Progress - learning about my MTB and what I need to use it

The first thing you may notice in the title of this post is I have used the abbreviation 'MTB'. Picking up some of the lingo - impressed? I will be sounding pro in no time. You will notice the dates of these posts will not reflect the true passage of time for the first month or so - as I am adding content to Blogger from a month or longer ago to get up to date, so apologies if that is a little confusing while I play catchup.

So having ridden around the sealed streets for the last two weeks, and having chatted with a few friends at work I have learned a few valuable lessons:

1. Just jumping on the bike and riding in my shorts and T-shirt is not going to cut it, my behind is killing me after 5 minutes. I have very quickly ordered an affordable pair of 'Knicks' online - and they have made the whole riding experience a lot more comfortable
2. I lack the fitness, leg endurance and technique for climbing steep hills. As I have ventured further I have found myself walking the bike up a few hills. I have learned however that getting out of the saddle and pumping the pedals is not efficient on a MTB. I am getting better at staying in the seat and using the gears
3. A quick look at Giant's website and the spec details of my bike has made me a lot more knowledgeable regarding the components of my bike, and the correct name for them. I also found this page to be a great snapshot for a learner, so you should not see me referring to the 'rear cog' any more - as I have now learned fancy terms such as 'cassette' and 'rear derailleur'.
4. I constantly seem to have been setting my seat too low, resulting in sore knees. I was setting the seat at a height so I could relatively easily have both of my feet touching the ground at a stand still - which I would think is pretty common for a beginner to do... you don't want to fall over when you come to a stop or run out of puff up a steep hill. I am now using the angle of my knee/leg on the pedal at the bottom of it's stroke (aiming for knee bent at about 25 to 30 degrees) and this seems to result in a much more comfortable ride.
5. Magpie's - they are very annoying for a learning rider - but also quite amusing. just another distraction for me as I try to master my riding technique, and helps me remember to wear my helmet.