Choosing the bike is the easy part - choosing riding gear, not that is hard.

[FishWitch]

Welcome to The FUN!!!

Don't scrimp on gear. You are on the right track. It does not have to cost a lot to be good gear. Make sure your stuff fits & you are comfy in it.

Now that is is summer, you may also want to look onto getting a hydration vest (one you wear & can put ice water on under your mesh) Also a Camel Back which carries ice water along that you can hydrate without stopping.

NEVER HESITATE to stop if you feel thirsty. In fact STOP BEFORE you get thirsty. Even when it's cold you have to hydrate..

I'm rambling and there are lots of different threads about safety gear & precautions.

Welcome again to the FUNNESS!! We all try to keep us all safe so you are in the fold.

[sanpedro]

I'll give another vote to the Flex even though I don't own one. I have the Transition and its a great jacket but a 3 season one, a bit too hot for me in the summer (but I've done it).

I ended up getting a Fly mesh jacket for summer so I have to look at the weather and pick the right one. Works for me but wish I had known about the Flex before I jumped.

And hydration packs are great, you can fit almost 3 trays of ice cubes into a 70 ounce reservoir.

[Twillman]

The Flex sounds like it is worth the extra cash over the Transtion. However, I have a real long torso and I am concerned that it may be too short. I haven't tried one on whereas the Transition I tried was nice and long.

I've debated this enough at this point and I'm starting to get on my own nerves as I've struggled to decide.

Either way, I'm pulling the trigger tonight and ordering.

Thanks again.

T.