Just saying hi from the Gulf Coast area of MS!

I've owned various cheap road and mountain bikes since high school. Never really rode more than I had to.

I've been riding stationary bikes in the gym for several years, but in my mid 50s now and looking to do more road riding.

Currently on an early 2010's Fuji Sportif 1.1 (new tires, tubes and chain - of course) trying to get comfortable and learn the bike. Have a Garmin bike computer to keep track of distances and times. No power meters, heart rate monitors or other electronics.

I'm riding a 6.5 mile loop three times a week to get started. The elevation is from 49 ft to 153 ft (325 ft total ascent/331 ft total descent - according to Garmin) that I'm completing in about 28 minutes. One "measured" climb, .4 mile with 56 ft of ascent (just over 2.5%).

My short term goal is to be able to complete a 50 mile ride in the next 6 months.