I'm 67, no aches or pains. I don't want to brag, but with my fiancee, 61, I ride 200+ miles on a good week if weather allows us to get out 5 of 7 days. We don't ride fast, average 13 mph, plus or minus, depending on the wind. Racing is overrated. Distance riding is our world. Our daily rides are training for our long term goals.

She, a lifelong pavement bike rider, recently asked me for a bike which she can ride on gravel and dirt, hauling her own luggage. Destination rides, including segments of the Great Divide, have been in our conversations, along with self supported and fully supported bicycling vacations. We don't know how long we can keep it going, but we have recently declared that our "short ride" is now 42 miles, up from the former 36 miles. Her idea.