Welcome Good for you on biking. Great advice given.

I think mine would be: just keep it simple.

A "good bike", in my humble opinion, is one that doesn't collect dust, and is ridden with love.

If DD's old bike half way fits the bill, just go. And go with what feels good, but not overdoing it. The gym is good. If they have Spinning classes, this is a great safe way to build fitness, and meet other potential bike pals too.

I know I'm a more extreme person myself, and the repititions of pedaling you might find will just sooth your soul in ways you never imagined.

I was out of shape quite a bit one season from some surgery recovery, and found myself not wanting to ride by looking at my tech toys and calculating how much slower, etc. I was. The best thing I did was just to ditch all that, and ride with my heart and soul.

Good Luck!