Hey, youaretony...that really sucks about the bike...the last time I took my bike on a dirt road was right after I had replaced the whole left side fairing, blinker, shifter...blah blah blah...my boyfriend and I went on a ride and decided to take a road that "may possibly turn to dirt", from what it looked like on the GPS. We decided to go for it and what do you think happened? I dumped it in a deep downward sloping rut on THE SAME SIDE! I was pissed. It didn't turn out to be too bad since I was going very very slow but I was not too happy at that point. After that I said never again on a dirt road in the Super Hawk.
wow..i say no. ditch the 'friend.' i went to this seminar and referred to removing the negative influences in your life as 'killing the cancer.' harsh, but it works. if it doesn't make you happy, and it's clearly not going to get through to him, don't bother.
but what do i know? =)
kudos on the diet thing. i love bread too much to give it up =) i have alot of damage still to undo from being very overweight in my teens. gotta do the combo of diet and exercise, because without it, i'll be bumpy rather than having smooth toned curves. tho for guys it's different. damn you. =D
Hope you're having fun in Chicago.