Originally Posted by
Mtracer
. . . Something to consider is an ebike. Essentially an electric bike makes the hills much less steep. This doesn't mean you don't have to put in effort and you can usually adjust the amount of assist to match your requirements. So, you will still get a workout, if you want. It just may be the difference between being able to ride those hills or not. . . .
Quoting Mtracer's previous post in case jazzchip missed or dismissed the e-bike recommendation.
Electric bikes have become a big part of the market in the last 10 years, especially for older riders.
Flat bar bikes don't differ in weight enough for the lighter bikes to be substantially easier for climbing hills. The advantage of e-bikes is that, as Mtracer noted, you can get as little or as much of a workout as you prefer while riding on hilly terrain. Me, I'd test ride a lighter hybrid bike on some hills and then an e-bike before deciding what to buy.
At 79, you'll be getting progressively weaker over the coming years. That's worth taking into consideration before making your choice.