Originally Posted by bikentn
New guy on the block here, 43, haven't really ridden a bike much since I was a teen.
Welcome to Bike Forums!
I just started riding last summer at age 44. It may take you a couple of months to get back into it, but it's definitely do-able.
Originally Posted by bikentn
. . . . I am not sure what kind I want. No hurry. We camp and there will be some riding on/off road in the campgrounds. I have a PeeWEe Herman-looking cruiser that I can take for roaming round the campground.
. . . . He's gonna borrow a bike from a friend to see if I enjoy the road type. I've looked at hybrids and mountains. I want the road to work. I did get on one, but it was ill fitting. I felt so incredibly stupid and violated. Didn't even know they don't have kickstands and the bike seat, well...lets just say for a moment it was a real experience till I pulled my nutz outta my butt.
My advice is to take your time, think about what kind of riding you want to do, and then choose a bike that fits your riding style. A lot of people will try to convert you to their kind of riding/bike, but you should feel free to decide for yourself. There's nothing wrong with being a roadie, if that's what you want, but many of us have found that we have other goals. I myself am more of a utility cyclist, so the my hybrid bike works well for me. I don't need to go 25 mph, but I do want to be comfortable, and the wide seat and wide tires help--but that's just me. Others have different opinions. (I've even been looking at recumbents!)
(The whole pro-kickstand/anti-kickstand debate has been raging over on the Commuter forum. I'm not sure why this issue is so controversial, but it is.)
Happy riding!