It's interesting to me how many of us 50+ers have to deal with long lay offs and coming back. No matter how much we love to ride, life and health can get in the way. I'm sure that younger riders have their conditioning interrupted by things, but it's that much harder for older bodies to overcome the deconditioning/conditioning cycle.

I've had to do this a lot. I'm on my way back (I hope) for the 3rd time in about 4 years. Good luck to all who are doing it - it takes patience, but it's worth it.

Welcome back DG,

I lost a year do to a bike crash.

Give you three weeks and you will back to normal with a bike.

Spin and keep it fun.

For me I don't know how long the lay off has been. I think that it's been 7 or 8 years. It's not that I haven't ridden at all in that much time, it just hasn't been the same. In my case, I know that it's all mental. I think that it's PTSD from when I broke my elbows. I've tried visits with a psychologist and I've definitely made some progress but I've had a couple of pretty serious setbacks too.

Deege, I hope that everything goes well for you. Please keep in touch whether the news is good or bad.

DG-
Have you thought about finding a riding group of like-minded folks? The group encouragement and, um, peer pressure might be just what you need. Dive in, the water's fine...

I was pleasantly surprised to find that my new local bike store has rides throughout the week of varying intensity. On Sundays they offer an "easy" ride of 13-15 miles and I saw that group - they looked like a lot of 50 Plussers. OTOH, one of the rides is a 65 mile "intermediate" ride up a Very Long Hill (10-15 miles, at least) to Virginia City and back. I do think once I get my sea legs I'll try the Sunday rides.

Retro, it's so good to hear from you! I remember your accident. Hurts my heart to hear the road back has been so tough but it's completely understandable. I will keep in touch.

This is so wise! Thanks!