Not sure where to post this since it seems I'm a Clydesdale and I'm 50+ (ugh) and I'm interested in road riding....there's not a fat, old, road cycling section.......

I rode yesterday for the first time in about 30 years (and after 20 years of smoking).
I rented a Trek 1.2 from a LBS and went out for 30 minutes (4-5 miles).
It felt good (and scary) to be out on the road on a bike.
I had been looking at a 2010 1.2 at the LBS but when I took the rental back, they had sold it!

Plus I was at REI Saturday and saw a book I wanted (Cycling after 50) that was on sale but I didn't get it. Went back Sunday and IT was gone!

So, are they signs? I shouldn't be riding or I should pull the damn trigger when I see something I want!?!?!??!

PS-does anyone have experience with the Trek 1.2? it seemed a little jittery on the road but it might have been my nerves....

Post where ever you want.
Your first rides will be wobbly.
Once you learn to relax it is fine.

I started as a 65 y/o clyde that commutes to a long distance bike ride on a race bike.

My first tour on it.




Have fun on BF

Check the library, or Amazon.

Check the 50+ forum. More than one clyde there as well, and I'm sure there's more than one 50+er in the Clyde forum.

You probably don't want the book "Cycling Past 50" anyway. I have it and it's really more for hard core riders who want to continue to race after 50. It mainly goes into specific and detailed physiologic explanations why getting old sucks and basically advises to HTFU. (which is always the standard and good advice when it comes to cycling).

However there is a place for over 50 riders right in these forums! It's called the Fifty Plus forum, of all things:

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?220-Fifty-Plus-(50-)

You can't visit the 50+ Forum unless you bring pie to share with everyone!

IMHO - don't stress about this. A lot of riders are 50+ and on the Clyde or Athena side. We ride because it makes us feel good. The Trek 1.2 is nice; we got my son one last season- which he rode about 1500 km including a sagged tour. The bike performed well- his is an XS with 650c tires, hope he hasn't outgrown it for this season. But you might want to check out a flat bar style road bike - like the Specalized Vita [Trek has at least a couple models - don't know their designation] Slightly fatter tires and more relaxed riding position might be a better place to start & feel better, yet provide some nice performance.
ps - perhaps a Sirrus instead of Vita - the Vita might be a women specific design - get what ever fits and feels better.

Okay, I give. Whats the pie deal?

That book has some great information in it. I read it in my late 30s, enjoyed it, and then gave it to my father to read ... and he enjoyed it too. I didn't think it was that hard core ... my impression was that it was for average cyclists.

According to Wikipedia..."A pie is a baked dish which is usually made of a pastry dough casing that covers or completely contains a filling of various sweet or savoury ingredients."

Very yummy. Surely you've heard of it. That's why we like it.

The Trek probably felt scary because you haven't been on a bike in so long. I'm guessing almost any bike would have felt scary.
REI? Which one? I stop by the Atlanta store (I-85 access road) every few weeks. Say hello it you see me in there. You'll recognize me by the tattoos on my legs. I'm always in shorts unless its COLD (below 40).
Cycling Past 50 is a good read. I bought it about 10 years ago. Has a lot of info I'm not interested in related to racing, etc. You can get it at most book stores or Amazon.
The "signs" are trying to tell you something so listen up!! When you see something you like or want, pull the trigger, because it may not be there tomorrow.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM............pie.

Start used if you're worried about buying something you wont want to keep, ride the heck out of it, upgrade stuff that breaks/wears out/doesn't work, don't be afraid to post dumb questions, and then buy that shiny new bike when you're in better shape and know what you're going to want.

Hey Ron, usually the REI near Perimeter Mall. Very close to my house.

If your not interesting in racing, look into a touring bike. Stronger, lower-gearing, and wider tires. They're usually more comfortable too.

Your typical road bike uses tires that are only 23mm wide. I ride a touring bike with 40mm wide tires at a lower pressure. It helps soak up the bumps.

The bike being sold gives you a chance to try a lot of different bike to see what you want. If you plan on riding only on paved roads and paved trails then don't get a mtn bike. Try the straight bars and then try drops. This is a good chance to narrow down your needs.

And the book can be ordered online at REI.com or elsewhere.

You can develop an "entry" strategy based on economics. If you don't mind purchasing new and either reselling or keeping as backup then you might consider a hybrid which could wind up being the "right" bike, but if you get the bug to go faster/further (and you can certainly do so in your 50's), then you will yearn for a road bike. Used would make a lot of sense given that most of your initial riding will be an assessment our the enjoyment you get out of the experience and your butt and brain won't perceive that much of a difference between a road, hybrid or mountain bike over short distances. There is no wrong way to get started: see bike, buy bike, ride bike.

I believe PIE is the official ethnic dish of 50+ers. Acceptance into the 50+ forum involves an obscure ritual involving eating pie and posting a picture of your bike.

+1 on considering a hybrid.

Wider tires for a more comfortable ride, more comfortable upright riding position, some offer a front suspension that can be locked out for roads and unlocked for unpaved trails, they'll have all the attach points for racks, cages, etc and will make a decent cruiser should you wish to.

You sound like you're just about a year behind me on a similar bike trajectory - I'm fift....fif....of a certain age, my knee and ankle are used up for running, I was getting fa......f.....to a certain weight and needed a new, regular low impact exercise hobby. I went into a bike store on a whim and test rode a bike and now I look forward to riding mine whenever I can.

Along with colonoscopy updates and other old people stuff.

Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I've been looking at a CAAD 8 and a Synapse. The CAAD 8 feels 'twitchy' so I think I'm going to go with the Synapse. The weather here in Atlanta is nice so I'm anxious to get out there.

Ack! Don't remind me! I have a consult for that on Friday.

Hopefully not while riding a bike...

If I can do that, I'll go on tour.....

Bought a bike!
Very happy!

Well...........you going to share er what? Photos or it didn't happen.