My speeds were actually in the range of 30-35 MPH max. I don't like going very much faster than that. KE increasing with the square of the speed and all that.

For sure, if you're afraid of heights, those roads are not going to be your cup of tea!

Funny counterpoint: That day, some friends were doing a flat ride along the San Gabriel River Trail. 70 miles of utterly flat riding from one part of the LA basin to the other. I really wanted to ride with them, but flats bore me, so I did the mountains instead. I have to say that without hills, I'm not sure I'd ride a bike at all, except for transportation.

I wonder what the other 50plusers prefer? Flat? Hilly? Mountainous? A mix of both?