you won't feel obligated if someone takes time with you. If you find a bike that interests you, surely they will have an area where you can try it out. My bike shop has an alley behind it. If they don't seem to want to take time with you under those circumstances, then that's a red flag that you don't want to buy from them. Ask for the store's card when you leave, and maybe you really even will buy from them. OBTW--I'm quite a bit older than you and still enjoy riding. Moni, thanks for the tips on riding. I enjoyed the shots of your recent bike trip. I'll practice lifting up from the seat, then putting the rt. foot down. Sounds safer than what I'm doing, balancing on my toes. I don't think I'd want to put the seat any higher though.

SOCKS!! We were at the same place...its the Featherdale Wild Animal Park...(we were on the way to the Blue Mountains as well!)... Nicole...we had beautiful weather..60's at night 70's during the day...our apartment wasn't air conditioned so I'm glad the weather cooperated...Sydney doesn't have the humidity that some places do...It was awesome! Australia has 17 of the 20 worlds deadliest snakes...the animal park had the number one deadliest the Indian Taipen...whoa....there were lots of people swimming at Bondi and Manly beaches...in fact Hugh Jackman has a home on Bondi and had to pull his teenage son out of the undertow the day AFTER we went...DARNIT!! My roomie woke to find this on the crown molding on her ceiling one morning...I got a broom, knocked him down and smashed that sucker not knowing whether he was friendly or deadly! the nice thing I enjoyed was NO MOSQUITOS!! We slept with the windows open...no SCREENS!! Socks, we hired a personal tour guide for the day and did Featherdale, then on up to the Blue Mountains...the places he took us in his car a bus could never get to and the views were spectacular! then to finish off the day we walked thru the rainforest and rode the incline Railway! we old ladies were pretty bushed after that day!! Ded...I rode business going down and had a seat empty next to me on the way back!! My buds were in the back going and coming...it was not a pleasant experience for them...but they did it for me so I owe them the world! I had about year to prepare for the trip...we have crews laying over there everyday and I have a friend who has gone 5 times...one of my last flights I worked before going I had a family from Sydney on my plane coming to the states to visit relatives...they were a wealth of information... I'm sorry we didn't go to New Zealand...there WILL be a next time! My hubster chose to stay behind and man the homefront...now he's wishing he had gone! This is ARCHER...He is the mascot of Featherdale...he was abandoned by his Mama and the park raised him...He even has a FACEBOOK page...LOL