I have no idea why it took me so long to get a real bike. Finally made it to Roscoe Village Bikes last night, got to see my new Surly Pacer all done up. Looks great. Blue isn't as sparkly or as bright as I thought it'd be, much more subdued. Took it out for a test ride. Picking it up off the sidewalk I was amazed at it's weight. It's a steel bike too. And it's so much lighter than my current tank. Riding it, well, it's smooth, quick and nimble. Super easy to put the hammer down and shoot off like a rocket. Any of my worries that it wasn't my bike slowing me down, and it's actually me that's slow, well, that's put to rest. I can't wait to get it one some real roads/trails to open it up. But, it'll be another week or so as I'm getting new saddle/bar tape, going with a nice Brooks Swift in Honey Brown with matching bar tape. Ordered up some pedals/clips/straps. Going old school. Need to find some old school cycling shoes. This could be a very slippery slope into riding. It will take me a little bit to get used to a drop bar and aggressive road position again. Definitely not a city bike.