wrote:
My background: I have never ridden a road bike before. Only recently
started training for long distance (more than 10 miles) riding. I am
over 40 years of age.

Others riders
were passing me even though my cadence was heigher than theirs.


Cadence doesn't necessarily relate to fitness.


Road bike: Schwinn Prelude arrives and I get it fitted. I took it to
the training ride on last Saturday. Happy with the product. I stayed
in the middle of the pack and completed a 43-mile ride in 4 hours.
Longest ride ever. The route was hilly and there was constant breeze.

Problem: Various parts of my body hurt for a couple of days.
Specifically, neck, shoulders, lower back, and pelvic area hurt more
than any other part. Could that be because my bike is not really
fitted well to suit my body? Or, could it be cause it was my first
time on a road bike?


How many rides (and what distances) had you done before the 43-mile
ride?

I'd recommend you build up distance and speed gradually, without
straining. Don't think in terms of competition.

Art Haris