>>>>At 51 Papa Tom I would think you should be having the money and time start opening up for MORE adventures, not less.<<<<<

Unfortunately not. I started life as a professional musician, which went very well until my thirties, when the industry changed and work became harder to come by. Then I spent my forties trying to salvage an income by flying all over North America on a daily basis (and beating the crap out of my back) investigating jewelry crimes. I made great money during that decade and was able to take week-long vacations, but that all ended when the economy crashed in 2008. Now I am an audio-video tech for my local township and I have had to start at the bottom of the payscale again ($50,000, which is poverty-level if you live in New York). Plus, it's the kind of job you don't stay away from for more than a few days, lest you come back and find someone else sitting at your desk! (cont'd below)

>>>>Sounds like you are aware of the issues though and should be able to find a solution to doing better. Riding more is a great start!<<<<<

I still ride as often as I can, and I am very satisfied with the amount of riding I have been able to get in between 1996 and now. If I don't take this ride, I will likely do my favorite road ride up the shore of Connecticut and Rhode Island again this summer. I just though a different route on a different type of terrain might be a neat addition to my memory book. (cont'd below)


>>>>Maybe think about a bit of Band B stuff over near Skaneateles - plenty of nice roads (and even some great MTBing at Bear Swamp), good places to eat, and the great wineries. Gets a little hilly east-west, but north to south not so bad.<<<<<

Sorry, I don't know what "Band B" means or where Skaneateles is!