Wow !
Thanks for all the good information and all the things to think about !!!
I am such a novice - I know nothing but I have been thinking about this for YEARS. I used to love biking as a child.

I will try and answer some of the question below....
** I am only 5.2 inches so I am very overweight.
** I live in Knoxville and we have lots and lots of Mountain Bikers in this area - as you can imagine. I think mountain biking would be fun but I have to start out with something that I can more easily do at this stage of the game.
** yes - lots of hills here
** starting out - I imagine I will be biking on paved roads and may branch out later
** we do have lots of bike shops in the area, but I wanted to be armed with information before I go in on blind faith...
** I will make sure that I get steel.

I had not thought about all the extras - good point - the bike will just be the beginning... I hate helmets - HOT - but I know a must...

I really like the bikes (touring I think) that have a rack on the back for carrying things as I could see that would be helpful on tours - are those bikes also practical for cycling around town (pavement) with a club ????

What would be the "least expensive" route for a complete novice - as you can imagine, starting out - I may find that for whatever reason, this is not a sport for me (I may have to try several things to find my niche again). If all goes as I hope - I can upgrade to a better bike later. Note - I used to be a whitewater kayaker, for many years but at that time I weighed on 120 pounds - it is not an option again at this point in my life. Now, I am hopeful that biking could not only be a new sport that I could really enjoy -but also a fantastic source of exercise and an opportunity for socializing. (I am a widow) - 49 years old (almost 50)...

The New England trips that I have looked at indicate that the bikes are either provided or can be rented. The one that looked most interesting also indicated a van would be traveling with the bikers (in case anybody needed help so I would "think" (?) that the van would carry gear for the cyclist ???

Also - the trips were mostly in the $1,500 range for a week - does this sound reasonable ??? Includes the lodging and meals.

What age of people usually go on guided tours ??? What age people "generally" belong to bike clubs ???

My size bothers me GREATLY - now - I don't mind going to aerobics classes at this weight (amazingly) - but there is something about being big and getting on a little bicycle that is bothersome - I guess just the thoughts of my big rear end on that little seat (will get a saddle seat). Has this been an issue for anybody else.

I suspect that very few people as short as me who weigh as much as me - bike.

Thank you very much.

I am very excited about the prospect of preparing for a nice "physical" trip this fall.

Nancy