Poolesville is a sleepy town with not much for tourists but it lies in the foothills and has lovely countryside. Downtown there is an elementary school across the road from the tractor factory.
You can reach Poolesville from the C&O but there are just small secondary roads from Sycamore Landing to same name road and then follow GPS or get a good map.
I live in Northern Virginia but have done the C&O with some stops along the way. Great fun when camping grounds are open.

I've been bicycling only since August 2023. For now, I just putter around the neighborhood, up to 10K (6.3 miles). I plan to bike along the canal with my DC daughter and son-in-law one day when they visit. That's why I installed flat-resistant tires, the Kenko equivalent of the German Marathon (front) and Marathon Plus (rear).

Kenko or Kenda?

Kenda. Thanks for catching that. Kenko makes lens filters.

Kendas and Marathons are both good choices. You might do a couple of longer rides on relatively flat surfaces to see how you feel. It is easy to get 10 miles up the canal road only to realize that you have to come back down...

Some days……. (ahhhh)
Especially, when it has been some days.
The sounds of frogs says Spring is near.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8115be875.jpeg

A white knuckle but beautiful morning ride.15 miles of ice and black ice highway shoulder.I rode mostly unclipped,anticipating a fall.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...850c6c851.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8bb066b32.jpeg

I'm 70. Still work every day at a 35 year old's job. Don't know how much longer, though. Was quite a cyclist in my younger days. I STILL try to ride a bit every weekend, maybe 12 or 15 miles. Still enjoy being out there in the sunshine with the breeze, shifting gears depending on conditions, talking to people along the way. I like vintage bikes, by my inherent laziness usually makes me choose this ride:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebfe3270b4.jpg
An 8 speed rear hub, hydraulic brakes and belt drive.
I call it "Green Beenie". LOL.

I don't think I have posted here before, despite turning 75 a couple of weeks ago. I fast skimmed through the posts to see what older folks are riding and was surprised to see mostly road bikes in the photos. I am thinking of switching from a road bike with a relaxed geometry to a hybrid or comfort bike for a more upright position. Everyone likes to go fast and long but for me long is more important than fast and by long, at this age I mean 10 to 20 miles a day 5 or 6 days a week, but not fast. I am wondering if many older folks are riding hybrids or comfort bikes for rides over a few miles. Is it too difficult to go 10+ miles on a more relaxed bike?

At 73 battling osteoarthritis and enjoying my cortisone shots before a knee replacement I am getting by at the time being with long stems (Nitto Technomic) getting the bars up to at least saddle height. On my more modern titaniums I am changing out stems and handlebars to as short a drop and reach as I can find and some moving the saddle forward. This is allowing for 20 mile rides but I can't bear to do this to my Italians which are not getting ridden.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ef5d5c0ef.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67b90d21a.jpeg

As someone who turns 73 next week, I get your issue. However, there are road bikes and there are road bikes. I have a venerable 1979 Motobecane Super Mirage that I have converted into a touring bike with front and rear racks, wider tires, converted 15 gears and a comfortable seat. It is fine for weekend treks and overnighters. I would not use it for longer. I also have a dedicated touring bike, Trek Verve that has disk brakes, dual racks, comfy seat and wide tires that give a very comfortable ride for hours at a time. I do not go particularly fast, not that I ever really ever did, and the reason for riding is the pure enjoyment of the trip. You may find that with the right bike, fitted correctly (and yes, you should have it fitted), you can do the 10-20 miles and probably more. Some ROUTINE stretches should be included in your riding. If you have a very old helmet, get a newer one. The technology has improved. If you are going on the road by yourself, you don't need to go fast. If you are joining someone else, establish what is OK for you in terms of time, distance and speed.
Good luck and keep the forum updated on your progress!

