Don't think because you are 57 you cant do the off road stuff, I ride with a couple guys in their mid 60s.
Thanks for the encouragement ... I'm really younger than my 57 and in pretty good shape and have always been active, so I'm not intimidated by taking on biking at this age ... that said, I think I'm over the "throw caution to the wind" part of my life, so this is more for exercise and enjoying being outdoors in our beautiful part of the country than some middle-aged, thrill-seeking thing.
Bill