I really enjoy riding fixed and I'm 61 so no worries about the age thing. I ride a 42t x 15t and have both front and rear brakes fitted (but rarely used).

For pedals I use Crank Bros. Egg Beaters since there are four points of engagement (helpful when aiming foot at moving target!).

Climbing and flat roads are both lots of fun; descending . . . not so much. My current coordination (or lack thereof) limits me to +/- 135 cadence. Still, the whole fixed thing is so much fun, overall, I definitely recommend it.

Rick / OCRR