In 1997 I bought my Trek 1220 and rode that for twenty six years. it is nowhere near an upright ride but I was fitted for the bike by a professional at a bike shop so really didn't question whether there might be a more relaxed option. Of course in 1997 I was forty nine years old. Last July I decided to buy a new bike, something I should have done years ago. I purchased a Trek Domane AL 5. It is still a road bike but there are a few things that are different and immediately noticeable. The geometry is the first thing I noticed. Compared to the 1220, this frame almost forced e into a more upright position, with the distance from the handlebars to the seat considerably shorter. And believe me this is noticeable when I hop on the 1220 which is set on the trainer for indoor riding. In addition the tires are wider. They come with a 700 x 32 tire which has less pressure and a softer ride. On my first ride I noticed the smoother ride. Of course going from a 1997 to a 2023 bike there had to be differences, but still the AL 5 is very comfortable, and I can be comfortable semi upright with my hands on the hoods. My rides are usually between 18 and 25 so I haven't really done any long rides over thirty. But I don't think that should matter.

I bought the same exact bike 3 years ago and I’m 72 years old. Unlike you I am not a long term rider, I was a runner for many years and then when that became too difficult I started to row on an erg a few times a week. When COVID hit and everything went dark I pulled out an ancient hybrid I had in my shed and started riding on a bike path near my house on Cape Cod. I took a liking to it so I ordered the Trek had it fitted and I have been on it ever since. One caveat is 10 weeks ago I had surgery for a total knee replacement of my left knee and in 2 weeks I am having my right knee replaced as well, so much for running to stay fit. Obviously I haven’t been riding outside for awhile and won’t till summer I would think. Love the bike and ride about the same as you roughly 20-30 miles 2-3 times a week.

I am only 70. I let my bikes go one at a time until I only have my touring bicycle left. The reason for that is that it became the only bike I wanted to ride because it's the most comfortable. 26x2" inch tires and handlebars that are about level with the seat. Typically I ride 10 to 30 miles two or three times a week on rolling North Carolina roads. I average 10 or 11 miles per hour and I enjoy myself. I haven't ridden in a pace line in 14 years.

When I start out, I most often think, "It's too cold, or too windy, or too hot, or I'm out of breath already." But, by the time I get past the first hill, I always think, "I like riding my bicycle." I am blessed to have a bike that is comfortable.

Thanks for sharing this, Charles. I'm 67; I won't retire for another 2 or 3 years. Like you, I own---and need---only one bike. Like your bike, mine lets me sit almost upright. Heck, mine has a big fat seat and only 3 gears! Reading the posts by "bike collectors," I've wondered, "What's wrong with me?" Now I know: Nothing.

Like Popeye says: I am what I am.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...20a1dc5f2a.jpg
74 ... recovering from revision TKA (cement on femur prosthesis broke). Doc says can resume bike riding in 3 months. Current road bike only accommodates 23 on the rear. Thinking, would like 28s all-around.

Hi. I don't think I've posted on this string before, but I am sixty-six years old. I haven't yet seen any necessity of making any modifications to my riding or bikes. My bikes are same basic configuration as they were when I began riding at twenty-three years old. I do sixty miles on sunday in the summer, and a couple other 20-40 milers on the summer week days. I basically take the winters (6 months) off, riding just utility to pick up groceries. My pace is unimportant on my road rides. Riding is really my way to get out and enjoy nature. Yoga, foam roller, salt baths and plenty of rest keep me limber.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...17846f373f.jpg
May 29, 2022 on forty-miler

72. I'm still on road bikes with drop bars. Most of my miles, by far, are on roads not bike paths, and my roads have hills.

When I ride an upright bike or anything with flat bars it is only for a couple of miles or less; basically, goofing off miles.

Luckily for my body, I never worked at hard labor jobs.

edit: I would ride far less with only 1 bike. A dozen keeps it fresh, every ride.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...88834c37b.jpeg

I put my Trek FX3 hybrid up for the Summer. I now alternate between my Wabi Special Single Speed and my Bianchi road bike. I had been riding the FX3 exclusively the past 2-3 years. But after losing 64 lbs, I feel more comfortable riding the other 2 lately. Age 71.

