Originally Posted by lookinUp
I'm also an 'older' woman - and was very overweight and have some arthritis as well. Like you, I used to ride a lot. I bought a Trek Navigator 300 about 9 months ago. It has suspension and is VERY COMFORTABLE to ride. I can recommend it highly.
Over the course of many months, I lost about 35 pounds and have just purchased a Trek 7500FX which is a hybrid, but a pretty fast bike. I sold the Navigator although the LBS would have taken it in trade and now ride the 7500FX about 75 miles a week. Promised myself a road or touring bike after loosing another 50 pounds or so!
Don't think you can go wrong with the Navigator - or a similar bike.
Congratulations, I'm around 30 pounds overweight and I'm going to use people such as yourself for inspiration. I'm going to take it slow though and aim toward a pound or two a week.
By the way, I also was very close to buying the 7500FX. I ended up going another direction, but it seems to be a very nice bike.