Not that we have chatted before, nor did I note your absence, but when I saw this thread, I immediately recognized your screen name, and said to myself, “I haven’t seem (him) for a while.” So it’s nice to hear from you.

For me work issues have kept me off the bike (mainly as a year round cycle commuter) much more than I care for the past year or so, but posting here is somewhat a compensation, and keeps the desire alive. I ride enough though to at least feel comfortable when I do, and got to experience the worst of this historic winter. Nonetheless one does have to make a decision and prioritize cycling among other life issues, and it’s high on my list.

I was off the bike totally for about 5 months after an accident, and it didn’t take too long to get back to satisfactory, albeit a new level. If you are in a new environment, previously unfamiliar to you, perhaps the novelty of exploration may get you out onto the road. I would think the area around Reno is beautiful. I continue to amaze people I meet from all over Boston, when I ask them where they live, and we have a lively chat about intimate details of their neighborhood that I learned on my bike.

I don’t know if cycling would damage the knees or make them stronger, or effectively reduce the weight if that’s an issue, but those are motivations for me to ride and keep cycling as a high priority, FWIW