Hi BigDLou,

Welcome to the exciting and exhilarating world of cycling! And I mean it's ALL exciting and exhilarating! Buying the bike included. I bought mine in June, at age 48, after being a walker for a year and a half, so I hear you on the "slow" thing. A bike WILL cure that!

I had bike shop fears, too, and got over it when I decided to not let any questions go unasked. There ARE no stupid questions in a "good" bike shop. If you're getting the eye roll somewhere, then they're not going to take good care of you down the road. Don't be afraid to look stupid. I found that my BSOC (bike shop of choice) is HAPPY to give advice (eager, sometimes )on learning to ride, position, shifting, pedals, etc. It's a cycling thing, I think, the NEED to share the fun and decrease folks' trial and error, to speed up THEIR fun. Ask questions till you find the shop that listens to you, and helps you. You'll find them, all right!

Others posting here have good advice on a "starter" bike. I just wanted to say, GO FOR IT!! You'll love it. Be confident, lots of us here at TE are rooting for you! We've been there (are there) too, and welcome you!!