If you have, when did you start to ride an e-bike? I'm 73 and still riding an "analog" bike. I haven't been able to find riding time often, and many I used to ride with are now using e-bikes. I'm fairly (maybe more than fairly) fit and it may be due to lack of rides this year, but just don't feel as "bike fit" as I have been (yeah, I know, years accumulate!). Still working to try and get my climbing legs and endurance up to my satisfaction, maybe when our rainy season ends. Gotta admit, an e-bike is tempting, but even though I may be huffing and puffing by the time I get to the top of the hill, there's a certain satisfaction I find when I get up the hill on my own (when/if I do!). Won't own both types of bike--might find it too tempting. If you have begun riding an e-bike, curious as to when/what finally had you take that step?

I am also 73 and had a weird winter weather-wise so I did my riding mostly indoors with a bike in my harem that is good for a trainer. You can get adequate, non-fancy, trainers for $100-160 which are stable enough for us old farts. The price below that either has fewer features or is junk or both. It helped keep my stamina up. I have not thought much about e-bikes other than to drool over some of the enticing advertisements.

I can see getting an e-bike if you actually had to get somewhere, but, other than that, what's the point? Guess I'm retro...

Talk about embarassing....I've always had a 'men's bike, even though I'm female because there seemed a time that all what we used to call '10 speeds' were male frame. But I've had a women's one for a while now and when it was getting repaired, I borrowed a friend's racing bike and couldn't get my leg over it! Something I've done THOUSANDS of times! (though not recently....) Still felt as fast as normal when riding but I had to lay it nearly on the ground every time to mount. Getting old sucks.

Swinging a leg over the top tube
 

I'm a 67yo man. In 2023, I bought my first bike in 43 years. I chose a stepthrough frame in anticipation of the problem you've described. I can get my leg over a top tube today. But tomorrow? Who knows.
I didn't expect to develop osteoarthritis. But last month, I did, in my left thumb.

I do errands, 'commute' regularly (to be at daughter/granddaughters home) and have hills (Cougar Mt) to climb late in every ride. Not everybody rides just for exercise/stress relief/fun.

But for me it is not either/or. :love: 8 vintage roadies (7 w/ DT shift), 4 modern roadies w/ Ergo10, 2 mtn bikes, + others, 1 e-roadie Class 1 (EU standard of 20kph max assist). The mtn bikes, beach cruiser, city upright do not get ridden, but every roadie, except 1, only needs air in tires. Esp those w/ latex tubing. :) :thumb:

I'm not a hater.
One car family, one less car.

May feel differently depending on how this TKA-revision goes- dealing with a lot of swelling that's keeping me off the bike...
​​​​​​
Sure would be an easy way to go, credit carding it down the coast doing the bicentennial bike route from Washington to LA...

At an advanced age, :thumb:, if cycling isn't as much about fun as exercise, :foo:, then it's starting to sound like work again. :rolleyes:. :(
Quote me on that, if you like.


edit: Want to keep it a genuine cycling adventure? Get a Class 1 ebike with EU 20kph max, with no throttle. Help where it is truly needed, none at cruising road speeds.

I understand your point. I want my bike ride to be physical exercise, not a motor cruise. What I found with my pedal assist ebike, however, is that it is insurance against the weather. I use the assist motor very sparingly, but if I turn the corner and find myself face-to-face with a strong wind, I just press a button and I can equalize the pedaling effort. I also find that getting across an hilly intersection after a full stop is much safer when I can boost acceleration to avoid traffic and cross the lanes.

Not as much as the alternative. I've been tilting my bike way over for years. I'm over it. And yeah, I go to the gym and do full range of motion heavy work, stretch, plank, and pushups every morning. It's only age, no big deal. We do what we can and try to take with grace what we can't, though that latter is an everyday struggle. I suspect that eventually we find that the struggle isn't worth it anymore. That part will remain a mystery until we get there.