Well, my oh my. We do have a lot in common! I'm 66, a grandma, and truly do love the simplicity and feeling of riding a bike just like I did as a kid. No racing (not interested except I do love to watch the TDF) No drugs (I come from a long lived line of ancestors that were disease free, as am I). Smart enough not to fantasize that I'm still as strong as I was 20 years ago when I took up the sport of Endurance riding my Arabian - 15 years of that sport intermingled with 40 years of foxhunting during the winter. So now I rest on those laurels and simply pleasure ride my horses.

Anyway, back to how we are alike: I, too, am now just enjoying the ride (in both saddles).

Wow. Pretty amazing, huh? So much alike. Only diff is one of my 5 bikes has an electric assist. I love that particular bike because when I ride it I feel like I have an active partner in my ride, one that is willing to help me when I ask for help. Nice feeling for this active bike-loving 66 year old grandmother.

Now, I dare say we also both use reading glasses (goes with the age) so I would gently suggest you find yours and then carefully reread what I posted. What you will discover is not an attempt to TELL someone what to do to "experience joy", but instead to TELL this audience that all of us are free to discover how we want our bikes to continue to be part of our lives as we get older. And if an ebike fits that bill (like the OP in post #1 implied would be in his future soon enough), then okey dokey. If not (like many on this forum who still espouse the glories of DIY on analog bikes, and goodie for them.) then okey dokey. To each their own. No "telling" ANYONE they must motorized their bike. Just a plead to understand there is no need to hate someone who choses one type of bike over another.

PS - Big pat on the back to you for still being out there enjoying your bikes, hopefully with your grandkids.