I started cycling when I was 32, a complete couch potato and very out of shape (although really skinny) - so out of shape I couldn't last 5 minutes on an exercise bike. I'd just moved to NoCal, with a bike path about 1/4 mile away from my home, and on weekends saw everyone out riding and enjoying the weather and beautiful scenery. It looked like so much fun I thought I'd give it a try. At first, 6 mile flat rides seemed pretty darn hard, but I loved the exercise and being outdoors, and have kept riding for 13 years now and never plan to stop.