Good effort James.

I take a couple of aspirins after hard rides.

Helps me get a good nights sleep.

Hi and welcome

A metric century is a real accomplishment, and congratulations - especially on a 12 speed older and heavier bike.

Keep up the good work.

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSC00032.jpg

Won't be good for long stays but with an Awning attached it will give us the freedom that camping gives over Hotels.

Great advice. She mentioned to me again, this morning, about possibly getting a bike. I'm going to take it slow and easy and not pressure her. I think she's coming around but, as you mentioned, it will have to be on her terms.

Let her choose HER bike (ownership and all that) - and also that way you don't get blamed :)

The idea of a short ride with a nice stop halfway through is great! Lunch, or an ice cream cone, or just a rest in a peaceful park is a wonderful reward for a new rider. Pick a quiet route on a day when most others are at work, and it'll be even more enjoyable for her.

Now that I'm retired, I don't know how I found time for a career.

I am new here. I rode bikes long ago. Today, I bought my 32 year old daughter a Giant Hybrid (I think) for her birthday. After being in that bike shop with all that neat hardware, I have an itch to get a bike for me and start peddling again. I used to be a long distance runner so I know what being in good shape is (but that's not me today at almost 69). Any suggestions on a bike for suburban roads and flat trails (no hills here)?

Welcome.

Start by reading the "sticky" for a newbie rider above.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...0-newbie-rider

Almost any bike can ride trails.

Hi, aja888 - and welcome back to bicycles! Why don't you take a look at mine!

Have you thought of trying a tandem?

Congrats on your retirement, Stapfam. Get someone else to do the things you don't like doing, like gardening, and get out more on your bikes and your VW RV (Recreational Vehicle. Nice. Many many years ago, when the boys were in their early teens, we had a RV on a Ford Transit base and enjoyed many weeks and miles in the UK and on the Continent in it). How do you carry your bike on the RV?

I'll be having my 66th birthday on June 23rd. These last 3years have really taken a toll on the health that I had been enjoying for solong. I can still ride around the neighborhood a few blocks but that's aboutit.

Not even close. This is what a real classic looks like.

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/classi...ix/4391919.jpg

Welcome to Bike Forums.

70 and ride this

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/h...allgame002.jpg

Wow! nice work! Maybe "up the road" I will have an interest in building a bike (I am an engineer (still)). :thumb: But for now, I may go easy.....( I did ride the kid's new bike today and it was nice).

I see you guys like classics and rods. Well, my old Vette (65 Stingray) is no longer with me (a distant memory). I am restoring and driving this old Jetta TDI diesel with 200K on it:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...s/P1040637.jpg

Not much to do there. Get out and ride while you wait for it to fall apart.

Not fully in use yet as lots of work to do on it. Have a bike carrier rack that will fit on the back but a Neighbour is already setting his holiday up for next year for when the TDF passes to the North of France. There is a bit of Rust to get rid off on the bodywork but no rot on the chassis. Interior was dated so a new Rock n Roll bed fitted that converts to a large two seater. Kitchen units stripped out to be rebuilt so that both side doors can be used-(Rare model with doors on both sides) and a Utility battery to be fitted so it can be used at night without draining the main battery. Lots to do on it but it will be ready for next year.

And Gardening- I have just under 1/4 of an acre and want more. Garden keeps getting smaller with the wife's Pool- the Chickens- the increasing Flower beds and the grandchildren. Gardening I love but a Fence is currently being replaced and the bottom hedge needs Cutting down a bit----By about 3ft. Currently 4 major jobs in hand with Cycling getting done inbetween and the campavan being last on the list. Now if I could get someone to decorate the house and Paint the bike shed- I might get more riding in.

Yea, all interior stuff left and a new heater core (have to pull the dash out - fun). :rolleyes:

Several years ago my neighbor and I decided to take up biking. Went to Wal Mart and bought one size fits all Schwinn Trail bikes. It was uncomfortable to me. Went to a bike shop to see if an extension could be added to raise the handlebars. Bike shop guy said bike doesn't fit you and raising handlebars wont really fix it. I asked which bike? He asked about my riding habits and recommended a Trek 7000 which was a low end bike price wise. I asked about some of the higher priced ones and he said the 7000 is all you need. I bought it and have been very pleased and have put several thousand miles on it. I did add a Brooks saddle and a few other goodies--Nightrider lights for one.

My wife and I went bike shopping over the past two days for a bike for her. She's short, only 5 ft 1 inch, and hasn't ridden for over 45 years. She wants something comfortable and easy to ride. First we went to a dealer that carries Giant bikes. We were both particularly pleased with the Giant Sedona W, as it looks very comfortable. However she didn't get a chance to ride it. The next day we went to a different dealer and looked at the Schwinn Voyageur 21 W - we both hated it. Very ungainly and an uncomfortable riding position. They had an inexpensive Diamondback that looked pretty nice - kind of like the Giant Sedona but half the price. However the angle of the seat was tilted up - not comfortable at all for her. We went to a third dealer and this time looked at the Trek 7100 W. Since I have the men's version of the 7100 I know it's a quality product. My wife did like this one, especially its upright position and beautiful light blue color, but we didn't get a chance to ride it. One downside is the price - almost $500. We'll probably go back to the first dealer to check out the Giant Sedona again and compare it with the Trek.

One thing came clear to me over the past two days - my wife is very nervous about riding again. I hope she decides to take the chance and start riding because I find it so rewarding and I think it would be great for us to ride together. But I know it has to be her decision.

Now my wife is thinking she needs riding lessons because she's so concerned about losing her balance. She's 66 and hasn't ridden since she was 16. I told her I thought the best thing to do is to just buy a bike and for the two of us to go to a nearby field where she could practice riding until she felt comfortable. I'm looking at the Giant Sedona W as a bike that would ease her back into riding. She's not crazy about its looks (she prefers the Trek 7100 WSD) but I think the Trek would be too much bike for her at this time.

There is never "Too Much Bike" but there are bikes that are not ridden because the Rider doesn't like them. Whether it be looks- colour or style.

Tell her my wife (now 74>75) started riding when she was about 65. She still does fine on her Trek hybrid.

stapfam has already given the best input, but I'm curious why you think the the Trek would be too much bike for her? They are both suspension fork, 21 speed twist shift with the same gear range. The Sedona is 26" and the Trek is 700C but you already have a 7100 so you know it's fine for the type of riding you do so I don't see what would be too much for her. It's going to be her bike, she needs to like it.

Jim

The Sedona has fatter tires and smaller wheels. I think she'd find it easier to learn on than the Trek.

You consider that old?

This is what old looks like! My dad's '65 Ford F100.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ruck/dane1.jpg

I have the Trek 7000. The 7100 you gain front suspension--really does a 66 year old woman need that? You also go from 21 speed to 24 speed. Again is that needed? I don't see the need for a higher high nor a lower low--everything needed is covered with the 21 speeds (and more--she want use all 21 speeds). Save a couple hundred and get the 7000. I put a Brooks saddle on mine and Niterider lights.